This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Burkina Faso gov't dissolved, China refuses visa to US personnel, Gonzalez set to return
Here's a quick look at this week's biggest stories from the Global South.
Africa
Burkina Faso junta dissolves government, fires prime minister
Burkina Faso's military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has dissolved the government and dismissed Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachim Kyelem de Tambela. While the statement from Traoré's office did not provide reasons for the decision, it mentioned that cabinet members would continue in their roles until a new government is established. Read more here.
Dakar mayor removed, condemns Senegal 'dictatorship': Video
Senegalese authorities have removed Dakar's opposition mayor, Barthelemy Dias, from office due to a 2011 murder conviction. The decision, announced in an official order on Friday, December 13, has been sharply criticized by Dias, who called it a "dictatorship." Read more here.
Mali shuts down markets linked to terrorists: Video
Thousands of workers in Mali are struggling after the government shut down several livestock markets in Bamako. Authorities say the closures aim to prevent terrorist activity, but herders and traders, like Boubacar Kane, are left without a way to survive. Kane, a cattle herder, says the closure has destroyed his only source of income. Read more here.
Asia
Climate change putting Philippines at double risk of typhoons, scientists say
Climate change is increasing the Philippines' vulnerability to tropical storms, nearly doubling the risk of deadly typhoons. Scientists report that last month's unprecedented formation of four typhoons was 70% more likely due to a 1.3°C (2.3°F) rise in global temperatures. Read more here.
China announces visa restrictions on US personnel over Hong Kong 'interference'
China announced it will impose visa restrictions on certain U.S. personnel, accusing them of "behaving badly" and "interfering" in Hong Kong affairs, according to a statement from its foreign ministry on Tuesday, December 10. Read more here.
India’s Gukesh Dommaraju becomes youngest World Chess Champion: Video
India's Gukesh Dommaraju, at 18, has become the youngest world chess champion. He defeated China's Ding Liren in Singapore, breaking Garry Kasparov's 1985 record. The 14-match tournament saw Gukesh make a remarkable comeback after losing the opening game. Read more here.
Latin America
Venezuela's Gonzalez plans to return to take over as president
Venezuela's opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez expressed confidence on Tuesday, December 10 that he would return from Spain in time to be sworn in as president on January 10. Read more here.
Judge killed in violence-plagued Mexican city a day after president's visit
A senior judge was assassinated in Acapulco on Wednesday, December 11, a day after President Claudia Sheinbaum convened security officials to address violence. Edmundo Roman Pinzon, former head of Guerrero state's highest court, was gunned down in his car, according to local media reports. Read more here.
New technology aids Brazil's crackdown on illicit Amazon gold trade
Harley Sandoval, an evangelical pastor, real estate agent, and mining entrepreneur, was arrested in July 2023 for illegally exporting 294 kilos of gold from Brazil's Amazon to the United States, Dubai, and Italy. Although the gold was officially sourced from a legal mine in Tocantins, police revealed that no gold had been mined there since colonial times. Read more here.
