This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Crime rates in South Africa, Chinese market blaze, Venezuela-Paraguay rift

Ethiopia volcanic activity

Source: Twitterr/Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission

Here are the top stories that grabbed headlines across the Global South this week.

Africa

South Africa leads list of African countries with highest crime rates

FILE PHOTO: Elections in South Africa — FILE PHOTO: Members of the South African Defence Force (SANDF) walk through parts of the Durban CBD while performing their duties guarding a polling station the day after the elections, in Durban, South Africa May 30, 2024. REUTERS/Alaister Russell/File Photo

South Africa has been ranked as the African country with the highest crime rate, according to the Numbeo Crime Index. The country scored 74.7 on the index, placing it at the top of the list for 2024. Read more here.

How Kenya police cover-up killings of anti-government protesters

Kenya protester autopsies raise concerns of police cover-up amid wave of abductions — FILE PHOTO: Protesters demonstrating against what they say is a wave of unexplained abductions of government critics, react after riot police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse them along the Aga Khan walk in downtown Nairobi, Kenya December 30, 2024. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya/File Photo

Kenyan police are facing allegations of covering up their role in the deaths of protesters during anti-government demonstrations in June and July. According to autopsy reports, 19-year-old Charles Owino and 21-year-old Shaquille Obienge were killed by gunshot wounds, but police recorded their deaths as road accidents. Read more here.

Ethiopia evacuates thousands after series of earthquakes from volcanic activity

Ethiopia volcanic activity — Source: Twitterr/Ethiopian Disaster Risk Management Commission

Over 20,000 people were relocated to safer zones in Ethiopia on December 5, following a spate of earthquakes in the Afar and Oromia regions. According to authorities, more than 51,000 residents remain vulnerable due to heightened seismic activity in the region over the past two months. Read more here.

Asia

Indonesia launches $4.3 billion free-meal programme to target stunting: Video

Indonesia launched a landmark free-meal program on January 6, allocating $4.3 billion to tackle malnutrition and prevent stunted growth among its citizens. Read more here.

China market blaze kills eight, 15 hurt

Palisades fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles — Source: REUTERS

A devastating fire swept through a vegetable market in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, China, on Saturday, leaving eight people dead and 15 others injured. According to state broadcaster CCTV, the blaze was brought under control within an hour of breaking out at approximately 8:40 a.m. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Read more here.

Malaysia PM denies hiding document on ex-premier Najib's home detention

Vietnam's Communist Party leader To Lam visits Malaysia — FILE PHOTO: Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a press conference with Vietnam's communist party general secretary To Lam (unseen) at the Federal Government office "Putra Perdana" in Putrajaya near Kuala Lumpur on November 21, 2024. MOHD RASFAN/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government did not conceal any document relating to jailed former premier Najib Razak's home detention, state media reported. Read more here.

Latin America

Venezuela, Paraguay break relations over Pena's support for opposition

FILE PHOTO: Paraguay's President Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Asuncion — FILE PHOTO: Paraguay's President Santiago Pena speaks during an interview with Reuters, in Asuncion, Paraguay August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo/File Photo

Venezuela severed diplomatic ties with Paraguay on Monday, prompting Paraguay to expel Venezuelan diplomats from the country. This move came after Paraguayan President Santiago Peña publicly backed Venezuela's opposition, sparking tensions between the two nations. In response, Venezuela withdrew its diplomatic personnel from Paraguay, exercising its sovereignty. Read more here.

Ecuador's Noboa names acting president so he can campaign

Ecuador's President Noboa attends an event at the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion, in Quito — FILE PHOTO: Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa speaks at an event organized by the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion, in Quito, Ecuador January 6, 2025. REUTERS/Karen Toro/File Photo

Ecuadorean President Daniel Noboa said in a decree on Tuesday, January 7 that interim vice-president Cynthia Natalie Gellibert will serve as acting president from Thursday, January 9 to Sunday, January 10 so he can participate in campaigning for his re-election. Read more here.

Colombia bans child marriage in landmark move

FILE PHOTO: Colombian President Gustavo Petro — FILE PHOTO: Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks during an event with peace negotiators of Colombia's government and the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels, in Bogota, Colombia August 3, 2023. REUTERS/Vannessa Jimenez/File Photo

Colombia has passed a historic law banning child marriage, raising the minimum age to 18 with no exceptions. This law ends a 137-year-old rule that allowed children as young as 14 to marry with parental consent. Read more here.

Abigail Johnson Boakye

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