The Chilean National Television Council (CNTV) has sparked widespread criticism for its decision to prohibit a campaign addressing violence against women, citing the ongoing electoral process as justification. Social organizations and government officials have condemned the move, arguing that it undermines efforts to combat gender-based violence and disregards Chile’s international commitments. The Network of Feminist Journalists and Communicators issued a statement declaring, ‘We will not accept that the protection of women be subordinated to electoral calculations.’ They emphasized that the CNTV’s decision, based on vague reasoning, trivializes the severity and urgency of gender violence and sets a dangerous precedent for relativizing women’s rights. Antonia Orellana, the Minister for Women and Gender Equity, labeled the council’s decision as misguided. She highlighted that campaigns against gender violence have historically been broadcast on November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, regardless of electoral periods. The controversy has reignited debates about the prioritization of women’s rights in Chile and the role of media in addressing societal issues.
分类： society
-
Suspected fourth member of Louvre robbery gang arrested
In a dramatic turn of events, authorities have detained an individual at the Anti-Bandit Brigade headquarters, accusing them of organized robbery and criminal association. These charges mirror those faced by three other suspected gang members already under prosecution. Meanwhile, three additional individuals—a man and two women—were apprehended today, though the specifics of their arrests remain undisclosed. The arrests are linked to a high-profile theft at the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery on October 19, where intruders broke in through a window and made off with priceless jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, a corsage, and a tiara once owned by Empresses Eugénie, Marie Louise of Austria, Marie Amelie, and Hortense. Despite the arrests and substantial evidence collected at the scene, the stolen artifacts, deemed irreplaceable in heritage and historical value, remain missing. This incident has reignited concerns over the security of cultural landmarks in France, particularly the Louvre, which safeguards over half a million artworks, with approximately 36,000 on public display.
-
REOI — Consultancy for design and installation of irrigation systems on farms in Grenada
The Government of Grenada, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility, is launching a significant initiative under the Climate-Resilient Agriculture for Integrated Landscape Management (CRA) Project. The project aims to enhance agricultural sustainability through the design and installation of advanced irrigation systems across Grenada’s farms. The selected consulting firm will be tasked with developing water-efficient irrigation solutions, including drip and microsprinkler systems, tailored to both flat and sloping terrains. Additionally, the firm will provide comprehensive training on system design, installation, operation, and maintenance. The assignment is scheduled to run from January 26, 2026, to April 30, 2026. Interested firms must demonstrate a proven track record in similar projects, technical expertise in irrigation design, and a history of delivering high-quality work. Submissions, limited to 20 pages in PDF format, must be made via the Central Procurement Unit’s e-procurement platform or email by December 10, 2025. This initiative underscores Grenada’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
-
Belize City Council Plans to Build Floating Boardwalk
The Belize City Council has unveiled ambitious plans to construct a floating boardwalk along the Southern Foreshore, following a comprehensive feasibility study conducted by Dutch engineering firm Blue21. The proposed structure, designed to stretch from the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts to King Street, aims to create a vibrant public space while simultaneously safeguarding the city’s seawall from erosion. The innovative design has been rigorously tested against extreme weather conditions, including hurricane-level waves and winds, confirming its technical viability. Although funding remains unsecured, Mayor Bernard Wagner has championed the project as a cornerstone of his vision for a climate-resilient Belize City. He highlighted the potential of the currently underutilized site to transform into a hub for recreation, tourism, and local entrepreneurship. The initiative, which first gained traction in 2023, has garnered support from the European Union. Public opinion, however, is divided. While some residents applaud the project for its modern appeal and potential economic benefits, others argue that pressing issues such as infrastructure development, low-income housing, and poverty alleviation should take precedence over such ambitious endeavors.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Poverty levels dip to historic low 7.8%
Jamaica has reached a significant milestone in its fight against poverty, with the national poverty rate dropping to a historic low of 7.8% in 2024, down from 8.2% in 2023. Additionally, extreme poverty, also known as food poverty, has fallen to 2.7%, the lowest level since 1989. These findings were disclosed by Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), during the institute’s quarterly media briefing on Tuesday. The data, sourced from the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions (JSLC) conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, highlights the nation’s progress in addressing economic disparities. Dr. Henry emphasized that the 2024 poverty rate is statistically similar to the previous year’s figure, considering the margin of error. He explained that food poverty, which refers to households’ inability to afford the minimum daily caloric intake for good health, has seen a gradual decline since 2013 when it stood at 10.3%. Key factors contributing to this improvement include targeted social protection programs, record-low unemployment rates, and enhanced macroeconomic stability, including moderate inflation. Despite economic challenges such as weather-related shocks that reduced agricultural output and rural earnings, government interventions, inflation moderation, and increased employment have helped maintain household consumption levels. Dr. Henry also noted that poverty rates have shown relative stability across all regions, with the Greater Kingston Metropolitan Area recording the lowest rate at 2.5%. Rural areas, historically the most affected, saw a slight reduction to 11% in 2024. Furthermore, mean per capita consumption expenditure grew by 5.5% nominally and 1.1% after adjusting for inflation. The PIOJ is also developing a multidimensional poverty index to capture broader forms of deprivation, such as limited access to education, healthcare, and housing, complementing traditional monetary measures.
-
Men charged in 1800-pound ganja case to return to court in January
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Three individuals implicated in a significant narcotics bust involving 1,890 pounds of ganja are set to face further legal proceedings in January 2026. Patrick Branford, Leon Hines, and Naman Banton appeared before Parish Judge Paula Blake Powell on Tuesday. Notably, Hines remains in custody as his bail application is still pending. The trio was allegedly intercepted by the Firearms and Narcotics Division on August 15 while attempting to transport the compressed ganja to one of Jamaica’s ports of entry. They face multiple charges, including conspiracy to export ganja, possession of criminal property, trafficking, dealing in ganja, and preparatory steps to export the substance. The prosecution highlighted that a forensic certificate related to the seized drugs is still pending, prompting the court to schedule the next hearing for case management on January 6, 2026.
-
Two feared dead in toll road crash
A tragic accident on the PJ Patterson Highway in St. Catherine, Jamaica, has resulted in the feared loss of at least two lives and left several others critically injured. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday afternoon around 3:00 pm, involved a Toyota Hiace bus operating as a public passenger vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported that the bus, traveling in the eastbound lane, overturned into a ditch just a few hundred meters before the Vineyard Toll Booth. Emergency services, including police and fire personnel, swiftly responded to the scene, working diligently to manage the aftermath and provide assistance to the injured. Multiple victims were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash, which has sent shockwaves through the local community. As this remains a developing story, further updates are expected in the coming hours.
-
Regional confab to address early childhood education concerns
A pivotal regional colloquium is set to take place on November 27-28 at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Regional Headquarters in St Andrew, Jamaica. Organized by the Jamaica National (JN) Foundation in partnership with the Early Childhood Commission, The UWI School of Education, and the Dudley Grant Early Childhood Resource Centre, the event seeks to address critical gaps in Jamaica’s early childhood education sector. The initiative comes in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which exacerbated existing challenges in the sector, highlighting the urgent need for systemic improvements. Claudine Allen, General Manager of JN Foundation, emphasized the long-term nature of this endeavor, stating, ‘It is not a sprint, it is a marathon.’ She expressed concern over the damage reported by the National Education Trust and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to mitigate learning losses and ensure equitable access to quality education. The colloquium aims to bring together regional experts to share successes, challenges, and actionable solutions. Topics on the agenda include inclusion, technology’s role in education, teacher training, and policy effectiveness. Over 20 speakers from across the Caribbean will participate, fostering a collaborative environment to develop strategies for sustainable progress. The event, themed ‘Building Strong Foundations: Advancing Early Childhood Education through Policy, Practice and Partnership,’ underscores the commitment of stakeholders to create a robust framework for early childhood education. Interested participants are encouraged to register via the JN Foundation website at www.jnfoundation.com.