The Miss Universe organization is embroiled in a heated controversy following remarks by its president, Raul Rocha, regarding Cote d’Ivoire’s Olivia Yacé. Rocha suggested that Yacé’s ‘weak passport’ hindered her chances of winning the crown, sparking widespread accusations of racism and discrimination within the pageant community. Yacé, who finished as fourth runner-up to Mexico’s Fatima Bosch at the 74th Miss Universe in Thailand on November 21st, later renounced her continental title of Miss Universe Africa and Oceania in a social media statement. In a live video, Rocha claimed that Yacé’s passport posed logistical challenges for the organization, citing visa requirements for 175 countries. Yacé has yet to respond to these comments. Meanwhile, Miss Guadeloupe Ophely Mezino condemned Rocha’s remarks, defending Yacé and revealing that she holds an American passport. Mezino questioned whether Afro-Caribbean contestants ever had a fair chance, accusing the organization of exploiting small territories and shattering the hopes of millions. Other contestants, including Miss Universe Portugal Camila Vitorino, have also criticized the organization for its treatment of married women and mothers, highlighting a moment when contestants were told the reigning queen’s commitment was solely to the community, not personal relationships.
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16 Days of Activism: CARICOM Secretary-General calls for end to digital abuse against women and girls
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has joined the global initiative to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, running from November 25 to December 10. Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett emphasized the pressing need to address both traditional and emerging forms of violence against women and girls, particularly in the digital realm. In her campaign message, Dr. Barnett highlighted the escalating threat of digital abuse, including online harassment, deepfake attacks, and technology-facilitated violence, which are undermining women’s rights and safety in virtual spaces. She reaffirmed CARICOM’s dedication to fostering safe and inclusive societies where women and girls can thrive. The campaign aligns with four key observances: International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25), Human Rights Defenders’ Day (November 29), World AIDS Day (December 1), and Human Rights Day (December 10). Dr. Barnett stressed that violence continues to deprive women and girls of their fundamental human rights, perpetuated by harmful gender norms, stigma, and impunity. This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls,” sheds light on the alarming rise of online abuse. UN Women reports that 1.8 billion women and girls globally lack legal protection from technology-facilitated violence, with fewer than 40% of countries having relevant legislation. Dr. Barnett warned that artificial intelligence and online anonymity have exacerbated the spread of abuse, making it more targeted and harder to detect. Deepfake pornography, in particular, disproportionately impacts women. She also pointed to the rise of the “manosphere”—online communities promoting toxic masculinity and misogyny—as a growing threat to gender equality, with real-world consequences for culture, careers, and safety. To combat these challenges, Dr. Barnett called for multifaceted strategies, including legislative reform, greater representation of women in digital spaces, swift removal of harmful content, public education on gender equality, and youth-focused digital literacy programs. Prevalence surveys conducted in five CARICOM Member States between 2017 and 2019 revealed that up to one in two women aged 15–64 had experienced violence, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive national responses. CARICOM Member States are advancing measures to address violence against women and girls by strengthening legal frameworks, promoting gender equality, and enhancing survivor support systems. The CARICOM Secretariat supports these efforts through training for frontline professionals, including police, healthcare workers, and social service providers. Dr. Barnett concluded by honoring the courage of survivors, amplifying their voices, and reaffirming CARICOM’s commitment to justice and equality. She emphasized that ending violence against women is not only a moral and human rights imperative but also a prerequisite for sustainable development and prosperity. With over half of the region’s 16 million citizens being women and girls, CARICOM reiterated its collective responsibility to create safe, inclusive, and equitable societies where every woman and girl can live free from fear and violence.
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Pierre defends students’ Nomination Day cheers amid public debate
A recent incident involving schoolchildren chanting for political candidates has ignited a heated national debate about the appropriateness of minors engaging in partisan politics. Last Friday, videos surfaced on social media showing students from Ave Maria Girls School enthusiastically chanting ‘SLP! SLP!’ as Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) candidate Richard Frederick and his entourage passed by on their way to a nomination center. The footage has drawn mixed reactions, with some condemning the act as inappropriate, while others defend it as a form of civic education. Critics, including radio host Timothy Poleon, argue that involving children in partisan activities sets a dangerous precedent. ‘It ought not to be partisan,’ Poleon emphasized, questioning whether parents were consulted. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre dismissed the criticism, framing the outcry as politically motivated. He defended the children’s right to express their political preferences, linking their support for SLP to his administration’s education policies, such as covering CXC subject fees and providing material allowances for teachers. The National Principals Association and the Ministry of Education have yet to comment on the matter, leaving the debate unresolved.
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Belize Argues at ICJ on Guatemala’s Intervention in Sapodilla Cayes Dispute
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) convened on November 25, 2025, to hear oral arguments from Belize and Honduras regarding Guatemala’s request to intervene in the ongoing sovereignty dispute over the Sapodilla Cayes, known as Cayos Zapotillos in Honduras. The hearing, presided over by Judge Iwasawa at the Peace Palace, marks a critical juncture in a conflict that began in 2022 over a cluster of islands in the southern Gulf of Honduras. Guatemala’s application to intervene, filed in December 2023, cites Article 62 of the ICJ Statute, which permits third-party involvement if a state’s legal interests may be impacted by the Court’s decision.
Belize, represented by Special Envoy Assad Shoman, expressed no objection to Guatemala’s intervention, provided it aids the Court in reaching an efficient resolution. Shoman emphasized Belize’s commitment to resolving territorial claims from both Guatemala and Honduras and urged the ICJ to coordinate hearings in the related cases of Guatemala v. Belize and Belize v. Honduras to avoid redundancy. Counsel Ben Juratowitch highlighted the distinct nature of the two cases, noting Belize’s sovereignty claims based on historical conduct since Honduras’ independence. He also contested Honduras’ recent assertion of traditional fishing rights, arguing it falls outside the Court’s jurisdiction under the Pact of Bogotá.
Honduras, however, vehemently opposed Guatemala’s intervention. Agent Patricia Licona argued that the request is unprecedented and undermines judicial principles. Professors Alejandro del Valle Gálvez and Francisco Pascual Vives criticized Guatemala’s application as a misuse of the intervention mechanism, warning it could introduce unrelated claims into the case. Professor Carlos Jiménez Piernas further asserted that Guatemala lacks a specific legal interest in the dispute.
The ICJ will reconvene to hear Guatemala’s second round of arguments, with a decision on the intervention request pending.
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90-Year-Old Woman Dies in House Fire in San Antonio Village
A devastating house fire in San Antonio Village, Toledo, resulted in the tragic death of 90-year-old Lucia Sho on the night of November 25, 2025. The incident occurred just before 11 p.m., but authorities were not alerted until nearly two hours later. Upon arrival, emergency responders found the home completely engulfed in flames, leaving only charred remnants behind. Neighbors attempted to rescue Lucia but were thwarted by the fire’s intensity. Preliminary investigations suggest the blaze originated in the bedroom and rapidly spread throughout the structure. While the exact cause remains undetermined, family members in Dangriga’s New Site Area revealed that the household frequently relied on a kerosene lamp for lighting, raising suspicions that it may have contributed to the disaster. Lucia’s granddaughter-in-law, who resides nearby, recounted hearing her cries before witnessing the catastrophic aftermath. The community’s leader expressed profound sorrow, describing her passing as a significant loss for San Antonio Village.
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Phillip helps steer Wolfpack into NCAA Sweet 16
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Donavan Phillip, the star forward from Saint Lucia, reignited his scoring prowess to propel the North Carolina State Wolfpack men’s soccer team into the NCAA Championship Sweet 16. The match, held on Sunday, November 23, at Dail Soccer Stadium in Raleigh, saw the Wolfpack secure a decisive 2-0 victory over Marshall. Phillip, who had been in a five-game scoring drought, opened the scoring with a header in the second minute, capitalizing on a corner-kick delivered by Riley Moloney. This goal marked Phillip’s 16th of the season, a feat not achieved by a Wolfpack player since 1991, and placed him among the top 10 goal-scorers in the school’s history. Only five players have scored more in a single season since 1961, with Sam Okpodu holding the record of 29 goals in 1982. Moloney, a defender recently named to the All-ACC Freshman team, added to the tally in the 59th minute with a deflected corner-kick that found the back of the net. The Wolfpack now prepare to host UNC Greensboro on November 30, following UNCG’s upset victory over No. 2 seed Virginia. The teams previously met in October, resulting in a 1-1 draw. With six of the 16 seeded teams already eliminated, the tournament promises more excitement as the Wolfpack aim to continue their championship journey.
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ABEC Officials Selected to Serve on CARICOM Election Observer Missions in St. Vincent & the Grenadines and St. Lucia
The Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission (ABEC) has announced that two of its senior officials have been chosen by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to participate in Election Observer Missions for the upcoming General Elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. Commissioner Clovis St. Romain has been appointed to serve as a member of the CARICOM Election Observer Mission for the General Elections in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, scheduled for November 27, 2025. His role will reinforce CARICOM’s dedication to fostering free, fair, and transparent electoral processes across the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Mr. Ian S. Hughes, Supervisor of Elections, has been selected as Chief of Mission for the CARICOM Election Observer Mission to the General Elections in St. Lucia on December 1, 2025. In this capacity, Mr. Hughes will provide leadership and oversight to the observer team, ensuring adherence to CARICOM’s established guidelines and principles of impartiality. H.E. Arthur G. B. Thomas, Chairman of ABEC, emphasized the significance of these appointments, stating, ‘Our continued selection for these missions reflects the trust placed in us and our commitment to building organizational capacity. Each deployment is both an affirmation of our institutional credibility and an opportunity to enhance the technical competencies of our team.’ ABEC remains steadfast in its support of regional democratic processes, with the participation of Commissioner St. Romain and Mr. Hughes underscoring the Commission’s expertise, professionalism, and contributions to strengthening electoral systems across the Caribbean.
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The Village of Vibes at Julees: Where Art Week Explodes in Color, Culture & Cuisine
Antigua & Barbuda Art Week 2025 is set to captivate audiences with the debut of the Art & Cultural Village at Julees Restaurant, a dynamic addition to this year’s national festivities. This innovative outdoor space will bring together color, culture, cuisine, and imagination, creating a vibrant hub of creativity unlike any other. The Village will spotlight artpreneurs—the creative entrepreneurs driving Antigua & Barbuda’s cultural economy—with over 25 local and regional artists showcasing their talents in mediums ranging from oil and acrylic paintings to handmade fashion, jewelry, and miniature architectural pieces. Photography exhibits will blend nostalgia with futuristic visions, while culinary artists offer Caribbean-inspired brunches, tasting flights, and homemade treats. The signature chARTcuterie workshop will allow participants to paint and sip, creating a full sensory experience. Opening Night on Thanksgiving evening, November 27, will feature a posthumous tribute to Vaughn Walter, MBE, a cultural architect and festival visionary, alongside a screening of the film “Once In An Island.” The week will also include Students’ Day on November 28, led by New Jersey–based Antiguan artist Odessa Whitlock, and a “Chalk the Village” competition for young artists. Saturday will host a Costume Building Workshop and Barbuda Eats, a special tapas menu by a Barbudan chef. The event concludes on Sunday with “Brunching with the Arts,” live music, fashion, dance, and the chARTcuterie Experience, where guests can sip, paint, and snack. Art Week 2025 promises to be an immersive celebration of creativity, community, and Caribbean culture.
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Jamaica Hit by Deadly Leptospirosis Outbreak After Melissa
Jamaica is grappling with a severe health crisis as a deadly outbreak of leptospirosis has emerged in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Health officials have confirmed six fatalities and are investigating 28 additional suspected cases. The outbreak, which began in late October, has been linked to the catastrophic flooding and landslides caused by the Category 5 hurricane that struck the island on October 28th. Stagnant water left in the storm’s wake has created ideal conditions for the spread of the bacterial disease. Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton emphasized the heightened risk of exposure to contaminated water and soil, particularly for farmers, cleanup workers, and emergency responders. Public health teams are actively warning residents, especially those relying on river water, about the dangers. The outbreak adds to the already significant challenges Jamaica faces as it assesses the full extent of the storm’s destruction, which has caused an estimated $8.8 billion in physical damage, equivalent to 41% of the country’s 2024 GDP.
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Chastanet previews potential UWP Cabinet
Allen Chastanet, the Political Leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), has provided a glimpse into his prospective Cabinet should the party emerge victorious in the upcoming elections. Speaking at the UWP manifesto launch last weekend, Chastanet emphasized the party’s determination to reclaim four key constituencies: Dennery North, Dennery South, Micoud North, and Micoud South. He assured supporters that the candidates representing these areas would secure prominent roles in his Cabinet. Chastanet outlined specific ministerial assignments, including Bradley Marcelle Fulgence (Dennery North) as Minister for Agriculture and Gaming, Benson Emile (Dennery South) as Minister for Health, and Elisha Norbert (Micoud North) as Minister for Education. For his own constituency, Micoud South, Chastanet confidently declared, “Of course, the people of Micoud South, you will have the PM, your PM.” Throughout the event, Chastanet underscored the importance of unity within the UWP, asserting that only a cohesive party could effectively lead the nation. His remarks exuded confidence in the UWP’s ability to triumph on December 1, with the presented team poised to govern and guide Saint Lucia into its next chapter.