The category four storm that has ravaged Caribbean states is now moving towards Florida and has prompted large-scale evacuations.
People are battening down in homes along the eastern seaboard and many in flood-prone areas are being evacuated.
Matthew has killed at least 280 people in Haiti and many others in surrounding Caribbean countries.
“This storm will kill you,” Florida’s Governor Rick Scott warned the 1.5 million Floridians who live in the likely path of the storm. Mr Scott has appointed 3,500 emergency service personnel to help evacuate people and conduct search-and-rescue work when the storm has passed.
Pakistan entrenches penalties for honor killings
Perpetrators of “honour killings” in Pakistan will now receive life imprisonment after the parliament unanimously passed new rules to outlaw the practice.
The legislation introduces a 25-year prison sentence for the killers, finally introducing an appropriate penalty for a crime that takes the lives of about 500 Pakistani women every year. The killers are usually family members “punishing” women for actions they perceive as culturally dishonourable. Until now, the murderers could avoid a jail term if forgiven by a victim’s family – very often related to the killer as well. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif authorised police and courts to enforce the new law.
“We will make sure to fully enforce this legislation across the country,” he said.
Six Christians killed in Kenya by al-Shabab
Six Christians have been killed by the militant Islamist group al-Shabab as they try to force Christians out of north-eastern Kenya. The attack in Mandera, a predominately Muslim city, happened in the middle of the night police have said. An al-Shabab radio station said the attack went to plan and targeted Christians. The militant group has been targeting “unbelievers” for several years, including an attack in which 38 people non-Muslims workers were murdered after being separated from their Muslim colleagues at a quarry in December 2014.
Poland rejects abortion near-total ban
The Polish parliament has voted 352 to 58 to reject a near total-ban on abortion. The proposal would have banned all abortions unless a mother’s life were at risk. Even the Catholic Church withdrew its support for the measure, promoted by a conservative citizens’ group, when it was revealed the measure would lead to women being jailed if they had an abortion. More than 100,000 people protested against the bill across Poland on Monday. – Compiled from web sources by Sinead Fogarty, Alicia Camilleri and Samantha Besgrove
Satellite image showing Hurricane Matthew bearing down on Florida from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.
About the author
Aspiring journalist studying at Macleay College with a passion for travel and global issues.
