1) Gopal Krishna Gokhale Birth Anniversary: Born on 9 May 1866, in Maharashtra, Gopal Krishna Gokhale was an Indian liberal political leader and a social reformer.
He led the moderate nationalists in the early years of the Indian Independence Movement
Being one of the first generations of Indians to receive a university education, he graduated from Elphinstone College in 1884
He had a great influence of the social works of Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade on his life
He was named as the Protégé Son i.e., Manas Putra of Justice Mahdev Govind Ranade
Apart from being a senior leader of the Indian National Congress (INC), he was the founder of the Servants of India Society
Through the Society as well as the Congress and other legislative bodies he served in, he campaigned for Indian self-rule and for social reforms
Gokhale’s deposition before the Welby Commission on the financial condition of India won him accolades
His speeches on the budget in the Central Legislative Council were unique, with thorough statistical analysis
He played a leading role in bringing about Morley-Minto Reforms in India
He died on 19 February 1915, leaving a void in the lives of those who greatly admired him
2) Cyclone Mocha: According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclonic or low-pressure area is developing in the Bay of Bengal.
The name ‘Mocha’ was provided by Yemen
Formation of Tropical Cyclones: Tropical Cyclones are rapid inward air circulation around a low-pressure area. They are usually accompanied by violent storms, bad weather and large-scale destruction and originate over oceans in tropical areas.
Direction of air circulation: Anticlockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, Clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Types of cyclones: Tropical and Extra Tropical (or Temperate/Mid-Latitude/Frontal) Cyclones
Conditions for formation of tropical cyclones:
- Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27o C
- Presence of the Coriolis Force
- Small variations in the vertical wind speed
- A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level cyclonic circulation
- Upper divergence above the sea level system
Naming of cyclones: They are named by the regional specialized meteorological centres (RSMCs) and Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs)
- There are 6 RSMCs in the world, including IMD. IMD names the cyclones developing over the north Indian Ocean
- Eight countries in the region – Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand – all contribute a set of names which are assigned sequentially whenever a cyclonic storm develops
3) International Criminal Court (ICC): For the 1st time, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against one of the P5 members of the UNSC
- Established under a 1998 treaty called the Rome Statute. Became functional since 2002
- Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands
- Role: investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression
Unlike the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which deals with countries and inter-state disputes, the ICC prosecutes individuals. The ICC is not a component of the UN framework
- Jurisdiction: The offences should be committed either in a country that ratified the agreement or by a national of a ratifying country
The ICC can also practice its jurisdiction over cases referred to it by the UN Security Council (UNSC)
Non-member States can be prosecuted if the alleged crimes were perpetrated by non-members in member states, or if the non-members accept the court’s jurisdiction, or when the UNSC authorises it
- Significance: world’s first permanent international criminal court
- Members: 123 countries. Russia, India, USA and China have abstained from membership
- Methodology: The court has 18 judges, who hold non-renewable 9-year terms
