28 August 2017 Current Affairs
Govt inaugurates India’s first Videsh Bhavan in Mumbai
The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched country’s first Videsh Bhavan by assimilating all Regional Passport Offices and allied departments under a single roof at the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Currently, 90-plus RPOs and PoEs across the country function from rented offices. Merging and integrating them into similar Videsh Bhavans in different state capitals is expected to cut costs besides ensuring improving efficiency and speeding up the delivery of various services.
Arun Jaitley hands over LRSAM to Indian Navy
Defence Minister Arun Jaitley handed over the Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) jointly developed by India and Israel, to the Indian Navy, at Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL). LRSAM is an advanced combat suit for missile defence against air targets and missiles, and has full capabilities of air and surface surveillance, threat alert and fire control. The minister also dedicated a first-of-its kind 50-tonne Rocket Motor Static Test Facility. He inaugurated the ASTRA Manufacturing Unit at the BDL’s Bhanur unit.
Dara Khosrowshahi appointed as CEO of Uber Technologies Inc
Dara Khosrowshahi was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Uber Technologies Inc. His appointment was approved by the Uber Board. Prior to this appointment, Khosrowshahi was served as the Chief Executive Officer of travel company Expedia Inc. He succeeds Travis Kalanick, Uber’s co-founder who was expelled as CEO in June 2017 after shareholders representing about 40 per cent of the company’s voting power signed a letter asking him to resign amid growing concern over his behaviour.
Govt imposes anti-dumping duty on sodium nitrate imports from China
The Union Finance Ministry’s Revenue Department has imposed a five year anti-dumping duty on Sodium Nitrite imports from China. It was imposed based on recommendations of Directorate General of Antidumping and Allied Duties (DGAD). In its sunset review, the DGAD concluded that there is “continued dumping” of the ‘sodium nitrite’ from China and it is causing injury to the domestic industry.
Justice Dipak Misra sworn in as 45th Chief Justice of India
Justice Dipak Misra was sworn in as the 45th Chief Justice of India (CIJ). He was administered the oath of office by President Ram Nath Kovind. Justice Misra will retire on 2 October 2018. Justice Misra succeeds Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar who demitted office on 27 August 2017. With this, Misra became the third from Odisha to assume charge as the Chief Justice of India (CIJ). The other two were Justice Ranganath Misra and Justice G B Pattanaik.
Hamilton Wins Belgian Grand Prix
Mercedes’ British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton registered his 58th career race win after claiming the Belgian Grand Prix title. Hamilton’s rival Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel came second, while Daniel Ricciardo was placed third. With the win, Hamilton has cut Vettel’s lead at the top of the drivers’ championship to seven points.
Island of Tuvalu World’s Least Visited Country: UN Report
According to a report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the island of Tuvalu was the least visited country in 2016. According to the report, 2,000 people visited Tuvalu in 2016, while 1,000 people visited the country in 2014. Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Tuvalu is 4.6 meters above sea level and has a population of 11,000 people.
Airtel Ties up with Symantec
The country’s largest telecom services provider, Bharti Airtel, entered into a partnership with Symantec Corp, the world’s leading cyber security company, to serve the growing cyber security requirements of businesses in India. It will provide protection and prevention of online threats in an increasingly digitally connected world. According to the agreement, Airtel will be the exclusive Cyber Security Services partner for Symantec in India, and will distribute Symantec’s enterprise security software.
India, China agree to end Doklam standoff
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a press statement declaring that India and China have agreed to an ‘expeditious disengagement of border personnel at faceoff site in Doklam’ along the China-Bhutan border. The foreign ministry of China, however, maintains that while India was withdrawing its troops, they will continue to patrol in the Doklam Plateau.
Tata Sons appoints Roopa as Chief Economist & Head of Policy Advocacy
Tata Sons appointed Roopa Purushothaman as Chief Economist and Head of Policy Advocacy to drive macro-economic research as well as all policy and advocacy initiatives as relevant to the businesses of the salt-to-software conglomerate. Purushothaman joins Tata Sons from Everstone Capital, where she was leading the research function. Before that, she was with Goldman Sachs International as Vice President & Global Economist. She will join the group with effect from 1st September 2017.
Nitasha Biswas, The Winner of Miss Transqueen India 2017
Nitasha, a trans woman who hails from Kolkata, was named the first Miss Transqueen India in Gurgaon. Nitasha, 26, is currently pursuing Masters in Business Management in Kolkata. Loiloi from Manipur bagged the first runner-up position and Ragasya from Chennai was crowned the second runner-up.