29th October 2018 Current Affairs
Vigilance Awareness Week being observed to achieve corruption free society
- The Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed across the country from today to promote probity in public life and achieve a corruption-free society.
- The theme of the week this year is, ‘Eradicate Corruption – Build A New India’.
- The observance of the week will commence with pledge taking by public servants in the Ministries, Departments, PSUs, Banks and all other Organisations.
- The week ( in which 31st October) the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls, is observed as Vigilance Awareness Week every year.
Indonesian passenger plane crashes into the sea with 188 people on board
- An Indonesian plane carrying 188 passengers and crew crashed into the java sea.
- The jet vanished from radar just 13 minutes after taking off from the capital Jakarta, plunging into the ocean.
- The plane lost contact with air traffic control around 6.30 am, en route to Pangkal Pinang on the island of Bangka.
Michael Higgins re-elected as Irish President
- Michael D Higgins has been re-elected as Irish President after receiving 56% of the country’s electoral vote.
- Businessman Peter Casey came second with 23.1% votes.
- The President is Ireland’s ‘first citizen’, but has limited power – the role is mainly symbolic and he or she cannot get involved in daily politics.
Simona Halep Becomes 1st Recipient Of Chris Evert WTA World No.1 Trophy
- World number one Simona Halep has become the first recipient of the Chris Evert Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) World No.1 Trophy, named after WTA’s first-ever world number one, Chris Evert.
- The 27-year-old had lifted her maiden Grand Slam title at the Roland Garros and claimed the WTA Year-End world number one singles award for the second consecutive year.
SBI & Hitachi to set up card acceptance, digital payment platform
- The State Bank of India (SBI) and Hitachi Payment Services Pvt Ltd have signed a definitive agreement to enter into a joint venture for the establishment of the latest card acceptance and future-ready digital payment platform for India.
- Now, India’s largest bank will have a majority stake in the proposed joint venture.
- Hitachi Payment Services Pvt Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd, Japan.
Kenyan distance runner Abraham Kiptum wins Valencia race
- Kenyan distance runner Abraham Kiptum (29-year) has won the Valencia race setting a new world best time of 58mins 18sec for the half-marathon.
- The previous best time was set eight years ago by Ethiopia’s Zersenay Tadesse who ran the Lisbon half-marathon in 58 minuted and 23 seconds in March 2010.
Scientists develop a web-based tool to monitor fake news on Facebook, Twitter
- Scientists have developed a web-based tool to help monitor the prevalence of fake news on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
- They Developed by researchers at the University of Michigan in the US.
- The tool uses a Platform Health Metric called the Iffy Quotient, which draws data from two external entities (NewsWhip and Media Bias/Fact Checker).
- NewsWhip, a social media engagement tracking firm, collects URLs on hundreds of thousands of sites every day and then gathers information on which of those sites have engagements on Facebook and Twitter.
1st UAE-made satellite launched from Japan
- The United Arab Emirates’ first locally made satellite was launched from Japan on 29th October 2018.
- The ‘KhalifaSat Earth observation satellite’ was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- UAE also aims to send its first two astronauts to the International Space Station in 2019.
Justice Bopanna sworn in as CJ of Gauhati HC
- Justice Ajjikuttira Somaiah Bopanna was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court on 29 October 2018.
- Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi administered the oath of office to Justice Bopanna.
- Justice Bopanna was appointed as an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court in January 2006 and a permanent judge on March 1, 2007.
Trials of ‘Train 18’ began
- Train 18, the country’s first engine-less train, was unveiled on 29th October 2018.
- Train 18 will undergo short runs near Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory (ICF) for five days for testing its braking system, the on board air conditioning and other systems.
- The train can travel up to the speed at 160 kilometres per hour (kmph) as against 130 kmph of Shatabdi Express
Clara Sosa Won Miss Grand International 2018 In Myanmar
- Miss Paraguay Clara Sosa won the Miss Grand International 2018 title at the 6th edition of the beauty pageant in Yangon, Myanmar.
- Clara Sosa succeeds Miss Grand International 2017 Maria Jose Lora of Peru.
- India’s, FBB Colors Femina Miss Grand India 2018 Meenakshi Chaudhary was named 1st runner-up.
Try out the quiz ?
1. From when the Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed across the country to promote probity in public life and achieve a corruption-free society?
The Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed across the country from 29th October to promote probity in public life and achieve a corruption-free society.
2. How many passengers in Indonesia plane which crashes into the sea?
An Indonesian plane carrying 188 passengers and crew crashed into the java sea.
3. Who become the president of Irish after receiving 56% of the Country’s electoral vote?
Michael D Higgins has been re-elected as Irish President after receiving 56% of the country’s electoral vote.
4. Which of the following player has become the first recipient of the Chris Evert Women’s Tennis Association World No.1 Trophy?
World number one Simona Halep has become the first recipient of the Chris Evert Women's Tennis Association (WTA) World No.1 Trophy, named after WTA's first-ever world number one, Chris Evert.
5. Which of the following bank has recently formed joint venture with Hitachi Payments for digital payment platform?
The State Bank of India (SBI) and Hitachi Payment Services Pvt Ltd have signed a definitive agreement to enter into a joint venture for the establishment of the latest card acceptance and future-ready digital payment platform for India.
6. ________________ Distance runner Abraham Kiptum (29-year) has won the Valencia race setting a new world best time of 58mins 18sec for the half-marathon.
Kenyan distance runner Abraham Kiptum (29-year) has won the Valencia race setting a new world best time of 58mins 18sec for the half-marathon.
7. For which social media platform Scientists have developed a web-based tool to help monitor the prevalence of fake news?
Scientists have developed a web-based tool to help monitor the prevalence of fake news on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
8. The first locally made satellite ‘The United Arab Emirates’ was launched by which country?
The United Arab Emirates’ first locally made satellite was launched from Japan on 29th October 2018.
9. Who become the Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court?
Justice Ajjikuttira Somaiah Bopanna was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court on 29 October 2018.
10. What is the name of India’s first engine-less train?
Train 18, the country’s first engine-less train, was unveiled on 29th October 2018.
11. Who bagged the 2018 Miss Grand International title?
Miss Paraguay Clara Sosa won the Miss Grand International 2018 title at the 6th edition of the beauty pageant in Yangon, Myanmar.
