This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Death penalty abandonment, $7.6 bn in losses from natural disasters, first zero-emission tugboat
We bring you a compilation of this week's biggest stories across all topics within the Global South.
Africa
New baby malaria drug could save thousands of African newborns, researcher says
A Ugandan health expert has welcomed the approval of the world’s first malaria drug designed specifically for newborn babies, calling it a long-overdue breakthrough for countries still battling high infection and death rates from the disease. Read more here.
What’s behind the petrol price gaps across Africa?
New data shows that fuel prices across Africa in June 2025 reveal a striking disparity, with the cost of petrol ranging from just $0.02 per litre in Libya to $1.54 per litre in Zimbabwe. Read more here.
Could Botswana abandon death penalty to tackle gender-based violence?
President Duma Boko has suggested a reassessment of the effectiveness of capital punishment in curbing violent crime, particularly gender-based violence (GBV), amid growing public concern over its persistent rise across Botswana. Read more here.
Asia
China suffers $7.6 billion in losses from natural disasters in H1 2025
Natural disasters across China in the first half of 2025 brought direct economic losses of 54.11 billion yuan ($7.55 billion) and affected more than 23 million people, an official from the emergency response ministry said on July 15. Read more here.
Indonesia leads the world in peacekeepers on Israel–Lebanon border
According to the latest data from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Indonesia has emerged as the largest contributor of peacekeeping troops to the Israel–Lebanon border, deploying 1,255 personnel to help maintain stability in one of the Middle East’s most volatile regions. Read more here.
How Vietnam’s nine new laws are rewriting rules for schools, salaries and state money
Vietnam’s President Lương Cường has approved nine new laws that bring major reforms to the country’s education system, tax policy, labour rules, energy use and more. Read more here.
Latin America
Lula says he won't take orders from foreigner Trump, calls tariffs blackmail
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on July 24 said he would not take orders over tariffs from a foreigner, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump, and later called the United States' threatened duty "unacceptable blackmail." Read more here.
Chile reveals Latin America's first zero-emission tugboat, Trapananda
Chile has launched Latin America’s first fully electric tugboat as part of efforts to reduce pollution and modernise its port services. Read more here.
Cuba fires minister who said beggars were all fakes
The Cuban government fired its labor minister after she was publicly rebuked by the president for saying the country's beggars were all phonies in disguise. Read more here.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
