The Canada-Caribbean Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme is over 50 years old and stands as a model for temporary foreign worker initiatives.

In this second part,  hear from the President of the Foreign Agriculture Resource Management Services in Canada, Ken Forth and regional about the this hallmark programme.

INSIDER'S REPORT - 50 GOING STRONG - PART 2

Ukraine suffering continues as electricity is cut for days amid ongoing Russian attacks
Imagine living through a war and not being able to make a meal or heat your home; that’s the reality today for thousands of Ukrainians who’ve seen repeated Russian attacks knock out their electricity for days at a time.
In an update from Ukraine, the UN’s top aid official there, Matthias Schmale, reported that half of the population in Kherson city have been without electricity for several days - about 30,000 or more residents.
It’s not the only city without power, he told UN News on Wednesday, while on mission to southern Ukraine: “The big challenge is how do you support people if electricity is cut off for several days, more than a week, let's say, in a row, like is currently the case in Odesa. The authorities are fairly confident that they can deal with a couple of hours or even a couple of days in a row. but more than a week will be very challenging.”
The top UN aid coordinator said that one solution to the energy crisis was to ensure that schools and health centres are provided with generators and enough fuel, “so that people can gather there if there is a crisis and if needed for several days in the row”.


Ukrainian cities left without electricity for days - Matthias Schmale

- Concerns grow for Ukrainians in cities left without power for days: OCHA
- Key water pipeline repaired in Gaza, but dire conditions remain: OCHA
- ‘High or very high’ levels of early season influenza sweeping across Europe: WHO

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 17 December 2025 - Ukraine electricity, Gaza conditions, flu in Europe

Catch up on information you might have missed during the week.

This week's programme features:

1.	Did you know a liquor licence is required for any event where alcohol will be sold?  Apply today https://liquorlicence.gov.bb/.
2.	Selling or buying online? The Barbados Police Service shares tips to help you avoid theft and scams.
3.	Healthcare going digital! Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Davidson Ishmael, says a new Health Information System and major upgrades are on the way.

This Week’s In Case You Missed It Opportunities - December 17 - 23:
-	The Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service is recruiting for employment opportunities in the USA.  Check @molbarbados246 or molbarbados on Facebook for details. 

-	Teachers needed in a range of subject areas, including Information Technology and Geography!  (download)

To download a copy of these opportunities, go to https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/in-case-you-missed-it-december-17-23-2025/ 


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT DECEMBER 17 - 23 (2025)

• António Guterres calls for de-escalation in Yemen
• Sudan war: UN Human Rights office puts spotlight on horrific violations, executions
• Volker Türk alarmed by spiralling Thai-Cambodia conflict and impact on civilians

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

UN News Today 18 December 2025 - Yemen, Sudan war, Thaiu-Cambodia conflict

Mass atrocities in Sudan’s Darfur region show alarming indicators associated with the risk of genocide, according to the United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Chaloka Beyani, who has completed a mission to Kenya.

Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), alongside other armed groups, has plunged large parts of Sudan into a deepening humanitarian and protection crisis since April 2023.  

More than 11 million people are now internally displaced, while up to four million have fled to neighbouring countries and beyond. 

Mr. Beyani has completed a mission to Kenya and spoke to UN News’s Stella Vuzo in Nairobi, where he met several Sudanese refugees. She began by asking about his main message to the Sudanese people. 

Audio credit: Stella Vuzo, UN News 

People in Darfur ‘need healing’, says UN adviser amid escalating mass atrocities

As the world debates how technology is shaping societies, actor and filmmaker Joseph Gordon-Levitt has been sharing why people and purpose must remain at the heart of the digital future.

UN News’ Vibhu Mishra spoke with him on the sidelines of a high-level UN meeting marking 20 years of global cooperation on the internet and digital technologies.

Mr. Gordon-Levitt reflected on creativity, inclusion and the responsibility that comes with powerful digital tools, especially as technology becomes more embedded in everyday life.

He said he was inspired by people working not just for profit, but to make the world better – even when the challenge feels like a “David and Goliath” battle.

Audio credit: Vibhu Mishra, UN News 

A human digital future: Joseph Gordon-Levitt at the UN

Created in 1966 to boost development within newly independent countries from the Global South, the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has stayed true to its founding mission, in a world that has been transformed over the past six decades.
At UNIDO’s Global Industry Summit, held in Riyadh this November, the agency’s Member States reaffirmed their commitment to help developing countries grow their economies sustainably, minimising harm to the environment and improving the lives of their citizens.
Conor Lennon was in Riyadh for UN News and spoke to Fatou Haidara, UNIDO’s ? Managing Director of Global Partnerships and External Relations, about the ways that the agency has adapted to the changing priorities of its Member States, and why it continues to be a central pillar of sustainable industrialisation.
Audio: Conor Lennon
Photo: UNIDO

UNIDO’s mission: Protecting the planet, lifting the world out of poverty

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of one of the most significant resolutions on youth and peace ever adopted by the UN Security Council.
Resolution 2250 led to widespread changes in the ways that the voices of young people are not just heard but also incorporated into peace plans and policies.
In this episode of our flagship podcast, The Lid is On, Conor Lennon speaks to some of the young leaders who were at UN Headquarters this month to celebrate the progress made so far, and reflect on what more needs to be done.
Audio: Conor Lennon
Photo: UN News/ Conor Lennon
Music: Ketsa

Young leaders expand the circles of peace

•  Sudan war: Kordofan’s El-Obeid ‘one or two steps’ away from being attacked - IOM 
•  Gaza: Famine is averted but a third child dies of hypothermia - UNICEF 
•  DR Congo crisis: Victims of flare-up in eastern regions risk lives to reach safety, says UNHCR 

Audio credit: Daniel Johnson, UN News

#unitednations

UN News Today 19 December 2025 - Gaza hunger update, Sudan war, DR Congo crisis

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has resumed emergency food assistance in Uvira's South Kivu in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, it said on Friday. 
Nearly 28,000 people are now receiving high energy biscuits that are ready to eat and vital for families fleeing violance and who are unable to cook. 
"We have now more than 500,000 people that have been displaced by the recent conflict in the South Kivu," said the agency's Myrline Sanogo Mathieu. "WFP is on the ground providing the most needed emergency food assistance to those people that have been displaced. However, thousands more need this assistance."
To help support this effort, WFP urgently needs $250 million for the next six months, Ms. Sanogo Mathieu told UN News.

WFP DRCongo MyrlineSanogoMathieu

The Barbados Government Information Service has been established since 1958 as the Barbados Government's public relations and information arm.   This dynamic channel profiles Barbadian people, places and programmes which make up this Caribbean island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.  We hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.  We want to hear from you.