This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Andani Group scandal, Bangladeshi massacre case, Mexican assassination attempt
We bring you a summary of top headlines this week from countries within the global south.
Asia
Laos vows justice after tainted alcohol kills tourists
The Lao government is "profoundly saddened" by the deaths of foreign tourists from drinking alcohol contaminated with methanol and pledged to prosecute those responsible. Read more here.
Former Bangladeshi officials face court over massacre charges: Video
Thirteen former top Bangladeshi officials accused of enabling massacres during August’s revolution appeared in court on Monday, November 18. The group includes 11 ex-ministers, a former judge, and a senior government secretary. Prosecutors allege they played a role in a police crackdown on student-led protests that killed over 700 people, leading to the downfall of Sheikh Hasina's regime. Read more here.
Modi's BJP, allies to win election rebound in India's richest state, Maharashtra
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and its allies were set to return to power in the nation's richest state, television channels reported on Saturday, a boost for the Hindu-nationalist leader after a disappointing general election. Read more here.
Africa
West Africa’s largest law-tech event to promote
The legal-technology community in Africa is set to converge in Ghana’s capital, Accra, for the largest law-tech event in West Africa. Scheduled for November 28, 2024, the Accra Law Tech Hangout will bring together legal professionals, technologists, and innovators to discuss the evolving role of technology in the legal field. Read more here.
The Adani Group bribery scandal and why Kenya is in frame
The Adani Group, a global conglomerate led by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, is embroiled in a U.S. bribery scandal. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, with bribery and related offences contrary to the US anti-bribery law and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Read more here.
South African police in standoff with hundreds of illegal miners in disused shaft
South African police were in a standoff on Thursday with hundreds of illegal miners believed to be underground in a disused shaft, a day after a cabinet minister said the government was trying to "smoke them out". Read more here.
Latin America
Mexican president condemns apparent assassination attempt
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday condemned an apparent assassination attempt on former Bolivian President Evo Morales a day earlier, which took place amid a growing dispute within the Andean country's socialist ruling party. Read more here.
How AI is protecting journalists from persecution amid Venezuela's political crisis
In Venezuela, where the press faces severe persecution, several media organisations have responded by launching a news programme featuring AI-generated anchors to safeguard real journalists. Named "Venezuela Retweets," this initiative employs two AI-generated anchors, "La Chama" and "El Pana," to present news content that is often censored by the regime of Nicolás Maduro. Read more here.
Brazil proposes rich countries give $300 bn a year in Climate Finance at COP29: Video
At a press conference during COP29, Brazil's Environment Minister, Marina Silva, called for an increased financial commitment from developed countries to address global climate change. Silva proposed that these nations contribute $300 billion annually by 2030, surpassing the $250 billion outlined in the draft agreement presented at the summit, the AFP reported. Read more here.
