Current Affairs - October 15, 2017 Current Affairs

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi, and Yes Bank have signed a MoU, to further encourage cross-border exchange between the fintech ecosystems of the United Arab Emirates and India. The collaboration will enable fintech innovators from the Middle East region and India to apply into Yes FinTech programmes and the ADGM's Regulatory Laboratory, and will get the opportunity to expand into each other's markets. Yes FinTech is a platform for Yes Bank and fintech startups to co-create innovative solutions and participate in taking the solution to the bank's customers.

Vanuatu has become the first country in the world to accept Bitcoin in exchange for citizenship. Currently, the citizenship programme of Vanuatu costs USD 200000. With Bitcoin price hovering around USD 6000, Vanuatu citizenship can be availed at a price of nearly 35 Bitcoins. The investment immigration/citizenship industry is estimated to be worth more than $2 billion USD annually.

Facebook launched a service in the United States, through which users can order food and get it delivered by using Facebook's app or website. The feature allows users to browse nearby restaurants by visiting the 'Order Food' section on Facebook's 'Explore' menu. The social media giant has partnered with food ordering services like Delivery.com for the same. Restaurant partners include Chipotle, Five Guys, Papa John's and Jack in the Box.

Haryana's Amin village was renamed as Abhimanyupur. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar gave approval to rename Amin village in Kurukshetra district to Abhimanyupur. Abhimanyupur would be included in the second phase of Krishna Circuit under Central Government's Swadesh Darshan Scheme.

Meritorious Muslim girls who go on to complete graduation before marriage will get a special gift of Rs.51,000 from the Narendra Modi government. The shaadi shagun - as the scheme is called- is aimed at incentivising higher education among minority groups.

Esther Staubli became first female referee to officiate a match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India. Esther, who hails from Bern, Switzerland officiated the match between Japan and New Caledonia at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. As for the U-17 World Cup, Staubli is one of seven female referees invited to the tournament. Seven Women referee selected by FIFA for the U-17 World Cup are: Esther Staubli, Kateryna Monzul, Anna-marie Keighley, Claudia Umpierrez, Carol Anne Chenard, Gladys Lengwe, RI Hyang Ok.

World's first 'negative emissions' power plant started operating in Iceland. It indicates that the power plant eliminates more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it produces. This feat has been accomplished by a climate-startup named Climeworks by refitting a geothermal plant in Iceland. In this power plant, Climeworks' patented air filter captures the carbon dioxide (CO2) from ambient air. Thereafter the low-grade heat from geothermal power plant heats up the filter which results in the extraction of pure CO2.

The United Nations declared former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam's birthday (October 15) as 'World Student's Day' in 2010. Also, Switzerland declared May 26 as 'Science Day' after Abdul Kalam visited Switzerland, as a mark of respect and honour of his visit.

The world's largest combustion research centre which will impart a major boost to the Indian scientific community was inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. The National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) was inaugurated by NITI Aayog member V K Saraswat in the presence of Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology. NCCRD's research interests will cover automotive, thermal power and aerospace propulsion, besides fire research and microgravity combustion to minor extent.

International Day of Rural Women is celebrated all over the world on October 15. The theme for 2017 International Day of Rural Women is "Challenges and opportunities in climate-resilient agriculture for gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls". This day recognizes the critical role and contribution of rural women in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

Union Bank of India launched an Android app named, 'Union Sahyog', as a part of its efforts to digitise customer-facing banking services. The Union Sahyog App consists of: all mobile-based banking applications, missed call/SMS-based services, Internet banking login and self-user creation, deposit and loan product information, online account opening, online loan application, online complaints, RTI (Right To Information), branch locator, EMI calculator, social media links and digital banking information.

Rajasthan State assembly has become the first in India to call attention and adjournment motions and proposals online from legislators. The new online system was inaugurated by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Speaker Kailash Meghwal by sending a call for an attention motion to the state government with a click of mouse. It will facilitate smooth exchange of information and reports among respective departments.