Daily Current Affairs Updates: 20 October 2014

1) Joko Widodo takes over as Indonesian president: Indonesia's Joko Widodo took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy on 20 Oct 2014 with supporters' hopes high but pressing economic problems and sceptical rivals set to test the former furniture businessman. Widodo's narrow victory over a former general in July's election marked the first time in the young democracy's history that a president was elected from outside the established military and political elite.

2) Govt brings in ordinance to e-auction cancelled coal mines: In a move to decide the fate of coal blocks that were de-allocated by the Supreme Court recently, the government on 20 Oct 2014 proposed an ordinance to allow e-auction of mines to private players while adding that state-run companies would be allocated mines directly. The process would be completed in three-four months, finance minister Arun Jaitley said, adding that proceeds of the auction would go directly to states where respective mines are located.

3) World Osteoporosis Day observed: World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on 20 October, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), World Osteoporosis Day involves campaigns by national osteoporosis patient societies from around the world with activities in over 90 countries. Osteoporosis is a disease that gradually weakens bones, making them fragile, able to break very easily. Fractures may occur after a small fall, as a result of a sneeze, and even bending over to tie a shoelace.

4) Govt forms panel to frame bankruptcy code: The government has set up a committee to frame bankruptcy law to enable entrepreneurs to close down unviable businesses. The committee under T K Vishwanathan, former Law Secretary, will study the corporate bankruptcy legal framework in India and submit a report by February next year, Finance Ministry said in a statement. Finance Minster Arun Jaitley in 2014-15 Budget had announced that an entrepreneur friendly legal bankruptcy framework would be developed for SMEs to enable easy exit.

5) Nigeria declared Ebola-free by WHO: One of the worst affected countries with Ebola - Nigeria, has been declared disease free. The World Health Organisation declared that Nigeria has successfully contained the virus that has killed more than 4,500 people till now and is steadily spreading across the globe. Africa's most populous country has seen eight deaths due to an outbreak which saw 20 people infected. 

6) 123-year-old Mohammedan Sporting Club to shut down: As football fans in India welcomed the birth of a new tournament in Indian Super League (ISL) last week, Monday (October 20) marked the end of one of the country's oldest clubs - Mohammedan Sporting Club. The 123-year-old Mohammedan Sporting Club in Kolkata has decided to shut down due to financial crisis. Founded in 1891, Mohammedan Sporting Club is one of the oldest clubs in India. The players had not received their salaries for the last three months, according to reports. The club's last major titles came in 2013 when it won the Durand Cup and IFA Shield.