Current Affairs GK 19th July 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 July, 2024

1. 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.
• Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the result, to which von der Leyen responded with raised fists in victory. She described her re-election as a triumph for “pro-European, pro-Ukraine, and pro-rule of law” lawmakers.
• The re-election ensures leadership continuity for the 27-nation bloc as it deals with various crises, including the war in Ukraine, climate change, migration, and housing shortages. Von der Leyen emphasized working for a strong Europe focused on prosperity, security, defense, and democracy.

2. 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.
• The report, titled “Electronics: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains,” also forecasts that India’s electronics exports could reach $240 billion, with domestic value addition expected to surpass 35%.
• As of FY23, India’s electronics sector has reached $101 billion, up from $48 billion in FY17. The sector is driven primarily by mobile phone production, which constitutes 43% of total electronics production. India’s electronics manufacturing primarily involves the final assembly of electronic goods, with significant room for growth in components and design capabilities.

3. CHANDIPURA VIRUS INFECTION CONFIRMED IN GUJARAT –

• The first confirmed death due to Chandipura virus infection in Gujarat was reported as a four-year-old child from Mota Kanthariya in Aravalli. The confirmation came from Pune’s National Institute of Virology. The virus, initially reported in north Gujarat, has spread to new areas, raising concerns about a potential outbreak with 14 deaths in two weeks and 26 suspected cases under investigation.
• Chandipura virus (CHPV) is part of the Rhabdoviridae family, transmitted primarily by sandflies (Phlebotomine sandflies, Phlebotomus papatasi) and mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti). The virus resides in the salivary glands of these insects and can be transmitted to humans or other vertebrates through bites, leading to central nervous system infections and encephalitis.
• CHPV infection begins with flu-like symptoms such as acute fever, body ache, and headache. It can rapidly progress to altered sensorium, seizures, and encephalitis. Other reported symptoms include respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, or anaemia. The infection often progresses rapidly, potentially leading to mortality within 24-48 hours of hospitalization.

4. MADHYA PRADESH TOPS BEST PERFORMING STATE IN SVANIDHI SCHEME –

• The Union housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said that Madhya Pradesh is the best state in the Prime Minister SVANidhi scheme’s “Best Performing State” category. The state’s successful adoption of a micro-credit program to help urban street vendors is highlighted by this award.
• The PM SVANidhi plan, which started in 2020, gives loans of up to ₹50,000 to street vendors in cities with no collateral. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a plan was put in place to help vendors recover from the effects of the crisis on their businesses.
• Madhya Pradesh’s involvement in the plan shows that it is well-managed and reached at the state level. Assam won second place in the “Best Performing States – Innovation and Best Practices Award” category, just behind Madhya Pradesh.

5. INDIA INAUGURATES FIRST OVERSEAS JAN AUSHADI KENDRA IN MAURITIUS –

• S Jaishankar has inaugurated India’s 1st overseas Jan Aushadi Kendra in Mauritius.
• Jaishankar, along with Mauritian PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, inaugurated the Jan Aushadi Kendra as part of India’s commitment to provide affordable, Made-in-India medicines.
• The Mediclinic at Grand Bois, also inaugurated during the visit, symbolizes strengthened India-Mauritius relations in healthcare.