Oxfam World Inequality Index 2018: India Ranks 147th, Denmark Tops

UK-based charity ‘Oxfam International’s report named ‘Commitment to Reducing Inequality (CRI) Index was released in which India ranked 147th among 157 countries analysed and was labeled as “a very worrying situation” with respect to the rising inequality in the country. 
Out of 157 countries measured, Denmark topped the list based on its high and progressive taxation, high social spending and good protection of workers. Ranking at 11th, Japan became the topper among the Asian countries. Among the BRICS nations, China was ranked 81st on the list, Brazil 39th and Russia 50th.
The Top 3 Countries include: 
1. Denmark,
2. Germany,
3. Finland. 
Source- The Quint

Youth Olympic Games 2018: Saurabh Chaudhary bags Gold in 10-m air pistol

Pistol shooter Saurabh Chaudhary has bagged the Gold Medal in the 10-meter air pistol event in the ongoing Youth Olympic Games in Argentina. In Buenos Aires, the 16-year old blew the field away in the final as he finished a massive Seven and a half points ahead of his closest rival. It is India’s third gold medal in the history of Youth Olympic Games and all three have come in this edition in Buenos Aires.

Source- Air World Service

Sushma Swaraj Participates In 17th CHG Meeting Of SCO In Tajikistan

External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj participated in the 17th Council of Heads of Government, CHG, meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. This was the second CHG meeting since India became a full member of SCO in June 2017. 
Last year, CHG meeting was held in Sochi, Russia and was also attended by EAM. The SCO CHG meeting is a forum that enables India to engage with SCO member countries and Observer states of Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia. It is the first major meeting since Kyrgyzstan took over as chair of the Organisation. 
Source- AIR World Service

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman In France On 3-Day Visit

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has left for Paris on a three-day visit to France. Ms Sitharaman will hold wide-ranging talks with her French counterpart Florence Parly on ways to deepen strategic cooperation between the two countries and also deliberate on major regional and global issues of mutual interests. 
During the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, the two countries decided to expand strategic ties and deepen counter-terror cooperation. The two sides also inked a strategic pact providing for the use of each other’s military facilities including opening naval bases to warships. 
Source- News On AIR

Static/Current Takeaways Important for Indian Bank PO Exam 2018- 
  • France President: Emmanuel Macron, Capital: Paris, Currency: euro, CFP franc. 

International Day Of The Girl Child: 11 October

Since 2012, 11 October has been marked as the International Day of the Girl. The theme for International Day of the Girl Child 2018 is ‘With Her: A Skilled Girl Force’. 
The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. 
Source- The United Nations

Cabinet Approves Merger of NCVT And NSDA To Establish NCVET

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the merger of the existing regulatory institutions in the skills space – National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) into the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). 
NCVET will regulate the functioning of entities engaged in vocational education and training, both long-term and short-term and establish minimum standards for the functioning of such entities. The primary functions of NCVET will include –
  1. recognition and regulation of awarding bodies, assessment bodies and skill related information providers; 
  2. approval of qualifications developed by awarding bodies and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs); 
  3. indirect regulation of vocational training institutes through awarding bodies and assessment agencies; 
  4. research and information dissemination; 
  5. grievance redressal.

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘TITLI’ Hits West-Central Bay of Bengal

The Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘TITLI’ over the west-central Bay of Bengal moved northwards with a speed of about 14 kmph over Westcentral Bay of Bengal near latitude 16.5°N and longitude 85.8°E, about 320 km south-southeast of Gopalpur (Odisha) and 270 km southeast of Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). It is very likely to intensify further into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. 
Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)

Rakesh Sharma Takes Charge As MD & CEO Of IDBI Bank

State-run IDBI Bank has announced that Rakesh Sharma has taken charge as the managing director and chief executive officer of the bank. He has replaced B Sriram. 
Mr Sharma has been appointed for the period of six months. He retired from Canara Bank as the MD and CEO after serving for a period of three years. 
Source- The Financial Express

Static/Current Takeaways Important for IBPS PO Mains Exam 2018- 
  • IDBI Bank was established in 1964. 
  • IDBI Bank Headquarters in Mumbai. 

Important Cabinet Approvals: 10th October 2018

Important Cabinet Approvals- 04th October 2018
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the following set of approvals. The important Cabinet Approvals are given as follows-

The Cabinet has approved- 
1. MoU between India and Lebanon for cooperation in the field of agriculture and allied sectors.
2. MoU between India and Romania in the field of tourism.
3. Closure of National Jute Manufactures Corporation Ltd. and its subsidiary Birds Jute & Exports Ltd.
4. Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Employees.
5. Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation.
6. Establishment and operationalisation of permanent campuses of the Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) at Tirupati and Berhampur.
7. Merger of National Council for Vocational Training, NCVT and National Skill Development Agency, NSDA to establish National Council for Vocational Education and Training, NCVET
8. Closure of Biecco Lawrie Limited. 

Source- Press Information Bureau (PIB)