🌏 Serbia's President Vows To "Disarm" The Country After Two Mass Shootings, Germany Proposes Gender Self ID Bill And More
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Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, has vowed to “disarm” the country after two mass shootings that occurred in less than two days.
The announcement comes after a man opened fire from a moving car on Thursday evening and the early hours of Friday, killing eight people and injuring 14.
Authorities have since apprehended him.
Barely 48 hours prior, a 13-year-old boy had opened fire at his school in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, killing eight of his classmates and a security guard.
The consecutive mass shootings have left a total of 19 people dead and 21 injured, according to AP.
“This is terrible for our country, this is a huge defeat. In two days, so many… killed,” a Serbian resident told Reuters.
Following the tragic events, Vučić proposed a “practical disarmament” that would prohibit the country from issuing firearm permits.
He has promised to implement stricter gun controls including frequent psychological background checks and has tasked the interior ministry to draft a new gun ownership law.
The new measures are expected to reduce almost 90% of gun ownership in the country.
The government hopes to issue an amnesty for people who own firearms illegally, allowing them to hand in guns and ammunition without repercussion.
Serbia has one of the highest gun ownership rates in Europe.
Also Happening Around The World
🇨🇦 Hot and dry weather conditions have fueled more than 100 wildfires in the western Canadian province of Alberta, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
🇨🇩 More than 400 people are dead and thousands more missing after catastrophic flooding in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Meet Salama Miruho Djasmine, the first woman coach to train a men's soccer team in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As head coach at Daring Club Virunga, one of the top teams in North Kivu province, she is breaking barriers and inspiring young women everywhere.
Soccer runs in Djasmine's family, with her father as a referee and her five brothers as players.
She was once a player herself but decided to pursue her passion for coaching and become a professional coach.
Her hard work and dedication led her to DC Virunga, where she started as an intern and was promoted to head coach right away.
She is now helping her team to prepare for the National Football League's upcoming games.
“With the work I have done with my players, I feel confident… We are ready”, Djasmine said.
The German government has presented a draft bill that will make it easier for people to legally change their gender on Tuesday May 9.
If passed, the “Self-Determination Act” will allow people to choose their legal gender through a simple declaration at the registry offices.
Under the draft bill, children below the age 14 will need their legal guardian to submit the declaration, while those above the age 14 will need their written approval.
The proposed legislation aims to replace the 1981 transsexual law, which requires two expert reports and court approval.
The current process is said to be time consuming and costly. At the moment, court procedures and assessments can cost up to €1,868 (approximately US$2,160) and the process can take up to a year and a half, according to Human Rights Watch.
In the past year, Spain and Finland have passed more accessible gender recognition laws.
More Good News For Your Week
🇦🇺 An Australian woman survived five days trapped in the wild on a bottle of wine and it’s peak Australia.
🇮🇹 Italian archaeologists have hired a flock of hungry sheep to help preserve the ruins of Pompeii.
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