Current Affairs November 1, 2017

NATIONAL

Goa hosts inaugural India-US Ocean Dialogue:

Goa is hosting the inaugural India-US Ocean Dialogue beginning . The US state department has said, the dialogue, aimed at promoting sustainable development of the Blue Economy, is being hosted by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) in Goa.

Goa

  • Capital: Panaji
  • Chief Minister: Manohar Parrikar
  • Governor: Mridula Sinha

ERO-Net launched in Rajasthan:

Rajasthan’s Chief Electoral Officer Ashwini Bhagat launched the Election Commission’s web-based project, ERO-Net, using which voters can register their names on electoral rolls.

The Electoral Roll Management System (ERMS) software was being used to make voter lists. It could not identify multiple entries of a voter.

Rajasthan

  • Capital: Jaipur
  • Chief Minister: Vasundhara Raje
  • Governor: Kalyan Singh

Venkaiah Naidu to inaugurate Chhattisgarh foundation day celebrations:

Vice president M Venkaiah Naidu will inaugurate Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav, the celebrations to mark the 17th state foundation day.

While the celebrations will be held for five days at the sprawling Rajyotsav Sthal in Naya Raipur, the upcoming new capital, remaining 26 district headquarters will witness celebrations for three days.

Chhattisgarh

  • Capital: Raipur
  • Chief Minister: Raman Singh
  • Governor: Balram Das Tandon

Karnataka Madhya Pradesh celebrates its 62nd formation day:

Five states — Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and  Karnataka — are celebrating their foundation day.


Cabinet Approval

  1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has accorded the ex-post facto approval for implementation of Special Banking Arrangement (SBA) for Rs. 10,000 crore for payment of outstanding claims on account of fertilizer subsidy in the year 2016-17.
  2. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval for the trade Agreement between India and Ethiopia for strengthening and promoting trade and economic co-operation. The trade Agreement was signed on 5th October, 2017 during the State visit of the President of India to Ethiopia from 4th to 6th October, 2017.The trade Agreement will replace the existing trade Agreement signed in 1982.
  3. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing and ratifying an Agreement between India and Armenia on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters.

INTERNATIONAL

India, Japan begins three-day anti-submarine drill:

Navies of India and Japan began a three-day anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Indian Ocean region to deepen their operational coordination in the strategically important sea lanes around the two countries.

Japan

  • Capital: Tokyo
  • Currency: Yen
  • Prime minister: Shinzō Abe

BANKING & BUSINESS

SBI cuts benchmark lending rate by 0.05 pc across maturities:

State Bank of India (SBI) has cut is benchmark lending rate by 0.05 per cent across maturities, effective from November 1, according to an announcement by the state-run lender.

The reduction in marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) by the largest Indian bank, last made on January 1 this year, has thus brought its MCLR down to 7.95 per cent from 8 per cent, the SBI.

The MCLR on overnight borrowings has been reduced to 7.70 per cent from 7.75 per cent, while the rate for three-year tenures has been lowered from 8.15 per cent to 8.10 per cent.


Michael Jackson named top-earning dead celebrity for 5th time:

Late singer Michael Jackson has been named the highest-earning dead celebrity for the 5th consecutive year by Forbes. His earnings have been estimated to be $75 million (485 crore). Two other singers who have featured among the top five are Elvis Presley and Bob Marley, with earnings of $35 million (226 crore) and $23 million (148 crore) respectively.


Transcorp launches pre-paid card in association with Yes Bank:

Forex and inward solutions provider Transcorp International launched a platinum pre-paid card in association with Yes Bank that can be used for transactions in stores and ATMs across the country.

The card is being launched in association with Yes Bank, the country’s leading private bank and RUPAY – IndiaÂ’s very own switch powered by NPCI.


APPOINTMENT

Birendra Prasad Baishya re-elected as President of IWLF:

Indian Weightlifting Federation President Birendra Prasad Baishya has been elected chairman of two sub-committees of the parent international body.

Baishya was elected as chairman of International Weightlifting Federation’s Ethics Commission as well as of Anti-Disciplinary Commission at the world body’s Executive Committee Meeting held at Bucharest.


Bharti AXA Life Appoints Vikas Seth as CEO:

         Bharti AXA Life Insurance, a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and AXA, has appointed Vikas Seth as Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment is subject to requisite IRDAI approval. Prior to joining Bharti AXA Life, Vikas was with the Aditya Birla Group, where he worked for nearly 10 years in different roles. Vikas brings with him over 21 years of experience in diverse industries, including life insurance, telecom and FMCG.


Japanese lawmakers reelect Shinzo Abe as PM:

Japanese lawmakers have reelected Shinzo Abe as Prime Minister following the governing coalition’s landslide victory in a general election last month. Abe was reelected by both Houses of the Diet.

The prime minister will now form his cabinet. He plans to reappoint all of his previous ministers to ensure continuity of his policies.


Suresh Chukkapalli Appointed as Consul General of Korea:
Suresh Chukkapalli, Chairman of Phoenix Group of Hyderabad appointed as Honorary Consul General in Hyderabad by the Republic of Korea, with consular jurisdiction over the state of Telangana.


Tata Steel elevates T V Narendran as global CEO, MD:

Tata Steel Ltd has promoted T V Narendran as chief executive officer and managing director globally.

Narendran, 52, a company veteran who joined the Tata ranks in 1988, was serving as managing director (India and South East Asia) for the past four years.


Vikram Singh Appointed Private Secretary to President:

Railway officer Vikram Singh was appointed Private Secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind. Singh is a 1997 batch officer of the Indian Railway Traffic Service.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment to the post for a period of two years.


AWARDS

Google honours Urdu writer Abdul Qavi Desnavi with a doodle:

Search engine giant Google paid tribute to Urdu writer, critic and linguist Abdul Qavi Desnavi on his 87th birth anniversary with a special doodle.

Desnavi, who was born in Desna village in Nalanda district of Bihar, passed away on July 7, 2011 in Bhopal where he spent his life.


Venezuela’s opposition awarded European Union’s Sakharov Prize for human rights:

The European Parliament’s has rejected the transnational legislature’s decision to award the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the “democratic opposition of Venezuela”.


SPORTS

Heena Sidhu Wins Air Pistol Gold at Commonwealth Shooting Championships:

Shooter Heena Sidhu continued her terrific form this year winning gold in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event at the Commonwealth Shooting Championships, Brisbane.


Bumrah hops to top in ICC T20 rankings:

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah climbed to the number one spot in the latest ICC T20 rankings.

Bumrah, who attained a career-best third position in the ODI rankings, has regained the T20 top spot after Pakistan spinner Imad Wasim slipped one place.


Shahzar Rizvi, Pooja Ghatkar win gold at Commonwealth Shooting Championships:

Indian pistol shooters pulled off a clean sweep in the 10m air pistol event at the Commonwealth Shooting Championship with Shahzar Rizvi, Omkar Singh and Jitu Rai winning gold, silver and bronze medals respectively.

In the 10m women’s air rifle event, Pooja Ghatkar bagged a gold while her countrymate Anjum Moudgil won the silver medal. The bronze in this event went to Martina Lindsay Veloso of Singapore.

India had a productive second day at the range winning as many as five medals, including two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.


OBITUARY

Writer and journalist Khadri Achyuthan dies at 71:

Khadri Achyuthan (71) is no more. His yeoman contribution to the development of Kannada television news and the coinage of new Kannada words will always be remembered.


HISTORIC EVENT OF THE DAY

World Savings Day​​​ – October 31, 2017:

World Savings Day is an event created to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of savings both for modern economies and for individuals alike. Savings is important in the global economy and every depositor contributes to its development.


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