Daily Current Affairs 19th July 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Atmanirbhar Bharat: India’s Growing Coal Mining Capacity

Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, India has marked a significant achievement in the global coal mining sector. The Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines, operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, have secured prominent positions among the world’s largest coal mines. These mines, located in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district, have been recognized as the 2nd and 4th largest coal mines globally by WorldAtlas.com, producing over 100 million tons of coal annually and contributing about 10% to India’s total coal production.

International News

Von der Leyen Re-elected as EU Commission President

On July 18, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected Ursula von der Leyen to a second five-year term as President of the European Union’s executive commission. Von der Leyen secured a comfortable majority, preventing a potential leadership vacuum.

Belarus Introduces 90-Day Visa-Free Regime for 35 European Countries

Belarus has announced a new visa-free regime allowing citizens from 35 European countries to stay in the country for up to 90 days per year. This policy, effective from July 19, 2024, is seen as an attempt by Minsk to ease tensions with the West, following recent geopolitical shifts and ongoing sanctions.

Appointments News

The Business Advisory Committee For New Session

Lok Sabha Speaker sets up the Business Advisory Committee for the new session. The Committee includes members such as Sudip Bandhyopadhyay, Gaurav Gogoi, Dayanidhi Maran, PP Chaudhary, and Anurag Thakur, among others.

Economy News

FICCI Projects 7% GDP Growth for India in 2024-25

FICCI’s Economic Outlook Survey projects a robust 7% GDP growth for India in the fiscal year 2024-25. The survey, conducted in July 2024, reflects optimism among participating economists about the country’s economic prospects, though caution is advised due to global headwinds and inflationary pressures.

Business News

Adani Ports Gets A Rating Upgrade From ICRA

Ratings agency ICRA has upgraded the rating of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) to AAA/Stable from AA+/Stable. The company’s long-term fund based/non-fund based facilities, non-convertible debentures (NCDs) and commercial papers have been upgraded to AAA/Stable. APSEZ announced the development after market hours and the Adani Ports shares on July 18 ended at Rs 1,491.95 on the NSE, down by Rs 7.10 or 0.47%.

NFDC and Netflix India Collaborate to Train Voice-Over Artists

The government and Netflix India have partnered to create opportunities for voice-over artists, especially women, to enhance their skills and find better opportunities in the media and entertainment sector. The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Netflix India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch “The Voicebox,” a program to train voice-over artists in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Gujarati.

Defence News

INS TABAR ARRIVES IN HAMBURG, GERMANY

Indian Navy’s frontline frigate, INS Tabar arrived at Hamburg, Germany on 17 July 24 for a three day visit. It will participate in a exercise. During the visit, activities will include professional exchanges between the Indian and German Navies, tours of the German Naval Academy, and public visits to the ship. The crew of INS Tabar will also engage in community service

Ranks and Reports News

Latest FIFA Rankings Released, India remains 124th

India has maintained its 124th position in the latest FIFA men’s rankings released. This comes as a small relief for the success-starved nation, which has been experiencing a downward trend in recent months.

India Targets $500 Billion in Electronics Manufacturing by 2030: NITI Aayog

India should set an ambitious target of achieving $500 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2030, as stated in a recent NITI Aayog report. This goal includes $350 billion from finished goods manufacturing and $150 billion from component manufacturing. Currently, India’s electronics production totals $101 billion, with $86 billion from finished goods and $15 billion from components.

Virat Kohli Tops Celebrity Brand Valuation In 2023

Cricketer Virat Kohli has reclaimed the top spot to become India’s most valued celebrity, boasting a brand value of $227.9 million in 2023. However, this value still falls short of his peak brand value of $237.7 million in 2020, as reported by Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023.

Sports News

Chennai Super Kings sets up Super Kings Academy in Sydney

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has announced a significant expansion of its global presence with the establishment of its third international Super Kings Academy in Sydney, Australia. This move not only enhances CSK’s international profile but also reinforces the franchise’s long-standing connection with Australian cricket.

9th Women’s Cricket Asia Cup 2024, Tournament Details and Significance

The 9th edition of the Women’s Cricket Asia Cup is set to commence on July 19, 2024, in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. This prestigious tournament, organized by the Asian Cricket Council, will showcase the best of women’s cricket in the region and serve as a crucial preparatory event for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later that year.

Awards News

Indian Space Scientists Honoured at International COSPAR Assembly

The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), the world’s first scientific body dedicated to space science research, has recognized the outstanding contributions of two Indian space scientists at its 45th scientific assembly in Busan, South Korea. This recognition highlights India’s growing prominence in the global space research community. Prahlad Chandra Agrawal, one of India’s most senior space scientists, received the esteemed Harrie Massey Award. Anil Bhardwaj, the director of the Ahmedabad-based Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), was awarded the Vikram Sarabhai Medal. This award, jointly instituted by COSPAR and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), honors outstanding space science research in developing countries.

Sri Kurumba Trust Wins Global CSR ESG Award 2024

Sobha Group’s CSR wing, Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust, has been honoured with the “Best Child and Women Development Initiatives of the Year 2024.” This esteemed accolade was presented at the Global CSR, Sustainability, and ESG Awards 2024, at the Hyatt Regency, Gurgaon. The event was organised by Marketing and Brand Honchos and brought together industry leaders and champions of social responsibility.

Science and Technology News

NASA’s Historic Discovery: Six New Exoplanets

NASA has achieved a significant milestone with the discovery of six new exoplanets: HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, and MWC 758 c. This brings the total number of confirmed exoplanets outside our solar system to 5,502, marking a remarkable advancement in our understanding of the universe and the potential for extraterrestrial life.