Daily Current Affairs Updates - 16th October 2013

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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

• Brazil and India have reportedly decided to work together to devise Internet regulations in a bid to protect online privacy from snooping by countries such as the US.
• The United Nations on 16th October named Dutch official Sigrid Kaag to head the risky international mission to eradicate Syria's chemical weapons.
• As the group of six countries, the P5+1, concluded talks in Geneva with the Iranian leadership on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme, the US cautioned against expecting a dramatic breakthrough and said further talks are needed and more needs to be done.

NATIONAL EVENTS

• Haryana government has set up a a state vigilance committee for regular supervision of the implementation of all schemes under the National Food Security Act 2013.
• The government is considering a proposal to rename the public distribution system after Indira Gandhi to prevent opposition parties from taking credit for implementing the National Food Security Act.
• A system for increasing efficiency and effectiveness of policing through IT-enabled tracking system for investigation and detection of crime has been rolled out in Nagaland. The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS), a flagship programme of Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) was launched  by Nagaland Home Minister G Kaito Aye.
• Passengers will have to shell out more for travelling in Rajdhani, Duronto and Shatabdi trains from October 17, as railways has increased catering charges in these premier trains by about two to four per cent.
• The number of requests for mobile number portability (MNP) nearly hit the 10 crore mark at the end of July this year. About 80 lakh of these were from Maharashtra, according to figures submitted to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).
• A contingent of 11 IAS officers, 10 IPS officers and a battery of 15,000 police personnel have rallied to converge in Amritsar (Punjab) for the stone laying ceremony of Rs 115-crore Valmiki Ram Tirath temple.

APPOINTMENTS

• Ending a three-month wait and intense lobbying for the crucial post, Railways today appointed acting chairman of Railway Board Arunendra Kumar as the head of the Board.

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY 

• Close on the heels of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank slashed India's economic growth forecast for the current financial year to 4.7 per cent from an earlier projection of 6.1 per cent.

AWARDS

• Elton John honoured Hillary Rodham Clinton for her work to help those affected by HIV and AIDS at an annual event for his foundation.Ms. Clinton was excited as she accepted the first founders’ award from the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Tuesday night in New York City.

SPORTS

• Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar today retired from all forms of cricket, bringing down curtains on a 16-year first class career during which he played in 26 Tests and 191 ODIs besides leading Mumbai to their 40th Ranji Trophy title last season.
• Manipur on Wednesday emerged as the champions in both men and women's team event in the 24th National Sepaktakraw Championship held at Indira Gandhi Stadium.
• Former paceman Craig McDermott was Thursday appointed bowling coach for Australia's Test team ahead of the Ashes series against England, barely a year after quitting the role.

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