Manila, Philippines
Nine sugar cane farmers were killed while occupying part of a plantation in the central Philippines after armed men opened fire on them Saturday, Oct. 20. Those killed were part of a farmers’ union who began occupying the area over the weekend as part of a campaign to begin cultivating land covered by a government agrarian overhaul. Many are calling for the Commission on Human Rights to conduct a thorough investigation on what they are calling a “massacre.” Original story by Jason Gutierrez. Oct. 21, 2018. The New York Times.
Britain, United Kingdom
On Friday, Oct. 19, 20 men in Britain were found guilty of trafficking and sexually abusing several young girls after a judge lifted reporting restrictions in a series of sexual abuse trials. The men were found guilty in a series of trials this year of more than 120 sex crimes against 15 girls in northern England between 2004 and 2011. Sixteen men were sentenced to prison terms of five to 18 years. Original story by Reuters. Oct. 19, 2018. The New York Times.
Mexico City, Mexico
Scientists stumbled upon a rare sighting of the endangered Vaquita, an elusive type of porpoise. It has been nearly two years since scientists last counted the number of Vaquitas in the wild, and they estimated that only 30 remained in the Gulf of California, which is their only habitat. Scientists spotted multiple calves, giving them hope that their population would continue to grow in the wild. Original story by Elisabeth Malkin. Oct. 17, 2017. The New York Times.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Fifteen civilians were killed by Congolese rebels and at least a dozen children were abducted in an attack at the center of the most recent deadly Ebola outbreak. The efforts to contain the virus were compromised by the violence. The Ebola outbreak in the Congo was declared on Aug. 1 and the World Health Organization said there have been 118 confirmed Ebola deaths so far in the country’s 10th outbreak since 1976.
Original story by Associated Press. Oct. 21, 2018. The New York Times.