DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS : October 12 & 13 – 2019

Daily Current Affairs (October 12 & 13 – 2019) like many other sections is inevitable and this also helps to score in the Banking awareness, Static GK and Financial Awareness sections. Remember, Banking Awareness and Static Awareness Questions are asked from the General Awareness section. This will also help you to ride your preparations for the forthcoming exams.

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NATIONAL NEWS

INDIA EXTENDS OVER 60 MILLION DOLLAR LINE OF CREDIT TO COMOROS FOR ENERGY AND MARITIME DEFENCE COOPERATION

India has said, it will extend a Line of Credit of over 60 million US Dollars to Comoros in the field of energy and maritime defence cooperation.
Addressing the parliament of the East African island nation Comoros at its capital Moroni, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said, both the countries have signed some important agreements including cooperation in defence and energy sectors.
He said, India will extend a Line of Credit of over 41.6 million US Dollars for setting up of 18 MW Power Plant in Moroni and another 20 million US Dollars for the procurement of High-Speed Interceptor Boats.
The Vice President was also conferred ‘The Order of the Green Crescent’, the highest Civilian Honour of Comoros, by Azali Assoumani, President of Comoros in Moroni.

INDIAN-AMERICAN CONGRESSMAN INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION CELEBRATING MAHATMA GANDHI’S 150TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary and legacy.
The resolution was cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 14 other lawmakers. India’s Ambassador to the United States Harsh Vardhan Shringla welcomed the resolution.
He said the resolution emphasised the influence of Gandhi’s teachings on civil rights leaders around the world including Dr Martin Luther King.

INDIA, CHINA AGREE NOT TO ALLOW RADICALISATION TO AFFECT MULTICULTURAL THREAD PREVAILING IN BOTH COUNTRIES

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to work closely to further the economic development of both the nations.
On terrorism, both leaders acknowledged that radicalisation is a real problem for countries as diverse, complex and large as India and China. They agreed that radicalisation should not be allowed to affect the multicultural thread prevailing in both countries.
Before that Prime Minister guided President Xi through the history of the temple complex of Mahabalipuram, where their personal rapport was clearly visible.
Both the leaders acknowledged the long cultural history of each other’s nations and discussed Tamil and Buddhism links between India and the Chinese province of

HEALTH MINISTER GIVES KAYAKALP AWARDS TO HOSPITALS
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan gave away Kayakalp Awards to different Central Government institutions, district hospitals, community health centres and private hospitals for their work in maintaining high standards of sanitation and hygiene in public health facilities.
In the Central Government institutions, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi bagged a cash prize of three crore rupees, while Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry received a cash award of 5 crore rupees.

SARAS AAJEEVIKA MELA UNDERWAY AT INDIA GATE LAWNS IN NEW DELHI

The SARAS Aajeevika Mela, organised by the Ministry of Rural Development, is underway at India Gate Lawns in New Delhi. The event, which got underway, will carry on till October 23.
It will be formally inaugurated by Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
The objective of this Mela to bring the rural women Self Help Groups formed with support of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission, under one platform to show-case their skills, sell their products and help them build linkages with bulk buyers.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

SINGAPORE WILL BAN ADS FOR SUGARY DRINKS IN BID TO TACKLE DIABETES

Singapore will become the first country in the world to ban advertisements for the most unhealthy sugary drinks. The health ministry called the ban its latest move to combat rising diabetes rates.
It said, products deemed “less healthy” must now display labels grading their nutritional and sugar content. Additionally, those considered to be most unhealthy will be banned from appearing in ads across all media platforms, including broadcast, print and online channels.
The move aims to reduce the influence of such advertisements on consumer preferences.

PREZ XI JINPING SECOND CHINESE LEADER TO VISIT MAMALLAPURAM AFTER ZHOU ENLAI

The visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Mamallapuram near Chennai renews the memory of the people of a nearby village to the visit by the erstwhile Premier of China, Zhou Enlai, in December 1956.
The village known as Kuzhipanthandalam, some 15 kilometres off Mamallapuram, has witnessed the Chinese leader inaugurating a newly-built health centre.
Mr Xi Jinping would be the second leader to visit Mamallapuram, after Mr Zhou, reviving the traditional links between the ancient port town of India and China.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NASA LAUNCHES SATELLITE TO EXPLORE WHERE AIR MEETS SPACE

NASA launched a satellite to explore the mysterious, dynamic region where air meets space. The satellite – called Icon, short for Ionospheric Connection Explorer- rocketed into orbit following a two-year delay.
It was dropped from a plane flying over the Atlantic off the Florida coast. Five seconds after the satellite’s release, the attached Pegasus rocket ignited, sending Icon on its way. A NASA satellite launched Gold, last year, is also studying the upper atmosphere, but from much higher up.

INDIA, JAPAN TO HOLD JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE IN MIZORAMAIR

India and Japan will hold a joint military exercise in Mizoram from 19th of October to 2nd of November, 2019.
The focus of the two-week-long exercise Dharma Guardian will be to increase the interoperability between the two forces and enhance coordination in dealing with various security challenges including counter-terrorism. The scope of this exercise covers platoon-level joint training on counter-terrorism operations in jungle and urban scenario.
The Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF) comprising 25 soldiers each, will participate in the exercise aimed at sharing experience gained during various Counter-Terrorism Operations in respective Countries.
Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN is an annual training event, which is being conducted in India since last year. In respect of Japan, it is crucial and significant in terms of security challenges faced by both the nations in the backdrop of global terrorism.

U.S. SENATORS TED CRUZ, MAGGIE HASSAN CALL ON RAJNATH SINGH IN NEW DELHI

United States Senators Ted Cruz and Maggie Hassan called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
During the meeting, Mr Singh expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the partnership between India and the US and discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral defence relationship.
He termed the US as one of the most important and trusted partners of India. Saying that India -US cooperation has seen tremendous growth in the last five years, the strategic partnership will expand and flourish further in the coming years.

CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING REACHES KATHMANDU ON 2-DAY VISIT TO NEPAL

Chinese President Xi Jinping has reached Kathmandu on a two-day visit to Nepal. After concluding his second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai, Mr Jinping landed in Kathmandu. It is the first visit by a Chinese President to the Himalayan nation in 23 years.
He was received by the President of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari. Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli the Chinese President met his Nepali counterpart at Sheetal Niwas, the President House.
President Jinping will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli .Following the talks, both the leaders will witness signing of bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding.

UBAI PREPARES TO HOST 2019 FIRST GLOBAL DXB CHALLENGE

Dubai prepares to host the 2019 First Global DXB Challenge, a large gathering for creative young minds in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence.
To be held for the first time in the region from 24th to 27th of this month at the Festival Arena in Dubai, the event will bring together more than 1,500 youth from over 191 countries to collaborate, create and compete for a better future.
The First Global Challenge seeks to encourage and empower youth with a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, develop their skills and equip them with the tools necessary to contribute to shaping the future.
The Challenge aims to address the world’s most critical environmental issues such as wastage of water and energy, sustainability and pollution through a global robotics competition.

FRANCE, GERMANY SUSPEND ARMS EXPORTS TO TURKEY

France and Germany have suspended arms exports to Turkey over its offensive into Syria against Kurdish fighters, as protesters denounced Ankara at rallies in several European cities.
Turkish soldiers launched a cross-border assault against Kurdish fighters.Turkey sees as terrorists in defiance of international criticism and threats of sanctions.
A number of countries have condemned Turkey’s offensive, and Finland, Norway and The Netherlands have already announced that they are stopping arms exports to the country.

INDIA – BANGLADESH NAVIES UNDERTAKE COORDINATED PATROL IN NORTH BAY OF BENGAL

The second edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) of the navies of India and Bangladesh commenced in Northern Bay of Bengal.
The Indian Navy said guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay and ingeniously built missile Corvette INS Kuthar are participating in the exercise along with BNS Ali Haider, and BNS Shadinota from Bangladesh.
The two-day patrol will be followed by the maiden edition of Bilateral Exercise of the navies of two countries at Visakhapatnam between October 12-16.The exercise aims at development of mutual communication and sharing of best practices between the two navies.

INDIA OFFERS HELP IN RESCUE OPERATION FOR TYPHOON HIT JAPAN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives in Japan due to Typhoon Hagibis and said Indian Navy personnel, who were on a scheduled visit there, will be happy to assist in rescue operations.
Typhoon Hagibis made landfall in the South of Tokyo and moved towards North, triggering severe floods. It has left at least 33 people dead and more than a dozen missing.

PREZ TRUMP RELEASES 50 MILLION DOLLARS IN STABILISATION ASSISTANCE FOR SYRIA, SAYS WHITE HOUSE

The White House has said that US President Donald Trump released 50 million dollars in stabilisation assistance for Syria to protect persecuted ethnic and religious minorities and advance human rights.
White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said, this funding will provide emergency financial assistance to Syrian human rights defenders, civil society organisations and reconciliation efforts directly supporting ethnic and religious minority victims of the conflict.

BANGLADESH: BAUL FESTIVAL CONCLUDES IN DHAKA

Baul songs named Indo-Bangla Baul Music Festival ended with spell binding performances by Bauls from India and Bangladesh.
The program was organised to observe the 129th death anniversary of Baul saint Fakir Lalon Shah.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said that humanism lies at the root of Lalon Fakir’s teachings. She said that the festival lays emphasis on the liberal and secular values of this region and the message of humanistic philosophy will travel further through Baul Music.

CHINESE PRESIDENT XI PLEDGES NRS 56 BILLION IN AID TO NEPAL

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China will provide Nepalese 56 billion rupees assistance to Kathmandu over the next two years to help Nepal’s development programmes as the two countries inked 20 agreements to bolster their bilateral ties.
The Chinese president met Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and held delegation-level talks. After the talks, the two sides signed 18 MoUs and two letters of exchange in different sectors such as transport, agriculture, industry, commerce and supply.
Nepal reiterated her commitment to ‘One-China policy’ and said Nepal will not allow any force to use its territory against China.

ITALIAN PM GIUSEPPE CONTE SAYS HE WOULD PRESS FOR EU BAN ON ARMS SALES TO TURKEY PIC

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he would press for an European Union ban on arms sales to Turkey, as Ankara pressed its attack on Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
A government statement said that Rome had been working since for a moratorium on arms exports to Turkey as soon as possible. Italy is one of Turkey’s main arms suppliers.
Several European countries, including Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway have already announced a halt in arms supplies to Turkey.

BANKING AND BUSINESS ECONOMY

INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT DECLINES BY 1.1% IN AUGUST

Industrial output declined by 1 per cent in August due to poor performance by manufacturing, power generation and mining sectors.
The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) had expanded by 4.8 per cent in August 2018.
The overall IIP growth during April-August period was 2.4 per cent, down from 5.3 per cent in the corresponding period of the last fiscal.

WORLD BANK SAYS INDIA IS FAST-GROWING ECONOMY WITH LOT OF POTENTIAL DESPITE BEING HIT BY RECENT GLOBAL SLOWDOWN

World Bank’s Chief Economist for South Asia Hans Timmer has said that India is a fast-growing economy with lot of potential despite being hit by the recent global slowdown.
Mr Timmer said, the World Bank in its estimates has found that 80 per cent of the slowdown in India could be coming from the international causes. In its latest edition of the South Asia Economic Focus, the World Bank said that India’s growth rate is projected to fall to 6 per cent this fiscal. However, it said the country was expected to gradually recover to 9 per cent in 2021 and 7.2 per cent in 2022.

INDIA, ADB SIGN 190 MILLION DOLLAR LOAN AGREEMENT FOR IMPROVING ROAD CONNECTIVITY IN RAJASTHAN

India and Asian Development Bank, ADB have signed 190 million dollar loan agreement for improving road connectivity in Rajasthan.
Finance Ministry said, the agreement was signed to upgrade 754 kilometres of state highways which will benefit about 26 million people in 14 districts of Rajasthan.
The agreement was signed between Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Mr Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.

SBI TO NOW CHARGE PROCESSING FEES ON HOME LOANS, TOP-UPS

After reducing deposit rates for its customers, State Bank of India has now decided to charge processing fees for home loans, top-up plans and loans to corporates and real estate companies.
The bank will now charge around 4 per cent processing fee in the range of Rs 10,000-Rs 30,000 for individual borrowers, the daily quoted sources as saying, adding the bank would charge Rs 5,000 from builders.

POST OFFICE PLAN: DOUBLE MONEY GUARANTEED! TURN RS 50,000 TO RS 1 LAKH IN 113 MONTHS

The Indian post office near you is probably the only place that can guarantee to double your money.
The investments in stocks and mutual funds can also double the money, probably in less time; risks associated with them keep small and vulnerable investors away.
The investment in the Small Savings Scheme enjoys a sovereign guarantee the money deposited in small savings.
Currently if you invest Rs 50,000 in KVP, it will mature and double in 113 months, or 9 years and 5 months. The minimum amount one can invest in KVP is Rs 1000 and thereon in multiples of Rs 1000.
There is no upper limit of investment. The interest rate on KVP is 6 percent. This is higher than the interest rates offered on 10-year FDs by SBI and HDFC Bank.
SBI is currently offering 10-year FD at 6.25 percent while this rate in HDFC Bank is 6.9 percent.

MAMATA BANERJEE GOVT TO SET UP KANYASHREE UNIVERSITY IN WEST BENGAL TO ’EMPOWER GIRLS’

The West Bengal government has taken the initiative to set up a Kanyashree University in Nadia district and Kanyashree colleges across the state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone of the new university at Krishnagar in Nadia district in January.
The Kanyashree University would be only for women and has been allocated a budget of Rs 7,000 crore since its launch in 2013.
The main objective of the scheme is to ensure that girls study in schools and delay their marriages until the age of 18 years.

IMPORTANT DAYS

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY CELEBRATION ON 12 OCTOBER

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) observed on October 12th.It is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
The WMBD unifying the planet’s major migratory bird corridors, or flyways: the African-Eurasian flyway, the East Asian-Australasian flyway, and the Americas flyways.
The theme for WMBD 2019 is “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!”

RANKING AND INDEX

FORBES INDIA RICH LIST 2019: MUKESH AMBANI RETAINS TOP POSITION FOR 12TH STRAIGHT YEAR; ADANI LEAPS EIGHT SPOTS TO 2ND RANK

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani has once again bagged the number one spot with $51.4 billion net worth on Forbes’ list of richest Indians for the year
Infrastructure tycoon Gautam Adani came a close second as he jumped 8 spots on the list with a net worth of $15.7 billion.
This is the 12th consecutive year that Ambani has topped the list despite being a ‘challenging year’ for the Indian economy, according to the American business magazine.

INDIA JUMPS TO 7TH SPOT IN BRAND FINANCE NATION RANKING

India jumped two levels to 7th position in the Brand Finance Nation ranking of 2019 despite the reduction in the overall economic growth due to slowdown in the manufacturing and construction sectors.
Last year, Canada was at the 7th position which has dropped to 8th position. South Korea, which was at the 10th position last year, has managed to jump a level up to reach the 9th position.
Italy, which was at 8th position last year, slipped to the 10th, while the US, China and Germany continued to be the top three nations, respectively even in 2019.
Japan and the UK swapped positions with the former jumping to 4th, while the latter falling to 5th position as against its ranking last year.

APPOINTMENTS

SAP SE said Chief Executive Officer Bill McDermott, who led Europe’s largest software company during a decade of rapid changes in the industry, is stepping down and will be replaced by Jennifer Morgan and Christian Klein as co-CEOs.
She became the first American woman appointed to SAP’s executive board in 2017 when she was named president of the Americas and Asia.

OBITUARIES

EMINENT SAXOPHONE MASTER KADRI GOPALNATH PASSES AWAY

Padma Shri awardee and well known Saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath passed away in Mangaluru.
An A grade artist in Akashwani, Gopalnath held concerts in different countries and recorded a number of CDs.
He was considered as a pioneer in playing Carnatic ragas on his Saxophone. Together with jazz flautist James Newton, Gopalnath recorded Southern Brothers. His production East-West is a fusion of western and Indian music.
Apart from Padma Shree, Gopalnath was conferred with Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award, Karnataka Kalasri award among others.

DUTEE CHAND BREAKS HER OWN 100M RECORD EN ROUTE TO GOLD AT NATIONAL OPEN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Dutee Chand shattered the 100-meter national record with a time of 11.22 seconds during the semi-finals at the National Open Athletics Championships in Ranchi.
The previous national record was 11.26 seconds, held jointly by Dutee and Rachita Mistry. With the time Dutee Chand also bettered her personal best time. by 0.04 seconds, that she registered at the Asian Athletics Championships back in April this year.

KENYA’S KIPCHOGE BECOMES FIRST ATHLETE TO RUN SUB TWO-HOUR MARATHON

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchogemade history, busting the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on a specially prepared course in a huge Vienna park.
With an unofficial time of 1hr 59min 40.2sec, the Olympic champion became the first ever to run a marathon in under two hours in the Prater park with the course readied to make it as even as possible.
The 34-year-old already holds the men’s world record for the distance with a time of 2hr 01min 39sec, which he set in the flat Berlin marathon on September 16, 2018.

SPORTS NEWS

INDIA FINISH WITH 4 MEDALS AT WORLD WOMEN’S BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Debutant Manju Rani (48kg) was the lone Indian to enter the final, while six-time champion M C Mary Kom (51kg) and two others signed off with bronze medals in the World Women’s Boxing Championships.
Mary Kom got third and defeated 1-4 to second seed Cakiroglu, who is the reigning European Championships and European Games gold-medallist.

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