DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: April 14, 2024

World Chagas Disease Day observed on 14 April

Tags: Important Days

World Chagas Disease Day (WCDD) is observed annually on April 14 worldwide to raise awareness about Chagas Disease, a neglected tropical disease causing serious heart and digestive issues.

An Overview of the News

• The goal of WCDD includes enhancing early detection, expanding diagnostic coverage, and ensuring equitable access to clinical care for Chagas Disease.

• The theme for WCDD 2024 is "Tackling Chagas Disease: Detect Early and Care for Life."

• In 2019, the 72nd World Health Assembly declared April 14 of each year as World Chagas Disease Day.

• The inaugural World Chagas Disease Day was observed on April 14, 2020.

About WHO

• The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) is Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

• The headquarters of the WHO is located in Geneva, Switzerland.

• The WHO was established on April 7, 1948.

National Fire Service Day - 14 to 20 April

Tags: Important Days

Every year on April 14th, India observes National Fire Service Day, while National Fire Service Week extends from April 14th to April 20th.

An Overview of the News

• These annual observances aim to honor firefighters who have lost their lives while on duty and to raise awareness about fire safety among the public and students.

• The commemoration specifically remembers the martyrs of the Bombay Dock explosion that occurred on April 14th, 1944, at the Victoria Dock in Bombay Port, now known as Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• The theme for National Fire Service Day and Week in 2024 is "Ensure Fire Safety, Contribute towards Nation Building."

• It's noteworthy that April 14th, 2024, marks the 80th Anniversary of the Bombay Dock explosion.

Background of National Fire Service Day

• In 1965, the Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC) convened its 11th meeting.

• During this meeting, the SFAC officially designated April 14th of each year as National Fire Service Day.

• Additionally, they allocated the week following April 14th as "National Fire Service Week."

• These designations were made to commemorate the tragic 1944 Dock Explosion.

1944 Bombay Dock Explosion:

• On April 14th, 1944, the ship "SS Fort Stikins" loaded with explosives docked at No. 1 Victoria Dock, Bombay Port.

• The explosion resulted in the deaths of approximately 231 individuals and injuries to around 476 people.

• Among the casualties were approximately 66 firefighters.

Israeli Mathematician Avi Wigderson Wins 2023 ACM Turing Award

Tags: Awards International News

Avi Wigderson, an Israeli mathematician and computer scientist, was awarded the 2023 ACM A.M. Turing Award.

An Overview of the News

• This award is widely regarded as the "Nobel Prize of Computing".

• He holds the position of Herbert H. Maass Professor in the School of Mathematics at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, New Jersey, USA.

Reason for Award:

• Wigderson was honored for his foundational contributions to the theory of computation.

• His work significantly influenced the understanding of randomness in computation and mathematics.

• He was recognized for his intellectual leadership in theoretical computer science.

• The ACM A.M. Turing Award carries a prestigious cash prize of USD 1 million.

Contributions and Career Highlights:

• In 1986, Wigderson began his academic career as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel.

• He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1987 and later became a full Professor at the Computer Science Institute of the Hebrew University.

• In 1993, he assumed the role of Chairman of the Computer Science Institute at Hebrew University.

• In 1999, he joined the faculty as a Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) in Princeton, New Jersey.

Ashish Chauhan and Sridhar Vembu Appointed to UGC by Ministry of Education

Tags: Person in news

Ashish Kumar Chauhan, MD and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation, have been appointed as members of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

An Overview of the News

• Their tenure spans three years, as per the notification from the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

Other Appointments

• Retired Professor Sachidananda Mohanty, former Vice Chancellor of Central University of Odisha, has been appointed to the UGC. Professor Mohanty brings his extensive experience in academia to the commission.

• Professor Shashikala Gulabrao Wanjari, Vice Chancellor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in New Delhi, Delhi, has been appointed as a member of the UGC. Her tenure, like others', is set for three years or until further orders.

About UGC

• The UGC was proposed by the Sargent Report of 1944 to establish a national system of education in India.

• Established by an Act of Parliament in 1956, the UGC plays a pivotal role in higher education governance.

• The current Chairman of UGC is Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, and its headquarters are located in New Delhi, Delhi.

• With these appointments, the total number of members in the UGC has increased from 4 to 8, enriching its expertise and diversity.

Appointment of Vo Thi Anh Xuan as Interim President of Vietnam

Tags: Person in news International News

Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vietnam's Vice-President, aged 54, was appointed as Interim President on March 21, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Vo Thi Anh Xuan succeeded Vo Van Thuong, who resigned from the presidency on March 20, 2024, having served since March 2023.

• Vo Thi Anh Xuan will serve as the acting president until the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) elects a new president.

Previous Interim Presidency:

• In the 2021-2026 term, Vo Thi Anh Xuan previously held the role of Interim President in January 2023, following the resignation of Nguyen Xuan Phuc. Vo Van Thuong was subsequently elected as President.

Background of Vo Thi Anh Xuan:

• Vo Thi Anh Xuan originates from Tinh Bien District, An Giang Province, Vietnam.

• She is an alternate member of the 11th Party Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), and a member of the 12th and 13th Party Central Committee. Additionally, she is a delegate to the 14th and 15th National Assembly.

• Vo Thi Anh Xuan was elected as Vice President of Vietnam in April 2021, becoming the youngest Vice President at the age of 51.

About Vietnam:

• Prime Minister - Pham Minh Chinh

• Capital - Hanoi

• Currency - Vietnamese dong

Bjarni Benediktsson Becomes Iceland's Prime Minister, Replacing Katrín Jakobsdótti

Tags: Person in news International News

Benediktsson took office as Prime Minister of Iceland on April 9, 2024, succeeding Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

An Overview of the News

• Before his appointment as PM, Benediktsson served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from October 2023.

• He previously held the position of Prime Minister from January to November 2017.

• Benediktsson's career began as a District Court attorney in 1998, followed by his election to the Icelandic parliament, Althingi, representing Southwest Iceland in 2003.

• Since 2009, he has led the Independence Party.

• Benediktsson also served as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs from 2013 to 2017 and resumed the position from November 30, 2017, until October 14, 2023.

Katrín Jakobsdóttir's Contributions:

• Katrín Jakobsdóttir, the second woman to hold the position of PM in Iceland after Jóhanna Sigurðardótti, served as PM since 2017.

• She resigned to pursue the presidency and also stepped down as Chairperson of the Left-Green Movement.

• Jakobsdóttir has been a Member of Althingi for the Reykjavík North Constituency since 2007.

• Her previous ministerial roles include Minister of Education, Science, and Culture, as well as Minister of Nordic Cooperation, from 2009 to 2013.

Iceland's Current Landscape:

• Iceland's current President is Guðni Th. Jóhannesson.

• Reykjavík serves as the capital.

• The currency used is the Icelandic Króna (ISK).