This is the current affairs of 14 to 20 July 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Due to an update of which antivirus, Microsoft’s Azure service stopped working worldwide in July 2024?
a. CrowdStrike
b. Quick Hill
c. Norton
d. AVG
Answer: a. CrowdStrike
– An update to the software of the American antivirus company CrowdStrike affected Microsoft.
– From 5 AM to 8 PM on July 19, 2024, for nearly 15 hours, most computers using Microsoft’s Azure service were down.
– This widespread impact has led to it being considered the biggest IT crisis in history. It is also being referred to as a ‘digital pandemic.’
– However, Apple and Linux users were not affected.
Where the impact was felt:
– The impact was seen in several countries including the USA, UK, and Germany.
– Essential services around the world, including airports, flights, trains, hospitals, banks, restaurants, digital payments, stock exchanges, TV channels, and supermarkets, were disrupted.
– The most significant impact was observed at airports, with approximately 3% or about 4,295 flights being canceled worldwide.
– The highest number of flight cancellations occurred in the USA.
Cloud Computing Platform: Microsoft Azure
– Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform.
– It is used to build, deploy, and manage applications and services.
– Microsoft 365, on the other hand, is productivity software that includes popular applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
Computers Worldwide Started Restarting Automatically, Screens Turned Blue
– Due to CrowdStrike’s software update, a message appeared on computer screens with a blue background. This is called the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
– The Blue Screen of Death is a critical error screen that appears on the Windows operating system. When this error occurs, the computer automatically restarts. There is also a risk of data loss.
– Following this outage, Microsoft immediately stated that it was a “third-party issue.” In other words, it was not their fault.
Reason for Microsoft Services Outage
– The issues with Microsoft’s Azure cloud and Microsoft 365 services were caused by an update from CrowdStrike. Microsoft stated, “We are aware of the problem and have deployed several teams to resolve it.”
– They further mentioned that only users of Microsoft Azure were affected.
Result
– It is now time to seriously consider the development of alternative operating systems in the country.
– Developing software and financial technology systems like UPI demonstrates our capabilities.
– Worldwide, 95% of computers run on Microsoft’s operating system.
– This monopoly is dangerous, and there is a need to find alternatives.
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2. Who has become the new ambassador of India to the US?
a. Taranjit Singh
b. Vinay Mohan Kwatra
c. Rakesh Chakradhar
d. Vinod Kumar
Answer: b. Vinay Mohan Kwatra
– The central government has appointed India’s former Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra as the new ambassador to the United States.
– He served as India’s Foreign Secretary from April 2022 to July 15, 2024.
Ambassador to the United States
– The position of the Indian ambassador to the United States had been vacant since January. Previously, Taranjit Singh Sandhu held this position until he retired in January.
– The Indian Embassy in the United States is located in Washington, D.C.
Vinay Mohan Kwatra
– Vinay Kwatra is a 1988 batch Indian Foreign Service officer.
– His diplomatic career spans over 32 years.
– He was appointed as the ambassador to France until February 2020.
– After returning from France, he was appointed as India’s ambassador to Nepal.
– Kwatra is also credited with improving India-Nepal relations.
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3. Who has been appointed as the CMD of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)?
a. Anupam Photographer
b. Robert Gerard Ravi
c. PK Purwar
d. Mahesh Shetty
Answer: b. Robert Gerard Ravi
– Robert Gerard Ravi has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL effective from July 15, 2024. – This will be Ravi’s second tenure at BSNL.
– Previously, he worked as an Additional General Manager in the government company for about six years.
– Currently, Robert Gerard Ravi is serving as the Deputy Director General in the Department of Telecommunications.
– Before this, he served as an Advisor (Consumer Affairs and Quality of Service) at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
– He has completed his engineering and MBA in International Business from Pondicherry University.
– His role at BSNL will be significant as the debt-ridden company is undergoing transitions to 4G and 5G in the future.
BSNL Headquarters: Harish Chandra Mathur Lane, Janpath, New Delhi.
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4. Which Indian space scientist was awarded the Harry Massey Award?
a. Prahlad Chandra Agrawal
b. Anil Bhardwaj
c. Ranjan Rao
d. Souvik Mohapatra
Answer: a. Prahlad Chandra Agrawal
– He was honored by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).
– The 45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly was held on July 15, 2024, in Busan, South Korea.
– COSPAR is the world’s first scientific institution dedicated to space science research.
– It was established in 1958.
– COSPAR holds its scientific assembly every two years, attended by 2,000 to 3,000 scientists from around the world.
Harry Massey Award
– This award is given for outstanding contributions to space research.
– Prahlad Chandra Agrawal is a retired professor from the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
– It was also announced at the award ceremony that a minor planet would be named after Prahlad Chandra.
– Prahlad Chandra led the Astrosat program, which is India’s first multi-wavelength astronomy satellite.
– This satellite was launched in 2015 – Prahlad Chandra was also part of the Chandrayaan-1 mission.
– Chandrayaan-1, India’s first mission, was launched on October 22, 2008, using PSLV-C11.
– The satellite completed more than 3,400 orbits around the Moon.
– The mission ended on August 29, 2009, when communication with the spacecraft was lost.
– COSPAR Headquarters: Paris (France)
– COSPAR President: Pascale Ehrenfreund
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5. Which Indian space scientist was awarded the Vikram Sarabhai Medal?
a. Ramchandra Rao
b. Anil Bhardwaj
c. Prahlad Agrawal
d. Tarun Kumar Pant
Answer: b. Anil Bhardwaj
– Anil Bhardwaj is the Director of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad.
– He was honored on July 15, 2024, at the 45th COSPAR (Committee on Space Research) Scientific Assembly in Busan, South Korea.
– This honor was jointly established by COSPAR and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
– This jointly established award recognizes outstanding space science research in developing countries.
Anil Bhardwaj
– Anil Bhardwaj is a specialist in planetary space science and solar system research.
– His expertise has been instrumental in advancing India’s space research capabilities.
– He served as the Director of PRL (Planetary Space Science) in 2017. He was also part of the following missions:
– Chandrayaan Mission (Lunar Exploration)
– Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan)
– Aditya-L1 Mission (Solar Observation)
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6. Who has been appointed as the Executive President of the European Commission (EU) for the second time?
a. Charles Michel
b. Claude Juncker
c. Ursula von der Leyen
d. Roberta Metsola
Answer: c. Ursula von der Leyen
– She is a German citizen.
– On July 18, 2024, European lawmakers elected Ursula von der Leyen as the President of the European Commission.
– She will hold this position for five years.
She will begin her second term on November 1, 2024.
– Previously, Ursula von der Leyen became the first female President of the Commission in 2019.
– In the 2024 election, she received 401 votes out of 707.
– She is from the European People’s Party (EPP).
– The EPP group is the largest and oldest group in the European Parliament.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her.
European Council
– The European Council is the highest decision-making body in the European Union.
– It consists of the 27 member countries of the European Union.
– Headquarters: Brussels (Belgium)
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7. Which country introduced a 90-day visa-free policy for citizens of 35 European countries, two years after ties soured over the Russia-Ukraine war?
a. Austria
b. Belgium
c. Bulgaria
d. Belarus
Answer: d. Belarus
– Belarus has implemented this policy starting July 19, 2024.
– Under this policy, citizens of 35 European countries can stay in Belarus for up to 90 days per year.
– Previously, these travelers were restricted to a stay of 30 days.
– They could only enter through Minsk Airport.
– However, this does not apply to holders of special passports such as diplomatic or official passports.
– The aim of this step is to reduce Western tensions and promote tourism.
– This policy is valid until December 31, 2024.
– Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had allowed Russian troops to operate from Belarusian territory during the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.
– Since then, Belarus has faced Western sanctions.
– The new visa-free policy is also part of an effort to improve relations with Western countries.
Belarus
– Capital: Minsk
– Currency: Belarusian Ruble
– Languages: Russian and Belarusian
– Population: 9.23 million (2022)
– Neighboring Countries: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine
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8. Which Indian Navy ship was awarded the Best Ship at the ‘Fleet Awards Function-2024’?
a. INS Delhi
b. INS Tabar
c. INS Arihant
d. INS Kavaratti
Answer: a. INS Delhi
– This award was given at the annual ‘Fleet Awards Function-2024’ held in Visakhapatnam on July 14, 2024.
– The ceremony was organized to recognize the operational achievements of the Eastern Fleet.
– The Chief Guest of the event was Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.
– INS Kavaratti was awarded as the best ship in the categories of Corvettes/OPVs/LSTs.
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9. When is World Plastic Surgery Day celebrated?
a. 15 July
b. 16 July
c. 17 July
d. 18 July
Answer: a. 15 July
Theme 2024
– Surgical Advancement in Plastic Surgery: The Latest Innovations and Recent Trends.
– The Association of Plastic Surgeons in India (APSI) announced the celebration of this day.
– This day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of plastic surgery.
– The day was first observed on July 15, 2021.
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10. When is World Youth Skills Day celebrated?
a. 13 July
b. 14 July
c. 15 July
d. 16 July
Answer: c. 15 July
Theme 2024
– Youth Skills for Peace and Development
– This is a day declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
– World Youth Skills Day was first celebrated globally on July 15, 2015.
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11. When is the World Day for International Justice celebrated?
a. 17 July
b. 16 July
c. 15 July
d. 14 July
Answer: a. 17 July
– This day is also known as International Criminal Justice Day or International Justice Day.
– The day focuses on advocating for fundamental human rights and promoting international criminal justice.
Why This Day is Observed
– On July 17, 1998, several countries signed the international treaty known as the “Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
– Based on this treaty, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established on July 17, 1998.
– This is why July 17 is celebrated as World International Justice Day.
About the International Criminal Court (ICC)
– Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
– This court is separate from the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
– President: Piotr Hofmański
– Established: July 1, 2002
– The court was created under the international treaty “Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” which was signed on July 17, 1998.
– Member Countries: 123 (India is not a member and has not signed the treaty)
Jurisdiction of the ICC
– Only in countries that have signed and ratified the “Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.”
– Total member countries: 123.
Types of Crimes Prosecuted by the ICC
– Genocide
– Crimes against humanity
– War crimes
– Crime of aggression
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12. When is International Nelson Mandela Day observed?
a. 10 July
b. 15 July
c. 18 July
d. 19 August
Answer: c. 18 July
– This day is observed in honor of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected Black President, and his long fight for justice against apartheid.
– The theme for International Nelson Mandela Day 2022 was “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Nelson Mandela
– He was born in 1918 in the Cape Province of South Africa.
– He was a human rights activist, lawyer, and international promoter of peace.
– He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1993.
– He passed away in 2013 at the age of 95.
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