News Room
France’s parliament votes to repeal slavery-era Black-Code
Photo credit: Globe Boston For nearly two centuries after France abolished slavery, the colonial-era law that classified humans as property has remained quietly on its books. On Thursday, the lower house of Parliament voted to wipe it from French law. The Associated Press reports that the National Assembly voted 254-0 – a rare show of unanimity…
As World Cup nears, intelligence agency warns of increased human trafficking risk
Photo credit: The Hamilton Spectator As Canada prepares to host the World Cup soccer, the federal financial intelligence agency is warning that major sporting events can heighten the risk of vulnerable people being exploited by human traffickers. Toronto Today reports that a new bulletin from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada advises businesses to look out…
The great migration: Singapore giants are moving to Johor
Photo credit: Malay Mail In Senai’s sprawling industrial belt, Gardenia Malaysia’s massive bakery sits alongside warehouses operated by tech giant \seagate and e-commerce heavyweight Shopee. Malaymail reports that the facility, located 45 km from the Tuas Second Link, is run by |singapore-listed QAF \group, owner of the Gardenia brand. Last week, the bread maker announced it…
Asylum seekers deported by US detained in Equatorial Guinea hotel
Photo credit: AP News At first glance, the Balmy Hotel looks like any other on the tropical Island off the Central African coast, with its palm tree-lined driveway, marble-floored foyer and portrait of the oil-rich country’s president hanging beyond a mahogany reception desk. The Associated Press reports that the hotel is not a refuge for adventure-seeking…
Diaspora group sues Zimbabwe and South Africa over migration
Photo credit: the Zimbabwean A South Africa-based non-profit organization led by a Zimbabwean citizen has launched a legal challenge in a Pretoria court seeking to hold both the Zimbabwean and South African governments accountable for alleged constitutional violations, human rights abuses and the migration crisis affecting the region. The main applicant, the African Diaspora Global Network, an…
May 27?
In the not-too-far-away days of childhood, I used to treasure May 27. The day was children’s day! I used the past tense deliberately. Then, we were as innocent as lambs. Although we had heard of gbomogbomo (kidnappers), none of us had ever experienced being ferried away in broad daylight. Little did we know that n ot only gbomogbomo but gbagbagbagba (“adultnappers”) would soon…
US plans to halt immigration and customs processing at major airports in “sanctuary cities”
Photo credit: Reuters US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the Trump administration is drawing up plans to stop processing international travellers and cargo at major US airports in “sanctuary cities” that have declined to cooperate with an immigration crackdown. The Telegraph online reports that the move could effectively halt international air travel and commerce at major…