This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Ecuador's election crisis, robots join marathon in China, herders kill 56 in Nigeria
Here are the week’s top headlines from across the Global South.
Latin America
Ecuador's election crisis: Gonzalez to contest results amid fraud allegations
Ecuador's leftist presidential challenger, Luisa Gonzalez, plans to contest the election results, alleging widespread fraud. Meanwhile, incumbent President Daniel Noboa secured a decisive win with 55.62% of the vote to Gonzalez's 44.38%. Independent observers affirmed the election was fair and transparent. Read more here.
Mexico confirms first human case of screwworm myiasis
Mexico's Health Ministry confirmed the country's first human case of screwworm-induced myiasis in a 77-year-old woman from Acacoyagua, Chiapas. She is stable and receiving antibiotics. Myiasis is a parasitic infection caused by fly larvae infesting open wounds. Read more here.
Colombia's Petro pauses FARC offensive to progress in peace talks
Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday, April 18, ordered a halt to military operations against a FARC-EP faction to advance peace talks. The move follows the expiration of a ceasefire and will last until May 18. The decree aims to ensure safety along transit routes and support local agriculture. Read more here.
Asia
Robots join thousands of runners in Beijing’s futuristic half marathon
On April 19, dozens of humanoid robots joined human runners in a half marathon in Beijing’s E-Town, a tech hub. The 21-km event tested bipedal robots in real-world conditions, with some running autonomously and others remotely controlled. Spectators captured the moment on their phones. Read more here.
Pakistani Christian man to appeal death sentence for blasphemy
A Christian man sentenced to death for blasphemy in Jaranwala, Pakistan, will appeal the verdict, his lawyer said Saturday. The 36-year-old was accused of desecrating the Koran, sparking 2023 attacks on a Christian neighbourhood. His lawyer confirmed plans to challenge the ruling in the High Court. Read more here.
Earthquake of magnitude 5.8 strikes Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, GFZ says
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border on Saturday, April 19, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). It occurred at a depth of 92 km (57 miles). Read more here.
Africa
Death toll in Nigeria attacks by herders rises to 56
The death toll from suspected herder attacks in Benue State, Nigeria, has been increased to 56, Governor Hyacinth Alia said Saturday during a visit to the affected areas. Police had earlier reported 17 deaths. The long-running violence has disrupted food supplies from the key agricultural region. Read more here.
Uganda plans law to allow military prosecution of civilians
Uganda plans to introduce a law allowing military tribunals to try civilians, despite a Supreme Court ban in January. Critics accuse the government of using military courts for politically motivated prosecutions, which it denies. The law could see opposition figure Kizza Besigye returned to a military court. Read more here.
South Africa reaffirms 'One China' policy, instructs Taiwan to relocate office
South Africa has asked Taiwan to move its liaison office from Pretoria to Johannesburg to reaffirm its commitment to the “One China” policy. Minister Ronald Lamola said the move doesn’t change Taiwan’s diplomatic status, as formal ties ended in 1997 when South Africa recognised the PRC. Read more here.
