1. US signs Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 other Pacific Rim nations

(i) On October 5, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was signed between the US and 11 Pacific Rim nations in order to formulate rules for boosting global trade and investment. 

(ii) Besides establishing uniform rules on corporations’ intellectual property, widen internet penetration, the partnership aims to clamp down against wildlife and environment abuse.

(iii) By far the largest trade accord in history, it is expected to eliminate 18,000 taxes imposed by the participating countries on US exports – from autos and machinery to chemicals, consumer goods and agricultural products. 

2. Germany offers India 2 billion euros for solar projects 

(i) Germany recently extended 2 billion euros to the Indian government to help fund solar projects and establish a Green Energy Corridor. A Memorandum of Understanding on an Indo-German Solar Energy Partnership has also been signed.

(ii) The two nations have agreed on the India Germany Climate and Renewable Energy Alliance-a partnership to utilise technology and funds to make affordable and clean energy accessible to all besides formulating a comprehensive agenda to combat climate change.

3. ISIS destroys the Arch of Triumph

(i) The Islamic State (IS) militant group destroyed the Arch of Triumph, which formed the entrance to the Syrian city of Palmyra. 

(ii) Condemning the act, UNESCO called the destruction ‘war crime’ and stated that there would be no impunity for the criminals.

(iii) The 2000-year-old monument comprised one large arch flanked by two smaller ones. The top of the main arch was decorated with geometrical and plant ornaments, which was considered to be a remarkable sample of Palmyrene art. 

4. Iran threatens to boycott Frankfurt book fair over Salman Rushdie’s keynote address

(i) Iran has threatened to boycott the upcoming Frankfurt book fair in which Salman Rushdie will present the keynote speech.

(ii) Iranian Deputy Minister for Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyed Abbas Salehi

issued a strong protest against Rushdie’s speech and has asked the organisers to cancel the same.

(iii)

The decision to boycott will be a setback to Iranian
publishers as 282 of them participated in the book fair last year, displaying
over 1,200 titles.

5. Bank of Baroda detects Rs. 350 crore bill discounting irregularity

(i) The state-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) detected Rs.350 crore bill discounting irregularity and has initiated an investigation into the same. 

(ii) The officials from BoB informed,  “Bills worth Rs.350 crore were discounted but the payment has not come. The concerned person has been suspended. We have already initiated an inquiry and based on the report we will take further actions,” 

(iii) Bill or invoice discounting is a source of working
capital for a firm that sells its trade debts a.k.a accounts receivable at a
discounted value to a factoring company. This helps the firm to acquire capital without having
to borrow money. A fraud is likely in such transactions if payment for the discounted
bills is not made.

6. Ministry of Women and Child Development signs MoU with Vedanta 

(i) In September 2015, the Union Ministry for Women and Child Development

signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with natural resources

company Vedanta to develop and modernise 4000 anganwadis in India. 

(ii) The anganwadis will be built in Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telengana and Uttar Pradesh. 

(iii) The objective of the MoU is not only to provide supplementary nutrition and basic healthcare but also to enhance involvement of village women in holistic development of the community. 

(iv) Vedanta’s investment of over Rs.400 crore will be aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives including Swachh Bharat, Women Skill Development and Digital India.

7. Odisha govt. launches ‘Amo Doli’ programme to improve access to hospitals

(i) In order to help patients and pregnant women from remote/hilly areas reach their nearest hospital, the Rayagada district of Odisha recently launched the ‘Amo Doli’ programme.

(ii) Under this, 183 remote villages will be provided with stretchers designed as a sling to carry patients with less effort. 

(iii) Each sling costs around Rs.9,000 and the programme is being funded under the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) which is meant for Maoist-affected districts. 

(iv) The stretchers will be stocked at village welfare committees or given to ASHA workers. 

8. Online portal to lodge police complaints online in Odisha

(i)

In October 2015, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik launched a portal that would allow the citizens to lodge police
complaint to the state police through Internet and track status of the same.

(ii)

Citizens can avail a copy of their FIR, besides a
host of other services like getting character certificates, permission for
carrying out rallies and processions, tenant or employee verification, registration
of missing persons and lost property, etc. 

9. Infibeam first e-commerce firm to to get SEBI’s approval for an IPO

(i) Recently, Gujarat-based e-commerce firm Infibeam Incorporation Ltd. got Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) approval to raise an estimated Rs.450 crore through an initial public offering (IPO). 

(ii) It has become the first Indian e-commerce firm to be listed on the stock exchange. 

(iii) Vishal Mehta, MD, Infibeam said that of the total money being raised, Rs.235 crore will be used to establish a data centre, around Rs.37 crore on setting up logistics centres and about Rs.67 crore for purchase of software.

(iv) Founded in 2007, Infibeam runs several e-commerce services such as Infibeam.com, Indent, BuildaBazaar, Incept and Picsquare.

10. Steve Simon to be the next CEO of WTA 

(i) Recently, Steve Simon was named the CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association(WTA) after Stacey Allaster stepped down citing personal reasons. 

(ii)

Simon has been tournament director and chief
operating officer of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells since 2004.

11. National Anti-Drug Addiction Day observed on October 2

(i) In India, National Anti-Drug Addiction Day was observed on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary i.e. on October 2nd as he vehemently disapproved the use of drugs.

(ii) The Union government established this day to free the Indian populace from the fatal grip of drugs.

12. World Habitat Day observed on October 5

(i)

World Habitat Day is observed annually on the
first Monday of October.

(ii) 

The main aim of the day is to remind people
across the globe of their responsibility towards preserving what would be the
habitats of future generations.

(iii)

This year the UN chose the theme ‘Public Spaces
for All’ to recognise issues around public spaces, which have been constantly overlooked
despite their importance.

13. Journalist’s book on Bihar released 

(i) The Assistant Editor of the national daily Indian Express Santosh Singh recently released the book Ruled or Misruled: Story and Destiny of Bihar.

(ii) The book sheds light on the politics in Bihar post-independence and focuses on post-1990 developments with the emergence of politicians like Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi, among others.

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