India-US 2+2 Dialogue: India-US Sign COMCASA


India and US have signed the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) that will facilitate India to obtain critical defence technologies from the US, and access critical communication network to ensure interoperability among the US and the Indian armed forces. 
After the 2+2 dialogue, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and US Defence Secretary James Mattis stated that the two countries are committed to work towards strengthening Indo-US relationship. 
Source- The Quint

India-US Hold Maiden 2+2 Talks In New Delhi

India and the US held the first edition of the two-plus-two talks in New Delhi. The meeting was aimed at further strengthening bilateral defence and security collaboration as well as boosting their global strategic partnership, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held talks with US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis.
Military Ties: 
According to US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo, both sides should continue to ensure freedom of the seas and work towards peaceful resolutions of territorial and maritime disputes, seen as an oblique reference to China’s expansionist behaviour in the South China Sea. He also stressed on promoting market-based economics and good governance. 
Nuclear Deal: 
A raft of other important issues like US sanctions on import of Iranian crude oil and India’s plan to buy a batch of S-400 air defence missile systems from Russia were discussed. In May, the US withdrew from the landmark Iran nuclear deal and re-imposed the sanctions that had been suspended in return for curbs on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran is India’s third-largest oil supplier after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. 
Source- The Hindu Business Line

PM Jan Dhan Yojana To Be Open-Ended Scheme With More Incentives

The Government has decided to make the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) an open-ended scheme and added more incentives to encourage people to open bank accounts. The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stated that the overdraft facility has been doubled from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 under the Yojana. 

The age limit for availing overdraft facility under it has also been revised to 18 to 65 years from the earlier 18 to 60 years. The accidental insurance cover for new RuPay Cardholders has been raised from Rs. one lakh to Rs. two lakh.
According to the Minister, Jan Dhan Yojana is the world’s biggest financial inclusion scheme and 32.41 crore accounts have been opened under it with more than 81 thousand 200 crore rupees of deposit balance. 
Source- The Quint

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • PMJDY was launched in August 2014.
  • The first phase of the PMJDY scheme focused on opening basic bank accounts and RuPay debit card with inbuilt accident insurance cover of Rs. one lakh.

Homosexuality Not A Crime In India Anymore: SC Abolishes Section 377

The Supreme Court abolished Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the 1862 law which criminalised homosexuality. The Delhi High Court had decriminalised homosexuality in 2009, but the decision was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2013. According to Section 377, consensual sexual acts are also considered unnatural and are punishable. 
What is Section 377, the 1862 law that criminalises homosexuality?
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which came into force in 1862, states, “Whoever voluntarily has carnal inter­course against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished”. Under the section, consensual sexual acts of adults are also considered “unnatural” and are punishable. 
Source- The Outlook 

Dr Poonam Singh Nominated For 2nd Term As Regional Director WHO South-East Asia

India retained the top WHO position in South-East Asia Region with Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh unanimously re-elected as Regional Director for another five-year term beginning February 2019. The elections were held at the ongoing regional committee meeting of WHO South-East Asia. 
Dr Singh is the first woman to have been elected to the position of Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region after an illustrious career in the Indian civil service, World Bank and WHO. 
Source- AIR World Service

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. 
  • WHO was established on 7th April 1948.
  • headquartered of WHO is in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Tedros Adhanom is Director general of the World Health Organisation. 

President 3-Nation Visit: India & Bulgaria Sign 5 MoUs

India and Bulgaria sign five pacts on Investment, Tourism, Civil Nuclear Cooperation, science and technology cooperation and Establishment of Hindi Chair at Sofia University, after delegation-level talks between President Ramnath Kovind and his counterpart Rumen Radev. 

The President also invited Bulgaria to become key partner in Defence and IT sectors under Make in India programme. A Programme of Cooperation is also signed to enhance scientific cooperation. Mr Kovind was in Bulgaria on the second leg of his 3-nation visit to Cyprus, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. 
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • Bulgaria Capital: Sofia, Currency: Bulgarian lev. 

RP Singh Announces Retirement From International Cricket

Indian Pacer RP Singh announced his retirement from International Cricket, exactly 13 years after making his international debut. The 32-year-old, who was a part of India’s 2007 World T20-winning team, played 82 international matches and picked up over 100 wickets between 2005 and 2011.
Source- News18

HDFC ERGO Makes Cyber Insurance Personal With Launch of ‘E@Secure’

HDFC ERGO, India’s third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private sector, announced the launch of ‘E@Secure’, a Cyber Insurance Policy for individuals. This policy aims at providing comprehensive protection to individuals and their families against any cyber-attacks, cyber frauds or digital threats that could lead to a financial loss and or reputational loss. 
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report 2016, there has been an increase in the incidence of Cyber Crimes by 6.3 per cent in 2016 (12,317) over 2015 (11,592). 

Source- sify.com
Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • HDFC ERGO is a non-life insurance provider in the private sector. 
  • It headquarters in Mumbai. 

Sanctioned Rs 335 Crore to West Bengal in August: NABARD

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned an amount of Rs 335 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to West Bengal. The fund, alloted in August, would be used for 158 minor irrigation projects and 23 flood protection projects.
The minor irrigation projects are expected to benefit 20,506 hectares, covering 3.09 lakh population in 699 villages of 22 districts, while the flood protection projects would address the problem of rapid bank erosion caused by rivers. 
Source- The Moneycontrol

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • NABARD Chairman- Harsh Kumar Bhanwala, Headquarters- Mumbai, Established on- 12 July 1982. 

Suresh Prabhu Launches Technology Initiatives For Coffee Stakeholders

Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu launched Coffee Connect – India coffee field force app and Coffee KrishiTharanga – digital mobile extension services for coffee stakeholders at a function in New Delhi. 
The mobile app Coffee Connect has been developed to ease the work of field functionaries and to improve the work efficiency. The Coffee KrishiTharanga services are aimed at providing customized information and services to increase productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. The customised services are two ways, 24 X 7 service supports. 
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • M.S. Boje Gowda is the present chairman of Coffee Board of India. 
  • It headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka.