Daily Current Affairs Updates–30th October 2016

Daily Current Affairs Updates–30th 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.

DoPT launches Employees Online Application

i. The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has launched Employees Online (EO) App. The mobile application aims to update on Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointments and postings on real time basis and to bring transparency.

ii. The EO App has been developed keeping in mind the spirit of maximum Governance, minimum Government and meet the need of the hour to bring high-tech systems in the governance. It enables its users, to stay updated on real time basis with appointments and postings approved by the ACC and vacancies at senior level in the Central Government.

Kerala CM launches paddy farming on airport land

i. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday launched paddy cultivation in about 56 hectares of land allotted for a proposed airport at Aranmula. Adding that the government was not against airports, Vijayan said, "The airport cannot be allowed here as it will mean destroying nature and environment". Notably, the land had been lying vacant for about 20 years due to waterlogging.

PM praises jawan for making village open defecation free

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawan Vikas Thakur for contributing his salary to make his village in Himachal Pradesh open defecation free. Reportedly, Vikas signed a cheque for 57,000 and asked the village panchayat to pay one thousand to each of the 57 houses for building toilets to make their village open defecation free.

INTERNATIONAL

Spain's Parliament votes conservative PM Mariano Rajoy back into power

i. Spain's Parliament voted conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy back into power ending a rollercoaster, 10-month political crisis. 170 lawmakers voted for Rajoy, 111 voted against him, and 68 abstained from voting. Mr. Rajoy pledged to plough on with economic policies deeply unpopular with the opposition which blames austerity measures taken in his first term for rising inequality.

ii. Hundreds of protesters gathered near Parliament amid a heavy police presence, unhappy about corruption and sweeping spending cuts during Rajoy's first term. In the pre-vote session, party leaders strongly criticised Rajoy and one another -- just as they have done for the past 10 months as the country went through two inconclusive elections.

Opec meets non-Opec nations to build support for plan to reduce output

i. Officials from Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC and non-member oil producing countries met today in Vienna, Austria, aiming to build support for a plan to reduce output. OPEC sources said, Russia, which is one of the world's top producers, told the gathering that Moscow was still willing to freeze its output levels, if OPEC agreed to cap its production.

ii. Sources said, an OPEC-only meeting of officials yesterday were unable to agree on how to implement the deal amid objections by Iran which has been reluctant to even freeze its output levels. The OPEC agreed last month in Algiers to reduce OPEC oil production to between 32.50 million and 33 million barrels per day.

BANKING NEWS

SBI to allot shares to govt for 5.6k cr capital infusion

i. The country’s largest state lender State Bank of India will issue equity shares on preferential basis to the Centre for capital infusion of 5,681 crore, the bank said in a filing before the Bombay Stock Exchange on Saturday. The transaction is subject to the approvals by the Government of India and the Reserve bank of India.

PNB plans to raise 6,000 crore via bonds issue

i. State-owned Punjab National Bank on Saturday said it plans to raise 6,000 crore in tranches from bonds to fund its business expansion. The board will be considering issuance of Basel III-compliant Perpetual Additional Tier I capital bonds worth 3,000 crore and Tier-II bonds of up to 3,000 crore, the bank said in a regulatory filing to stock exchanges.

Startups can raise USD 3 million via ECBs annually: RBI

i. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 27 October 2016 permitted startups to raise external commercial borrowings (ECBs) of up to USD 3 million in a financial year. Under this, Funds can be raised with a minimum maturity of 3 years.

ii. The move is aimed at boosting innovation and promoting job creation. The RBI said while issuing norms for ECB route for startups that the borrowing should be denominated in any freely convertible currency or in Indian Rupees (INR) or a combination thereof.

SEBI orders 4 firms to refund public money in 3 months

i. Markets regulator SEBI has ordered four firms, Eris Energy, KKDIL Nidhi, United Medicine and Surgical Industries, and Green India Infrastructure to refund investors’ money, which they raised illegally, within three months. Further, the firms and their directors have been prohibited from dealing in the securities markets for four years and the ban will continue till the completion of refunds.

BUSINESS NEWS

IIID to conduct 'Design Yatra' in Kozhikode

i. India's first 'Design Yatra' will be conducted in Kerala's Kozhikode city between October 29-31, 2016 during which competitions, heritage walk, talks and interaction with students will be conducted. Launched by Institute of Indian Interior Designer (IIID) in February this year, the yatra is aimed at spreading awareness and taking designs to the masses and is scheduled to travel to 29 Indian cities.

AGREEMENTS & MoUs

India, Russia agree to double the range of BrahMos Missile

i. India and Russia have agreed to double the range of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from 290 km to over 600 km. The decision in this regard was taken during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Goa on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

ii. Earlier, India was denied access to the missile technology with range over 300 km as it was not member state of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). But India’s recent accession to MTCR, allowed Russia to provide the critical systems and technology to extend the range of the missile beyond 300km. It will enhance the stand-off capability and the operational radius in striking targets of the missile. It will have major force multiplier due its speed and accuracy.

APPOINTMENTS

World Bank appoints Kristalina Georgieva as chief executive

i. Kristalina Georgieva, a former head of EU humanitarian affairs and vice-president of the European commission, has been appointed chief executive of the World Bank. The Bulgarian, who recently lost out in the race to become UN secretary general, will report to the bank’s president, Jim Yong Kim.

ii. Although the title of CEO is newly created, Georgieva will effectively replace Sri Mulyani Indrawati, formerly the bank’s managing director and chief operating officer, who was appointed Indonesian finance minister in July.

Three Maharashtra women awarded the title of “Swachhatadoot” for their inspiring role

i. The three ladies from Maharashtra have proved that women, instead of following conventional practice can choose a different path for healthy lifestyle. They have also proved that women can become agents of change and reach to many others with their own experience.

ii. Against all odds, three enterprising ladies from Maharashtra have taken the initiative of building toilets for their families by making them understand the importance of hygiene.

iii. Under Swachh Maharashtra Mission, these three brave women - Suvarna Lokhande from Sinnar - Nasik district, Sangeeta Awhale from Saikheda- Washim district, and Chiatali Rathod from Mozar - district Yavatmal, were felicitated and honoured by the Municipal Corporation by granting them the title of “Swachhatadoot”.

'Sultan', 'Baahubali' to be screened at IFFI 2016

i. National Award-winning epic drama film 'Baahubali: The Beginning', Salman Khan's 'Sultan' and the Deepika-Ranveer starrer 'Bajirao Mastani', will be screened at the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. Other films which will be screened include Akshay Kumar's 'Airlift' and National Award-winning Marathi film 'Sairat'. IFFI will be held in Goa from November 20 to 28 this year.

SPORTS NEWS

India's Jhulan Goswami becomes top-ranked female ODI bowler

i. Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami has become the top-ranked female bowler in the ICC ODI rankings, seven years after she last held the spot. Goswami has 730 points, leading second-placed West Indian Stafanie Taylor by 79 points. The 33-year-old has picked 175 wickets for India in 148 games, and was part of the 2005 World Cup squad, which finished as runners-up.

India win ODI series against New Zealand

i. India clinched the five-match ODI series against New Zealand 3-2 after winning the final ODI by 190 runs on Saturday. Powered by Rohit Sharma's 70(65), Virat Kohli's 65(76), and MS Dhoni's 41(59), India posted a score of 269/6. New Zealand were dismissed for 79 in 23.1 overs, driven by leg-spinner Amit Mishra's 5 wickets for 18 runs in six overs.