Italian women protest against abusive photo-sharing websites
ROME, Aug 28: Italian women are fighting against websites displaying their photos without their consent, often with obscene language.
The movement gained national prominence after activists denounced a Facebook page called “Mia Moglie” (My Wife), where men posted unauthorised photos of their spouses. A new site has emerged that exposes prominent women, including Premier Giorgia Meloni and other female politicians, to obscene and explicit comments.
The site, which takes its name from slang for female genitalia, has been around for at least two decades and gained national attention after a left-wing member of the European Parliament, Alessandra Moretti, lodged a complaint with police after finding her photo displayed without her permission.
The forum currently counts 200,000 users and displays pictures identified by names or certain themes. Italy has been struggling to prevent and address gender-based violence, with femicides emerging as a systemic problem deeply rooted in patriarchal culture. (AP)
Singapore to hike penalties for vaping, etomidate from Sept 1
SINGAPORE, Aug 28: Starting September 1, Singapore will enforce stricter penalties on vape users and suppliers of the sedative etomidate, particularly targeting rising youth vaping and illegal drug distribution.
Foreigners caught vaping may face deportation, revocation of passes, and bans from re-entry. While first-time offenders, including students and long-term pass holders, may receive leniency and be directed to rehabilitation programmes, repeat offenders face prosecution and fines up to SGD 2,000. Failure to complete rehab will result in legal action.
Schools will be issued nicotine test kits to curb increasing student vaping, with over 3,100 school students and 800 tertiary-level students caught annually from 2022 to 2024. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs emphasized the distinction between users and traffickers, reflecting Singapore’s broader drug policy.
Etomidate suppliers will face severe punishments including mandatory jail, fines, and caning. Minister Shanmugam condemned traffickers for profiting from others’ suffering, reinforcing the government’s zero-tolerance stance. (PTI)