DAILY G.A UPDATE : 26-10-2016
1. Paul Beatty becomes first American to win Booker Prize
Paul Beatty has become the first American author to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize for "The Sellout" -- a satire of race and class in the United States.
The novel, described by the judges as "shocking and unexpectedly funny", tells the story of an African-American man who attempts to assert his identity, ironically by reintroducing slavery and segregation in his Los Angeles neighbourhood.
The 54-year-old author collected the 50,000 pound literary award at a ceremony at London’s Guildhall last night.
Beatty appeared overwhelmed with emotion and struggled for words as he began his acceptance speech.
2. India Ranked 130th in ease of doing business index
According to the World Bank's latest 'Doing Business' report, India has been ranked 130th in the list of 190 countries. New Zealand has topped this list.
However, the last year's ranking has been now revised to 131 from which the country has improved its place by one spot.
The government has been making efforts to further improve the ease of doing business and aims to bring the country in the top 50.
Expressing disappointment over no change in India's ranking in the World Bank's index on ease of doing business, Indian government regretted that the report did not take into consideration 12 key reforms undertaken by the government.
When it comes to 'distance to frontier' -- a measurement of the gap between an economy's performance and the best practice score of 100 -- India's score has improved to 55.27 this year from 53.93 last year. India is the only country for which the report has a box dedicated to its ongoing economic reforms.
The list of countries in the Doing Business 2017 is topped by New Zealand while Singapore is ranked second. It is followed by Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea, Norway, the UK, the US, Sweden and former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Neighbouring Pakistan is ranked 144th in the list.
On the basis of reforms undertaken, the top 10 improvers are Brunei Darussalam, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Belarus, Indonesia, Serbia, Georgia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. A record 137 economies around the world have adopted key reforms that make it easier to start and operate small and medium-sized businesses, the report said.
3. Former judge M M Kumar appointed NCLT chief for five years
Former judge M M Kumar has been appointed as President of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), constituted to expedite adjudication matters under the companies law.
The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved appointment of Kumar for five years or till he attains the age of 67 years of age, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said.
Kumar, who had been Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, is well known for his independent approach and impeccable integrity.
He was chairman of Company law Board which has been dissolved following constitution of the NCLT from June 1, 2016.
The tribunal at present has a principle bench in Delhi and ten benches at various places.
4. India, Sri Lanka hold joint military exercise
India and Sri Lanka started a joint military exercise 'Mitra Shakti 2016' in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka. This exercise will conclude on November 6.
This is the fourth edition of the exercise.
"The main focus of this edition of the joint exercise is to enhance inter-operability while carrying out counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate. A comprehensive training programme spanning fourteen days has been drawn up for the purpose," the statement said.
The last exercise with the Sri Lankan Army was conducted in September 2015 at Pune in India.
Mitra Shakti series of bilateral exercises has been one of the major defence cooperation initiatives between India and Sri Lanka since 2013.
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