what happened last week in Asia, Africa and the Americas

Hey, this is Sham Jaff, your very own news curator. Each week, I highlight some of the biggest stories from regions and countries that are historically underreported in Western media. My goal is to burst our Western-centric bubbles, and expand the view we hold of the world we share with one another. Questions, comments, concerns? You can reach me anytime by replying to this mail. And if this newsletter was forwarded to you, you sign up at whathappenedlastweek.com.

Today in the newsletter: Issue #362 takes you to Chile. The people there are voting on a new constitution, and this is their second time around. The entire world is watching because, well, everybody wants to know, 'how do you make such huge changes to your country's rule book with so many people involved?'

People in Chile are, again, voting on a new constitution

What happened
Chile is buzzing with a major political event right now. Yesterday, there was a referendum that's kind of a big deal. It's all about whether to replace the old constitution from the time of General Augusto Pinochet. This whole thing started back in 2019 after some intense protests shook the country, leading to the deaths of at least 30 people, and thousands more were injured.

Why this matters
This process in Chile is being watched worldwide as an example of how a country can make some huge changes to its rule book (the constitution) when people really want it to. Think of it as a test run for kind-of-peacefully changing big laws and systems through voting and legal steps. Some 20 million people live in Chile.

Backstory, please
Alright, here’s the scoop: After the 2019 protests, mainly led by students wanting big changes in the country, Chile's then-conservative President Sebastián Piñera kicked off the process to redo the 1980 constitution. But the first draft, put together by a left-leaning group elected by voters, didn’t go down well. It was pretty bold, suggesting things like scrapping the 200-year-old Senate for a new regional chamber and recognizing Chile as a "plurinational state" to honor Indigenous groups. But, in a twist, 62% of voters said "no thanks" to that draft in September 2022.

What's happening now?
Fast forward, and there's a new draft on the table, crafted by a mix of right-leaning folks picked by Congress and elected by the people. But, it's not looking too rosy for this one, either. Polls say more people might vote against it than for it. The new draft is seen as more conservative, and it's got the backing of the far-right Republican party.

What's the criticism of the second one?
Some folks, especially those fighting for women's and Indigenous rights, aren't happy. They feel it's a step back, especially on gender issues and Indigenous rights. The new draft is kinda vague on abortion rights, and it leans towards private property and private sector involvement in stuff like healthcare and education. Some say it's even more conservative than the current constitution. Supporters of the new draft say it gives individuals more choice by letting them decide if they prefer public or private providers for basic services.

Get personal: The Guardian interviewed five women in Chile who shared their thoughts on the 2019 protests and their fight for equality. Their stories put a human face on this news story.

What happens if it's a no-go?
President Boric has already said that if this draft gets the thumbs down, he won't push for another redo. The old constitution will stay, but with possible tweaks. He's like, "this vote is good for our democracy, whatever the outcome." And former President Ricardo Lagos? He's hoping for a clear result so everyone can work towards a better Chile. At the time of writing this issue, I was still waiting on the results. You probably know more than I do right now, or maybe you'll Google it now if your country's news isn't covering it.

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The rest of Issue #362 takes you to India (Kashmir lost its 'special status') and Somalia (so many probably-ultimately-good news within the past month!). Plus, a Nigerian thriller that won at the Sundance Film Festival this year, one of the most viral Kenyan songs ever, a Russian man who flew to the U.S. without a plane ticket and a passport, a new-to-the-Western-world organ/body part that we didn't know about until five years ago, anti-Muslim hate speech in India and how to fight it, and so much more. I have a Christmas/end of the year discount for you here, 40% off the usual rate. Sign up to become a VIP Member to access all of it. 1€/per issue, if you're on the yearly plan.

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