1. Ketanji Brown Jackson appointed as the first black woman Judge of the United States Supreme Court
Tags: Person in news International News
Ketanji Brown Jackson has been appointed as the first Black woman judge of the United States Supreme Court. Jackson is the sixth woman to become the Judge of the United States of America’s Supreme Court.
About the United States of America Supreme Court
- In the United States of America there are two Supreme Courts. Every state in the US has its own Supreme Court which interprets the constitution of the respective state.
- There is a Federal Supreme Court also known as the US Supreme Court which interprets the constitution of the United States of America.
- In the United States all the 50 states have a constitution of their own and the Federal government (United States Government) has a constitution of its own.
- It was set up in 1789.
- It has one Chief Justice and eight other judges.
- The Judges of the Supreme Court are for life. It means they have no retiring age (In India the Supreme Court Judge retires after reaching the age of 65 years)
- The Supreme Court of the United State has a police of its own which enforce its decision (In India supreme Court has no separate police force)
- It is located in Washington D.C
2. Svante Paabo, the scientist who discovered the genome of primitive humans, won the Nobel Prize for Medicine
Tags: Awards Person in news International News
Swedish geneticist Svante Paabo won the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on 3 October 2022 for discoveries that help in our understanding of how modern day humans evolved from extinct ancestors.
According to the Nobel Committee, Svante Paabo won the prize for "discoveries concerning the genomes of extinct hominins and human evolution.”
Svante Paabo is currently the director at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany.
Svante Paabo is the son of the Swedish biochemist Karl Sune Detlof Bergström who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1982.
His pioneering work
He discovered a new human species called the Denisovans, from a 40,000-year-old fragment of a finger bone discovered in Siberia.
During the discovery of the genome of an extinct species of human named Neanderthal, he developed a technique by which the genome of any fossil could be accessed.
Dr. Pebo's more than 40 years of hard work discovered such a technique, which can be used to analyse the genome of millions of years old. Through this technique, factors such as bacteria, fungus, dust, seasonal changes and external chemical changes are cleaned from DNA. In the last 20 years, this technology has gone so far that now millions of DNA can be analysed simultaneously.
What is Genome
Genome is the set of information about genes within a cell. Within the genome, the complete information of that organism is kept in the form of DNA. This information, called the genome, is made up of DNA molecules. Whenever a cell divides or copies, this information is also copied together.
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize, which is considered to be the most prestigious prize in the world, was created in the will of Swedish dynamite inventor and wealthy businessman Alfred Nobel. The prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace have been awarded since 1901 and the economics prize was first given in 1969.
The prizes carry a cash award of 10 million Swedish kronor (nearly $900,000) and will be handed out on 10 December 2022. 10 December is the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel.
3. Burkina Faso coup: Deposed military leader Damiba 'resigns'
Tags: International News
There has been a military coup in the West African country of Burkina Faso. Deposed military leader Damiba 'resigned' on 2 October. A new military takeover has been announced in Burkina Faso.
Important facts
Paul-Henri Sandogo Damiba offered his resignation, to avoid confrontation with serious human and material consequences.
Nine months ago, the President was removed from office through a military coup in the country, for the first time in 2022.
On 29 September, 2022, an army officer on state television announced the dissolution of the current government and the dismissal of the junta leader, President Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Henri Damiba.
Army Captain Ibrahim Traore will now take over the reins of the country's ruling junta, as president of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguards and Restoration.
About Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa.
It is bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and the Ivory Coast to the southwest.
It was formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta.
Capital - Ouagadougou
Form Of Government - military regime
Official Language - French
Currency - Franc
4. Nord Stream pipeline leakages
Tags: International News
Sweden's coast guard said on 29 September that it had detected a fourth leak in two damaged Nord Stream pipelines.
Important facts
These leaks are occurring in important Nord Stream pipelines (Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2).
These pipelines carry natural gas from Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany.
Earlier this week two other leaks were found near Denmark.
The Danish military released a video saying it had seen gas bubbles on the surface of the sea off the island of Bornholm.
At the time of the leak, both were not supplying gas to Europe. Methane leaks from broken pipelines have also caused serious concern to environmentalists.
Germany is Russia’s biggest European gas consumer, and most of it comes through the Nord Stream.
Nord Stream Pipeline
Nord Stream has two pipelines, each containing two lines.
Nord Stream 1
It was completed in 2011. It runs from Vyborg in northwest Russia to Lubmin in northeastern Germany via the Baltic Sea.
Nord Stream 2
In 2015, Russian energy major Gazprom and five other European firms decided to form Nord Stream 2.
It runs from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany through the Baltic Sea and was completed in September 2021.
It will carry 55 billion cubic metres of gas every year.
Nord Stream 1 and 2 together will supply an aggregate of 110 billion cubic metres of gas to Germany per year.
The pipeline falls in the territory of EU members Germany and Denmark.
In December 2019, work on the project was suspended due to the threat of US sanctions.
In January 2021, the US sanctioned a Russian ship carrying out pipe laying work for the project.
An agreement was reached between the US and Germany on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Top 5 Natural Gas producing Countries
United States - 914.6 billion Cubic Meters
Russia - 638.5 billion Cubic Meters
Iran - 250.8 billion Cubic Meters
China - 194 billion Cubic Meters
Qatar 171.3 billion Cubic Meters
Top 5 Countries that Consume the Most Natural Gas
United States
Russia
China
Iran
Canada
Top 5 Countries with the Largest Natural Gas Reserves
Russia
Iran
Qatar
Turkmenistan
United States
5. 129 football fans dies in a stampede at football match in Indonesia
Tags: Sports International News
At least 129 people were killed and dozens injured in a stampede after violence broke out at a football match held on 1 October 2022 in Indonesia. The incident occurred during a football match of Indonesian top league BRI Liga 1 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang Regency in East Java.
According to the police, supporters from the losing side Arema FC invaded the pitch following a match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya, leading to a stampede and cases of suffocation.
The league has suspended games for a week following the riot and the Arema FC team has also been prohibited from hosting any matches for the rest of the competition this season.
Indonesia
It was earlier known as Dutch East Indies (Netherland East Indies) and it became Independent from the Netherlands on 17 August 1945.
It is the world's largest archipelago consisting of 17,500 islands.
Borneo island of Indonesia is the third largest island in the world after Greenland and New Guinea.
There are more than 100 active volcanoes in the country and the most famous being Krakatoa and Mount Merapi.
It has the world’s largest Muslim population.
Capital: Jakarta
Currency: Rupiah
President: Joko Widodo
6. Burkina Faso leader Damiba deposed in a military coup
Tags: International News
A group of Burkina Faso army soldiers announced on 30 September 2022 that they have removed Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba from the post of President, who himself came to power through a military coup.
The soldiers introduced Captain Ibrahim Traore as the new leader of the country.
Traore said Burkina Faso's government and constitution had been dissolved.
Leaders of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the political and economic union of fifteen countries in the region, condemned the coup.
Burkina Faso
It is a landlocked country in West Africa. It was earlier called the Upper Volta.
It was a French colony which gained its independence in 1964.
Capital: Ouagadougou
Currency: CFA franc
7. China Withdraws Proposal Against AUKUS Nuclear Submarines Plan At IAEA
Tags: International News
India's diplomatic prowess at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) forced China to withdraw its proposal against AUKUS (United Group of Australia, Britain and America) on 30 September.
Important facts
China tried to get the resolution passed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general conference held in Vienna from 26 to 30 September 2021.
The AUKUS (Australia, UK and US) Security Partnership had announced that it would facilitate Australia to acquire technology to build nuclear-powered submarines.
On 30 September, China argued that the initiative violated its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It also criticized the role of the IAEA in this respect.
India's well-considered role helped many countries to take a clear stand on the Chinese proposal.
The Indian Mission to the IAEA in Vienna worked closely with many IAEA member states in this regard.
When China realized that its proposal would not get majority, it withdrew its draft resolution on 30 September.
AUKUS Alliance
In September 2021 Australia, United States and United Kingdom (AUKUS) made an announcement to develop hypersonic missiles.
They will work together through a security alliance called AUKUS to develop hypersonic missiles.
The move comes amid growing concerns from the US and allies about China's growing military influence in the Pacific.
8. India abstains on UNSC resolution condemning Russia’s ‘referenda’ in Ukraine
Tags: International News
India abstained from voting on a draft resolution tabled by the US and Albania at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on September 30 that condemned Russia's illegal referendum and its occupation of Ukrainian territories.
Important facts
The resolution demanded that Russia immediately withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
15 Security Council countries were supposed to vote on this resolution, but Russia used a veto against it, due to which the resolution could not be passed.
10 of the 15 Security Council countries voted in favor of the resolution, while China, Gabon, India and Brazil did not participate.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the occupation of another country's territory by threat or use of force is a violation of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law.
India's position has been clear and consistent from the very beginning of this conflict.
She said that the global order is based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all states. Rhetoric or escalation of tension is not in anyone's interest.
On 30 September, Russian President Putin submitted his claim to the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya.
It was also decided by the Security Council that Russia "immediately, completely and unconditionally" withdraw all its military forces from the territory of Ukraine.
About UNSC :
It was established in 1945 by the United Nations Charter.
It is one of the six major organs of the United Nations.
The other 5 organs of the United Nations are - the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat.
It has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, collectively known as the P5.
India is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term, which expires in December.
Any one of them can veto a resolution.
Headquarters - New York
9. India climbs to the 40th rank in the Global Innovation Index of WIPO
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 29 September released the Global Innovation Index 2022.
Important facts
India has reached the 40th position in the Global Innovation Index of the World Intellectual Property Organization.
India has moved up from 81st in 2015 to 40th in 2022 in the Global Innovation Index (GII).
India was 46th position in the ranking last time.
In the index Switzerland has emerged as the world's most innovative economy for the 12th consecutive year.
Switzerland continues to be the world leader in innovation for the 12th year in a row.
It is a leader globally in patents by innovation output, origination, software spend, high-tech manufacturing, production and export complexity.
The US ranks second in the index, followed by Sweden, the UK and the Netherlands.
About Global Innovation Index
WIPO began its publication in 2012 along with GII.
Key criteria to measure innovation cover institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, credit, investment, linkage, creation, dissemination of knowledge, and creative output.
It is calculated by three measures-
Innovation Input Sub-Index
Innovation Output Sub-Index
The overall GII score is the average of the Input and Output Sub-Indices, on which the GII economy rankings are then produced.
About WIPO
It is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation.
It is a self-funding agency of the United Nations and its member states are 193.
Its mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international Intellectual Property system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all.
10. Union Minister Anupriya Patel represented India in the 21st Meeting of SCO Ministers responsible for Foreign Economy and Foreign Trade
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
The Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Smt. Anupriya Patel represented India at the 21st Meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Ministers responsible for Foreign Economy and Foreign Trade. The meeting was held virtually and was attended by the representative of SCO Secretariat and Heads of Delegations of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
She lauded the recent initiative of SCO, wherein City of Varanasi has been nominated as the first-ever SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital for the period of 2022-2023.
India took over the Presidency of the SCO from Uzbekistan after the Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting held in the Uzbekistan city of Samarkand on 16 September 2022.
SCO is a regional organization consisting of China, Russia, India ,Pakistan and the four central Asian countries of Uzbekistan , Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan .
