Global Updates

In August 2010, global news reports indicate that a Briton taxi driver Gul Wazir and his wife Niaz Begum were brutally killed in Pakistan. The Wazirs, who resided in Birmingham, were killed for aborting the marriage of their daughters.

 Public interest litigation is an integral part of Indian law and its legal system. In August 2010, the Central Government informed the Madras High Court that it has decided to introduce new rules to form a regulatory authority to streamline the operations of law firms in India.  

Mr. M. Ravindran, additional solicitor-general and a senior advocate from South India, made this submission, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The PIL demanded the restriction of foreign law firms from functioning in India. This PIL was filed by Advocate A.K Balaji.

 India news reports on Common wealth games continue to appall and shock the nation. People are talking about it everywhere with sarcasm than pride. Media reports from the UK indicate that the British Queen is angry over these allegations of corruption involving a London-based company and the baton relay of the Common Wealth Games, which is going to be held in October 2010, in Delhi. Apparently, it is reported that the Queen is furious about these allegations, which she views as a disgrace of the royal baton.

 Global news reports from Ireland indicate that there is considerable public rage in Ireland. On August 12, 2010, Irish news reports indicate that the early release of a rape convict, Larry Murphy, triggered public fury. Murphy, 45 years, has been released from Dublin’s Arbour Hill prison after serving 10½ years out of a 15 year prison term. Murphy’s case has drawn a lot of media and public attention. He was charged with rape and attempt to murder of a Carlow woman, in February 2000.

As per India legal news reports, in August 2010, the region of Leh has been badly hit by a flash flood. The natural calamity has left the region in shambles and shocking trails of death and destruction. The flash flood, triggered by unexpected heavy rains, in the Shyok river of Ladakh region, destroyed several houses and deposited mud up to 15 feet high on highways. It also uprooted telephone towers leading to blockage of all communication networks.

The Elders is a committee of retired global leaders. In August 2010, the Elders expressed grave concerns about the failure of the Sri Lankan Government to address the increasing number of incidents pertaining to human rights violations.  Headed by Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Elders was founded by Nelson Mandela. Its famous members include Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and several retired officials of United Nations who feel strongly about world affairs and want to voice their perspectives so as to trigger a cause of positive, planned action.

As per global news reports, the Gulf states expressed concern about the encryption technology that is used in Blackberry devices. The technology used in mobile devices makes it difficult to monitor them.

The United Arab Emirates has banned cell phone users from availing the email, instant-messaging and web-browsing services, on their Blackberry mobile devices. This decision was taken in response to a long-running battle, over security issues, with the maker of Blackberry devices, the Research in Motion (RIM).

Teachers and child activists have raised an alarm over an increase in the number of child abuse cases in Australia. They expressed concern about incidents relating to children forcing other children into sexual acts. Children as young as three are becoming victims of this form of child abuse.

Migrants have played a key role in Australia’s growing population. At the end of World War II, Australia's population was about seven million, 10% of whom were immigrants. According to the country’s census report of 2006, the population is nearly 20 million, 25% of whom are migrants.

The most talked about star of the FIFA World Cup 2010, Psychic Paul, has received Spanish citizenship. The octopus had become a household name throughout FIFA 2010 for his accurate predictions. Octopus Paul had gained a huge fan following in Spain, after predicting Spain’s victory in the semi-finals and finals of the FIFA World cup, 2010.

Psychic Paul was awarded the honorary citizenship, personally by Carlos Montes, the mayor of Spain's town Caballero. Montes presented him a silver plaque and a statue of its best known cephalopod. Further, octopus Paul has also received an invitation to Carballino’s annual octopus festival. However, it is said that octopus Paul is not likely to leave his home town.