February, 2019
A Locked Door, a Fire and 41 Girls Killed as Police Stood By
February 18, 2019 · By Azam Ahmed for www.nytimes.com
GUATEMALA CITY — As fire swept through the classroom, the pleas from the 56 girls locked inside began to fade. Most were unconscious or worse by then, as an eerie silence replaced their panic-stricken shouts. The police officers guarding the door — who had refused to unlock it despite the screams — waited nine minutes […]
Read More...The End of the Earth as We Know It
February 15, 2019 ·
The End of the Earth as We Know It Fr. Shay Cullen 14 February 2019 Human society, of which we are all a part, is facing an environmental catastrophe unprecedented in history. The planet is in dire condition and ecosystems that keep all species of plant, animal and insects in harmonious co-existence ensuring […]
Read More...Whales Are Facing a Crisis Created By Humans. Can We Help Save Them?
February 14, 2019 · By Mobox Marine for moboxmarine.com
Arguably as one of Earth’s most fascinating animals, whales have long held a place of awe and reverence in our psyche. They’ve featured in countless works of fiction and fantasy. From 1851s Moby Dick (a sperm whale) to 1986s Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (two humpback whales), and even one of the most popular […]
Read More...Duterte’s former police chief asks for forgiveness
February 14, 2019 · By Joe Torres, Manila for www.ucanews.com
The former national police chief who kick-started the Philippine government’s bloody war on drugs has asked for forgiveness from a Catholic archbishop over the thousands of deaths that occurred during his watch. Human rights groups claim more than 20,000 suspected drug users and dealers have been killed in President Rodrigo Duterte’s two-and-a-half year drug war. The […]
Read More...How sex traffickers use black magic to force migrants into prostitution
February 13, 2019 · By BBC News for www.bbc.com
During the height of the migrant crisis in 2016, over 11,000 Nigerian women made the journey to Italy in the hope of making a better life. It’s estimated that 80% were trafficked and forced into prostitution. Before they left home many were made to undergo a juju, or black magic, ceremony in which they swore […]
Read More...French media execs accused of cyber-bullying feminists
February 13, 2019 · By CNR, Citi News Room for citinewsroom.com
Several French media executives have been suspended or fired for allegedly co-ordinating online harassment through a private Facebook group. The largely-male League du LOL (League of LOL) targeted women writers and feminist activists among others. Dozens of people have shared their experience of cyber-bullying by the group since it was uncovered by the French left-wing […]
Read More...Sweden-based group fends off cyber-attack vs Bulatlat
February 13, 2019 · By Kimberlie Quitasol - Correspondent for technology.inquirer.net
BAGUIO CITY — A Sweden-based group of digital forensic investigation experts has prevented an online attack against Bulatlat, the editors of the alternative online news site said on Tuesday. Ronalyn Olea, the managing editor of Bulatlat, said the cyber-attacks started on Jan.19 until Jan. 31 and then resumed around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. She said […]
Read More...Philippine lawmakers’ U-turn on death penalty for party drugs
February 12, 2019 · By Joe Torres, Manila for www.ucanews.com
Bill revising narcotics law is recalled so provisions that could reimpose capital punishment can be removed Philippine legislators have decided to drop provisions in a bill that could reimpose the death penalty for people found possessing illegal drugs at parties and social gatherings. In a dramatic U-turn, members of the Lower House of Congress recalled the proposed measure, […]
Read More...Upcoming UNCRC doc stands against lowering of MACR
February 12, 2019 · By CHANGE.org for www.change.org
FEB 7, 2019 — An upcoming document from the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) supports the growing call from various sectors and groups in the Philippines against the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR). The UNCRC draft General Comment No. 24 (GC 24) sets to replace General […]
Read More...World cannot ignore modern-day slavery, says pope
February 12, 2019 · By Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service for www.ucanews.com
Pope releases video message calling for prayers and action by welcoming victims of human trafficking, forced prostitution To be indifferent to or ignore human trafficking and modern-day slavery would be to become an accomplice to those crimes, Pope Francis said. “Although we try to ignore it, slavery is not something from other times,” he said […]
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