Daily Current Affairs Updates–27th October 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.
27 October: World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage was observed across the world on 27 October 2016. The theme for the day was It's Your Story - Don't Lose It. The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage aims to raise general awareness of the need for urgent measures to be taken to safeguard audiovisual document. It also focuses on acknowledging the importance of audiovisual documents as an integral part of national identity.
Impacting Farmers’ lives through Science Biotech-Kisan& Cattle Genomics
i, As a part of the Government’s focus on the development of programmes that aim to directly and positively impact people’s lives rapidly, the Ministry of Science and Technology has been at the forefront in many of these initiatives. Two Farmer-Centric initiatives of this Ministry are Biotech-KISAN and Cattle Genomics.
ii. The Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan shared details on these new initiatives with the Press in New Delhi today. The two programs are intended to have major impact on rural livelihood through science. The Minister in his address stated that the Prime Minister’s emphasis on the importance to work on the problems faced by our farmers is a great motivation factor for the scientist community.
69th Infantry Day being observed
i. The 'Infantry Day' was celebrated today with a solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony organised at `Amar JawanJyoti' in New Delhi. Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh, Gen JJ Singh, (Retd) former Chief of Army Staff, Director General Infantry and Colonels of Infantry Regiments laid wreaths and paid homage to the braves of the Infantry.
ii The Infantry celebrates 27th October each year as the Infantry Day to commemorate the first Infantry action post independence sixty nine years ago. The Day was also celebrated with traditional solemnity and gaiety in Mumbai. On this occasion, Major General AnujMathur, officiating General Officer Commanding Maharashtra Gujarat and Goa Area (GOC MG&G Area) and all Officers of Military Station, Colaba laid wreath, in remembrance and honour of all those members of the Infantry fraternity, who made the supreme sacrifice for the honour and safety of the country in Jammu and Kashmir.
India pushes for traditional military-to-military cooperation with Russia
i. India today pushed for more focus on traditional military-to-military cooperation with Russia. It also called for enhancing pace and depth of exchanges at the level of Chiefs, training of personnel and joint military exercises between the two countries.
Addressing the 16th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation in New Delhi today, Defence Minister ManoharParrikar said, the two sides could mutually work out the modalities of increasing the military-to-military cooperation and draw up a roadmap for implementation.
New Zealand PM John Key to visit Cochin International Airport
i. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key will visit the Cochin International Airport today evening. The line baggage facility at the new international terminal T-3 was set up by New Zealand based company Glidepath.
ii. This is one of the most modern facilities in the country. Mr Key and his team are expected to reach the airport around 5 p.m. and will be at there for about an hour and will visit the baggage handling facility and new international terminal.
Assam govt to procure 40,000 Metric Tons of paddy to help flood affected farmers
i. The Assam government has decided to procure 40 thousand Metric Tons of paddy at Minimum Support Price to help the flood affected farmers. The decision was taken in a high level meeting of the Agriculture department held in Guwahati today under the Chairmanship of Agriculture Production Commissioner K K Mittal.
ii. Official sources said that the MSP of Grade- A paddy in current financial year has been fixed at 1 thousand 510 rupees per quintal. The price of common paddy is 1 thousand 470 rupees per quintal. Agriculture department has also decided to set up procurement centers at paddy growing areas to facilitate the farmers.
iii. The government has also decided to supply seeds of mustard,potato and pea to the farmers by 15th of next month .On the other hand, in a bid to attract youth to agri sector , the department has decided to start two modern agriculture farm in each district. The three wave of flood waters caused damages to huge crop land this year.
Odisha CM urges Centre to release Rs.795 Cr 31 Lakh to settle insurance claims of farmers
i. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Centre to release 795 crore 31 lakh rupees to settle insurance claims of farmers afftected by drought last year. In a letter written to Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh yesterday, Naveen Patnaik mentioned that more than 21 lakh farmers in the state were covered under under National Agricultural Insurance Scheme during Kharif 2015, under which the money is sought.
ii. The letter mentions the Agriculture Insurance Company of India has approved claims of 1,776 crore 34 lakh rupees for Kharif 2015 season for Odisha on 5th of this month. Out of total approved claim, the State and the Centre have the equal share of 795 crore 31 lakh rupees. The letter added the State has already sanctioned its share which would be disbursed to farmers as soon the Central share is received.
Government committed to facilitate growth and innovation of the M&E sector – Col. Rathore
Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Col. RajyavardhanRathore has said with technological changes and innovation, the content platform is undergoing constant change with respect to creation / access and distribution.
The Minister said, a series of measures have been undertaken to facilitate the growth and innovation within the M&E Sector.
a) Streamlining of processes and procedures had been put in place in the Broadcasting Sector in the context of grant of permissions to TV Channels.
b) Measures had been undertaken to promote the branding of India’s Soft power at International Films Festivals.
c) The Government was undertaking specific measures to promote the idea of India as a Filming Destination,
d) States were being encouraged to mainstream the film facilitation policies and processes.
e) Support for participation of films at International festivals was being encouraged through specific financial grant and support.
f) For the ensuing International Film Festival at Goa special efforts were being undertaken to promote participation of quality films and experts for exchange of ideas concerning different aspects of filming.
Justice Reddy committee on OROP submits report
The one-man judicial committee on One Rank One Pension (OROP) submitted its report to the Defence Minister ManoharParrikar, on 26 October 2016. The committee was appointed under the Chairmanship of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. Union Government appointed L Narasimha Reddy to head Judicial Committee on OROP
INTERNATIONAL
Disarmament Week observed 24th – 30th October
The annual observance of Disarmament Week, which begins on the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, was called for in the Final Document of the General Assembly 1978 special session on disarmament (resolution S-10/2). States were invited to highlight the danger of the arms race, propagate the need for its cessation and increase public understanding of the urgent tasks of disarmament.
On the occasion, the United Nations invites states to highlight the danger of the arms race, propagate the need for its cessation and increase public understanding of the urgent tasks of disarmament.
India at 87th out of 144 countries, goes up 21 places in WEF gender gap report
India has climbed 21 spots to rank 87th on the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2016. In 2015, it was ranked 108th.
The improvement in ranking, the report says, is driven (Caused ) largely by major improvements in education, where it has managed to close its gap entirely in primary and secondary education. With this jump in ranking, India has now overtaken (to move up to and past (someone or something that is in front of you) by moving faster) China which is ranked 99th out of 144 countries. Iceland tops the latest rankings followed by Finland, Norway and Sweden.
The report measures gender gap as progress towards parity between men and women in four areas –
a) educational attainment,
b) health and survival,
c) economic opportunity and
d) political empowerment.
BANKING NEWS
Accept Rs500/1,000 notes only after careful scrutiny: RBI
Reserve Bank of India has urged public to examine 500 rupees and 1000 rupees currency notes before accepting them in the usual course of transactions to avoid circulation of fake currency notes. RBI said, unscrupulous elements are putting into circulation Fake Indian Currency Notes of higher denominations.
The central bank has cautioned the public to subject notes that are accepted to "careful scrutiny". RBI has asked public to make it a habit of looking at the notes before accepting them and help arrest the counterfeiting of Indian banknotes.Counterfeiting of notes, or possession, exchange, acceptance or in any way abetting such actions are offences under the Indian Penal Code and are liable to be punished stringently.
Reserve Bank has appealed to the public for cooperation and also authorities in containing the menace of circulation of counterfeit notes. Detailed information on the security features on the banknotes are available on RBI website.
HDFC ERGO ties up with Maruti Insurance Broking
HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company has entered into a tie-up with Maruti Insurance Broking Pvt Ltd (MIBL) to offer motor insurance to buyers of Maruti Suzuki cars. The insurance would be offered to buyers of Maruti Suzuki cars in Pune, Surat and Baroda. HDFC ERGO is present across 91 cities and the MIBL has partnered with 11 insurance providers to ensure stress-free service to its customers.
BUSINESS NEWS
HDFC PE fund exits Lodha's World Tower project for Rs 1,500 crore
Mumbai-based realty player Lodha Group has said private equity player HDFC Property Fund has exited its stake in the developer's World Towers in south Mumbai project for Rs 1,500 crore.
The offshore fund, sponsored by Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC), had invested Rs 500 crore in the project in 2010, which realised a return of 3x or Rs 1,500 crore after 6 years, Lodha Group said in a statement issued here.The exit was funded through internal accruals and partly through fresh fund raising, the company said.
ITC Net Profit Rises 10% ToRs. 2,500 Crore In September Quarter
ITC Ltd posted 10.49 per cent increase in standalone net profit to Rs. 2,500.03 crore for the September quarter of the current fiscal, helped largely by higher cigarette sales.
Fiscal Year: A fiscal year (FY) is a period that a company or government uses for accounting purposes and preparing financial statements. A fiscal year may not be the same as a calendar year.
The company had posted a net profit of Rs. 2,262.5 crore during the same period of 2015-16 fiscal.
Total income from operations of the Kolkata-based company went up by 7.97 per cent to Rs. 13,616.61 crore for the quarter under review as against Rs. 12,611.29 crore of the July-September quarter of the previous fiscal, ITC said in a filing to the BSE.
AGREEMENTS &MoUs
Cabinet approves Agreement between India and Estonia on the transfer of sentenced persons
The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi has given its approval for signing and ratification of an Agreement between India and Estonia on the transfer of sentenced persons.
Signing the Agreement shall facilitate the Indian prisoners imprisoned in Estonia or vice-versa to be near to their families, for serving remaining part of their sentence and shall facilitate their social rehabilitation.
India, Iran to sign Farzad-B gas field deal by February next year
India and Iran have agreed to conclude an agreement to develop the Farzad-B gas field in Iranian offshore within the next three months. The two countries also agreed to make their best endeavours to conclude the definitive agreement by February next year.The announcement was made after an official level talks in Tehran between the petroleum ministries of the countries.
The Farzan-B gas field is estimated to have in-place reserves of 18.75 trillion cubic feet of gas, the Indian government said in a statement today.A consortium led by ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), the overseas investment arm of Indian explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp, discovered the Farzad B gas field in the Farsi offshore block in 2008.
India, New Zealand sign three pacts including avoidance of double taxation
India and New Zealand on 26 October 2016 signed three agreements in the areas of double taxation avoidance, food security and sports. The agreements were inked in New Delhi in presence of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Prime Minister NarendraModi. John Key was on a three-day (25 October to 27 October 2016) visit to India.
APPOINTMENTS
GSMA elects new board members and elects Sunil BhartiMittal as Chairman
The GSMA today announced that it has elected new members of the GSMA Board for the two-year period from January 2017 through December 2018. The GSMA Board has also elected Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman, Bharti Enterprises as Chair, and re-elected Mari-NoëlleJego-Laveissiere, Executive Vice President, Innovation, Orange Group as Deputy Chair.
As GSMA Chair, Mittal will oversee the strategic direction of the organisation, which represents nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.Current GSMA Chairman Jon Fredrik Baksaas will step down from the Board at the end of 2016.
Karnal Singh appointed as Director of Enforcement Directorate
Senior IPS officer Karnal Singh on 26 October 2016 was appointed the Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED).The Appointments Committee of Cabinet approved the appointment of Singh till 31 August 2017, which is the date of his superannuation. Singh was already holding the post as additional charge for over a year. His regular posting was Special Director, ED, for the northern region.
Union Government constitutes Munialappa Committee to monitor bird flu situation
The Union Agricultural Ministry on 26 October 2016 constituted a High-Level Committee to monitor the bird flu situation and help state governments take steps to contain the disease. The Committee will be headed by Munialappa, Joint Commissioner in the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries (DADF).
Dr. Ajay M. Gondane appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia
Dr. Ajay M. Gondane has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to Australia. Currently he is working as the Additional Secretary (Political) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He has previously served as High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and as Deputy Consul General of India in New York.
Antoine Griezmannannounced as La Liga best player
Antoine Griezmann was the surprise winner of the best La Liga player title at the award ceremony on Monday night, beating usual suspects Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The diminutive Atletico Madrid forward enjoyed a strong 2015/16 season in which he scored 22 goals for his club side to help them to the UEFA Champions League final, where they were beaten by city rivals Real Madrid.
He was also instrumental on the international scene, firing France into the final of the UEFA European Championships in July, where they were beaten by Portugal.
The award ceremony was boycotted by Barcelona players, who refused to attend in protest at manager Luis Enrique not being considered for the best coach award.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NASA growing lettuce in space
Just as farmers on Earth are planting leafy greens for the fall growing season, astronauts aboard the International Space Station are planting their third on-orbit crop of red romaine lettuce.
NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough initiated the Veg-03 experiment, one of his first science assignments as a new crew member aboard the orbiting laboratory.
As Kimbrough worked, members of the Veggie team watched from their consoles in the Experiment Monitoring Area located in Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A live video downlink from the orbiting laboratory allowed the scientists to remotely watch Kimbrough’s actions and ensure he did not encounter any challenges with the activity or hardware.
INS Sumitra visits Suva, Fiji (26 – 29 Oct 16)
Indian Naval Ship Sumitra, an offshore patrol vessel, has arrived at Suva, Fiji on a three day visit from 26 to 29 Oct 16, as part of her operational deployment to Southern Indian Ocean and the Western Pacific, in pursuit of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and outreach to friendly countries.
The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing maritime security cooperation between the two countries.
Sumitra, is the fourth of the Saryu class ships, based on an indigenous design, constructed by M/s Goa Shipyard Ltd, India. Since commissioning in 2014, the ship has been deployed for multiple operational tasks, the most notable being ‘Operation Rahat’, which entailed the evacuation of personnel of various nationalities from war-torn Yemen in 2015. The ship has a range of 6,500 nautical miles and is capable of embarking one Dhruv/ Chetak helicopter.
SPORTS NEWS
FIFA unveils Official Mascot for 2018 FIFA World Cup
Russia have unveiled their mascot for the 2018 FIFA World Cup – Zabivaka the wolf. Zabivaka, whose name means “the one who scores” in Russian is described as “charming, confident and social” and has “always dreamt of becoming a football star”, received 53% of the one million votes in a Fifa poll, beating competition from a tiger who got 27% and cat which collected 20%. He was developed by student designer EkaterinaBocharova.
Kashmir loses its Nightingale, legendary Raj Begum dies at 89
The Nightingale of Kashmir, Raj Begum, who enthralled millions with her mellifluous voice for more than seven decades, passed away on Wednesday after a protracted illness. She was 89.
Born in 1927, she started singing when it was considered a taboo for women in the deeply conservative Kashmir of the time.
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