Daily Current Affairs Updates–28th September 2016:
Daily Current affairs News Updates about the National and International events were listed here. Candidates those who are preparing for IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk exam and all other competitive exams can use this.
28 September: World Rabies Day September 28,
The World Rabies Dayis observed on 28 September across the world to raise awareness about the rabies disease and its preventable measures. Observance of the day seeks to raise awareness about the impact of rabies on animals and human beings. It also seeks to share information on how to prevent the disease. 2016
Theme: “Rabies: Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate”.
Global Competitiveness by World Economic Forum; India moves to 39th spot
World Economic Forum (WEF)has released the Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) 2016-2017. The report assesses the competitiveness landscape of 138 economies. Despite unorthodox monetary policy, global GDP growth has fallen from levels of 4.4 percent in 2010 to 2.5 percent in 2015.
Switzerland, Singapore and the US remain as the world's most competitive economies. Chinaranks 28 in the index. Among the other BRICS nations, Russia is ranked 43rd, South Africa is at 47 and Brazil at 81.
There were no newcomers to its 2016-2017 top 10, though the order of some of the leading countries shifted in its Global Competitiveness Report. Top 10 countries in ranking are Switzerland, Singapore, United States, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong (SAR), and Finland.
Varistha Pension BimaYojana Approved
The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has given its ex-post facto approval for the Varishtha Pension BimaYojana (VPBY) 2003 launched on 14th July, 2003 and Varistha Pension BimaYojana (VPBY) 2014 launched on 14th August, 2014.
The Cabinet also granted approval for expenditure incurred on subsidy amount released to LIC during the period of 2003-04 to 2014-15 for VPBY, 2003 and approval to incur expenditure on VPBY, 2003 and 2014 from the financial year 2015-16 onwards.
The Schemes are implemented through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India, and the difference between the actual yield earned by LIC on the funds invested under the Scheme and the assured return committed by the Government is paid as subsidy to LIC.
Both are pension schemes intended to give an assured minimum pension to the Senior Citizens based on an assured minimum return on the subscription amount.
Project ‘SAKSHAM’ Approved
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, approved ‘Project SAKSHAM’,a New Indirect Tax Network (Systems Integration) of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
The total project cost involved is Rs.2256 crore which will be incurred over a period of seven years.
It will help in:
Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST),
Extension of the Indian Customs Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) and
Other taxpayer-friendly initiatives under Digital India and Ease of Doing Business of Central Board of Excise and Customs.
Indira Gandhi International Airport becomes first in Asia-Pacific region to achieve carbon neutral status
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL)has announced that the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has become the first airport in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve carbon neutral status. DIAL is a GMR Group-led consortium which manages and operates IGI airport.
The announcement on the carbon neutral status was made by Airports Council International (ACI) during the Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate presentation ceremony held in Montreal, Canada.
The Airport Carbon Accreditation has upgraded Delhi Airport to ‘Level 3+, Neutrality’, which is the highest level of achievement available to airports across the world.
Four out of eight SAARC countries pull out of November Summit in Islamabad
Four out of eight SAARC countries have pulled out of 19th SAARC Summit to be held in Islamabad in November.
Following India's decision not to take part in the Summit, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan have also decided to boycot the Summit.
In view of the continuous cross border terrorism by Pakistan, India yesterday decided to pull out of the summit.
Maharashtra govt decides to increase financial assistance given to women convicts
The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court that it has decided to increase the financial assistance given to women convicts after their release from prison from Rs 5000 to Rs 25,000.
This was conveyed by state government counsel HitenVenegaonkar to a bench headed by Justice V M Kanade during the hearing of a suomotu petition seeking help to women convicts who have children.
Kerala travel mart begins at Kochi
The 9th edition of the largest gathering of tourism stakeholders “Kerala Traval mart” begins at Kochi.
The three-day event will have representatives from fifty-seven countries, including ten first time participants.
The event will focus on Responsible Tourism and Muziris Spice Route.
The venue will also host a series of seminars and discussion forums led by experts from the sector.
INTERNATIONAL
Cabinet Approves Ratification of Paris Agreement
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to ratify the Paris Agreement (on Climate Change) on 2nd October 2016, the day of Gandhi Jayanti. Paris Agreement was adopted by 185 nations last year on 12th December 2015 and India signed the Paris Agreement in New York early this year on 22nd April 2016.
A total of 191 countries have signed to the Paris Agreement so far.As per the provisions of the Paris Agreement, the treaty will come into force as and when 55 countries contributing to 55 % of total global emission ratify the agreement.
So far, 61 countries have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval accounting in total for 47.79% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions. India’s decision to ratify the agreement will take the number of cumulative level of emission of countries that have ratified the agreement so far to 51.89%.
Typhoon Megi hits Taiwan, Four died & 268 injured
Four people were died and 268 others were injured in Taiwan as Typhoon Megi traveled across the island on yesterday, according to local authorities. According to the island's Emergency Operation Center, more than 14,000 people were evacuated due to the typhoon and more than 72,000 homes were cut off from water supplies.
The typhoon made landfall at Hualien City in the east part of the island at about 2:00 p.m. yesterday with winds of up 198 km per hour, according to the island's meteorological agency.
Pakistan's parliament passed Hindu Marriage Bill
Pakistan's parliament has passed the much-delayed Hindu Marriage Bill to enable the country's minority Hindu community to register their marriages. The first ever national law was passed on Monday after the draft was presented in the lower house or National Assembly by minister for human rights Kamran Micheal. The bill sets the minimum age for marriage for Hindus at 18.
The bill will now have to get approval in the country's upper house, the Senate. The lack of a legal mechanism to recognize Hindu marriages in Pakistan since the country's creation in 1947 has led to rampant discrimination against nearly two million Hindu population.
BANKING NEWS
Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank's (DB) shares fell to the lowest level since mid-1980s today.This comes amid reports that the government has refused any state-aid to the bank before elections next year.
Earlier, the IMF had said that DB was the biggest risk to the financial system due to its intertwined relations with international lenders. Four Indian banks have surpassed Germany-based Deutsche Bank in market capitalization this year.
With a 50% drop in its shares this year, Germany's biggest lender is valued at $18 billion, whereas SBI, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Axis Bank are all valued at over $20 billion. India's most valuable bank, HDFC Bank, is thrice as big as Deutsche Bank.
BUSINESS NEWS
ETCA attempt to boost bilateral trade between India, Sri Lanka: NirmalaSitharaman
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry NirmalaSitharaman has said that there are a lot of opportunities for expansion of bilateral trade between India and Sri Lanka and the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between the two countries is an attempt to facilitate it.
The visit comes ahead of the meeting scheduled at New Delhi later this week to further discuss ETCA. Both sides have begun negotiations on the draft agreement and first round of talks were held in Colombo last month.
AGREEMENTS and MoUs
MoU to Promote Energy Efficiency
Ministry of Urban Development has embarked on a major programme to improve energy use efficiency in bulk water supply, public lighting, transportation and domestic consumption in cities and towns across the country.
The Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited, a public sector enterprise in this regard.
Energy audit and improving energy use efficiency is one of the mandated reforms under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and this initiative would help the cities significantly.
This will substantially reduce costs of operation of water supply schemes and public lighting and will benefit citizens.
In the MoU, it has been stated that energy costs account for 40% to 60% of cost of water supply in urban areas and energy efficiency interventions can reduce this cost by 25% to 40%, depending on the type and age of machines being used for bulk water supply.
India Korea MoU on Certificates Recognition
The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister NarendraModihas given its approval for signing of an Undertaking between India and Korea on Mutual Recognition of Certificates.
It is in pursuance of the Regulation 1/10 of International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping (STCW) for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.
Signing of the Undertaking will pave way for recognition of maritime education and training, certificates of competency, endorsements, training documentary evidence and medical fitness certificates for seafarers issued by the Government of the other country.
It is done in accordance with the provisions of regulation 1/10 of the STCW Convention, and cooperation between the two countries in the training, certification and management of seafarers.
India Singapore MoU in Industrial Property
The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the MoU in the field of Industrial Property Cooperation between Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), Ministry of Law, Government of Singapore.
The MoU will be signed at the upcoming visit of Singapore’s Prime Minister to India from 4-7 October, 2016.
The MoU will enhance bilateral cooperation activities in the arena of Industrial Property Rights of Patents, Trademarks and Industrial Designs.
It is intended to give a boost to innovation, creativity and technological advancement in both regions.
APPOINTMENTS
US appoints Jeffrey DeLaurentis as first Cuban Ambassador in 55 years
The United States has appointed its first Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis to Cuba in 55. The two countries broke off relations in 1961 after the communist revolution.
He was appointed to the post by President Barack Obama, who said that it was a step towards a more normal and productive relationship. He said that there was no better qualified public servant. But this appointment will need an approval from the Republican-led Senate, which has opposed to his dealings with the communist island.
The new ambassador DeLaurentis had been working at the new US embassy in Havana, which opened since 2014. He served in Havana during the transition period between the two nations which includes re-opening of embassies in Washington and Havana. This was followed by resuming travel and trade relations on a limited basis.
World Bank agrees to name Jim Yong Kim to 2nd term as President
The board of the World Bank has unanimously agreed to name Jim Yong Kim to a second term as President. Kim had been the only candidate in a process.
In a statement announcing the decision, the Bank's board offered a strong endorsement of Kim's record, including setting the goal of eliminating extreme global poverty by 2030.
The board also said an effort under Kim to cut bank spending had reduced administrative costs by 400 million dollars, money then reinvested to support the bank's goals.
Indian TT Team Coach Reappointed
The Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) re-appointed Italian Massimo Costantini as the national team chief coach for a two-year period up to September 30, 2018.
He was with the Indian team from early 2009 till the end of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, guiding India to five medals.
After leaving India, Max has had a long-tem stint with an United States club and guided some its players to glory.He was the US team coach at Rio Olympics.
India has 2nd highest deaths due to air pollution: WHO
India is the second deadliest country for outdoor air pollution in the world, with 6,21,138 deaths happening due to air pollution in the country in 2012, according to the World Health Organisation.
Also, India averages at 49 deaths per 1,00,000 capita due to air pollution. Notably, China tops the WHO list with 10,32,833 deaths recorded due to air pollution.
Thales Defence and IIT Delhi Sign MoU
French defence company Thales and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-Delhi) signed a MoU to create a jointly supervised IIT Delhi-CNRS PhD fellowship programme.
Through this fellowship programme, Thales and IIT-Delhi intend to facilitate scientific collaboration between Indian and French laboratories and boost industrial research by strengthening industry-academia relations.
Thales is a global technology leader in the areas of aerospace, transport, defence and security markets.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Google launches instant messaging mobile app Allo
Google has launched its latest mobile chat application, Allo, along with Google Assistant that can be used in online conversations with friends.
The messaging app, which is available for Android and the iPhone, has similar features to most other messaging applications.
In Allo, messages are not encrypted end-to-end by default. However, the messages can be switched to an incognito mode to do so and set how long they exist before they are deleted.
SPORTS NEWS
Official Emblem launched for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 on 27 September 2016 unveiled the Official Emblem for the event. The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be India’s first international football event. The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 will be held in six venues across the country during October 2017.
Key highlights of the emblem
The Indian Ocean that serves as the base of the emblem is an integral part of the subcontinent.
The banyan tree is the national tree of India, deeply rooted in the culture and ethos of India.
The kite is the symbol of freedom and fun. Popular across the country, it represents the soaring aspirations of India’s young and vibrant democracy.
The starburst that sits on the top of the emblem evokes festivity and celebration.
Shaped like the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy, the emblem combines the global look of the beautiful game with a quintessentially Indian feel.
SathiyanGnanasekaran wins Belgium Open
SathiyanGnanasekaran has become only the second Indian table tennis player to win an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) event as he clinched the men's singles title at the Belgium Open.
In the final match played at De Haan in Belgium, he defeated defeating local player Nuytinck Cedric 4-0 score in the final. AchantaSharath Kamal was the first Indian table tennis player to win an ITTF event in 2012.
Indian eves win kabaddi gold at Asian Beach Games
Indian women's kabadditeam won the country's first gold medal at the Asian Beach Games 2016, defeating Thailand on Tuesday.
The team has set the record by winning five consecutive gold medals at the Games since 2008, defeating Thailand every time in the final.
Meanwhile, Indian men's kabaddi team won the silver after losing out to Pakistan in the final.
Shimon Peres, former Israeli president, dies aged 93
The former Israel's defining political figures and a Nobel peace prize laureate, Shimon Peres has died at the age of 93.
He had served twice as a prime minister and once as a president. He held several diplomatic and military positions during and directly after Israel's War of Independence.
Eminent Bangla poet Syed ShamsulHaq died
Eminent Bangla poet, playwrite and essayist Syed ShamsulHaq died in Dhaka last night. He was suffering from lung cancer. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have condoned his death.
Recipient of the Independence Award, EkusheyPadak, Bangla Academy Award and the National Poetry Honour, Syed Haq's work has inspired generations of the Bangla society.
Starting with his revolutionary play titled 'NuruldinerSareJibon' on peasant rebellion in Rangpur against the British Raj, he wrote innumerable patriotic songs of immense beauty which inspired the 1971 Liberation War fighters.
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