The Chilean band Hacia La Victoria, whose members were blinded during the social protests in Chile from 2019 to 2020, uses music to protest against police violence. The keyboardist Vicente Pascal and drummer Gustavo Gatica became symbols of police repression after losing their eyesight to police projectiles. The band criticizes a new law, Naín-Retamal, which increases penalties for crimes against police officers and establishes privileged self-defense in police force use. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International warn of the law's potential negative impact on human rights. The government's decision to allow police to carry Uzi submachine guns again, which led to another death, has also been condemned. Despite promises of reform by former President Sebastián Piñera and current President Gabriel Boric, the band feels betrayed by the government's actions. The law is already being used to absolve police officers in court, and the band finds solace in music, expressing their struggle and the imbalance of power through their songs.

Megan Thee Stallion, known for her bold presence in the music industry, is embroiled in a legal battle with her record label, 1501 Entertainment, over an alleged album leak and unpaid royalties. Despite facing challenges, including being shot by Tory Lanez and receiving criticism for her song 'W.A.P' with Cardi B, Megan continues to assert her dominance with her latest album, Traumazine. The album reflects her experiences as a Black woman in the spotlight, overcoming adversity with resilience. The article also mentions new music from Isabella Lovestory, Stefflon Don and Spice, Sudan Archives, and insha, highlighting their unique contributions to the music scene.

Britain has supplied only 39 percent of the 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses it pledged to poorer countries a year ago, making it one of the 'worst offenders' according to the People’s Vaccine Alliance. No G7 member state has met their vaccine donation targets. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office argues that global vaccine supply now exceeds demand, and they are reassessing resource prioritization. A study by Imperial College London found that vaccinations prevented 20 million deaths globally in the first year, but inequities in distribution resulted in fewer lives saved in low-income countries. The Tony Blair Institute highlighted a lack of political will and logistical issues as barriers to vaccine donations. There is progress in Africa with local vaccine production, but concerns remain about the potential hoarding of new omicron-specific vaccines by wealthy countries.

gal-dem introduces a selection of emerging music artists to watch in 2023, highlighting their recent achievements and upcoming projects. The article features artists such as Rachel Chinouriri, Nia Archives, Hemlocke Springs, Olivia Dean, KYE, Bloody Civilian, Somadina, and Alemeda, detailing their unique sounds and the anticipation for their new music. The piece also references past successes in promoting artists like FLO, Koffee, Sudan Archives, and Nova Twins. The article is accompanied by an extended Spotify playlist.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole, known for her humility and approachability, has concluded her headlining shows at Buenos Aires' Movistar Arena, marking the end of a chapter in her career. With her third album 'Alma' achieving global success and earning RIAA certifications, Nicole reflects on her journey from the freestyle rap scene to collaborating with major artists. Despite personal challenges, including a public breakup with Peso Pluma, she remains focused on her music, teasing new material that returns to her rap roots. Nicole is recording in Buenos Aires and Miami, driven by the anticipation of her fans for her upcoming fourth album.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole, known for her humility and approachability, has seen significant success with her third album 'Alma,' leading to 1.6 billion streams worldwide. She defines herself as a rapper with diverse genre collaborations. Nicole's recent Buenos Aires concert marked the end of a chapter, coinciding with personal turmoil from a public breakup with Peso Pluma. Despite this, she received overwhelming fan support. Nicole's upcoming untitled album will focus on her rap roots, with sincere lyricism intended for listener catharsis. She is motivated by fan expectations and is recording new material in Buenos Aires and Miami.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole, known for her humility and approachability, has seen significant success with her third album 'Alma', leading to 1.6 billion streams worldwide and over 100,000 fans at her Movistar Arena shows. Defining herself as a rapper with diverse genre collaborations, Nicole is closing a chapter with her final Buenos Aires concert and preparing for a new album that returns to her rap roots. Despite a turbulent personal life, including a public breakup with Peso Pluma, Nicole remains motivated by fan expectations and is recording new material in Buenos Aires and Miami.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole, known for her humility and approachability, has concluded her headlining shows at Buenos Aires' Movistar Arena, marking the end of a chapter in her career. Her third album 'Alma' has achieved global success with 1.6 billion streams and RIAA certifications. Despite personal challenges, including a public breakup with Peso Pluma, Nicole's upcoming fourth album promises a return to her rap roots with sincere lyricism. She is currently recording in Buenos Aires and Miami, motivated by her fans' expectations.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole, known for her humility and approachability, concluded her headlining shows at Buenos Aires' Movistar Arena, marking the end of a chapter in her career. Her third album 'Alma' achieved global success with 1.6 billion streams and RIAA certifications. Despite professional highs, Nicole faced personal challenges, including a public breakup with Peso Pluma. She teased new music during her final show, indicating a return to her rap roots and a focus on lyricism. Nicole is recording her next album in Buenos Aires and Miami, motivated by fan expectations and eager to move beyond her previous work.

Argentine singer-rapper Nicki Nicole reflects on her career and personal growth ahead of new music, following the success of her album 'Alma' and a public breakup with Peso Pluma. Known for her humble demeanor and freestyle rap roots, Nicole has earned international acclaim and is set to return to her rap origins in her upcoming project. Despite personal challenges, she remains motivated by fan expectations and is recording new material in Buenos Aires and Miami.

Indigenous advocates in Chile, including architect Julio Ñanco Antilef and Mapuche lawyer Alihuén Antileo Navarrete, are rejecting the new draft constitution proposed by the far-right Republican Party, fearing it will further marginalize Indigenous groups and favor right-wing priorities. The draft is criticized for not ensuring Indigenous representation in government and ignoring historical demands for ancestral territory respect. Chile's President Gabriel Boric has indicated that the upcoming referendum will be the last chance to replace the Pinochet-era constitution during his term. The current constitution, dating back to 1980, has been criticized for its undemocratic origins and conservative values. The new draft is seen as a step back from the first attempt, which envisioned Chile as a plurinational country and recognized Indigenous rights to autonomy. Experts argue that the new draft maintains neoliberal principles and fails to protect Indigenous cultural patrimony. Voter fatigue is high after years of constitutional votes and councils.

Piure, also known as pyura chilensis, is a seafood native to the coasts of Peru and Chile that is gaining popularity in Chilean haute cuisine. Despite its intense iodine flavor and unattractive appearance, chefs are creatively incorporating it into dishes, potentially making it the next hero of Chilean cuisine. The preparation of piure varies across Chile's extensive coastline, with it being dried in the south and eaten fresh in the north. Chefs like Rodrigo Sepúlveda Vargas of Quintaycocina and Rodolfo Guzmán of Boragó are experimenting with piure to showcase its unique flavor and texture, serving it in various forms such as empanadas, ceviche, and mariscal. While some enjoy the traditional simple preparations of piure, others appreciate the new culinary possibilities it offers.

The Chilean band Hacia La Victoria, whose members were blinded by police during the 2019-2020 social protests, uses music to protest against police violence. The band criticizes a new law that increases penalties for crimes against police officers and establishes privileged self-defense in force-related actions, which has been warned by Amnesty International to have serious human rights implications. The law was passed after a rise in police deaths and a 32% increase in the national homicide rate. The government's support of the law is seen as a betrayal by the band, as it gives more freedom to the police without reforming institutions. The case of David Toro, killed by police with an Uzi, exemplifies the dangers of the new law. Despite a high number of human rights violation complaints during the protests, few have led to charges, and the new law is already being used to defend police in court.

Chile is experiencing an increase in violent crime, including the recent killing of police officer Daniel Palma. In response, Chilean lawmakers passed legislation granting police greater protections, which has been criticized by human rights groups as the 'quick trigger' law, potentially leading to more police abuses. Amnesty International and other rights organizations have long called for Chilean police reform, especially after the 2019 protests. President Gabriel Boric, despite campaign promises, has made little progress on this issue. The new law faces opposition from figures like Senator Fabiola Campillai, a victim of police violence herself. Although Chile's homicide rate remains low for Latin America, the rise in violence and the new legislation have sparked concerns among citizens and human rights advocates.

At Lollapalooza Chile's eleventh edition, LGBTQ+ Latin American artists like Álex Anwandter, Villano Antillano, Tokischa, and Marilina Bertoldi took the stage to promote tolerance and unity. Anwandter teased his upcoming album with themes of identity, while commemorating the fight against the Pinochet dictatorship's legacy. Villano Antillano, a Puerto Rican rapper, celebrated trans-inclusive feminism and brought iLe on stage for a women empowerment anthem. Tokischa, a queer Dominican star, performed a raunchy set celebrating sexual freedom, and Bertoldi represented queer indie-rock, emphasizing 'Lesbian power!' The festival highlighted the importance of representation for both audiences and artists.

In Calama, Chile, veterinarian Maria Muñoz vaccinated herself, her family, and her staff with a dog vaccine, Óctuple, which does not prevent COVID-19. Despite no reported side effects, veterinary doctor Victor Neira highlighted the irresponsibility of using a vaccine intended for dogs on humans. Another vet, Carlos Prado, was fined for falsely promoting Óctuple as an effective COVID-19 vaccine. Chile's government fined Muñoz and has been recognized for its successful official vaccination program, which has achieved the fastest vaccination rate in the world.

Following a series of controversial incidents involving the Chilean National Police, including a minor being pushed off a bridge during a protest and police officers opening fire at a foster home, Police Chief Mario Rozas has resigned. His resignation comes after a period of intense social unrest in Chile, marked by widespread protests against rising living costs and inequality, leading to calls for a new constitution. The police response to these protests has been heavily criticized for excessive violence, resulting in deaths, injuries, and numerous complaints of human rights abuses. Rozas' departure is seen as overdue by victims and human rights organizations, but concerns remain that his replacement, Ricardo Yáñez, will not bring the necessary reforms to the institution.

Fabiola Campillai lost her vision, smell, and taste after being hit by a tear gas canister fired by police in Santiago, Chile. The incident has become emblematic of police repression in Chile, where non-lethal weapons have caused severe injuries during protests. Amnesty International Chile and other human rights organizations are advocating for Campillai and pushing for a ban on such weapons. Despite police claims of adherence to law, activists argue that the use of non-lethal weapons continues to result in harm, with Chile having the highest count of ocular trauma from police projectiles in the world.

In Buenos Aires, women are challenging the male-dominated and often misogynistic traditions of tango music and dance. Tango classics, known for their anti-women lyrics, are being reinterpreted in light of feminist movements such as #NiUnaMenos. Marisa Vazquez, a tango singer and composer, founded Tango Hembra, the city's first female-only international tango event, to address discrimination against women in professional tango. Despite the historical dominance of men in tango, with women facing lower salaries and fewer opportunities, the event showcased female tango artists and included debates, workshops, and performances. The recent International Women's Day march in Argentina reflects a growing feminist movement, which has given new life to songs addressing women's issues and has inspired women in tango to seek equal treatment in the art form.

Chile's decision to rename Santiago's international airport after Nobel laureate poet Pablo Neruda has sparked controversy due to his admitted rape in his memoirs. The cultural committee of Chile’s lower house voted for the change, citing Neruda's pride to Chileans. However, feminist movements and human rights activists oppose the honor, highlighting the current climate of challenging rape culture and the #MeToo movement. The controversy is fueled by a passage in Neruda's memoir describing his rape of a maid, which has only recently become a subject of debate. While some, like author Isabel Allende, recognize Neruda's flawed character but still value his literary work, others like student activist Karen Vergara Sánchez call for a stop to his idolization due to his abusive actions. The decision now moves to the chamber of deputies for a final vote.

In Santiago, Chile, a protest advocating for free and legal abortion was marred by violence when three women were stabbed by masked attackers. The incident occurred during a march, with one woman injured in the stomach and two others in the legs. A policeman was also hurt. No arrests have been made, but the marchers suspect anti-abortion radicals. The Social Patriot movement acknowledged their counter-protest but denied involvement in the stabbings, which they attributed to 'anarcho-feminists'. Abortion laws in Latin America are under scrutiny, with Argentina's congress set to debate a bill on legalizing abortion. Chile's current government, led by Sebastian Piñera, is seen as potentially reversing the limited abortion rights established under former president Michelle Bachelet. The government's muted response to the attacks and the rightwing media's initial silence have been criticized by activists and public figures like comedian Natalia Valdebenito, who vows that the feminist movement will persist despite the violence.

The article discusses the impact of the Oscar-nominated film 'A Fantastic Woman' on the transgender community in Chile, particularly in the context of the country's ongoing struggle for trans rights. The protagonist, Marina, played by trans actress Daniela Vega, faces discrimination after her partner's death, mirroring the real-life challenges of trans individuals in Chile. The film's international recognition coincides with significant legislative efforts, such as the Gender Identity Recognition and Protection Bill, which aims to simplify the legal process for trans people to change their names and gender. Despite progress, the conservative political climate, influenced by a history of dictatorship and Catholic values, poses challenges. The article features comments from trans activists and highlights the importance of the film in raising awareness and empathy for trans issues in Chile.

AURORA, a nineteen-year-old singer from Bergen, Norway, is gaining international attention for her haunting, folkloric pop songs. Despite the media's focus and her viral cover of Oasis' 'Half the World Away' for a UK retailer's Christmas ad, she remains grounded and prefers to avoid the spotlight. AURORA's music, inspired by the dark and the gruesome, aims to help people process sadness. She values the emotional impact of her music, as seen in her desire to see people cry at her shows, over awards like the European Border Breakers Award she won. Her hometown's bleak weather and nature have shaped her sound, and while she struggles to write about happiness, her upcoming single 'Conqueror' embodies a sense of freedom. AURORA feels the pressure of fame but finds solace in making music in isolation.