English news - 26.04.2016

1. SBI Quick introduces facility to control debit card frauds

To check debit card frauds, SBI has launched a facility under 'SBI Quick: SMS and Missed Call Banking' service whereby the customer can choose to activate or deactivate their cards using various platforms, like ATM, and Point of Sale (POS).

Activation or deactivation of the debit card can be done using platforms like ATM, Point of Sale (POS), e-commerce websites, international usage and domestic usage. 

This can be done by just sending an SMS, SBI said in a statement.

SBI Quick, a mobile APP, provides a range of services and works on the condition that the SMS/missed call should come from the mobile number registered with the bank.

2. Indo- Mongolia Joint Military Exercise, Nomadic Elephant- 2016 Commences at Mongolia 

The Eleventh Indo-Mongolia joint training Exercise, ‘Nomadic Elephant - 2016’ to promote military associations between India and Mongolia has commenced at Mongolia. The exercise will culminate on 08 May 2016. The aim of this exercise is to develop synergy and inter operability between the two armies to fight in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment under the United Nation mandate. 

A platoon of the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army alongwith a team of two observers will be taking part in the event. From the Mongolian Armed Forces, a total of 60 personnel will take part in the exercise. The event will culminate in a 48 hours joint outdoor exercise covering specialised operations in Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment. 

3. Govt approves 8.7 per cent interest on EPF for 2015-16

The Ministry of Finance has approved an 8.7 per cent interest on employee provident fund (EPF) for 2015-16, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya informed the Lok Sabha. Earlier, the  Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of EPFO had recommended a slightly higher 8.8 per cent interest rate for 2015-16. The government last year had kept the interest rate at 8.75 per cent.

On Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP), the interest rate from April 1 has been reduced to 7.8 per cent from 8.7 per cent.

The popular Five-Year National Savings Certificates is earning an interest rate of 8.1 per cent from April 1 as against 8.5 per cent.

4. Mohun Bagan's Lalpekhlua named FPAI Indian Player of Year

Mohun Bagan and India striker Jeje Lalpekhlua was  declared winner of the 'Indian Player of the Year' award by the Football Players Association of India (FPAI) at its annual awards function held at the Cooperage Ground here. 

The 25-year-old from Mizoram, who made his international debut in 2012 and came through the junior ranks, received the highest number of votes from fellow professional footballers, beating the challenge from the short list of India captain Sunil Chhetri, Bikash Jairu, David Lalrinmuana and Dhanachandra Singh, to win the coveted award.

5. India rower Dattu Bhokanal qualifies for Rio Olympics 2016

Indian rower Dattu Bhokanal  qualified for the Rio Olympics after winning a silver in the finals of men’s single sculls at the 2016 FISA Asian and Oceania Olympic Qualification Regatta at Chung-ju in South Korea. 

The 25-year-old armyman clocked 7 mins 07.49 seconds in the 2km course to finish second and qualify for the Rio Olympics. The top seven in the finals qualified for the Rio Games.

6. MP Speaker nominated to Commonwealth Parliamentary Association

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Sitasharan Sharma has been nominated as a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. 

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan nominated him, an official release said. 

The Association frames policy and reviews changes in the global parliamentary practises. Madhya Pradesh has received the honour of becoming a member of this prestigious body for the first time, it said. He was also nominated as a member of the Association's Planning and Review Committee. 

Among other issues, it will discuss minimising the use of paper in parliamentary business for conserving environment. 

7. Krishnapatnam Port launches rail service with CONCOR

Krishnapatnam Port said it has launched a direct bi-weekly rail connectivity service between ICD Bengaluru and the port in association with state- owned Container Corporation or CONCOR. 

It will run a shuttle service to Maersk Salalah catering to the demand from business houses in and around Bangalore, Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd (KPCL) said in a statement.

The service has scheduled an export from ICD (inland container depot) Bengaluru on every Tuesday and Friday and an import departure from Krishnapatnam on every Wednesday and Saturday.

8. Jaipur to host Commonwealth Judo Championships 2018

The Judo Federation of India (JFI) announced that it has been allotted the Commonwealth Judo Championships 2018 which will be organised in Jaipur.

This will be the first time that Commonwealth Judo Championships will be held in India. The Championships will be held in Jaipur in Rajasthan but the dates are yet to be finalised, JFI added.

JFI is also organising the 10th Asian Cadet Judo Championships and 17th Asian Juniors Judo Championships later this year.

9. Snapdeal ropes in ex-HUL executive Kanika Kalra as VP Marketing

eCommerce major Snapdeal said it has appointed former HUL Brand Director Kanika Kalra as its Vice President (Marketing).

With over 12 years of experience, Kalra joins Snapdeal after stints at Hindustan Unilever Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd and Pepsico, Snapdeal said in a statement.

10. Shri J P Nadda announces PPP between ICMR and Sun Pharma in research & innovation in preventive health

Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare announced India’s first public-private-partnership (PPP) agreement for research and innovation in preventive health between ICMR and Sun Pharma.

Presiding over the signing of this agreement by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, DG, ICMR and Shri Dilip Shanghvi, Managing Director of Sun Pharma, Shri J P Nadda noted that this unique initiative was a significant step in the health sector and reiterated the commitment of the Government to strengthen health research in the country. Speaking on the occasion of the celebration of World Malaria Day, the Union Health Minister added that this collaboration will prove to be a notable milestone in the Government’s strategy to eliminate Malaria from the country.