Leander Paes Lifts Santo Domingo Open Trophy

Indian tennis legend  Leander Paes has won his second Challenger-level title of the season, lifting the Santo Domingo Open trophy with partner Miguel Angel Reyyes-Varela.
The second-seeded Indo- Mexican pair, playing its second consecutive final, came from behind to beat Ariel Behar and Roberto Quiroz 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 in the summit clash, which lasted one hour and 26 minutes in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  

Source- News on AIR
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • The capital of Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Currency: Dominican Peso.

6th RCEP Inter-Sessional Ministerial Meeting Held In Singapore

The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution C. R. Chaudhary, attended the 6th RCEP Inter-sessional Ministerial Meeting (IMM) in Singapore. 
The Ministers from 16 RCEP countries met in Singapore to discuss a modern, comprehensive and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement among ASEAN and ASEAN’s FTA partners. Next round meeting of Trade Negotiating Committee (TNC) is scheduled to be held in Auckland, New Zealand. 
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Static/Current Takeaways From Above News For IBPS PO Mains Exam 2018:
  • ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
  • ASEAN is amongst the fastest growing markets in the world and presents substantial trade and investments opportunities for India. 
  • ASEAN has emerged as the second largest trade partner of India in 2017-18 with bilateral trade valued at US$ 81.33 billion, comprising 10.58% of India’s total trade with the world. 

Ajay Tamta Inaugurates 46th Edition of IHGF-Delhi Fair Autumn-2018

Union Minister of State for Textiles, Ajay Tamta, inaugurated the 46th edition of world’s largest IHGF-Delhi Fair at India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida. 
This Fair has played a vital role in increasing exports of handicrafts from the country and has acquired a special importance for the handicrafts sector. The fair is participated by 3200 exhibitors from over 110 countries. 
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Static/Current Takeaways From Above News For IBPS PO Mains Exam 2018:
  • Smriti Irani is the present Union Minister of Textiles. 
  • IHGF is amongst Asia’s largest gifts & handicrafts fair, held biannually (Spring & Autumn edition) and is organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH). 

Centre to provide Rs 7.8 crore textile tourism complex in Meghalaya

Minister of State for Textiles, Ajay Tamta has stated that the Ministry will release 7.8 crore rupees for the construction of a textile tourism complex in Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya.

The Union Minister visited different weaving centers in Shillong. The NBCC has completed construction of an apparel center worth 14 crores rupees in the State. 

Static/Current Takeaways From Above News For Vijaya Bank Credit Officer Exam:
  • Ajay Tamta is Member of Parliament (MP) from Almora, Uttarakhand constituency.
  • Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya.
  • Conrad Sangma is Chief Minister of Meghalaya.
  • Tathagata Roy is Governor of Meghalaya.
Source- Financial Express

India and Sri Lanka sign two MoU for construction of 1200 houses


India and Sri Lanka has signed two MoU for construction of 1200 houses through 50 model villages, using Indian grant assistance of 60 crore Srilankan rupees.  The MoUs were signed by Mr. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, and Mr. Bernard Vasantha, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Construction, in the presence of Sajith Premadasa, Minister of Housing and Construction.

With this, India’s collaboration with Srilankan government under Model Villages Housing Program stands at 2400 houses in 100 model villages. As per the new MoUs, 600 houses each will be constructed in the Southern and Northern Provinces.
Static/Current Takeaways From Above News For IBPS PO/Clerk Mains Exam 2018:
  • Capitals of Sri Lanka: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
  • Currency of Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan rupee
  • President of Sri Lanka: Maithripala Sirisena
Source- DD News

India And Azerbaijan Agree To Enhance Bilateral Trade Relations

India and Azerbaijan have agreed to take measures to enhance bilateral trade relations. The two countries signed a protocol on trade and economic, science and technology cooperation at the 5th meeting of India-Azerbaijan Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade and Economic, Science and Technology Cooperation which concluded in New Delhi. 
The two-day meeting was co-chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu and Azerbaijan’s Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Mukhtar Babayev. The next meeting of the Commission will be held in Baku. 
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Static/Current Takeaways From Above News For IBPS PO Mains Exam 2018:
  • Azerbaijan Capital: Baku, 
    Currency: Azerbaijani manat. 

PM Modi Inaugurates Silver Jubilee Celebrations of NHRC

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) 25th anniversary and said that it has an important role to play in government’s efforts to achieve sustainable development goals. 
Mr Modi cited Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Swachh Bharat, Saubhagya Yojana as schemes aimed towards providing dignified life for all. 
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Static/Current Takeaways From Above News For IBPS PO Mains Exam 2018:
  • The NHRC was set up on the 12th October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, passed by Parliament.
  • NHRC Chairman:  Justice HL Dattu. 

Global Hunger Index 2018: Belarus Tops, India Ranks 103rd

The 2018 Global Hunger Index (GHI) indicates that the level of hunger and undernutrition worldwide falls into the serious category, at a value of 20.9, down from 29.2 in 2000. As per the index, India was ranked 103rd out of 119 qualifying countries. 
The Global Hunger Index 2018 report was prepared jointly by global NGOs namely, Concern Worldwide (Ireland) and Welthungerhilfe (Germany). In the countries included in the GHI, the share of the undernourished population stood at 12.3 percent in 2015–2017, down from 17.6 percent in 1999–2001.
Source- globalhungerindex.org

International Day For Disaster Reduction: 13 October

The International Day for Disaster Reduction is observed across the world on October 13 to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.

The day celebrated how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the risks associated with them. The theme of the 2018 International Day for Disaster Reduction is ‘Reducing Disaster Economic Losses’. 

Source- UNISDR

Static/Current Takeaways From Above News For IBPS PO Mains Exam 2018:

  • United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.