Daily Current Affairs

To The Point Notes

1.Kenya

• Eastern African Country: Kenya is a country located in East Africa, bordering Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and the Indian Ocean.
• Capital: Nairobi
• Lakes:
• Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda and Tanzania): One of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
• Lake Turkana: Largest permanent desert lake and largest alkaline lake in the world.
• Rivers: Tana and Athi (drain into the Indian Ocean)
• Recent News: Kenyan President rejected a tax bill that led to deadly protests.

 

2.Rise of Coffee Exports and European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Surge in Coffee Exports to Europe (as of June 21, 2024):

• 16% increase compared to the same period in 2023 (over 2.37 lakh tonnes).
• Driven by European buyers stockpiling coffee ahead of EUDR compliance deadline (December 30, 2024).
• Major European destinations for Indian coffee: Italy, Germany, Belgium (over two-thirds of exports).

India’s Coffee Production:

• 7th largest coffee producer globally (around 3% of global output in 2020).
• 5th largest coffee exporter globally (after Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia).
• Major coffee types: Arabica (higher value) and Robusta (72% of production).

Key Coffee Producing Regions in India:

• South Indian states: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu (80% of production).
• Smaller production in Orissa and northeastern areas.

Coffee Board of India (Established in 1942):

• Under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka.
• Market Intelligence Unit (MIU) for market research and crop forecasting.
• Promotes coffee production, productivity, quality, export, and domestic market development.

 

 

3.Paraguay Becomes Member of International Solar Alliance

• Paraguay became the 100th member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in June 2024.
• India and France launched ISA during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC in Paris in 2015.
• ISA aims to achieve goals of Paris Climate Agreement through large-scale solar energy deployment.
• 119 countries are signatories to ISA Framework Agreement (as of June 2024).

 

 

4.Cohabitation in France

Possible Return After 22 Years:

• French National Assembly elections might lead to cohabitation, where the President and Prime Minister are from different parties.
• This hasn’t happened in 22 years (since the Fifth Republic).

Cohabitation System:

• President (directly elected) and Prime Minister (leader of National Assembly majority) belong to opposing parties/coalitions.
• Prime Minister leads the government with President’s shared power.

French Fifth Republic (Since 1958):

• Current political system with a directly elected President.
• Prime Minister heads the government but requires National Assembly majority support.
• Cohabitation has occurred only three times under the Fifth Republic.

 

 

5.GI Tag for Dodol 

Why GI Tag?

• To standardize recipe and protect cultural identity of Dodol, a Goan caramel-like dessert.

About Geographical Indications (GI) Tag:

• Label for products from a specific location with qualities linked to that place.
• Part of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).
• Managed by Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.
• Overseen by Registrar of Geographical Indications (RGI).
• Applies to agricultural, natural, or manufactured goods.
• Offers legal protection for 10 years (renewable).
• Handled by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (Ministry of Commerce and Industry).
• Benefits: Protects against unauthorized use and promotes exports.