21st July Daily Current Affairs – English

2020 Corona Death toll in India 11 Lakhs:

• Using data from the Central Government’s National Family Health Survey-5, a study by the University of Oxford in Britain has shown that more than 11.9 lakh deaths have occurred in India due to the Corona pandemic in 2020.
• This is reported to be 17 percent more than the previous year 2019.
• This is more than eight times the number of corona deaths officially reported by India and 1.5 times more than the World Health Organization estimate.
• The study also assessed changes in life expectancy in India.
• Life expectancy for women decreased by 3.1 years. For men it decreased by 2.1 years.

Nipah virus: State of Kerala

• Nipah virus has been confirmed in Malappuram, Kerala.
• Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus that is transmitted from animals to humans.
• In its victims, it causes a variety of illnesses, ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis.
• The virus can cause severe disease in animals such as pigs.
• It infects animals and causes severe illness and death in humans.
• Nipah virus was first detected in 1999 when it spread among pig farmers in Malaysia.
• Nipah virus infection in humans causes a variety of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe respiratory infection and fatal encephalitis.
• Nipah virus is transmitted to humans through animals (such as bats or pigs) or contaminated food, and also directly from human to human.
• There is no treatment or vaccine for humans or animals.

World Heritage Committee Meeting:

• World Heritage Committee meeting is being held in Delhi for the first time in India.
• Its 46th edition will be held for 10 days from July 21 to July 31 at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• World Heritage Sites are managed by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).
• It is this heritage committee that decides which sites should be included in the World Heritage List. Currently, there are 962 domains in 157 countries such as cultural, mountain, lake, desert and natural domains, monuments, buildings and cities.
• Ellora Caves, Hampi Stone Caves in Maharashtra, India are world heritage sites in India.
• More than 2000 foreign and national delegates from more than 150 countries are participating in this meeting.
• UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay.
• Indian Ambassador to UNESCO Vishal V. Sharma.

Tamil Nadu is the leading state in poverty alleviation: NITI Aayog

• NITI Aayog has reported that Tamil Nadu is the leading state in 13 categories including poverty alleviation.
• The Central Government’s NITI Aayog has released its 4th study report on sustainable development indicators for the year 2023-24.
• Tamil Nadu ranks first in India and is the best state in poverty alleviation.
• Tamil Nadu has emerged as the first state nationally in terms of both environmental protection and low-cost renewable energy.
• In 11 species, Tamil Nadu is the leading state in sustainable growth indices and has grown more than the national average, in 2 species it has grown at par with the national average and is the best in 13 species.

‘Microsoft-Windows’ software bug:

• Various versions of Microsoft’s ‘Windows’ software are being used as the operating system-OS on computers and laptops.
• CrowdStrike provides cyber security services for Microsoft software.
• An error occurred while uploading updates from CrowdStrike to the ‘Falcon Sensor’ site on Windows software.
• Due to this, the technical failure has affected the service of various sectors all over the world.
• Apple’s ‘Mac’ and ‘Linux’ platforms are not affected.
• George Kurtz is CEO of CrowdStrike.

July 21: Guru Purnima

• Guru Purnima is a Hindu festival honouring all the Gurus, both academic and spiritual.
• Hindus, Jains and Buddhists all celebrate it in India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Important Facts:

1. Union Health Minister JP Natta has directed the Food Safety and Standards Commission to cancel the annual registration fee of Rs 100 paid by roadside vendors.
2. Indian Ambassador to UNESCO Vishal V Chama.
3. Tamil Nadu’s Indumati Kathiresan has been awarded as the best footballer of the year.
4. Mizoram’s Lallianzuala Chhangte has been awarded the Footballer of the Year.
5. Manolo Marquez, who left Spain, has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s football team.