Daily Current Affairs : 11th October 2013

1. International Day of the Girl Child observed on 11 October 2013 across the world to recognise the girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. Theme for the year 2013 is Innovating for Girls’ Education. The United Nations General Assembly on 19 December 19, 2011 adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

2. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons won this year's Nobel Peace Prize today "for its extensive efforts" to rid the world of such arsenals, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said. "The conventions and the work of the OPCW have defined the use of chemical weapons as a taboo under international law," the committee said. The organisation is overseeing the destruction of stockpiles of chemical weapons in Syria. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the OPCW was formed in 1997 to enforce the Chemical Weapons Convention, the first international treaty to outlaw an entire class of weapons.

3. Government of India on 10 October 2013 signed agreements with seven countries, who pledged their commitment to the Nalanda University project in Bihar. The Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand, Lao PDR and Myanmar in the sidelines of East Asia Summit in Brunei. These MoUs are important to India's plans to establish Nalanda University in Bihar as an institution of international repute. Nalanda University will be constructed at Rajgir, which is situated around 100 km away from Patna, Bihar. The construction of the University will take place on 446-acre plot, which is situated 12 km away from the ruins of ancient seat of learning.

4. PM meets Indonesian President in Jakarta; 6 bilateral pacts on technology, trade, anti-corruption and anti-narcotics measures signed between India and Indonesia.

5. China on 10 October 2013 signed a 350 Billion Yuan (45 billion Euro) currency swap agreement with the European Union, marking a major step in internationalising its currency. The agreement signed between the People's Bank of China (PBOC) and the European Central Bank (ECB). The pact aimed to support bilateral trade and protect financial stability. The agreement lasts three years and can be extended if both parties agree.

6. The Empowered Committee led by Retired Chief Justice (High Court of Punjab and Haryana) Mukul Mudgal submitted its report on issues concerning the Cinematograph Act to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The committee has given its suggestions regarding issues such as advisory panels, guidelines for certification and issues such as portrayal of women, obscenity and communal disharmony. Other issues which the committee has revisited and given its recommendations on include classification of films, piracy and jurisdiction of appellate tribunal, among others. It has also proposed a draft Cinematograph Bill.

7. Prime Minister of Libya, Ali Zeidan was abducted by gunmen on 10 October 2013. They held him captive for several hours. Ali Zeidan was later rescued. The incident underscored the lawlessness gripping Libya two years after the ouster of autocrat Moammar Gadhafi. Ali Zeidan is the Prime Minister of Libya. He was appointed by the General National Congress on 14 October 2012, and took office on 14 November after Congress approved his cabinet nominees.

8. The Tata group has launched the third edition of ‘Tata First Dot powered by NEN,’ a platform for student entrepreneurship. Tata First Dot workshops will be held across 20 cities this year, adding five – Raipur, Guwahati, Ranchi, Nagpur and Srinagar - to the list, said Atul Agrawal, vice-president, corporate Affairs, Tata Services.

9. The eleventh annual international life sciences conference, BioAsia 2014, will kick off in Hyderabad from February 17-19. “Innovate and Evolve”— this will be the theme for the new edition of the international meet, as it involves the entire life sciences industry. The meet’s focus on innovation will address the increasing disease burden and the growing need for more efficacious and affordable healthcare solutions.

10. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will co-chair the sixth India-Brazil Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) meeting during his visit to Brazil beginning October 14. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs has said that during the meeting, both sides will discuss the entire gamut of India-Brazil Strategic Partnership, including political, economic and commercial, agriculture, science and technology, defence, cultural and hydrocarbon.

11. The cyclonic storm Phailin in the second week of October 2013 hit the Andaman and Nicobar islands and moved northwestwards early this morning and presently lay centred about 800 km South East of Paradip in Odisha. It is expected to reach the coast of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in the next 48 to 72 hours. The system will intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into sea and those gone deep inside the sea have been asked to return to the coast.

12. India recorded a convincing six wicket victory over Australia in the one-off Twenty-20 International cricket match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot last night. Set to score 202 runs for a win, India achieved victory in 19.4 overs. Man of the Match Yuvraj Singh remained unbeaten on 77 which came off only 35 balls. Skipper M.S. Dhoni was not out on 24. Earlier, put in to bat, Australia made 201 for seven in their 20 overs.

13. Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium is set to host the farewell Test for Sachin Tendulkar after the legendary batsman expressed a wish to play his landmark 200th match against the West Indies next month in front of his home crowd.

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