Current Affairs 15th February 2019

Current Affairs 15th February 2019 - Important Points

• World Radio Day 2019 on - 13th February 2019
• Union Cabinet approves Introduction of Registration of Marriage of NRI Bill, 2019 on - 13th February 2019
• Dera Baba Nanak Land Post Chosen as Immigration Centre for visiting - Kartarpur Sahib
• US House passes a resolution to withdraw US military support on - 13th February 2019
• 3rd Indo-German Environment Forum held on - 13th February 2019
  Current Affairs 15th February 2019 - Details

World Radio Day 2019 on - 13th February 2019

The UN Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization- UNESCO every year rejoice February 13th as the World Radio Day. World Radio Day 2019 is observed to highlight the significance of the radio in its search for a more peaceful & tolerant world.
The World Radio Day 2019 is observed with the subject Dialogue, Tolerance & Peace. The subject is selected to deliver a platform for dialogue & democratic debate over issues including immigration/violence against females which can aid to raise awareness among listeners & inspire understanding for new perspectives in forming the way for positive action.
Genesis of the World Radio Day
Spain’s Radio Academy in the year 2010 suggested the idea of World Radio Day. In the subsequent year,
United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization acknowledged February 13th as the
World Radio day & the 1st World Radio Day was observed in 2012.
February 13th was selected due to the reason the United Nations Radio, the UN’s international
broadcasting service was recognized on February 13th, 1946. The World Radio Day honours the
anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Radio.
e-Aushadhi Portal
Minister of State for AYUSH, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik released the e-Aushadhi portal for online licensing
of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani & Homoeopathy medicines.
Features of the e-Aushadhi Portal

• The new e-portal, e-Aushadhi is an abbreviation for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy Automated Drug Help Initiative.  The important features of the e-Aushadhi Portal are:
• The e-portal is proposed to bring augmented transparency, better information management facility,
  enhanced data usability & improved accountability in the licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani & 
  Homoeopathy medicines.
• The deadlines will be fixed for processing of application via this e-portal with SMS &  e-mail status
  updates at each step of the procedure.
• The portal will benefit the licensing authority, producers & consumers, as it will deliver real-time data of the licensed producers &their products, cancelled &  spurious medicines, contact information of the concerned authority for specific grievances.
• The launch of the e-Aushadhi portal for online licensing is part of governments assurance towards e-governance, ease of doing business & Make in India.

Dera Baba Nanak Land Post Chosen as Immigration Centre for visiting - Kartarpur Sahib

The notification released by the Union Home ministry has chosen Dera Baba Nanak land post situated in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district as an authorised migration checkpoint to exit/enter for visiting Kartarpur
Sahib Gurdwara in Pakistan.
Kartarpur Sahib Corridor

• The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor joins Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India’s Gurdaspur district. The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located on the banks of the Ravi River, about 3-4 kilometres from the border in Pakistan.
• The suggested corridor was institutionalised to ease visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims between Kartarpur Gurdwara in Pakistan & Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India. The pilgrims are needed to obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Gurdwara.  Dera Baba Nanak shrine was founded in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev.
• As part of the trust-building exercise, the Pakistan new government had planned to open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.
• Works to simplify the opening the corridor started with Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu laying the foundation stone at the Indian side November 28th &Pakistani PM Imran Khan laying the foundation stone at the Pakistani side on November 28th.

Union Cabinet approves Introduction of Registration of Marriage of NRI Bill, 2019 on - 13th February 2019

The Union Cabinet led by PM Narendra Modi on February 13th, 2019 sanctioned the introduction of
Registration of Marriage of Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Bill, 2019 to form more accountability to Indian
residents living overseas.
The bill mainly pursues to offer more protection against the exploitation of Indian residents, mostly Indian females by their Non-Resident Indian partners.
Important Highlights

• The Bill delivers for amendment of the legal framework to act as a warning to the erring Non-Resident Indian spouses & creating more accountability & offer safety against exploitation of Indian Residents, specially females married to Non-Resident Indians.
• Under the new bill, a marriage between an Non-Resident Indian & an Indian resident will have to be registered in India/Indian missions/posts overseas within 30 days from the date of marriage. 
  After the bill’s passing, the essential changes would be carried out in the Passports Act, 1967 & Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 by insertion of Section 86A.
• As per to the proposed amendments, if the marriage isn't registered within 30 days, the passport of the on-Resident Indian will be revoked, summons & warrant be issued. 
• Despite all this, if the Non-Resident Indian fails to appear in court, his properties will be attached & he will be announced “Proclaimed Offender”.

3rd Indo-German Environment Forum held on - 13th February 2019

The 3rd Indo-German Environment Forum with the subject ‘Cleaner Air, Greener Economy’ was organised in New Delhi on February 13th, 2019.  While inducting the forum, Union Environment Minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan informed that India & Germany have had a rich co-operation engagement for the past 60 years which spreads to sectors including natural resource management, urban environment protection, climate change adaptation & mitigation & innovative green technologies. 
Important Highlights

• The 1-day programme involved panel discussions & parallel sessions aimed on challenges, solutions & essential framework conditions of air pollution control, waste management & circular economy and the execution of NDCs & SDGs based on Paris Agreement & Agenda 2030 of United Nation respectively.
• It witnessed participation from about 250 representatives of ministries, business &science & non-governmental institutions.
• The forum delivered an ideal platform for the bilateral exchange of high-level policymakers & other
  significant players on international environmental & climate policy & assistance between the both nations.
• It was planned by the 2 environment ministries in association with the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business & the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. 
• Besides this, 2 Joint Declarations of Intent were exchanged during the forum between Central Pollution Control Board Chairman S.P.Singh Parihar & German Environment Agency President Maria Krautzberger.

US House passes a resolution to withdraw US military support on - 13th February 2019

The United States House of Representatives on February 13th, 2019 sanctioned a resolution that would end United States support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the war in Yemen. The resolution would guide the United States President to withdraw United States military forces in/affecting Yemen within 30 days unless they are fighting al Qaeda/related forces. It is the 1st time the House of Representatives has ever maintained a war powers resolution.
Important Highlights

• The resolution was approved with 248 votes in favour & 177 against in a Democratic-led House of
  Representatives.
• The vote is a sharp scolding to Saudi Arabia for its behaviour in the war conflict & a push-back against the Trump government's close relations to the kingdom.
• 18 Republicans combined all voting Democrats in supporting the measure. The vote lays pressure on the Council to act. 
• The Council had passed a same resolution in December 2018 condemning Trump government's defence of the Saudi Kingdom.
• The Council is now predictable to vote on the resolution within 30 days.