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Indonesian school official criticized for proposing virginity test

August 30 2013 //
In the district of South Sumatra in Indonesia, a school official is getting flak for proposing a virginity test for graduating female high school students. 
 
In a report by Al-Jazeera, Muhammad Rasyid proposed the idea, following a recent arrest of six high school students for alleged prostitution. 
 
The public was outraged. Indonesian officials on Tuesday denounced it, calling it excessive and unethical, and activists have accused Rasyid of promoting sexual violence against women. 
 
Child Protection Commission chairperson Arist Merdeka Sirait is strongly against it too.
 
He says there are other reasons besides sexual activity - such as sports and health problems - for losing one's virginity.
 
In response, Rasyid wrote a statement to the Jakarta Post newspaper on Wednesday, backing away from the idea.
 
He explained the proposal happened after answering a parent's request where a young student was involved in a human trafficking case.
 
This was not the first time school officials tried it. 
 
A similar plan to conduct virginity tests on Sumatra island in 2010, but was soon scrapped due to widespread criticism.
 
The rapidly developing secular island nation of Indonesia has 240 million people, where majority of that population practice a moderate form of Islam. 
 
But some conservatives worry that modernization is eroding morals intertwined with that faith.
 
STORY WRITTEN BY: SATURN DE LOS ANGELES

Air Canada issues pay out for bumped passengers

August 30 2013 //

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Air Canada passengers who get bumped from their flights will now receive up to 800 dollars in compensation depending on the length of the delay.

According to CBC News, the new rules passed by the Canadian Transportation Agency coming into effect on September 18th mean financial compensation for those who get bumped from a flight without volunteering for it.

Delays less than two hours will result in compensation of $200, $400 for anywhere between 2 and 6 hours, and $800 for delays over six hours.

In addition to the new rules, passengers can now request cash for getting bumped instead of travel vouchers. Although, now, one dollar cash will equal three dollars in travel vouchers.

These changes to the rules come after passenger rights advocate and mathematician Gabor Lukacs said that compensating passengers $100 dollars for being bumped was unreasonably low.

According to Lukacs, the changes are an important step to bring Canada in line with the rest of the Western world, since both Europe and the United States have substantial compensation plans.

Flickr Photo by: Noel Jones

STORY WRITTEN BY: CATLIN SPENCER

Integrity law causing backlog of roadwork projects

August 30 2013 //

resurfacing

The law meant to clean up the construction industry from corruption has drawn the ire from residents of different boroughs.
 
The Gazette reports, that thirteen of the city's boroughs have been unable to complete necessary roadwork for 2013, because of Bill 1, which is also known as the integrity law.
 
The borough of Cote-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grace is the hardest hit. 
 
Two major roadwork projects and $4.3 million worth of small repaving projects wont likely be completed this year.
 
The work is being delayed because of the length of the approval process put in place for construction and contractor companies put into place by the provincial financial watchdog.
 
Montreal city councillor, Marvin Rotrand, is asking interim mayor Laurent Blanchard to convince the Quebec government to be a little more lenient on the law so the back logged work can be completed.
 
Municipalities haven't been able to repair fix rotting pipelines and cracked roads because of the background of the companies applying for the jobs.
 
Flickr Photo by: Ambernectar

AUTOBEAT presents Breaks Unlimited!

August 29 2013 //

On Thursday, August 29th, we are happy to present a special extended edition of Autobeat on CJLO - 1690AM. Two hours of breakbeats brought to you by four excellent Montreal djs.

Also, tune in for a chance to win tickets to DIRTYPHONICS on August 31st! Click here for more information.

JAMS (DnBGirlsOfCanada-Mtl)
http://soundcloud.com/jams-1


STRANGE FUTURE (Sub:Stance-Mtl)
http://soundcloud.com/strangefuture


CONSTRUCT (highonbeats.com-Mtl)
http://soundcloud.com/highonbeats_com


WALLY (highonbeats.com/RISK-Mtl)
https://soundcloud.com/wally


Tune in 1690 AM or CJLO.com, 10pm-12am on Thursday, August 29th!

Negotiations with striking agricultural workers in Colombia to begin

August 28 2013 //

Waiting

Protests against the Columbian governments agricultural policies reach their ninth day as the strike for agricultural workers continue.

After days of violent protests, President Juan Manuel Santos has agreed to enter negotiations with agricultural workers.

Protesters are concerned that the government’s agricultural trade agreements with  the USA and the EU will benefit big farms and multinationals, effectively wiping away small-scale farmers with costs.

The agreement is not without limitations. Currently eleven major roads are blocked by the protesters. According to BBC News, the government said they would begin negotiations once the road blocks are removed.

The Columbian president has said his ministers will focus on means to reduce new pressures on small-scale farmers, such as  loans to keep up with the rising prices of farming costs.

Fifteen thousand people march in Tunja Tuesday to support these farmers. A smaller protest in solidarity was also held in Montreal on Tuesday.

Flickr Photo by: adrimcm

STORY WRITTEN BY: HANNAH BESSEAU

New Whitehorse women's shelter to provide support and lodging for victims of abuse

August 28 2013 //

A transitional home for women and children fleeing domestic abuse has opened in Whitehorse.

The shelter is named Betty's Haven. It is named after Gwich'in Elder Betty Sjodin. Sjodin has worked as a women's advocate for over 30 years.

Women staying at the shelter will have access to legal aid, community and health services, and affordable housing for up to eighteen months.

Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski said the government is aware of the issues faced by women in Yukon and that they understand the "importance of making sure that women and children in crisis…have the support that they need".

The Yukon government will be giving $4.5 million to the project.

Betty's Haven will be open in a few weeks.

STORY WRITTEN BY: KRISTOBAL M. EUGENIO

CJLO News - August 28 2013

August 28 2013 //

Hosted by: Saturn De Los Angeles

Stories by:Carlo Spiridigliozzi, Kristobal Eugenio & Hannah Besseau

Produced by: Catlin Spencer

Councilors oppose borough budget freezes

August 27 2013 //

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Montreal city councilors have voiced their disapproval with the possibility of a budget freeze for Montreal Island’s boroughs.

CBC News reports, that former interim mayor Michael Applebaum made the announcement before he stepped down amid corruption allegations in June.

Current interim mayor, Laurent Blanchard said the freeze is necessary for the central city to avoid a massive shortfall.

The next administration will be faced with a $200 million shortfall if the freeze is not enacted.

Projet Montreal leader Richard Bergeron and Plateau mayor Luc Ferrandez are planning to file a motion against the freezes.

City council met for the last time on Tuesday before the November 3rd municipal general election.

The new administration will be tasked with tabling a new budget sometime between November 4th and January 31st.

Flickr Photo by: Emmanuel Huybrechts

The Reaktor Bids Farewell

August 26 2013 //

After five years of radio at the little station that does, The Reaktor bids our listeners a fond farewell. Tune in to CJLO 1690 AM this Friday at 2 PM EST for The Reaktor's final show! Expect two hours featuring Schachter the Reaktor's best interviews, bloopers, phoners, crazy segments, and that time Sebastian Hands and the Reaktor remixed William Shatner and MSTRKFT. Expect to laugh and maybe even tear up. This is the end of an era folks, so please join us in saying "bon voyage!" to Abby as she reminisces about her favourite things in this bloody, crazy world: COLLEGE RADIO!

CJLO News - August 26 2013

August 26 2013 //

Produced by Erica Bridgeman

Hosted by Carlo Spiridigliozzi

Stories written by Saturn De Los Angeles, Catlin Spencer, Natasha Taggart

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