Current affairs 17 July 2024

India’s Goods and Services Exports Increase by 5.4% in June to $65.47B.

• June 2024 Export Growth:
• Merchandise exports grew by 2.55% to $35.20 billion from $34.32 billion in June 2023.
• Services exports also contributed significantly to the overall growth.
• Quarterly Growth (April-June 2024):
• Cumulative exports rose by 8.6% to $200.33 billion.
• Merchandise exports increased by 5.84% to $109.96 billion from $103.89 billion during the same period in 2023.

Sembcorp Initiates ₹36,000 Crore Green Hydrogen Project in Tamil Nadu.

• Sembcorp Industries begins Rs 36,238 crore green hydrogen unit in Tamil Nadu, partnering with Tecnimont and Nextchem for engineering design.
• Partnered with Japanese companies Sojitz Corp and Kyushu Electric Power to export green hydrogen to Japan.
• Plant Purpose: To build a green ammonia plant in India.
• Location: Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
• Alessandro Bernini - CEO of Maire.

Serum Institute of India Launches New Malaria Vaccine in Africa.

• Serum Institute of India (SII) and Oxford University launched the high-efficacy malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M in Cote d'Ivoire.
• Approved by WHO, the vaccine is affordable, with each dose priced under $4. SII plans to produce 100 million doses annually.
• The vaccine is also authorized in Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic, and aims to reduce malaria deaths in Africa.

IIT Madras Unveils Plan to Elevate India as Global Chess Powerhouse.

• IIT Madras CESSA announced a plan to boost India's chess prowess using tech-driven tools at the 'Sports Tech Start Up Conclave' in New Delhi.
• The initiative aims to enhance fan engagement, detect cheating, and improve grassroots training programs through high-performance computing and AI.
• The conclave is sponsored by Dream Sports, Vedanta and SFA Play.

PM Modi Lays Foundation for Thane-Borivali Urban Tunnel.

• PM Modi inaugurated the Thane-Borivali Twin Tunnel project, worth Rs. 16,000 crore, to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali to 12 minutes.
• The 11.8 km twin tunnel, the longest urban tunnel in India, will ease traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions by 1,50,000 MT annually.
• The project will be completed by May 2028 and will not harm the Sanjay Gandhi National Park ecology.