NATIONAL NEWS
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana emerge toppers in governance performance: PAC studyKerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have taken the top three slots, emerging winners among the 18 large states in governance performance, Public Affairs Centre (PAC), a Bengaluru-based nonprofit think tank, announced.
- While Sikkim, Goa and Mizoram have emerged winners among the small states, Puducherry, Jammu & Kashmir and Chandigarh are the toppers among the union territories.
- A highlight of this year's study, the PAC said, is the Covid-19 response index. It is an analysis of the governance response of the states to the pandemic and the degree of success achieved in mitigating its impact.
- Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Gujarat have performed well in the overall index, while Maharashtra, Assam, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have slipped in rankings as compared to last year, the study noted.
The government has received 52 crore rupees from National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited, NBCC as dividend tranches.
- The government has also received 24 crore rupees dividend from Cochin Shipyard Limited and 94 crore rupees from NALCO.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
USAID launches new initiative to accelerate clean energy transition, improve energy access in South AsiaThe US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the launch of a new, five-year, USD 49 million initiative called the South Asia Regional Energy Partnership (SAREP), which will facilitate collaboration among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy.
- SAREP will support regional activities established under this collaboration and help our two countries demonstrate how the world can align swift climate action with inclusive and resilient development across the South Asia region.
- To achieve ambitious renewable energy goals and increased energy efficiency, SAREP will offer opportunities to leap forward using advanced technologies and infrastructure and help to facilitate a transition to sustainable energy, including through innovative financing.
BANKING & FINANCE
Gold in RBI's forex reserves rise 11% to 744 tonnesThe Reserve Bank of India’s holding of gold in foreign exchange reserves went up about 11 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) to 743.84 metric tonnes as on September-end 2021 against 668.25 metric tonnes as on September-end 2020.
- However, in value terms, the share of gold in the reserves declined to about 5.88 per cent against about 6.69 per cent in the year-ago period, as per the RBI’s half yearly report – Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves: April-September 2021.
Global dairy major Lactalis, which operates in the name of Sunfresh Agro Industries Pvt Ltd SAIPL in Maharashtra, and State Bank of India SBI have joined hands to extend financial support to the dairy farmers in the state.Sunfresh Agro owns dairy brand Prabhat.
- The credit facility through SBI will help in improving animal health, yield and milk quality in addition to enabling marginal farmers to own more cattle.
Beijing-based multilateral development bank Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the Asian Development (ADB) will co-finance a USD 2 billion loan for India to procure COVID-19 vaccines under ADB's Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX)
- AIIB is considering providing USD 500 million and the Manila-based ADB is expected to finance USD 1.5 billion.
- Besides funding various infra projects in India, the AIIB has also granted USD 1.75 billion to India for the COVID-19 relief budget support.
- AIIB’s latest Asian Infrastructure Finance (AIF) report entitled “Sustaining Global Value Chains,” was also released which points to the need for greater international cooperation to ensure the supply chain infrastructure is greener, more digital and more resilient.
PayU, a leading online payments solutions provider, announced the launch of its unique tokenisation solution ‘PayU Token Hub’, which will enable businesses to comply with Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI's) latest guidelines on online card data storage, while allowing issuing banks to also generate their own tokens.
- This solution has been built by PayU and Wibmo, a PayU-owned full stack global PayTech company, in partnership with major card networks such as Visa and MasterCard, and leading issuing banks.
- The solution offers both network tokens and issuer tokens under single hub.
Kotak Mahindra Bank said it has partnered with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch credit cards on the RuPay network for Indian armed forces personnel.
- The Kotak RuPay Veer Platinum and Kotak RuPay Veer Select Credit Cards are specially designed to fulfil the needs of those who have dedicated themselves to the service of the nation, i.e. the armed forces of the country – Army, Navy, and Air Force," the bank said.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
Truecaller partners with Indian Railways to build trust in communication for passengersThe Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is working with caller identification platform Truecaller to provide passengers with greater trust in communication.
- Truecaller verified identity will aim to reduce fraud by assuring people that critical communication such as booking details and PNR status are being delivered by IRCTC.
- With this, the integrated National Railways Helpline 139 “used by lakhs of Indians daily” will now be verified by Truecaller Business Identity solutions.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
Swiss Re Grabs 23% Stake in Paytm InsuretechDigital payments and financial services firm Paytm announced that Switzerland-based reinsurance platform Swiss Re will purchase a 23% stake of Paytm Insuretech, Paytm’s insurance unit, for about 920 crore rupee (a bit more than $122.6 million).
- Swiss Re will make a bit more than one-third of its investment upfront through equity shares and compulsorily convertible preference shares and invest the remainder in stages based on Paytm Insuretech reaching certain agreed-upon milestones.
SPORTS
England's Fran Wilson announces retirement from international cricketEngland's Fran Wilson announced her retirement from international cricket.
- The 29-year old right-hand bat featured in 64 international matches and scored 837 runs, including two ODI half-centuries.
- She was also a part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2017 when England beat India at Lord's.
APPOINTMENTS
Jana SFB appoints Subhash Khuntia as part time ChairmanIn a move to strengthen the Board and support the firm through the next phase of growth, Jana Small Finance Bank Limited announced the appointment of Dr Subhash C Khuntia as the part-time Chairman.
- A 1981-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer, Dr Khuntia has earlier worked as Chief Secretary to Government of Karnataka, Secretary to Government of India, Department of School Education, and was the Chairman of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
The government has approved the reappointment of Shaktikanta Das as Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for a period of three years.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Mr Das. The re-appointment will be effective from 10th December this year or until further orders.
AWARDS
Chennai-Mysore-Chennai Shatabdi Express becomes first IMS certified trainChennai - Mysore- Chennai Shatabdi Express becomes the first Integrated Management Systems certified train of Southern Railway.
- The certificate has been given for maintenance and better use of environment-friendly resources and for offering travel comfort.
- This is also the first Shatabdi of Indian Railways and the second express train on Indian Railways to bag this certification.
Four Indian institutes have made it to the Times Higher Education’s annual Reputation Rankings, that lists the world’s top 200 universities based on votes from leading academics around the world.
- Indian Institute of Science Bangalore climbs into the top 100 (91-100 band), leading among the Indian institutes. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay climbs two ranking bands to 126-150th. IIT Madras retains its place in the 176-200 band while IIT Delhi (176-200) appears in the table for the first time.
- The ranking, comprising 202 universities from 29 countries and regions sees Harvard University in the United States retain its position at the very top of the table, with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retaining second place and the United Kingdom’s University of Oxford climbing two places to third in the year it played a pivotal role in delivering a Covid-19 vaccine.
Karnataka Bank is conferred with the prestigious 'Top Organizations with Innovative HR Practices' award at the 19th edition of Asia Pacific HRM Congress held on October 26, 2021 at Bengaluru.
- The award is presented to the Bank for effectively implementing innovative HR practices for Human Resource Development and Talent Management.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
FSSAI launches mobile app to connect with consumers, FBOsIndia’s apex food regulator Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced the launch of a mobile application to improve connect with consumers and food business operators (FBOs).
- The app, Food Safety Connect, will help food businesses, particularly hawkers, vendors and start-ups, to apply for FSSAI registration through a faster and convenient mode, the regulator.
The 7th Indian Navy Frigate of P1135.6 class was launched at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia, the navy said.The ship was formally named as Tushil by Datla Vidya Varmant. "Tushil" is a Sanskrit word meaning Protector Shield
- Based on an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of Russian Federation for the construction of two ships of Project 1135.6 ships in Russia and two ships in India at M/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), the contract for construction of two ships was signed between India and Russia on October 18.
OBITUARIES
Veteran actor Yusuf Hussain passes awayVeteran actor Yusuf Hussain, popularly known for films like Vivah, Dhoom 2, Raees and Dil Chahta Hai, passed away. He was 73
- The late actor and star Yusuf Hussain had a successful career in the industry, staring in famous films like ‘Vivah’ ‘OMG: OH MY GOD”, ‘Krish 3’ and ‘Dabbang’ are among his notable works, while his recognition on Tv series goes with the shows ‘CID’ ‘Kumkum Bhagiya’ and ‘Mullah Nasruddin’s.
Puneeth Rajkumar, 46, one of the marquee names of the Kannada film industry and the youngest of the five children of matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar, passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest.
- Some of his famous films which helped him earn the nickname Power Star are Appu (2002), Abhi (2003), Veera Kannadiga (2004), Mourya (2004), Aakash (2005), Ajay (2006), Arasu (2007), Milana (2007), and Vamshi (2008). His streak of successful films throughout the 2000s and 2010s established Puneeth Rajkumar as one of the highest paid actors in the South.
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