Current Affairs Updates - 30th October 2013

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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

• A Sri Lankan court on Wednesday released 19 Indian fishermen on completion of their judicial remand period.The fishermen, said to be from Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu, were arrested in September for engaging in allegedly illegal fishing activity near Delft islands off Jaffna.
• For the first time in five years, the US government has run a budget deficit below USD 1 trillion.

NATIONAL EVENTS

• Defense Minister A.K. Antony has blamed the Pakistani establishment for what he called an unusual increase in ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts by terrorists from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir.
• To comply with Supreme Court directive on police reforms, the Assembly on Wednesday passed the Tamil Nadu Police (Reforms) Bill 2013.The Bill would replace Tamil Nadu Police (Reforms) Ordinance, 2013, promulgated by Governor K. Rosiah on September 10.
• The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Oscar Fernandes launching the India’s first integrated national transport portal, in New Delhi on October 31, 2013.
• Vice President Hamid Ansari had an 35 minute-long meeting with Cuban revolutionary hero Fidel Castro, reflecting the warmth in the relationship between India and Cuba, two of the founding members of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM).
• The nation pays homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 29th death anniversary.

AWARDS AND HONORS

• S. Masood Ahmad, chief scientist at National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), has been selected for the “K.K. Menon Award” for the year 2013 by the Geological Society of India.

DEATHS

• President of Madurai unit of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front M. Thangaraj passed away on 30 October, 2013.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Meteorite bombardment left large craters on Earth that contained water and chemical building blocks for life, which ultimately led to the first organisms 4 billion years ago, an Indian-origin scientist suggests.
• The world's first Bitcoin ATM is up and running in Vancouver. One Bitcoin broker explains how it works and the advantages of the digital currency.

ECONOMY

• India has slipped by five places to 106th spot, way below neighboring Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and China in the World Prosperity Index, largely due to poor 'safety and security' environment.

SPORTS

• Champion swimmer Arjun Muralidharan has been handed a two-year ban by National Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel after testing positive for stimulant Methylhexaneamine during the All India Police Aquatics Championships in March.
• The Indian cricket team’s tour of South Africa will kick off with a three-match one-day series starting on December 5 in Johannesburg.
• The second-round exit from French Open Super Series proved costly for Saina Nehwal as the Indian badminton ace continued her downward slide, slipping one more spot to be placed at world number seven in the latest BWF ranking released on Thursday.

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