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

National News

Atmanirbhar Bharat: India’s Growing Coal Mining Capacity

India has made a significant achievement in coal mining under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines in Chhattisgarh, operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India, are now among the world’s largest coal mines. These mines have been recognized as the 2nd and 4th largest 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

Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as President of the European Union’s executive commission for a second five-year term. She secured a comfortable majority in the European Parliament on July 18, preventing a potential leadership vacuum.

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

Starting July 19, 2024, Belarus will allow citizens from 35 European countries to stay in the country for up to 90 days per year without a visa. This move is seen as an effort by Minsk to ease tensions with the West amid recent geopolitical shifts and ongoing sanctions.

Appointments News

The Business Advisory Committee For New Session

The Lok Sabha Speaker has set up the Business Advisory Committee for the new session. Members include 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

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) projects a 7% GDP growth for India in the fiscal year 2024-25. This optimistic outlook comes from FICCI’s Economic Outlook Survey conducted in July 2024, though caution is advised due to global economic challenges and inflationary pressures.

Business News

Adani Ports Gets A Rating Upgrade From ICRA

ICRA has upgraded the rating of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) to AAA/Stable from AA+/Stable. This upgrade applies to the company’s long-term fund-based/non-fund-based facilities, non-convertible debentures (NCDs), and commercial papers. Despite this positive development, Adani Ports shares ended at Rs 1,491.95 on the NSE on July 18, down by Rs 7.10 or 0.47%.

NFDC and Netflix India Collaborate to Train Voice-Over Artists

The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Netflix India have partnered to train voice-over artists, especially women. They 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

The Indian Navy’s frontline frigate, INS Tabar, arrived in Hamburg, Germany on July 17, 2024, for a three-day visit. The visit will include professional exchanges between the Indian and German Navies, tours of the German Naval Academy, and public visits to the ship. The crew will also engage in community service activities.

Ranks and Reports News

Latest FIFA Rankings Released, India remains 124th

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

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

India aims to achieve $500 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2030, according to a recent NITI Aayog report. This target includes $350 billion from finished goods and $150 billion from components. 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 as India’s most valued celebrity, with a brand value of $227.9 million in 2023. However, this is still below 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) have announced the establishment of their third international Super Kings Academy in Sydney, Australia. This move enhances CSK’s global presence and strengthens their 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 will start on July 19, 2024, in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. Organized by the Asian Cricket Council, this tournament 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 this year.

Awards News

Indian Space Scientists Honoured at International COSPAR Assembly

Two Indian space scientists were recognized at the 45th scientific assembly of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) in Busan, South Korea. Prahlad Chandra Agrawal received the Harrie Massey Award, and Anil Bhardwaj, director of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, was awarded the Vikram Sarabhai Medal. This recognition highlights India’s growing prominence in global space research.

Sri Kurumba Trust Wins Global CSR ESG Award 2024

The Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust, part of the Sobha Group, has been honored with the “Best Child and Women Development Initiatives of the Year 2024” award. This accolade was presented at the Global CSR, Sustainability, and ESG Awards 2024, held at the Hyatt Regency in Gurgaon.

Science and Technology News

NASA’s Historic Discovery: Six New Exoplanets

NASA has discovered 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 significant advancement in our understanding of the universe and the potential for extraterrestrial life.