Top Best Current Affairs 22 October 2020 (2)

Paytm, the Indian digital payment and technology platform said that it will be "partnering with various card issuers to introduce co-branded cards" in the market. The company said that it is keen on transforming the credit card market by enabling 'new to credit' users to be part of the credit card user base. Paytm said that its 'Next Generation Credit Cards' are intended to "democratise the access to a formal credit system for the masses." The company in a release said that it intends to issue two million cards in the next 12 to 18 months.

Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan launched an online portal, that provides information about CSIR ushered repurposed drugs and their current stage of trials. It has been working with the AYUSH Ministry for clinical trials of AYUSH drugs. It has undertaken safety and efficacy trials of prophylactics and therapeutics based on individual plant-based compounds.

The ninth session of the India-Oman Joint Commission was held virtually on Monday. The meet was co-chaired by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Hardeep Singh Puri, and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion of the Sultanate of Oman, Qais bin Mohammed. According to an official release, the meeting was attended by representatives of various government departments/ministries from both sides. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the recent developments in trade and investment ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expand the bilateral trade and encourage businesses to invest in each other's country in order to realize the untapped potential in the commercial and economic relationship.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted a Standing Committee -- Market Data Advisory Committee (MDAC) -- to recommend appropriate policy for access to securities market data. The committee would identify segment-wise data perimeters, data needs and gaps, recommend data privacy and data access regulations applicable to market data among others.

India has invited Australia to participate in its trilateral naval exercise "Malabar-2020" which is scheduled to be held in November 2020, in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. In 2020, the exercise will be held in a 'non-contact - at sea' format. It aims to increase cooperation and enhance safety and security in the maritime security domain.

Minister of State (Shipping) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya e-launched the development of Indigenous Software solution for Vessel traffic services (VTS) and Vessels Traffic Monitoring Systems (VTMS).

Singapore-based bond exchange, BondEvalue, developed by India-origin entrepreneurs, is targeting to launch a blockchain-platform in the New Year to facilitate investment in bonds by individuals and common man. "We are talking to two leading banks in India to launch the blockchain-platform early next year," Rahul Banerjee told PTI on Sunday after getting approval as a global Recognised Market Operator (RMO) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

In Shooting, the world number one Elavenil Valarivan of India won the gold medal in women's event of the 2020 Sheikh Russel International Air Rifle Championship. The event was organised by Bangladesh Shooting Sport Federation (BSSF).