1. Pakistan to become the fifth-largest nuclear power by 2025
(i) As per a report released by Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, an independent Chicago-based think
tank, Pakistan will be the world’s fifth largest nuclear power by 2025.
(ii) The country’s reserve of
nuclear weapons will more than double over the next decade from its current arsenal of 110 to 130
warheads. It estimates that Pakistan will have 220-250 warheads, just behind the US, Russia and
France, and almost on par with China’s stock of 250.
(iii) This report coincided with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the US.
2. UK signs nuclear deal with China
(i) In mid-October 2015, UK signed a landmark, multi-billion dollar nuclear deal with China
to fund nuclear power stations in Britain.
(ii) UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron announced
that the agreement has been signed between French energy company EDF and China
General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) to build a nuclear power plant at Hinkley
Point in Somerset, which is situated in south-west England.
(iii) The deal will help UK build its first nuclear plant since 1980’s.
3. Japan offers loan at 1% rate to build India’s first bullet train
(i) Japan has offered to finance India’s first bullet train-estimated to cost $15 billion-at an interest
rate of less than 1 percent. The move, experts feel, is to restrict China’s involvement in
infrastructure development in South Asia.
(ii) Tokyo was chosen to assess building of a 505-kilometre corridor linking Mumbai with
Ahmedabad. Though, the construction project will be put out to tender, Japan seems to be the
forerunner as it is offering both funding and technology.
(iii) In September 2015, China bagged the contract to evaluate the feasibility of a high-speed train
between Delhi and Mumbai, a 1,200-km route estimated to cost twice as much. However, no loan
has been offered.
4. Amravati is the new capital of Andhra Pradesh
(i) Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh’s
new capital Amravati, in the state’s Guntur district.
(ii) The ceremony that was held on the
occasion of Dussehra was attended by several central and state ministers, Chief Minister
of Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao and other industrialists and celebrities.
(iii)
The capital is located about 40 km from the commercial hub of the state – Vijayawada.
5. Bank of Baroda first PSB to join Chillr payment platform
(i) Recently, Bank of Baroda became the first public sector bank to join the payment platform
Chillr, which facilitates peer-to-peer payment through a mobile application.
(ii) The Chillr app
is now available on Android platform for fund transfer, however, it will soon be made
available for IOS and Windows platform.
(iii) HDFC was the first private bank to join this
platform. As per the Chillr CEO Sony Joy, two other banks are expected to join the
platform by October 2015.
6. K Chockalingam wins the Paul H Appleby Award
(i) The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) conferred the prestigious
Paul H Appleby Award on noted criminologist K Chockalingam in recognition of his
contributions to public administration.
(ii) Chockalingam has served as a professor and
researcher in criminology at the University of Madras and is Vice President of the World
Society of Victimology.
(iii) He also holds the distinction of penning 75 research papers and has
authored four books.
7. Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Prevention Day observed
(i) On October 21, the Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) Prevention Day is observed with the aim of drawing people’s attention to the consequences of iodine
deficiency and encourage adequate use of the mineral.
(ii) According to the World Health
Organisation’s (WHO) data, 54 countries are still iodine deficient.
8. Facebook launches TechPrep to help parents improve their comp skills
(i) Facebook launched a new initiative called TechPrep to help parents, guardians
and other individuals who have had less exposure to computer skills and careers in
technology.
(ii) The website will also encourage women, and minority groups like African-
Americans and Hispanics to know more about computer science and programming.
(iii) They
can also learn to help their wards pursue a career in technology-related fields.
9. Nehwal loses World No. 1 ranking to Carolina Marin
(i) Indian ace shuttler Saina Nehwal’s early exit at the Japan and Denmark Open resulted in
the loss of her World No. 1 ranking.
(ii) She lost the rank to Spain’s Carolina Marin and thus dropped to World No. 2 as per the Badminton World Federation recently released
ranking list.
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