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  • Current Affairs 5th April 2014

    Updated : 12-Apr-2014

    Current Affairs 5th April 2014 - Important Points

    Current Affairs 5th April 2014 - Details

    Navigation satellite IRNSS 1B successfully launched by ISRO from Sriharikota

    On 4th April 2014, ISRO launched India's 2nd regional navigational satellite IRNSS 1B from Sriharikota Space Station of Andhra Pradesh.

    The launch of IRNSS series would enable India to have its own reliable and independent navigational resources for itself. The satellite was lifted off by the Polar Satellite Vehicle (PSLV) C 24 at 5.14 pm. 

    IRNSS series launch will benefit India from its applications including terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation, disaster management, vehicle tracking and fleet management.

    Something to be proud about :

    This launch of IRNSS 1B is the 25th successful launch of the PSLV series by ISRO. 

    Important to note : 

    IRNSS : Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System

    Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca sworn-in as ninth President of Malta

    Among the International Current Affairs April 2014 Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca sworn-in as ninth President of Malta on 4th April 2014. George Abela was former President of Malta from Labour Party whose term completed on 4th April 2014.

    Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca is 55 years old and is the youngest-ever President of Malta. She belongs to Labour Party and has served as minister for social policy.

    Important to note : 

    Malta is a southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea with smallest capital Valletta in EU.

    MCA notified rules on providing insurance cover for public deposits

    Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) notified rules on providing insurance cover for public deposits. The rules called Regulations for Acceptance of Deposits by Companies was notified under section 73(2) (d) of the Companies Act 2013.

    Section 73(2) (d) of the Act provides a mandatory insurance cover for public deposits garnered by companies and a penalty of up to 18% annual interest for defaulters.

    The rules were notified on 26 March 2014 and become operational from 1 April 2014.

    MS Dhoni won United Kingdom's 2014 Asian award for outstanding achievement in sports

    On 4th April 2014, captain of Indian cricket MS Dhoni won the United Kingdom’s 2014 Asian Award for outstanding achievement in Sports.

    The award was announced at London's at The Grosvenor House Hotel.  

    India ranked 102 among 132 countries on Social Progress Index

    Out of 132 countries India ranked 102 on the Social Progress Index (SPI). This was published by the US-based non-profit organisation Social Progress Imperative on 3rd April 2014. The 2014 SPI has shed light on the current debates about inclusive growth and shared prosperity. The SPI rates 132 countries on more than 50 indicators, including health, sanitation, shelter, personal safety, access to information, sustainability, tolerance and inclusion and access to education.

    Kumba Yala, Ex-president of Guinea-Bissau dies at 61

    Former Guinea Bissau President Kumba Yala died of cardiac arrest on 4th April  2014. He ruled the West African nation from 2000 to 2003. He was 61 years old.

    He was also a philosophy teacher. 

    Important to note : 

    Guinea or Republic of Guinea is a West African country. It is also known as French Guinea. It declared its independence from France in 1958. Guinea has abundant natural resources including 25 percent of World’s bauxite reserves.

    Read other Important Current Affairs April 2014

    Obama appoints Indian-American Sunil Sabharwal as US Alternate Executive Director of IMF

    US President Barack Obama has nominated Indian-American Sunil Sabharwal to a key administration post as US Alternate Executive Director at IMF.

    Mr. Sunil Sabharwal was the Chairman of the Board of Ogone, a European ecommerce payment services company, from 2011 to 2013. Sabharwal received a B.S. from The Ohio State University and an M.S. from the London Business School. His earliest known job was at European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, where he worked from 1992-1996, eventually becoming its Principal Banker before leaving. 

    Important to note : 

    IMF : International Monetary Fund 

    Anja Niedringhaus, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist shot dead in Afghanistan

    A German-born photojournalist Ms. Anja Niedringhaus who shared a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the Iraq War, was shot dead on 4th April 2014 while on assignment in Afghanistan. She was 48 years old. A Canadian-born reporter, Kathy Gannon, was wounded in the same attack.

    Niedringhaus started her career as a freelance photographer for a local newspaper in her hometown in Hoexter, Germany at the age of 16. She worked for the European Press Photo Agency before joining the AP in 2002, based in Geneva. She had published two books.