5TH EDITION OF WORLD COFFEE CONFERENCE COMES TO INDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME-
- International Coffee Organization (ICO) under the aegis of United Nations is organizing its 5th Edition of World Coffee Conference to be held at Bengaluru from September 7th to 9th 2020.
- The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India will host the 3-day event themed,‘Sustainability Through Consumption’ that will celebrate all things of coffee in an immersive experience.
- Coffee being the world’s most favorite beverage with 5 billion cups consumed every single day is produced in about 70 countries most of them belonging to the developing countries like Africa, Latin America and Asia.
- India is the sixth largest producer of coffee in the world, accounting for about 5% of world coffee production.
INDIA SLIPS TO 102ND RANK IN GLOBAL HUNGER REPORT 2019-
- India has slipped to 102 position in the Global Hunger Index 2019 of 117 countries, slipping from its 2018 position of 95 and behind its neighbours Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Seventeen countries, including Belarus, Ukraine, Turkey, Cuba and Kuwait, shared the top rank with GHI scores of less than five, the website of the Global Hunger Index that tracks hunger and malnutrition reported.
- In 2000, India was ranked 83 out of 113 countries. Now, with 117 countries in the fray, it has dropped to 102 rank.
INDIA HANDS OVER 2 MORE MI-24V HELICOPTERS TO AFGHANISTAN-
- The Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Vinay Kumar, handed over the the last two of four retrofitted Mi-24V attack helicopters from Belarus to the Afghan Air Force (AAF) at an air base in Kabul on October 15.
- Indiadelivered the first two Mi-24Vs in May earlier this year. The four new helicopter gunships are a replacement for four attack helicopters gifted by India to Afghanistan in 2015 and 2016.
- Afghanistan, Belarus, and India signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding regarding the purchase of the four Mi-24Vs in 2018, with the Indian government covering all expenses related to the procurement.
INDIA HALVED ITS POVERTY RATE SINCE 1990S: WORLD BANK-
- India has halved its poverty rate since the 1990s and achieved a seven plus growth rate over the last 15 years, the World Bank said.
- India is both critical to the success of global development efforts, including eliminating extreme poverty, and as an influential leader for global goods such as addressing climate change.
- The country has achieved annual growth exceeding seven per cent over the last 15 years, halved its poverty rate since the 1990s, and enjoyed strong improvements in most human development outcomes.
ZIMBABWE, NEPAL REINSTATED AS MEMBERS OF ICC-
- Zimbabwe and Nepal were reinstated as Members of ICC after the conclusion of the Board meeting held in Dubai October 14.
- Zimbabwe will be allowed take part in the ICC men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in January and the ICC Super League in 2020.
- The African nation was suspended in July this year as the board violated provisions of Article 2.4 (c) and (d) of the ICC Constitution.
- Nepal was suspended in 2016 for violating the ICC regulations, which “prohibit government interference and require fair elections”.
WORLD FOOD DAY IS OBSERVED ANNUALLY ON OCTOBER 16TH-
- World Food Day is celebrated by several organisations which are concerned with food security like International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Food Program, etc.
- This day generates awareness globally for those who suffer from hunger and to ensure the need for food security and nutritious diets for all.
- The theme of World Food Day 2019 is “Our Actions Are Our Future. Healthy Diets for A #ZeroHunger World”.
INDIA WINS FOUR UNESCO HERITAGE AWARDS; FLORA FOUNTAIN, OTHERS BRING THREE CHEERS FOR MUMBAI-
- Mumbai’s iconic 155-year-old Flora Fountain and two other heritage landmarks in the country’s financial capital are among the four sites that have been chosen from India for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation announced .
- The fountain, a veritable symbol of Mumbai was opened to the public early this year after painstaking restoration.
- The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation awards were announced at a ceremony held in Penang, Malaysia, marking 20 years since its institution.
The four winners from India, include one from
- Ahmedabad- Award of Distinction for Vikram Sarabhai Library, Indian Institute of Management (IIM).
- Mumbai- Award of Merit for Keneseth Eliyahoo Synagogue and Our Lady of Glory Church; while Honourable Mention for Flora Fountain.