City of Hamburg to seize abandoned commercial properties to house migrants
Hamburg, a port city in northern Germany, has become the first German city to pass legislation permitting the use of empty commercial buildings as shelter for migrants. The law is the result of the pressure put on authorities to find accommodations for the tens of thousands of migrants pouring into the country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said accommodating migrants is a “humanitarian gesture” extended to those who are fleeing persecution and war. Earlier this year, Germany was the forerunner in welcoming refugees in the European migrant crisis. The country is expected to accept nearly 800,000 refugees by the end of the year.
Israeli couple shot dead in drive-by shooting in West Bank
An Israeli couple was traveling with their four children when they were killed in a drive-by shooting in the disputed territory of West Bank. The children, ages 4 months old to 9 years old, were unharmed, according to the Israeli military. The Israeli foreign ministry said that the two suspects are likely Palestinian; tension remains high as attacks on Palestinians were reported as the investigation was underway. The shooting occurred after the Palestinian flag was raised for the first time in the New York-based United Nations headquarters on Sept. 30.
Australian women can now receive abortion pill over the phone
RU486, the abortion pill that ends pregnancies less than seven weeks or 49 days along, is now available to women in Australia over the phone. The group providing this service, the Tabbot Foundation, seeks to make medical abortions more accessible and more reasonably priced; women will call, and ultrasounds and blood tests will be arranged through healthcare service providers who are pro-choice. The pill will then be delivered to their homes. The Tabbot Foundation has worked with lawyers, doctors and other professionals to maintain the legality of the service and to ensure the well-being of Australia’s women.
Farm worker in Northern India murdered in mob lynching over beef consumption rumors
A mob lynched a 50-year-old man after rumors spread that he and his family had been secretly consuming beef in their home. Mohammed Akhlaq was attacked and beaten by a group of men; his son was also severely injured in the attack and was hospitalized. In India, cattle are considered sacred by the Hindus, so the slaughter of this animal is highly frowned upon. Uttar Pradesh, the state in northern Indian in which the lynching took place, is one of many Indian states that have cracked down on cow slaughter and beef distribution and consumption. Some unknown locals were behind the rumors.
Explosions in southern Chinese city leaves seven dead and 50 injured
According to local police, 17 massive explosions struck the southern Chinese city of Liuzhou, killing at least seven people and injuring 50 others. A local police chief said a hospital, a food market and a bus station were among the affected locations. A state-run media broadcaster said that the explosions were caused by “parcels containing explosives,” according to a police chief. Police said they were pursuing a suspect.
Paris strictly enforcing fine for cigarette butt littering
Smokers in Paris who drop their cigarette butts on the ground will be fined €68, or about $76. As a result of the 2008 ban on smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, the 28 percent of individuals who smoke regularly have resorted to littering as a means of disposing of their used cigarettes. City authorities said that cigarette butts take years to decompose and release heavy metals and other pollutants into the environment, which are harmful to plants and animals and pollute the water supply. The fine increased from €35, or about $39, to €68 on Oct. 1.
Two dead in western Sydney shooting
On Oct. 2, Australian police said that a civilian police employee was shot outside police headquarters as he left at close range by a lone gunman who was later killed by police. The shooting occurred in western Sydney in New South Wales, a southeastern state in Australia. The killer had allegedly targeted the victim prior to the shooting.
