Global South Roundup: Deadly tax protests, coup attempt, rare moon findings
Every day, the world awakens to stories and developments that have the potential to impact our future.
In this summary, we explore the events that have caused a stir and captured the attention of the Global South throughout the week.
Africa
Kenya president backs down on tax hikes after deadly unrest
Responding to widespread protests that escalated to storming the parliament and demonstrations nationwide, Kenyan President William Ruto retracted the proposed tax increases on Wednesday, acknowledging the public's strong opposition and averting further planned protests this week. Find out more here.
New hiring and firing code to improve working conditions in Africa
Ahead of a pivotal vote, employers and labour unions across Africa are gearing up to consider a novel code on employment practices, an initiative led by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Read more here.
Kenyan's revolutionary AI-powered pest detector saves farmers, wins prestigious award
Esther Kimani, a Kenyan computer programmer, captured the spotlight with her innovative invention that provides farmers with early warnings of crop infestations. Her achievement has earned her the prestigious first place at the tenth Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. Click to find out more.
Asia
Rare Moon rocks found after China’s two-month-long mission in space
China's lunar probe successfully returned to Earth with the first samples collected from the Moon's far side, an area previously unexplored. This marks a significant milestone for China, establishing it as the only nation to have achieved a landing on the far side of the Moon, building on its earlier accomplishment of a successful landing in 2019. Find out more here.
Nepal landslides kill nine, including 3 children
In the wake of severe monsoon downpours in western Nepal, landslides have claimed the lives of at least nine individuals, among them three children, as confirmed by an official on Saturday, June 2, 2024. Read more here.
South Korea releases video showing North Korean missile exploding in flight
South Korea's military disclosed a video on Friday, June 28, which reportedly depicts a North Korean missile malfunctioning and disintegrating shortly after launch. This unusual release of surveillance material serves to counter North Korea's assertion of a triumphant test. Read more here.
Latin America
Bolivian prosecutors launch probe against General Zuniga for coup attempt
Bolivia's Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Wednesday, June 26 that it will initiate a criminal probe into General Juan Jose Zuniga and other individuals implicated in orchestrating what has been denounced by both the government and global leaders as an attempted coup. Find out more here.
One gun, 34 dead: Inside Ecuador's war on black-market weapons
The 9-millimetre pistol wreaked havoc in the Nueva Prosperina neighbourhood of Guayaquil, notorious for its high crime rate. Police forensic investigations have connected the casings from this gun, discovered at 27 distinct violent events, to 34 deaths. Read more here.
Drought-hit lakes in Chile come back to life after downpours
The recent heavy rainfall in Chile has temporarily revived reservoirs and lagoons that were nearly depleted due to prolonged drought, transforming the stark landscapes of cracked earth into tranquil expanses of still water. Click to read more.
