Global South Roundup: Kenya protests, rising snake bite cases, power outage in Ecuador

Protesters react during a demonstration against Kenya's proposed finance bill 2024/2025 in Kisumu town, Kenya, June 20, 2024. REUTERS/James Keyi

Source: REUTERS

Africa

Kenya protests

FILE PHOTO: Anti-finance bill protesters clash with police in Nairobi — FILE PHOTO: People fall as they run after police use water cannon to disperse protesters during a demonstration against Kenya's proposed finance bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, June 20, 2024. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File Photo

Kenya is seeing protests against new taxes in the 2024/2025 Finance Bill, resulting in one death and 200 injuries. Demonstrators fear taxes, like a 16% levy on bread and a 2.5% tax on vehicles, will hurt the economy and small businesses under William Ruto's administration. Read more here.

Namibian court declares laws banning gay sex unconstitutional

Migrants from Colombia await transport after crossing into U.S. from Mexico in Jacumba Hot Springs — Juan, 43, and Hector, 36, migrants from Colombia, await transport by immigration officials after crossing into the United States from Mexico in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, U.S., May 15, 2024. REUTERS/Adrees Latif

Namibia's High Court has declared two colonial-era laws criminalising same-sex acts between men unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for the LGBTQ community in the southern African nation. Read more here.

Chad becomes first country in 2024 to eliminate sleeping sickness, WHO recognises achievement

FILE PHOTO: World Health Organization logo is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration photo taken March 16, 2021. Picture taken March 16, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Source: X02714

Chad has been recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first country in 2024 to eliminate a neglected tropical disease (NTD), becoming the 51st country globally to achieve this milestone. Read more here.

Asia

Controversy over university admission exam ignites widespread protests in India

Thousands of candidates in India received unusually high scores in a crucial medical exam this year, sparking anger, protests, and allegations of cheating. Normally, only a small percentage of the millions of students who take the exam annually achieve scores high enough to secure a college placement. Read more here.

China threatens death penalty for 'diehard' Taiwan separatists

FILE PHOTO: A Taiwanese sailor aboard a Taiwan Navy vessel looks towards a Chinese warship while navigating on waters off Taiwan's western coast, in this handout image released May 23, 2024. Taiwan Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

China threatened severe penalties, including the death penalty, for "diehard" Taiwan independence activists, even though Chinese courts have no authority over Taiwan. Read more here.

Bangladesh faces rise in snake bites

_76831d27-6279-452a-b82f-13f10656e138 — Source: AI with DALL-E

Hospitals in Bangladesh have noticed more snakebites recently, particularly from Russell's vipers. As a result, health centers and hospitals have been instructed to keep anti-venom in stock. Read more here.

Latin America

Power back on in Ecuador after massive outage blamed on transmission failure

Ecuador experienced a nationwide blackout on June 19, leaving about 18 million people without power for several hours. The subway system in the capital, Quito, stopped running, and traffic lights went out. Officials blamed the outage on faulty transmission lines but power was restored shortly after. Read more here.

Colombia to give legal status to up to 540,000 Venezuelan migrants

Colombia's migration agency announced on Tuesday that it will grant legal status to about 540,000 Venezuelan migrants who are guardians of minors in the country. This forms part of its efforts amid the ongoing influx of Venezuelans seeking refuge from political and economic crises. The move will assist adults caring for approximately 270,000 minors who have permission to reside in Colombia. Read more here.

Top tourist destination Barcelona plans to shut all holiday apartments by 2028

FILE PHOTO: Tourists and residents drink on a street in Gracia neighbourhood during a heatwave of the summer, in Barcelona, Spain August 19, 2023. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/File Photo

Barcelona, a popular Spanish tourist spot, revealed on Friday its plan to ban apartment rentals to tourists by 2028. This move aims to tackle rising housing costs and prioritise living in the city for residents. Read more here.

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