Around The World

GT keeps the newswire ticking by bringing you news from around the globe

Russia
Internet isolation bill turns law
Vladimir Putin passed a ‘sovereign internet’ bill, tightening internet control. The law, effective from November 1, requires the country’s internet providers to isolate the traffic from foreign servers and will also put internet activities under the scrutiny of   government. Russian citizens are in stark disagreement with the decision as it breaches their right to privacy.

New Zealand
Media sets rule for Christchurch trial
Following the gun attacks that devastated two mosques in Christchurch, the New Zealand media has vowed not to spread white supremacist ideologies during the trial of the man charged with the shootings. The five media organisations who have signed the agreement conveyed that they were aware that the culprit Brenton Tarrant might take this opportunity to promote his negative views.

Sri Lanka
Country warned of more attacks

Security officials of the country have issued a warning against suspected Islamist militants disguising themselves in military uniforms, conspiring more attacks. The militants might also use vans and bombers for their plans. Government has been asked to stay vigilant after the Easter Sunday blasts that killed over 300 people.

india
Odisha faces cyclone
Cyclone Fani, one of the biggest storms to come off Indian ocean, has hit eastern parts of India, mainly affecting Odisha. The storms triggered heavy rainfall with high velocity winds of 175kmph. At least 14 districts are feared to be badly affected by the cyclone.

uk
Parliament declares climate emergency

UK becomes the first country to openly declare a ‘Climate emergency’. The decision came after 11 days of protest against the worsening state of the environment. The campaign also demanded the elimination of carbon emission by the year 2025.

Indonesia
Election staff dies of overwork

Over 270 election staff died because of fatigue-related illnesses due to counting of millions of ballot papers by hand on April 17, when the country held the world’s biggest single-day elections. The Health Ministry has circulated a letter approving the best care for the ill election staff and also promised compensation.

USA
Migrant families undergo DNA tests

To prevent illegal entry of migrants, USA has decided to conduct ‘Rapid DNA’ tests. According to the Department of Homeland Securities, DNA tests will determine if the adults and children are related to each other or not. The tests will involve cheek-swab tests to prove the parent-child relationship.