Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 July 2024

Topic: Indian Polity

1. With the swearing-in of two judges, the number of members in the Supreme Court was complete.

• On July 18, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, took oath of office and became the first judge from Manipur to be elevated to the Supreme Court.
• Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court R Mahadevan was also sworn in as a Supreme Court judge.
• The oath of office was administered to both the judges by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court premises.
• With the swearing-in, the number of judges in the apex court, including the Chief Justice of India, has increased to 34.
• With 34 judges, the Supreme Court will function until Justice Hima Kohli retires on September 1, 2024, followed by Chief Justice Chandrachud, who will retire on November 10 this year.
• On July 11, a five-member collegium headed by the Chief Justice had recommended the names of Singh and Mahadevan to the Centre for promotion to the Supreme Court.

Topic: Important Days

2. Nelson Mandela International Day 2024: 18 July

• It is observed each year on July 18 in commemoration of the birthday of Nelson Mandela.
• United Nations officially declared Nelson Mandela International Day in November 2009, and it was first celebrated on 18 July 2010.
• The theme of Nelson Mandela International Day 2024 is " Combating poverty and inequality is in our hands."
• On 10 May 1994, Mandela became the first democratically elected black President of South Africa and is known in South Africa as the 'Father of the Nation'.
• Throughout his life, Mandela fought for freedom and justice, which led to his being imprisoned for 27 years.
• In 1964 he was sentenced to life imprisonment for planning to overthrow South Africa's apartheid government.
• In 1990, he was released and worked tirelessly to end racism in the country.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

3. Chandipura virus caused 15 deaths in Gujarat.

• The National Institute of Virology has confirmed the death of a girl from the Chandipura virus.
• As per the State Health Department’s figures, a total of 29 suspected cases have been reported from the State.
• Chandipura virus causes fever, with symptoms similar to flu, and acute encephalitis.
• This pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae.
• It transmits through vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. It is believed that it spread through female Phlebotomine sandflies.
• Chandipura virus mainly affects children under 15 years of age in rural areas.
• The 2003 outbreak associated with the Chandipura virus in Andhra Pradesh caused the deaths of childrens between 9 months and 14 years.
• There is no specific antiviral agent to treat the Chandipura virus and there is no vaccine available.

Topic: Sports

4. Shaurya Bawa won the bronze medal at the World Junior Squash Championships 2024.

• Shaurya Bawa became the second Indian male squash player to win a medal at the Junior World Championships.
• In the Semi-finals, Shaurya Bawa lost to Egyptian Mohamed Zakaria in straight games (11-5, 11-5, 11-9) in 41 minutes.
• Shaurya Bawa had entered the quarter-finals after defeating Argentina’s Segundo Portabales.
• Kush Kumar was the last Indian to reach the semi-finals of this tournament back in 2014.
• Anahat Singh missed out on a medal in the women’s singles event.