This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Flooding in Borno State, Venezuelan opposition leader flees, celebrity pastor arrested in Philippines
Africa
Dam overflow in Nigerian's Borno State creates new crisis
Thousands of residents living within Maiduguri, the capital city of Borno State remain stranded days after flood waters from an overflowing dam destroyed tens of houses in the area. The United Nations Refugee Agency in Nigeria (UNHCR) has described it as the worst flooding in the area in 30 years. Read more here.
Malawians turn to toxic wild yams as drought worsens
As southern Africa faces its worst drought in a century, villagers in Malawi are digging up wild yams, which can be toxic, to stave off hunger. Some Malawians have had to turn to cooking orange wild yams, known as mpama, which must be boiled for eight hours to remove their toxins.
Slain Ugandan Olympian buried with full military honours
Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei who died four days after she was doused in petrol and set on fire by her Kenyan boyfriend has been laid to rest. The deceased, 33, who competed in the Paris Olympics suffered burns to more than 75% of her body in the attack that happened on September 1. She was buried on September 14 with full military honours. Read more here.
Latin America
Mixed reactions as Venezuelan opposition leader Gonzalez flees to Spain
Venezuelans in the capital, Caracas, have shared their reactions to opposition presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia's exile to Spain. Some citizens believe it adds to the country’s current political situation while others feel the situation could have been avoided. Read more here.
Decades-long U.S. sanctions cost Cuba $5 billion in 2023
The Cuban government pegged the economic impact of the United States' embargo at an estimated $5 billion for the year 2023. The US embargo on Cuba, first imposed in 1962, has been a contentious issue for over six decades. Read more here.
Brazillian president celebrates return of over 300-year-old sacred cloak
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hailed the return of the sacred Tupinamba cloak as a "milestone" for Indigenous people during a ceremony in Rio de Janeiro. The ceremonial cloak, which had been held at the National Museum of Denmark since 1689, was returned to Brazil as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to recover Indigenous artefacts from international museums. Read more here.
Asia
China stops short of Africa debt relief, pledges more cash
China stopped short of providing the debt relief sought by many African countries this week, but pledged 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion) over three years in credit lines and investments. China has also sought to use FOCAC to counter growing competition in Africa from the United States, the European Union, Japan and others. Read more here.
Thailand’s new Prime Minister Paetongtarn promises to put the country on a pedestal
Thailand's new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has promised citizens a new kind of administration to restore the country's global prestige. Read more here.
Philippines arrests celebrity pastor accused of sex crimes
An influential evangelist preacher from the Philippines accused of sex trafficking and sexual abuse has been arrested, authorities said on Sunday. Apollo Quiboloy, self-proclaimed "owner of the universe" and "appointed son of god", is wanted on charges of child and sexual abuse and related allegations of human trafficking. He has denied wrongdoing. Read more here.
