Current Affairs Feb 2019 - International
1 - The United States to Withdraw Nuclear Arms Control Treaty with Russia
The Trump administration has announced that United States will pull out of a nuclear arms control treaty with Russia. It will end a cornerstone Cold War agreement and raise fears of a new nuclear arms race in Europe and Asia.
As per the United States’ President, Trump’s statement, Russia is violating the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. However, Moscow denies this charge. The treaty has been a central element of Europe’s security strategy for more than three decades. The signing of treaty was considered as a crucial moment in Cold War arms control, which eliminated more than 2,600 missiles and ended a years-long standoff with nuclear missiles in Europe.
However, the Trump administration has argued that since 2014, Russia has not been complying with the agreement. Because of the breach of the agreement, the United States is at military disadvantage against China, which is not bound by the treaty.
2 - Siamese Fighting Fish Became National Aquatic Animal of Thailand
Because of having historic and cultural significance, the government of Thailand, has declared the fighting fish ‘Siamese’ to be the national fish (National Aquatic Animal).
Popularly known as betta fish (in the West), the underwater brawler is tiny, testy, and eye-catching. It has a colorful fin plumage and its body is iridescent and it has also many hued tail. Because of having beautiful look, it is also common in home aquariums. However, Thailand’s official national animal is the elephant.
3 - Five-day Multinational Maritime Exercise Held in Pakistan
The five-day multinational maritime exercise held nearby coastal city Karachi in Pakistan from February 8 to 12, 2019. The name of maritime exercise was “AMAN-19’ in which 46 nations from different parts of the world participated.
In this maritime exercise, Pakistan’s navy ships, boats, submarines, and marines and special forces participated. Besides, Pakistani air force, army, and rangers also participated.
Such maritime exercise was initiated in 2007, and since then, it is being exercised after every two years. This integrated exercise provides a forum for understanding of each other’s maritime concepts and operational culture. The participants also share the ways and means to combat common threats at sea.
4 - Hindi Became Third High Court Language in Abu Dhabi
In a landmark decision, the government of UAE, has announced to include Hindi language as the third official language, which will be used in the court. In the country, other two languages are Arabic and English. The objective of such decision is to improve the access to justice system.
As per the official report, UAE has around 9 million population; of which two-third are immigrants from different countries of the world. Amidst, the Indians in the country counted as 2.6 million (about 30% of total population). Indians are the largest expatriate community here. Therefore, with the objective to help Hindi speakers to learn about the litigation procedures, their rights, and duties, Hindi is included as the third language.
5 - Red Cross Started Movement to Ban Nuclear Weapon
The Red Cross in an announcement asked for a total ban on nuclear weapons. It warned about the growing risk which is potentially caused by such arms and its devastating effect. As per the report, in recent years, it has been observed that some of the nuclear-armed States are straying from their “long-standing nuclear disarmament obligations”. In addition to this, some nuclear armed States are upgrading their arsenals, developing more advance nuclear weapons, which might be easier to use.
Therefore, to raise awareness about the rising nuclear threat posed at the whole world, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have launched a global campaign. The objective of the campaign is to encourage people to lobby their governments to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. However, it has so far been signed by 70 nations and ratified by merely 21.
Nevertheless, such campaign is the result of abolishing the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty by United States and Russia.
6 - “North Macedonia” is the New Name of Macedonia
Macedonia has announced its new official name as North Macedonia. There were almost three decades’ diplomatic dispute (with Greece) regarding a new state namely North Macedonia that finally received its own geographical place on the World Map.
As a result of the new name, now North Macedonia could join NATO. Most likely, the newly named Balkan State will become 30th member of NATO. However, it needs to get ratified by other signatories.
7 - Measles Cases Doubled in 2018: WHO
As per the World Health Organization (WHO) report, in the year 2018, a total of 229,068 cases of measles were registered. The number is almost double as compared to 2017.
The virus of measles that can survive for hours in a droplet of water, easily gets transmitted through coughing and sneezing. The symptoms of measles include rashes, blindness, and inflammation of the brain. Analyzing the data, WHO has appealed to the Member States to decrease the infection through maximum vaccine coverage.
Katherine O’Brien, Director of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals at the WHO said –
“Measles is not going anywhere it is everyone’s responsibility. For one person infected, up to nine or 10 people could catch the virus. Further, Measles knows no geographical or political borders.”
8 - JP Morgan Became First US Bank to Have Crypto-Currency
JP Morgan has become the first US bank who has created cryptocurrency. The currency is designed to be decentralized so that no one has control over transactions being sent over the network.
Recently, the crypto-currency, which runs on block-chain technology, has been used successfully to move money between the bank and a client account. Therefore, JP Morgan said that the technology appears potential in using digital coins, as it also reduces risk and enables instant transfers.
Virtual currencies can be used for any purchase in the real world. One can pay for things, such as a hotel room, food or even a house. Digital tokens are held in online wallets, and can be sent anonymously between users.
9 - US President Signed Directive to Create Military Space Force
The President of the United States has signed ‘Space Policy Directive-4’ (SPD-4). As per the directives, Pentagon is ordered to set up the Space Force as the Sixth Branch of the United States military. Other five are Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. However, such creation also need to be approved by the US Congress.
The main objective of the Space Force is to extend and secure the American dominance of the space domain. President Trump interprets space to be a new warfighting domain.
