AWARE and AWAKE

             Private lender IndusInd Bank NSE -0.10 % denied having any exploratory takeover talks with peer Kotak Mahindra Bank NSE -0.72 % and said the former has unstinted support from its promoters, the Hinduja family. Earlier in the day news agency Bloomberg had reported that Kotak Mahindra Bank is exploring a takeover of smaller rival IndusInd Bank to create the nation’s eighth-largest financial firm by assets.             “IndusInd Bank categorically denies any such developments, its malicious and  incorrect,” the bank said in an email response. “The Promoter of IndusInd Bank, IndusInd International Holdings Limited (IIHL), reiterate their full support to the IndusInd Bank, now and always.”

  The World Health Organization's coronavirus dashboard on Sunday showed a third consecutive daily record high in the number of new confirmed cases. The WHO's complete figures for Saturday showed that 465,319 cases were confirmed to the UN health agency during the day, topping the 449,720 recorded on Friday and the 437,247 logged on Thursday. The WHO has warned that some countries are on a "dangerous track", with too many witnessing an exponential increase in cases. Within each week, the pattern of cases being reported to the WHO tends to spike towards Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and dip around Tuesday and Wednesday.

  The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday confirmed that the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 will be played in Dubai. The first qualifier of the playoffs stage will also be held at the Dubai International Stadium while the eliminator and second qualifier will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. All the playoff matches for the IPL 2020 will be held at 7:30 PM IST. The Women's T20 Challenger Trophy will be held in Sharjah and  all four matches will go ahead at the same venue. For the Women's Challenger Trophy, all the matches will start from 7:30 PM IST except the second match between Velocity and Trailblazers as that will be played from 3:30 IST in the afternoon.

The chain breaks here, in a tiny medical clinic in Burkina Faso that went nearly a year without a working refrigerator. From factory to syringe, the world's most promising coronavirus vaccine candidates need non-stop sterile refrigeration to stay potent and safe. But despite enormous strides in equipping developing countries to maintain the vaccine ``cold chain,'' nearly 3 billion of the world's 7.8 billion people live where temperature-controlled storage is insufficient  or an immunization campaign to bring COVID-19 under control. The result: Poor people around the world who were among the hardest hit by the virus pandemic are also likely to be the last to recover from it. The vaccine cold chain hurdle is just the latest disparity of the pandemic weighted against the poor, who more often live and work in crowded conditions that allow the virus to spread, have little access to medical oxygen that is vital to COVID-19 treatment, and whose h ealth systems lack labs, suppl

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das has tested positive for Covid-19, he announced on Twitter late on Sunday. “I have tested COVID-19 positive. Asymptomatic. Feeling very much alright,” Das said on the social media platform. He said he had alerted those who came in contact with him in the last few days, and will continue to work from isolation. Work in RBI will go on normally. I am in touch with all Dy. Govs and other officers through VC and telephone,” he added. On Saturday, the leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis said he had tested positive for Covid-19 virus. The financial capital Mumbai has been one of the worst hit in terms of the number of coronavirus infections. On Saturday, Mumbai reported 1,257 new Covid-19 cases, taking the city’s total tally t0 2,50,061 confirmed cases .. I have tested COVID-19 positive. Asymptomatic.Feeling very much alright.Have alerted those who came in contact in recent days.Will continue to work fr

  The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has asked all government organisations to identify and implement systemic improvements, an official statement said on Sunday. This is among the initiatives planned by the CVC during the vigilance awareness week that begins from Tuesday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli on Sunday became the fifth batsman and third Indian to hit 200 sixes in the Indian Premier League. Kohli hit one six and a four in his 43-ball 50 against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Dubai International Stadium. Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma (209) and CSK skipper MS Dhoni (216) are the two other Indians on the list. All three of them are below Kohli's RCB team mate AB de Villiers, who is on 231 sixes and his former RCB  team mate Chris Gayle, who sits alone at the top with 336 sixes. Kohli is the highest run scorer of all time in the IPL with 5,827 runs. On Sunday his innings and his 82-run stand with de Villiers was made mostly with singles. The former South Africa captain did not hit a single six in his inn ..

Central government employees can submit multiple bills of goods and services purchased in their own name to avail the benefit of the LTC (Leave Travel Concession) cash voucher scheme, according to the Finance Ministry. The Expenditure Department, under the Ministry, has issued a set of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on LTC cash voucher scheme, clarifying that an employee can also avail the scheme utilising the applicable LTC fare without leave encashment The government on October 12 announced the LTC cash voucher scheme under which central government employees can purchase any goods or services with GST rate of 12 per cent or above to avail the benefit. Till now, employees got LTC benefits only on travels made, or had to forgo the amount. The Ministry said employees can avail the scheme utilising the applicable LTC fare without leave encashment. "The expenditure should be in accordance with the ratio as prescribed for LTC fare," it said. To a query on whether the scheme wo

Dubai is introducing a facial recognition system on public transport to beef up security, officials said Sunday, as the emirate prepares to host the global Expo exhibition. "This technology has proven its effectiveness to identify suspicious and wanted people," said Obaid al-Hathboor, director of Dubai's Transport Security Department. The emirate already operates a biometric system using facial recognition at its international airport. Dubai, which sees itself as a leading "smart city" in the Middle East, has ambitions to become a hub for technology and artificial intelligence. Both sectors will be on show when it opens the multi-billion-dollar Expo fair.

                       During the 70th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "One aspect about Sardar Patel that is not as widely known– he had a great sense of humour, even in the middle of tough circumstances." "This is a learning for all of us– we must always keep our sense of humour alive," he further said.

                      Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation on 'Mann ki Baat' on the occasion of Dussehra. PM Modi said, "We must also remember our braveheart soldiers who are deployed at the borders even during these festivals." He added, "We have to light a lamp at home in honour of these brave sons and daughters of Mother India."

                         President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi have extended wishes to countrymen on Dussehra. "May this festival of joy and happiness protect us from the evil effects of the ongoing pandemic and bring prosperity and affluence to the people," the President tweeted. PM Modi said, "May this festival of victory of good over evil...bring new inspiration in everyone's life."

                       Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of Dussehra on 'Mann ki Baat' on Sunday. He asked citizens to spare a thought to include the corona warriors – sanitation workers, domestic helps, local vegetable vendors, milkmen, security guards – in the happiness during the festivals. "During the moment of crisis, they were with you," PM Modi added.  

  The United States saw a record high number of new daily Covid-19 cases for the second day in a row on Saturday, figures from Johns Hopkins University showed, as warnings grew over its spread. The country reported 88,973 new infections between 8:30 pm Friday and 8:30 pm Saturday, the figures showed, substantially above the previous day's 79,963. A total of 8,568,625 cases have been reported in the United States with 224,751 deaths, the highest in the world in absolute terms.

Bullish on India's power to shape the global agenda, the WEF's Founder and Chairman Klaus Schwab has said the country's early policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic was strong and now its biggest opportunity lies in leapfrogging to a more digital and sustainable economy. He further said he remains optimistic about India and as the country continues its quest to build "a stronger and more equal nation, the world will watch it for inspiration."

  Lee Kun-hee, who built Samsung Electronics into a global powerhouse in smartphones, semiconductors and televisions, died on Sunday after spending more than six years in hospital following a heart attack, the company said. The charismatic leader of Samsung Group and the country's richest person, grew it into South Korea’s biggest conglomerate. But he and the empire he built have also been vilified by critics for wielding huge economic clout, and for opaque governance and dubious transfer  of the family wealth. "Lee is such a symbolic figure in South Korea's spectacular rise and how South Korea embraced globalisation, that his death will be remembered by so many Koreans," said Chung Sun-sup, chief executive of corporate researcher firm Chaebul.com. Lee, who was 78, is the latest second-generation leader of a South Korean family-controlled conglomerate, or chaebol, to die, leaving potentially thorny succession issues for the third generation.

  The United Nations’  World Development Information Day  is held on  October 24  every year. The day aims to draw the attention of world public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them for overall growth and development. The General Assembly in  1972  established World Development Information Day to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them. The Assembly decided that the date for the Day should coincide with United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption, in 1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second  United Nations Development Decade.

    The   World Polio Day   is celebrated annually on   October 24,   to raise awareness for polio vaccination and eradication of polio. World Polio Day provides an opportunity to highlight global efforts toward a polio-free world and honour the tireless contributions of those on the frontlines in the fight to eradicate polio from every corner of the globe. The Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of  Jonas Salk,  who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis. 2020 theme for World Polio Day is  “A win against polio is a win for global health.” As of August 2020, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two nations which remain with the continued transmission of wild poliovirus.

    24th October  has been celebrated as  United Nations Day  since  1948. The United Nations was founded in 1945 to support collective action to realize peace, development and human rights for all. With the ratification of the UN Charter by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. Important takeaways for all competitive exams: United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. Mr Antonio Guterres is the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

    Bank of Baroda (BoB)  has entered into a tie-up with  Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM),  whereby the bank will be one of the preferred financiers for the entire range of vehicles sold by the latter. India’s third-largest public sector bank, in a statement, stated that under the tie-up, customers can avail customised solutions such as high on-road funding of 90 per cent, long repayment period of 84 months, no prepayment or foreclosure charges. On the other hand, TKM dealers will benefit from  ‘digitised supply chain finance’  with competitive interest rates. Important takeaways for all competitive exams: Bank Of Baroda Headquarters: Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Bank Of Baroda Chairman: Hasmukh Adhia. Bank Of Baroda MD & CEO: Sanjiv Chadha.

  Mastercard  has entered into a partnership with  Atlantis  to expand the  Digital First Program  in India. The partnership aims to provide the users of Mastercard, a technology solution that enables them to enjoy a best-in-class digital banking experience. After the launch in India, the partnership will expand to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The partnership allows the users of the Mastercard to have immediate account access and convenient payments. Important takeaways for all competitive exams: Mastercard Headquarters: New York, United States. Mastercard President: Michael Miebach. Mastercard Chief Executive Officer(CEO): Ajay Banga(Michael Miebach will take over as CEO by January 2021).

    Union Ministry of Rural Development has declared the list of top-performing 30 districts in the country for implementing the PMGSY programme. Himachal Pradesh’s, Mandi district  has bagged top position among  30 districts  of the country in the successful implementation of  Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Himachal Pradesh has also secured the  second position  at the  national level for construction of roads under PMGSY. Important takeaways for all competitive exams: Union Minister of Rural Development: Narendra Singh Tomar. Chief Minister of HP: Jairam Thakur; Governor of HP: Bandaru Dattatraya.

    Former Lebanese Prime Minister,  Saad al-Hariri  has been re-appointed to the post, after winning a slim majority of votes in parliament election. Hariri received  65 parliamentary  votes out of 118, giving him the mandate to form his new government. In October 2019, Hariri announced his resignation amid 2019-20 mass-protests. Previously he had served as Prime Minister of Lebanon from 9 November 2009 to 13 June 2011 and then from 18 December 2016 to 21 January 2020. Hariri is the third person to be tasked with forming a government this year, after academic Hassan Diab, who succeeded in forming a government but resigned and then diplomat Mustafa Adib. Important takeaways for all competitive exams: Capital of Lebanon:  Beirut. The currency of Lebanon:  Lebanese pound.

Andorra  has joined the  International Monetary Fund (IMF),  to become its  190th member. Andorra is a microstate situated between France and Spain. However, it is the largest microstate in Europe. IMF’s Membership allows the Andorran government to benefit from IMF policy advice, especially as the country tackles the crisis caused by COVID-19 and can now receive an annual review or  “health check”  of its economy by the IMF, tap technical assistance, and access IMF lending if needed. Important takeaways for all competitive exams: Capital of Andorra:  Andorra la Vella. The currency of Andorra:  Euro.

    NITI Aayog  has constituted a 14-member advisory committee to look into introducing reforms in the  urban planning education system.  The panel will be headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman  Rajiv Kumar. The members of the committee include  Amitabh Kant,  CEO of NITI Aayog and secretaries of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs(MoHUA), Ministry of Education(MoE) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The committee will examine the current system in terms of multidisciplinarity, curriculum and other related issues at the level of graduates and postgraduates against the challenges of rapid urbanization. The committee will examine the urban planning education system in India and examine the availability, demand and supply of the qualified urban planners in India.

    India  has assumed the  Chairmanship  of the Governing Body of  International Labour Organization (ILO),  after a gap of  35 years. The Labour and Employment Secretary,  Apurva Chandra , has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the ILO for the period October 2020- June 2021. Chandra is a 1988 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Maharashtra Cadre. He would preside over the upcoming the Governing Body’s meeting, to be held in November 2020. The Governing Body is the apex executive body of the ILO which decides policies, programmes, agenda, budget and elects the Director-General. At present, ILO  (Headquarter- Geneva, Switzerland)  has  187 members.  It meets three times a year, in March, June and November.

  81. Which of the following contracts involves future exchange of assets at a specified price? [A] future contract [B] forward contract [C] Present contract [D] Spot contract Hide Answer Correct Answer:  B [forward contract] Notes: A forward contract is a private agreement between two parties giving the buyer an obligation to purchase an asset (and the seller an obligation to sell an asset) at a set price at a future point in time. 82. Which of the following is best described as selling a synthetic asset and simultaneously buying the actual asset? [A] Arbitrage [B] Diversifying [C] Speculating [D] Hedging Hide Answer Correct Answer:  A [Arbitrage] Notes: Arbitrage is the simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset to profit from an imbalance in the price. It is a trade that profits by exploiting the price differences of identical or similar financial instruments on different markets or in different forms. 83. Which of the following indicates the wealth of a person? [A] Bank balance [B]