India’s southern state of Kerala is currently facing an outbreak of the rare, but potentially serious Nipah virus with at least two deaths so far. Health officials have closed schools and offices in Kerala and hundreds of residents are being tested.
-
Tajikistan: Decree bans funerals for alleged “terrorists”, denies relatives bodies
On 28 April, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon signed into law a Decree imposing the Procedure for burying the bodies of terrorists neutralised in the course of a counterterrorism operation. In the regime’s parlour, this means the bodies of those killed and/or assassinated. The new procedure denies the families of those killed in what the regime calls anti-terrorism operations the possibility of burying the dead in a place they want, knowing where the dead are buried, investigating how the death occurred, and burying the dead with the religious or other rites the dead or the family would have chosen.
-
At least 3 dead in New Zealand storm
New Zealand was attempting to come to grips with the extent of destruction from Cyclone Gabrielle, as the severe weather system moves away from the country, leaving behind high flood waters, widespread damage, more than 10,000 displaced and at least three dead.
-
Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft crashes into Moon
Russia’s unmanned Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the Moon after spinning out of control. It was Russia’s first Moon mission in almost 50 years. The craft was due to be the first ever to land on the Moon’s south pole, but failed after encountering problems as it moved into its pre-landing orbit.
