IMPORTANT DAYS

World Food Day 2024 observed on 16 October

• World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 worldwide.

• The theme for 2024 is "Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future."

• The day aims to raise awareness about global hunger and malnutrition and emphasizes the importance of nutrition and healthy food.

• It marks the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

• The FAO established World Food Day in 1979, marking its foundation in 1945.

• Over 2.8 billion people globally can't afford a nutritious diet.

• Somalia, Yemen, Chad, Madagascar, and the DRC rank highest in hunger, per the Global Hunger Index 2024.

AWARDS

Rajkumar Hirani received the National Kishore Kumar Award.

• Rajkumar Hirani received the National Kishore Kumar Award in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.

• The award was presented on the 37th death anniversary of legendary singer Kishore Kumar.

• Before accepting the award, Hirani paid tribute at Kishore Kumar's Samadhi.

• Kishore Kumar was born in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.

• The National Kishore Kumar Award has been given since 1997 by the Madhya Pradesh Directorate of Culture.

• It honors distinguished personalities from Bollywood each year.

• Many renowned actors, writers, and filmmakers have been recipients of this award.

• Rajkumar Hirani, a celebrated producer and director, joins the list of awardees.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

World Health Organization (WHO) has got $1 billion in pledges for next budget, covering the period 2025-28.

• WHO secured $1 billion in pledges for its 2025-28 budget.

• Around $700 million came from fresh commitments by European nations, foundations, and organizations.

• An additional $300 million came from renewed financial pledges.

• The funding was revealed during the WHO Investment Round Signature Event at the World Health Summit in Berlin.

• Germany pledged a total of $400 million, with $260 million in voluntary assistance.

• The UK-based Wellcome Foundation contributed $50 million.

• The WHO Foundation, with help from businesses, pledged $50 million.

• Contributions of $10 million each came from the World Diabetes Foundation, Resolve to Save Lives, and the Institute for Philanthropy.

Islamabad will host 23rd SCO Meeting on 16 October.

• Islamabad will host the 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting on October 16.

• The focus of the meeting will be on enhancing trade and economic cooperation among member states.

• The SCO CHG meeting is an annual event, primarily addressing trade and economic matters.

• Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation.

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will chair the meeting.

• Attendees include Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin, and Belarusian PM Roman Golovchenko.

• Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will represent Iran.

• Mongolia’s Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai will participate as an observer.

On 16 October, the first ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue held in Singapore.

• The inaugural ASEAN-India Track 1 Cyber Policy Dialogue took place in Singapore on October 16.

• Amit A. Shukla, Joint Secretary of the Cyber Diplomacy Division, co-chaired the event.

• Participants discussed the evolving cyber threat landscape and national cyber policies.

• The dialogue explored recent developments in the ICT sector within the context of the United Nations.

• Cooperation in capacity building and training was identified as a potential area for collaboration.

• Both sides shared insights on threat assessments and strategic responses to cyber challenges.

• The discussions supported the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

• This dialogue aligns with the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Advancing Digital Transformation from the summit on October 10.

STATE NEWS

A resolution urging the central government to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is passed by the Kerala Assembly.

• Kerala Assembly passed a resolution urging the central government to withdraw the 2024 Waqf Amendment Bill.

• The resolution was introduced by V. Abdurahiman, State Minister for Minority Welfare, Waqf, and Hajj Pilgrimage.

• The Kerala government accused the bill of violating the Constitution's federal principles.

• The resolution claimed the bill undermines democracy, federalism, secularism, and fundamental rights.

• It also argued the bill infringes on states' authority to legislate on Waqf matters.

• The proposed amendments are currently being reviewed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

• Kerala's Assembly claimed the bill conflicts with Article 26, which protects the management of religious institutions.

• The resolution asserted that the bill threatens the protection of Waqf properties.

• The central government was urged to respect the constitutional rights and values related to Waqf endowments.

APPOINTMENTS

Omar Abdullah took oath as Chief Minister of J&K.

• Omar Abdullah of the National Conference took oath as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on 16 October 2024.

• The oath was administered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Srinagar at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre.

• Abdullah's party was invited to form the government after winning the recent Assembly Elections, held after a 10-year gap.

• The last Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in 2014.

• National Conference secured 42 out of 90 seats in the elections.

• Pre-poll ally Congress won six seats, joining the NC to form the government.

• CPI (M), AAP, and Independent legislators have also pledged support to the NC-Congress alliance.

• The coalition now leads the new government in Jammu and Kashmir.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Nasa launched the Europa Clipper to search for life on Jupiter’s moon.

• NASA launched the Europa Clipper to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa, for potential signs of life.

• The mission was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

• Europa Clipper will study Europa's icy surface and the subsurface ocean believed to lie beneath.

• While not searching for life directly, the mission will assess if Europa's environment could support life.

• Europa, one of Jupiter's 95 moons, is slightly smaller than Earth's moon.

• Scientists believe a vast ocean lies beneath Europa's 10-15 mile thick ice sheet, possibly rich in conditions for life.

• The mission could open doors for future efforts to detect life on Europa.

• Europa Clipper is NASA’s largest spacecraft built for planetary exploration.