Weekly Trends: News that made headlines this week

Viral outbreak

A viral outbreak at a school in Dubailed to two dozen students suddenly falling ill with nausea, vomiting and bodyache, with the school shut down for two days.

[Facebook] Neha Mayor: Very true. My son was vomiting with no reason. And after few days my daughter had the same issue. Had to go to the hospital.
 

Weather

Rains in April became a popular social media topic, with people sharing pictures and videos of thunder and lightning.

[Instagram] @storm_ae: UAE: Lightning and thunder in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
 

Equality in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a detailed poverty eradication policy document on Twitter, which quickly went viral.

[Twitter] @ImranKhanPTI: I am pleased to release my policy statement on #Ehsaas, my priority poverty reduction programme with its 4 focus areas and 115 policy actions to reduce inequality, invest in people, and uplift lagging districts.

Indian elections

As the biggest democratic elections in the world kicked off, the trends on social media revolved around the parties and candidates, with users vehemently supporting their candidates or speaking out on issues they felt strongly about.

[Twitter] @AditiGargIAS: “One set of participants in #Elections who unfortunately, have been largely ignored, both by popular media & social media, have been the independent candidates. They are dynamic, driven and diverse. It was the duty of #media to tell their stories, bring them to life. #IndiaVotes”
 

Modi film ban

India’s Election Commission decided that a film titled Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in violation of the commission’s model code of conduct, leading to a massive debate online.

[Twitter] @Satish_r: Election Commission stalls release of Vivek Oberoi’s Modi biopic, claims threat to ‘level playing field’ and ‘free and fair elections’
 

— Huda Tabrez, Community Web Editor