The Roar keeps you updated with local news, recent events and interesting stories ― everything you need to know for this week.
1. President Obama recently declared a state of emergency for the city of Flint, Michigan. The residents of the town have finally gained national attention after complaining about tap water conditions for nearly two years, during which child rates of lead poisoning, which can cause irreversible effects such as brain damage, have doubled. The pungent water has also been reported to cause skin rashes, hair loss, and seizures. Michigan governor James Snyder has since apologized and promised to fix the situation; meanwhile, the US Attorney’s office and the EPA have launched federal investigations.
2. This week, India rolled out a series of reforms to modernize its prison system. Currently, over 400,000 people are incarcerated in Indian jails, over half of whom are still awaiting trials. New changes include letting death row convicts see their families and the establishment of legal aid centers for poorer prisoners.
3. Singer-songwriter Don McLean, best known for his 1971 hit American Pie, was arrested on Monday on charges of domestic violence.
4. On Tuesday, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin attended a Donald Trump rally to endorse the presidential hopeful. “He is from the private sector,” Palin said. “Not a politician, can I get a hallelujah?” Trump is currently neck and neck with Texas senator Ted Cruz in voting polls.
5. The planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter aligned for the first time in more than a decade on Wednesday morning. The display will be visible to the naked eye every morning until late next month.
6. Last Thursday, satellite images were obtained showing the destruction of Iraq’s oldest Christian monastery. The responsible party, the jihadist group that brands itself the Islamic State, has continued to demolish monasteries and churches throughout the Middle East.
7. Britain’s beloved Doctor Who announced Friday that head writer Steven Moffat would be stepping down from his position. Moffat will be replaced by Broadchurch writer Chris Chibnall. Fans of the longest running science fiction show took to social media to express their mixed feelings; season ten will be delayed at least a year.
8. On Friday, four people were killed and several were critically injured in a school shooting in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It was said to be the country’s worst school shooting since 1989.
9. Over the weekend, the east coast of the US was hit by record-breaking heavy snow. Tens of thousands of homes have lost power, and states of emergencies have been declared in 10 states. All non-essential travel has been discouraged.
10. The Haitian election scheduled for yesterday was canceled in advance for security reasons, marking the third time it has been delayed. The United States has urged this election forward despite violent protests in hopes that the country could become more politically stable. The announcement was celebrated by opposition activists, who fear that such a vote would be rigged by the current government.
