THE WORLD THIS WEEK
Summary of this week
Mass Shooting at Oslo Gay Pub Kills 2 Wounds 21: NORWAY
A bone-chilling incident took place on June 25 as gunman opens fire at a popular gay bar and surrounding streets in Oslo. Two killed and 21 were injured in the horrific turn of events which led to the cancellation of annual Pride parade that day.
The attack took place in and near the London Pub, the Herr Nilsen jazz club and another pub in the early hours of the Norwegian capital. PM Jonas Gahr Støre told the BBC that the suspect was questioned in May but not being alleged as a threat that time.
The 42-year-old gunman identified as a Norwegian citizen of Iranian Origin has been arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder. The police suspect the act to be Islamic terrorism. They have retrieved two weapons at the crime scene- one being a fully automatic gun.
Following the aftermath of overnight shootings in the city, thousands paid tribute to the victims at the crime scene.
Constitutional Right to Abortion Comes to an End in the US: Roe v Wade
On June 24, Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in a 5-4 decision depriving millions of women of their constitutional right to abortion. Roughly half of the US states are set to introduce new laws to severely ban and criminalize abortions.
The Supreme Court said, “The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives”.
Roe v Wade that established the constitutional right to abortion in the US in 1973 had been in place nearly 50 years. Casey was the other overruled case of 1992 which favored Abortion Right.
Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion was leaked about a month ago in early May pointing towards the historic step. As a result, demonstrations sparkled all over the country and the court’s security was tightened.
Jackson becomes First Female Black Woman on the Nation’s Highest Court
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| Kentanji Brown Jackson [Photo Courtesy : Reuters] |
Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, has been sworn in as the first African-American Woman Judge of the US Supreme Court. She took the judicial oath on June 30th replacing Justice Stephen Breyer. She is officially the nation’s 116th justice and sixth woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.
Justice Stephen Breyer, 83, had served in the Supreme Court since 1994and stepped down with the conclusion of his term. Justice Jackson took both constitutional oath and judicial oath. The former was administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the latter being administered by Justice Breyer at the Supreme Court.
In late February, US President Joe Biden had already announced the nomination of Jackson. Her confirmation comes from the Senate three months ago, picking up three GOP votes and all Democrats. Also, her appointment comes right after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.
1000 Killed, 1500 injured in the deadliest Afghan Earthquake
On June 22, a powerful earthquake hit Afghanistan near its border with Pakistan wrecking over 10,000 houses, leaving at least 1000 dead and 1500 injured.
The 6.1 magnitude temblor had caused heavy damage to buildings in Khost and Paktita province of Afghanistan. Pakistan’s remote tribal areas has also undergone severe damage. The tremors of the quake were also felt in India. Heavy rainfall too played an important role in the destruction of life and property.
Sam Mort from UNICEF's Kabul unit told the BBC that the Taliban officials has appealed the UN to support them in terms of assessing the needs and responding to those affected.
Afghanistan has become a victim of Taliban’s barbaric rule last year in 2021 and now it continues to face the wrath of the worst earthquake since 1998. The already devastated Afghanistan was hit again with another earthquake on June 24 killing 5 and injuring 11 people.
Russian Missile hits Ukraine’s busy Shopping Mall with over 1000 people
On June 27, a crowded shopping mall in Kremenchuk city of Ukraine was severely hit with two Russian Missiles. According to Ukraine’s Emergency services, over 16 people died and about 60 injured in the Missile strike.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that at the time of the attack, more than 1,000 people were in the mall. Many shopkeepers and staff managed to escape the giant plumes of black smoke, dust and orange flames which emanated from the wreckage. The emergency crews rushed in to search broken metal and concrete for victims and put out fires. And the onlookers watched the site in distress.
The images from the missile hit scene shows the site being totally ablaze. The world leaders condemn this act of Russia and the UN describes it as ‘deplorable’.
Author:
Sheetal Prasad
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