Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
International
Putin proposes Moscow, Washington extend their New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
Russian President Vladimir Putin had proposed that Moscow and Washington extend their New
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) that expires in February. He proposed to extend the accord
for at least a year without imposing any conditions. The New START was signed in 2010. It limits the
numbers of strategic nuclear warheads, missiles and bombers that Russia and the United States can
deploy. A failure to extend the pact would remove all constraints on US and Russian deployments of
strategic nuclear weapons and their delivery systems, fueling a post-Cold War arms race and tensions
between Moscow and Washington.
Kyrgyzstan’s PM takes over as acting President
Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Sadyr Zhaparov became the acting head of state in the wake of the
President’s resignation amid turmoil sparked by a disputed parliamentary election. Supporters of
newly appointed Prime Minister Sadyr Zhaparov rallied in the capital, Bishkek, and threatened to
storm government buildings, forcing President Sooronbai Jeenbekov to step down Thursday. Under
the constitution, the speaker of parliament would be next in line, but he refused to serve as caretaker
leader under protesters’ pressure, allowing Zhaparov to claim the top office.
India hosts virtual Summit of Ministers of Justice of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India has hosted the virtual Summit of Ministers of Justice of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO.
Addressing the Ministers of Justice from SCO Member States, Law and Justice Minister Ravi Shankar
Prasad highlighted the initiatives taken by the Indian Government for providing affordable and easy
access to justice for all. As part of activities of Justice Ministers’ Forum, the Minister urged SCO
Member States to promote exchange of ideas, best practices and experiences in identified areas
through the platform.
Thai pro-democracy protesters chant anti-establishment slogans in Bangkok
Thousands of Thai pro-democracy protesters chanted anti-establishment slogans in Bangkok, defying
a government ban on demonstrations for a second day. A ban on gatherings of more than five people
was imposed after nearly three months of protests that have called for a reduction in the powers of
King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s monarchy as well as the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Greece, Cyprus push for tougher EU response to Turkey’s natural gas exploration
Greece and Cyprus pushed for a tougher European Union response to Turkey’s natural gas exploration
in the contested Mediterranean waters at an EU summit. This came after Ankara restarted operations
of a survey ship it withdrew last month.
Global Hunger Index 2020: India ranks 94 out of 107 countries
The Global Hunger Index 2020 report released has ranked India at 94 among 107 countries. India was
ranked 102 out of 117 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2019 that was published jointly by Concern
Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. With a score of 27.2 out of 50, the 2020 Global Hunger Index report
terms the level of hunger in India as "serious". While a score of less than 9.9 signifies "low" hunger,
that of 10-19.9 represents "moderate" levels of hunger, 20-34.9 points to "serious" hunger, 35-39.9
signifies "alarming" and over 50 "extremely alarming" levels of hunger. At present, India lags behind
Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indonesia among others on the Global Hunger Index. Only 13 out of
107 countries, including Rwanda, Afghanistan, Liberia, and Chad among others have fared worse than
India. Three countries – Chad, Timor-Leste and Madagascar – have come under the “alarming”
category.
India designated Vice-Chair of OECD Working Group on GLP
India has been designated the ‘Vice-Chair’ of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Working Group of the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), recognising the contribution of
the Indian GLP programme. The OECD has acknowledged the contribution of the Indian GLP program
and designated Dr. Ekta Kapoor, Scientist E, NGCMA, DST, as the Vice-Chair of the OECD Working
Group on GLP for 2021 and 2022.
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is a quality system, which has been evolved by Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to ensure that safety data generated
on various chemicals like industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals (Human and Veterinary),
agrochemicals, cosmetic products, food/ feed additives, and medical devices, etc., can be relied upon
by regulatory authorities.
Vishal V Sharma appointed India's next permanent representative to UNESCO
Vishal V Sharma has been appointed as the next permanent representative of India to the United
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Sharma has succeeded Jawed
Ashraf. Sharma is expected to take up the assignment shortly.
National
Govt extends concessional rate on cargo movement between India, Chabahar Port in Iran
The Union Government has extended the current concessional rate of 40 per cent discount on cargo
movement between India and Chabahar Port in Iran for a period of one year. Shipping Ministry said,
the discount will apply for the coastal movement of cargo and vessel related charges, being handled
at Jawaharlal Nehru Port and Deendayal Port to Shahid Beheshti Port, Chabahar.
The Ministry said, the aim of the extension of discount period is to promote the trade through Shahid
Beheshti Port. It will also give a boost to coastal movement of cargo.
Union Education Minister virtually launches ‘KAPILA’ Kalam Program for IP Literacy and Awareness
Education campaign
Union Education Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ virtually launched the ‘KAPILA’ Kalam
Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness campaign on the 89th birth anniversary of
former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Under the ‘KAPILA’ Kalam Program, students pursuing
education in higher educational institutions will get information about the correct system of the
application process for patenting their invention and they will be aware of their rights.
It has also been decided to celebrate the week of October 15th to 23rd as 'Intellectual Property
Literacy Week'.
NS Tomar virtually inaugurates the India - International Food & Agri Week
Food Processing Industries Minister Narendra Singh Tomar had virtually inaugurated the India -
International Food and Agri Week being organised from 16th to 22nd October 2020 . Addressing the
inaugural session, Mr Tomar said Indian food processing sector is 32 per cent of India’s food market.
He said the focus of the agro and food tech is on the use of technology in the field of food and
agriculture sector to increase the income of farmers and is in line with the goal set by the Prime
Minister to double the income of farmers by 2022.
Shashi Tharoor announces new book,The Battle of Belonging
Author and politician Shashi Tharoor is back with, what he refers to as, his magnum opus: The Battle
of Belonging. The premise can be related in the subtitle which reads: On Nationalism, Patriotism And
What It Means To Be Indian. He stated that his new book is the most solidly researched & passionately
argued works.
Business and Economy
Union Bank of India MD & CEO Rajkiran Rai is new chairman of IBA
Indian Banks' Association (IBA) said Union Bank of India's MD and CEO Rajkiran Rai G has been elected
as the association's chairman for the term 2020-21. State Bank of India's chairman Dinesh Kumar
Khara has been elected as the deputy chairman of the association.
IBA is an association of banks, financial institutions and others that deals with resolving generic and
industry level issues of its members.
First State loans OMO on Oct. 22: RBI
The Reserve Bank of India said it will conduct the first-ever purchase auction of State Development
Loans (SDLs) under Open Market Operations (OMOs) for an aggregate amount of Rs 10,000 crore on
October 22. The central bank will purchase two SDLs each of 15 states and Union Territories through
a multi-security auction using multiple price method. There is no security-wise noted amount. The
SDLs will mature in 2029, 2030 and 2031.
At present, SDLs are eligible collateral for Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) along with T-bills, dated
government securities and oil bonds.
Commercial vehicle sales fall 20% in July-September: SIAM
Commercial vehicle sales, which are usually seen as an indicator of economic activity, fell 20.13% to
about 1.33 lakh units in the July-September 2020 quarter as compared with about 1.67 lakh units in
same period last year. Meanwhile, passenger vehicle (PV) dispatches to sellers recorded a robust
double-digit progress of 26.45% in September.
HCL Q2 net profit rises 18.5% on digitisation push
HCL Technologies said its net profit for the second quarter ended September 2020 grew 18.5% to Rs.
3,124 crore driven by a push for digitisation. The company said it planned to implement salary
increments in addition to a “significant number of hirings” during the current year.
Micromax eyes comeback, to invest Rs. 500 cr.
Homegrown consumer electronics brand Micromax is planning a comeback in the smartphone
segment with a Rs. 500 crore investment. As a first step towards re-entry into the segment where it
made waves before Chinese phones took over, Micromax Informatics unveiled a sub brand ‘in’, under
which it will roll out a range of smartphones.
Sports
Kidambi Srikanth crashes out of Denmark Open 2020 Badminton tournament
Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth crashed out of the Denmark Open 2020 badminton tournament after
a 22-20 13-21 16-21 defeat to Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei in the men's singles quarterfinals in
Odense, Denmark.
With it, the challenge of the Indians in the Denmark Open came to an end. Compatriots Lakshya Sen
bowed out in the second round while Ajay Jayaram and Subhankar Dey exited early in the first round.
IPL Cricket: Mumbai Indians thrash kolkata Knight Riders by 8 wickets in Abu Dhabi
Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 8 wickets at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu
Dhabi. Quinton de Kock's undefeated knock of 74 runs off 44 balls helped MI to have a successful
chase against KKR. KKR gave a low target of 149 runs for the MI to chase after a slow start.
With this win against KKR, MI Indians are now back to the top points table of the 13th edition of IPL
after dethroning Delhi Capitals (DC).