International
Every four minutes a boy or girl dies in the world from an act of violence, says Unicef
At least one boy or girl dies in the world every four minutes from an act of violence, revealed the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) at the World Ministerial Conference to end violence against children, which will culminate this Friday in Bogotá.
“Every year, violence claims the lives of an average of 130,000 children and adolescents under the age of 20,” Unicef said in a statement.
According to figures from this organization, at least 90 million children alive have suffered sexual violence, while 650 million women were victims of abuse in their childhood, of which more than 370 million suffered rape or sexual assault.
Unicef also warned that almost 50 million teenage women (between 15 and 19 years old) have been victims of physical or sexual violence by their spouses or romantic partners in the last year.
Children, victims of episodes of violence
“Between 410 and 530 million male and male children (approximately 1 in 7) suffered episodes of sexual violence in childhood, including between 240 and 310 million (about 1 in 11) who were sexually raped or assaulted,” the organization added.
Likewise, about 1.6 billion boys and girls suffer violent punishments at home on a regular basis and two out of three of them suffer physical and psychological aggressions.
“We are the first generation fully aware of the incidence, causes and costs of violence against children, and the first to know the solutions that give results,” said Unicef’s director of Child Protection, Sheema SenGupta.
Prevention measures
He added that if the world invests “in prevention measures, education and support services,” it can “break the cycle of violence and build a world in which children are safe.”
That is why UNICEF believes that this ministerial conference is an opportunity to intensify efforts to end violence against children.
From Thursday until this Friday, a hundred ministers and representatives from around the world are meeting in Bogotá to talk about topics such as bullying, digital violence, corporal punishment, recruitment or abuse.
This conference is organized by the governments of Colombia and Sweden; the World Health Organization (WHO); the Special Representative on Violence against Children, and Unicef and it is the first time that so many countries meet to talk about this topic.
International
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Ecuador’s Armed Forces carried out an operation on Monday — including airstrikes — against illegal mining in the town of Buenos Aires, in the country’s north, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo reported.
The mountainous, gold-rich area has been a hotspot for illegal mining since 2017, located in the Andean province of Imbabura.
In 2019, former president Lenín Moreno deployed around 2,400 soldiers to the region in an attempt to curb the illegal activity. “The operation began with mortar fire, followed by gunfire and bombing runs by Supertucano aircraft,” Loffredo said in a video released by the Defense Ministry.
He added that the operation would continue on Tuesday with patrols across the area to locate possible members of “irregular armed groups that may have crossed from the Colombian border.”
The Armed Forces stated on X that the intervention focused on the “complete elimination of multiple illegal mining tunnels” in the areas known as Mina Nueva and Mina Vieja.
The operation coincided with the deployment of a military and police convoy into Imbabura, which has been the epicenter of protests against President Daniel Noboa since September 22, following his decision to scrap the diesel subsidy.
International
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Venezuelan diplomatic mission provided no explanation for its decision on Monday.
“It is regrettable,” a ministry spokesperson said. “Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue with Venezuela open and will continue to work in that direction.” The ministry also emphasized that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently from the Norwegian government.
In its announcement, the Nobel Committee stated that Machado met the criteria established by Alfred Nobel, “embodying the hope for a different future, where the fundamental rights of Venezuelans are heard.”
International
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
Thousands of military personnel and civilians in Mexico worked tirelessly on Tuesday to clear roads blocked by the torrential rains of recent days, which have left more than 300 communities cut off across central and eastern regions of the country. Authorities also launched mass fumigation efforts in several affected areas to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
The official death toll remains at 64, though dozens of people are still missing. President Claudia Sheinbaumacknowledged that the government does not yet know the full situation in many of the isolated villages, which range in population from 500 to 1,000 inhabitants.
“The reopening of roads is one of the greatest urgencies,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s essential to guarantee air bridges, food supplies, clean water, and a proper census of the isolated communities so we can determine the condition of every person living there.”
Private construction companies are also assisting the effort with heavy machinery and technical support to help reopen highways and reconnect rural areas.
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International2 days agoMexico reports 64 dead, 65 missing after devastating central region floods
-
Central America2 days agoGuatemala arrests first escaped gang member after Barrio 18 prison break
-
International4 days agoMaría Corina Machado calls 2025 Nobel Peace prize a victory for venezuelan people
-
International2 days agoVenezuela calls for continued global pressure to secure ‘just peace’ for Palestine
-
International2 days agoPope Leo XIV to skip COP30 in Brazil but plans future visit, Lula confirms
-
International4 days agoNetanyahu says Trump deserved 2025 Nobel Peace prize
-
International4 days agoPeruvian president Jerí leads prison raids to tackle organized crime
-
International4 days agoVenezuela launches ‘Independence 200’ defense plan amid U.S. naval presence
-
Central America2 days agoFraijanes II prison in Guatemala reports gradual escape of 18th Street gang inmates
-
International13 hours agoSheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
-
International2 days agoHeavy rains leave dozens dead in Hidalgo, Puebla, and Veracruz
-
International13 hours agoArmed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
-
International13 hours agoVenezuelan media faces fresh restrictions after reporting on opposition leader’s Nobel win
-
International13 hours agoCaracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win