Daily Current Affairs 15th November, 2019

Daily Current Affairs 15 November 2019 for Banking/Insurance/SSC and other related exams.

NATIONAL NEWS

Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro to be the chief guest at Republic Day 2020

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to be the Chief Guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2020.

• In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was in attendance as the chief guest.

Sand Week from November 14 to 21 in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh government announced that the “Sand Week” would be conducted from November 14th to 21st, to overcome sand crisis in the State.

• Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the average sand demand was 80 thousand tonnes. Due to flooding and sinking of the Reaches, this demand could not be met.

India’s first elephant memorial comes up in Mathura

In a unique and heartfelt tribute to honour elephants that lost their lives to illegal trafficking, abuse and cruelty, India-based conservation charity Wildlife SOS unveiled the country’s first elephant memorial in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The memorial symbolises the sacrifice of these gentle giants who lost their lives while suffering brutality at the hands of humans.

Andhra CM launches ‘Nadu-Nedu’ program aims at transforming govt schools on Children’s Day

Turning a new leaf over education sector, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has launched the ‘Nadu-Nedu’ programme which aims at transforming government schools into vibrant and competitive institutions.

• The scheme will be implemented in 15, 715 schools in the first phase and will cover all schools in three years’ time with a budget of Rs 12,000 crores.

Gujarat CM launches online registration portal to facilitate setting up of new MSME units

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has launched an online registration portal to facilitate setting up of new MSME units.

• A certificate of applications will be approved and the certificate will be issued within a few minutes after online declaration of intent is registered on the portal.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Bangladesh tops business bribery risk in South Asia

Bangladesh has topped the business bribery risk in South Asia according to the Trace Bribery Matrix. Bangladesh has the highest business bribery risk among South Asian courtiers according to the annual ranking for 200 countries. Bangladesh has been placed at 178th position among 200 countries in terms of business bribery risk. Overall, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland presented the lowest bribery risk.

• TRACE is a US-based organisation which provides ranking to various countries in terms of the risk of bribery companies face in doing business in those countries.

BANKING & FINANCE

CCI nod for merger of BNP Paribas Mutual Fund and Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the merger of the BNP Paribas (BNPP) Mutual Fund and the Baroda (BOB) Mutual Fund, under the Competition Act, 2002.

• The Parties propose to amalgamate (i) BOB Asset Management Company (AMC) into BNPP AMC; and (ii) BNPP Trustee Company (TC) into BOB TC. After the merger BNPP AMC and BOB TC will be the surviving entities.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Nomura slashes India’s FY20 GDP forecast to 4.9% from 5.7% earlier

Japanese brokerage Nomura massively cut its GDP forecast to a low 4.9 percent for the year from 5.7 percent earlier, saying the economy is going through a “deeper trough” and even a sub-par recovery is at least a year away.

Moody’s revises India GDP forecast to 5.6 pc, slowdown lasting longer than expected

India’s economic slowdown is lasting longer than previously expected, Moody’s Investors Service said while pegging its forecast for the gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 5.6 per cent in 2019 calendar year.

UK India Business Council releases annual doing business in India Report for 2019

The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) released its 5th annual Doing Business in India Report. The report is based on the results of extensive discussions, including a roundtable in London with Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and a survey that captured the views of UK companies and higher education institutions on the operating environment in India and their reform priorities.

• Overall, the survey respondents were positive about India, with 56 per cent stating that it is getting easier to do business in India, and only 21 per cent saying that it has not improved (while 23 per cent were undecided).

SPORTS

India set to host 2019 World Kabaddi Cup from December 1 to 9

The 2019 World Kabaddi Cup will take place from December 1 to 9 and will be organised by the Punjab government. This year’s tournament will be dedicated to the 550th birth anniversary of Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji.

• Nine teams — India, USA, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan and Canada — are expected to take part in the tournament.
• However, Pakistan and Canada are yet to get clearance from the Indian government.

APPOINTMENTS

Nilam Sawhney appointed as Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary

Senior IAS officer Nilam Sawhney has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. She has become the first woman Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh. 

• She will replace Neerabh Kumar who is holding the additional charge as the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh.

OBITUARIES

Mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh passes away

Renowned mathematician Vashishtha Narayan Singh has passed away after prolonged illness. He was 74. The 74-year-old is said to have challenged Einstein’s theory of relativity. Born on April 2, 1942, Vashishtha Narayan Singh had been suffering from schizophrenia for 40 years.

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