1) 16th October: World Food Day
•FAO celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all.
•The Theme for World Food Day 2017 is "Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development". World Food Day is a chance to show our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – to achieve Zero Hunger by 2030. It’s also a day for us to celebrate the progress we have already made towards reaching #ZeroHunger.
2) The Coalition Years 1996-2012: Pranab Mukherjee’s Political Autobiography
•Former President Pranab Mukherjee has released the third part of his memoir ‘The Coalition Years: 1996-2012’, speaking candidly about believing he could have been the Congress choice for the Prime Minister’s post.
•Mukherjee’s memoir is the third in the series. The other two are -- The Dramatic Decade: The Indira Gandhi Yearsand The Turbulent Years: 1980-1996.
3) Defence Minister to commission INS Kiltan into Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam
•Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has commissioned an indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare stealth corvetteINS Kiltan into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
•According to Defence Minister, INS Kiltan strengthens India's defence system and will be a shining armour in 'Make in India' programme as it is totally built indigenously.
4) Vanuatu Becomes First Nation to Accept Bitcoin in Exchange for Citizenship
•The South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu has become host to the world’s first government to accept bitcoin in exchange for citizenship. Vanuatu’s citizenship program costs $200,000 USD, meaning that at current prices the residency program costs less than 41.5 bitcoins.
•The Chairman of the Vanuatu Information Center (VIC)– which oversees Vanuatu citizenship applications - Geoffrey Bond, had sent an official request earlier this month seeking permission to accept bitcoin as a form of payment.
5) GDP May Grow at 7% in Financial Year 2017-18: NITI Aayog
•According to NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar, the economic slowdown that began in 2013-14 has bottomed out and the GDP is likely to grow at 6.9-7 % this fiscal (2017-18) and 7.5% in 2018-19. The economic growth slowed to 7.1% in 2016-17, the year in which 87% of the currency was demonetised, despite a very good show by the agricultural sector.
•On a quarterly basis also, the growth in the first quarter of the current fiscal had slipped to 5.7%. In the next fiscal year, the growth would be about 7.5%.
6) GoM on Composition Scheme holds First Meeting in New Delhi
•Within a week of being set up, the group of ministers (GoM) on making the GST composition scheme more attractive held its first meeting in New Delhi. The 5-member GoM, led by Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has also been tasked to revisit Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates for restaurants.
•With only over 15.50 lakh businesses out of 98 lakh registered under the GST regime opting for the composition scheme, the GST Council decided to set up the GoM to examine ways of making it more attractive.
7) Varun Dhawan Youngest Indian Actor to get Statue at Tussauds
•Actor Varun Dhawan will get a wax statue at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, making him the youngest Indian actor to have his statue at the museum.
•Varun Dhawan had made his acting debut with 2012 romantic comedy Student of the Year and since then, his success rate is 100 percent with all the movies like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya, Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya and the recent Judwaa 2 entering Rs 100 crore or Rs 200 crore clubs.
8) Maria Sharapova Wins Tianjin Open, Claims First Title Since Drugs Ban
•Five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova was made to fight by 102nd-ranked teenager Aryna Sabalenka at theTianjin Open before winning her first title since her 15-month doping ban.
•The former world number one, who returned to action in April, came from behind in both sets and needed four championship points in the tie-breaker before beating the 19-year-old 7-5, 7-6 (10/8).
