FAO releases report ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021’
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) published its report “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021”.
According to the report:
Number of hungry people in the world in 2020: between 720 and 811 million (about 161 million more than in 2019)
Asia: 418 million (more than half the world’s hungry population)
Africa: 282 million (one third)
Latin America and the Caribbean: 60 million
About 2.37 billion people did not have enough food in 2020, an increase from 320 million in 2019.
Children under 5 years of age affected by stunting: 22.0% (149.2 million)
Children under 5 affected by wasting (weight loss for height): 6.7% (45.4 million)
Children under 5 who are overweight (overweight for height): 5.7% (38.9 million)
Percentage of women of reproductive age affected by anemia: 29.9%
Percentage of babies under 6 months who were exclusively breastfed: 44%
One in three people worldwide could not get enough food in 2020.
12% of the global population faced severe food insecurity.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) established: 16 October 1945 (World Food Day: 16 October)
Headquarters: Rome, Italy
President: Chu Dongyu
Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates Center of Excellence at National Forensic Science University
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the newly built Center of Excellence for Research and Analysis of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances of National University of Forensic Sciences in Ahmedabad.
Karnataka CM launches electric bike taxi scheme in Bengaluru
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa inaugurated the ‘Electric Bike Taxi Scheme’ in Bengaluru to generate employment, reduce pollution and reduce dependence on private vehicles in the state.
India’s first “Grain ATM” set up in Gurugram, Haryana
The country’s first ‘Grain ATM’ has been set up as a pilot project in Gurugram, Haryana.
The name of this ATM is ‘Automated, Multi Commodity, Grain Dispensing Machine’.
It has been established under the ‘World Food Program (WFP)’ of the United Nations.
Three types of grains wheat, rice and millet can be distributed by this machine.
It can remove up to 70 kg of grain at a time within five to seven minutes.
World Food Program (WFP) established: 1961
The World Food Program (WFP) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2020.
IIT Madras and Sony India Organize Hackathon
Innovative Technologies Foundation (IITM-PTF) of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras partnered with Sony India Software Center Pvt Ltd to organize a national level hackathon titled ‘Sensing Solutions for India 2021’.
Sony Group Corporation Established: 7 May 1946
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
IIT Madras Established: 1959
UAE becomes first Gulf country to open embassy in Israel
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has inaugurated its embassy in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building, Israel.
With this the UAE became the first Gulf country to open an embassy in Israel.
Capital of United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi
Currency: Dirham
President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Capital of Israel: Jerusalem
Prime Minister: Naftali Bennett
President: Isaac Herzog
Nepal signs agreement with India for USD 1.3 billion hydroelectric project
Nepal has signed a USD 1.3 billion agreement with India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) to develop the 679 MW Lower Arun Hydroelectric Project on its eastern side.
This hydroelectric project will be developed under Build, Keep, Operate and Hand over (BOOT) model.
Capital of Nepal: Kathmandu
Currency: Nepalese Rupee
Prime Minister: Sher Bahadur Deuba
President: Vidya Devi Bhandari
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed wins second term with huge majority
Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party has won a historic victory in national elections.
After which Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is sure to remain in power for five more years.
The ruling party has won 410 of the 436 seats contested in the federal parliament.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.
Abi Ahmed is also known as ‘Nelson Mandela’ of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia Capital: Addis Ababa
Currency: Ethiopian Birr
The book “The Great Big Lion” by 3-year-old author Chrissy Knight
The book “The Great Big Lion” by Chrissy Knight was released in India.
Chrissy Knight, currently living in Canada, learned to read at the age of one, and when she was three, she began writing the story of “The Great Big Lion” in her notebook.
The book was first released in Canada.
The book was published in India by “Puffin” imprint of Penguin Random House India.
RBI bans Mastercard from creating new customers in the country
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has banned MasterCard Asia Pacific from creating new credit, debit and prepaid card customers with effect from July 22.
Mastercard Founded: 1966
Headquarters: New York
Executive Chairman: Ajay Banga
CEO: Michael Mibach
Journalist N N Pillai honored with BKS Literary Award
Malayalam journalist, novelist and poet Omcheri N N Pillai has been honored with the Bahrain Karelia Samajam (BKS) Literature Prize for 2021.
The award consists of a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation.
