Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 06 May 2023
- 6 min read
Washington Declaration
The Washington Declaration signed by South Korea and U.S aims to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two countries against regional aggression by North Korea. Prompted by North Korea's successful launch of the Hwasong-8 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the agreement outlines cooperation towards deterrence, including deploying an American nuclear ballistic submarine in the Korean peninsula, forming a nuclear consultative group, and providing South Korea with intelligence regarding nuclear advancements. However, South Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to the non-proliferation Treaty and would not venture into creating its own nuclear capabilities.
The U.S. has been reluctant to allow South Korea to develop their own nuclear arsenal due to concerns about controlling global nuclear arms production, and the assurance that the U.S. and its nuclear weapons would protect its allies aligns with the larger goal of non-proliferation.
China and North Korea have criticized the agreement, while the South Korean public is skeptical about U.S. support, with a majority wanting to build their own nuclear weapons as a deterrence measure.
Read more: Non-Proliferation Treaty
World Pulmonary Hypertension Day
World Pulmonary Hypertension Day is an annual event observed on May 5th to raise awareness about pulmonary hypertension (PH) and support those living with this condition. The day originated in Madrid, Spain in 2012, where a program and scientific symposium were held to bring together patient associations, disease organizations, and scientific societies. May 5th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the first child's death in Spain from pulmonary hypertension caused by toxic rapeseed oil.
This year's World Pulmonary Hypertension Day 2023 theme is "Together We Are Stronger," emphasizing the importance of coming together to raise awareness, support patients and their families, and advocate for increased access to care and treatments.
PH is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. PH can be caused by various factors, including genetics, certain medical conditions, and exposure to toxins. Symptoms of PH may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and fainting.
Cyclone Mocha
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over the southeast Bay of Bengal around 6th May 2023. IMD has calculated that a low-pressure area is expected to take shape, which is usually a precursor to the development of a cyclone. According to IMD’s preliminary analysis based on its weather models, the cyclone could potentially grow to a ‘severe cyclonic storm’. This would be the first cyclone to form this year and will be named Cyclone Mocha, proposed by Yemen after the Yemini city Mocha (Mokha) located on the Red sea coast. The naming of this cyclone was done as per the decree issued by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which states that each cyclone must be named to avoid confusion in instances where multiple systems operate in one location.
A cyclone is a weather phenomenon characterized by a low-pressure center and strong winds circulating around it. It can cause flooding, storm surges, and landslides, resulting in loss of life and damage to property. Cyclones can be classified as tropical cyclones, extratropical cyclones, and polar lows, depending on the location and weather conditions.
Read more: Cyclone
New President of World Bank
The World Bank has announced that Ajay Banga has been selected as the new President of the organization, for a five-year term starting 2nd June 2023. The selection process for the new President of the World Bank is transparent and merit-based, allowing any national of the Bank's membership to be proposed for the position. In addition to being the President of the World Bank Group, Banga will also serve as the Chair of the Executive Directors Board of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and as the ex-officio Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and Administrative Council of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Read more: World Bank
