DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: March 28, 2024

Thailand Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage, Promotes Equality and Tourism

Tags: International News

Thailand's lower house of parliament approved a landmark bill legalizing gay marriage, making the country a leader in Southeast Asia in promoting equal rights.

An Overview of the News

• The bill, amending the Civil and Commercial Code, received overwhelming support in the House of Representatives.

Major Provisions of the Bill:

• The "Marriage Equality" bill has received overwhelming majority approval from the 500-member House of Representatives.

• 400 MPs voted in favour, while 10 opposed it, and after three hours of debate, five MPs abstained.

• The law allows same-sex partners aged 18 and over to register their marriages, giving them inheritance, tax benefits and child adoption rights.

• It modifies the legal definition of marriage from "one man and one woman" to "two persons" and changes the status from "husband and wife" to "married couple".

Impact and Importance:

• Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's administration is leading the bill, which aims to strengthen Thailand's reputation as an LGBTQ-friendly destination.

• Thailand joins Taiwan and Nepal as one of the few Asian regions to recognize same-sex marriage, joining around 40 other countries globally.

• Despite previous obstacles, such as a 2021 Constitutional Court decision and failed attempts at civil partnership recognition, LGBTQ activists have persisted in their quest for equality.

Tourism Promotion and Economic Implications:

• Legalizing same-sex marriage is expected to have a positive impact on tourism, which contributes significantly to Thailand's economy.

• Before the pandemic, LGBTQ tourism in Thailand generated approximately $6.5 billion, underscoring the potential economic benefits of this progressive legislation.

New Members take Oath in Lokpal of India

Tags: Person in news National News

Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi assumed charge as the newest judicial member of the Lokpal on March 27, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Lokpal Chairperson Justice AM Khanwilkar administered the oath to Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi.

• Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey took oath as new members of the Lokpal at the Lokpal Office in New Delhi on March 27, 2024.

• On March 26, the tenure of two judicial members, Justice PK Mohanty and Justice Abhilasha Kumari, ended.

• Additionally, on the same day, the tenure of three other members – DK Jain, Archana Ramasundaram and Mahendra Singh – expired.

Introduction of New Members:

• Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi, former Chairman of the 22nd Law Commission of India and former Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, plays the role of judicial member.

• Pankaj Kumar, a 1986 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre, previously served as the Chief Secretary of Gujarat.

• Ajay Tirkey, a 1987 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, was the former Secretary of the Department of Land Resources, Government of India.

Historical Background of Lokpal:

• The concept of an ombudsman originated in Sweden in 1809 and gained global prominence with its adoption by New Zealand and Norway in 1962.

• In India, the idea of a Constitutional Lokpal was first proposed in Parliament in the early 1960s by Law Minister Ashok Kumar Sen.

• The terms "Lokpal" and "Lokayukta" were introduced by jurist LM Singhvi, and the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 was ultimately passed after advocacy by the Anna Hazare-led India Against Corruption Movement.

• The purpose of this Act was to establish the Lokpal at the Center and Lokayuktas in the states to investigate allegations of corruption against public officials.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye wins in Senegal's Presidential Election

Tags: Person in news International News

Faye, known as an anti-establishment figure, won the initial round with 54.28% of the vote.

An Overview of the News

• At 44, Faye is poised to become Africa's youngest democratically elected head of state.

• His victory marked the first time an opposition candidate had won in the first round since Senegal gained independence from France in 1960.

• Recognition of Faye's victory awaits confirmation from Senegal's Constitutional Council in the coming days.

Defeat of the governing coalition candidate:

• Faye won a decisive victory over the ruling coalition's candidate, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba, who won 35.79% of the vote.

• Aliou Mamadou Dia is in third place among 19 contenders with just 2.8% of the votes.

• Voter turnout stood at 61.30%, surpassing the 2012 figure but lower than the previous 2019 election.

Departure from the status quo:

• Faye, who was released from prison just 10 days before the election, advocates a departure from the current political landscape.

• He promised to restore national "sovereignty" and launch a program focused on "leftist Pan-Africanism", potentially indicating a significant restructuring of Senegal's institutions.

About Senegal

• Capital - Dakar

• Currency - West African CFA Franc

• Official language - French

Rumi Alqahtani, the first Saudi contestant to participate in the Miss Universe Pageant

Tags: International News

Rumi Alqahtani, a 27-year-old Saudi Arabian model, was the first to reveal her participation in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant via Instagram.

An Overview of the News

• Riyadh-born Alqahtani has held previous awards including Miss Saudi Arabia, Miss Arab World Peace 2021, and Miss Woman (Saudi Arabia).

• Her participation marks the inaugural representation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the Miss Universe pageant, marking a significant milestone for the country.

Miss Universe Pageant (2024):

• The upcoming Miss Universe pageant for the year 2024 is scheduled to be held in Mexico.

• The current Miss Universe titleholder is Shanice Palacios, representing Nicaragua.

Highlights of other Beauty Pageants

• Kristina Piszkova of Czech Republic won the title of Miss World 2024 in Mumbai, India on March 9, 2024.

About Saudi Arabia

• Capital - Riyadh

• King - Salman of Saudi Arabia

• Currency - Saudi Riyal