This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Hardship strikes, new gov't, plane crash

Rwandan President Paul Kagame campaigns in Kigali

Rwanda's incumbent President and presidential candidate for the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) Paul Kagame addresses his supporters during his final campaign rally in Gahanga, Kicukiro district in Kigali, Rwanda, July 13, 2024. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana

Source: REUTERS

From politics to human interest and crime, here's a roundup of this week's must-read stories from the Global South.

Africa

World leaders flock to Rwanda as Kagame begins new term

FILE PHOTO: Campaigns open in Rwanda ahead of July Presidential vote — FILE PHOTO: Rwanda's President Paul Kagame of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) party attends the first campaign rally ahead of the July Presidential vote at Busogo, Musanze District, Rwanda, June 22, 2024. REUTERS/Jean Bizimana/File Photo

World leaders gathered at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday, August 11, to witness President Paul Kagame's inauguration for a new five-year term after his landslide victory in Rwanda's presidential election. Read more here.

Tunisian president sacks prime minister

Tunisian President Kais Saied visits China — Tunisian President Kais Saied attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 31, 2024. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/Pool/File photo

Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed Prime Minister Ahmed Hachani and appointed Social Affairs Minister Kamel Maddouri as his replacement, according to a statement from the presidency late Wednesday, August 7. Read more here.

Miss South Africa controversy: Chidimma Adetshina's withdrawal and its ripple effects

Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina has withdrawn from Miss SA competition

The 2024 Miss South Africa pageant faced unexpected turbulence when contestant Chidimma Adetshina withdrew amid an investigation into her nationality and eligibility. The controversy began with questions about her parentage and citizenship, prompting the Department of Home Affairs to intervene. Read more here.

Asia

Nobel laureate Yunus takes charge of Bangladesh, hopes to heal strife-torn country

Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin administers oath-taking ceremony of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the country’s head of the interim government in Bangladesh at the Bangabhaban, in Dhaka — Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin administers oath-taking ceremony of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as the country?s head of the interim government in Bangladesh at the Bangabhaban, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, August 8, 2024. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain

Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed leadership of Bangladesh's caretaker government on Thursday, aiming to heal a nation shaken by weeks of violence that led Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee to India. Read more here.

China discloses first heat-stroke fatalities amid record temperatures

Red alert for heatwave in Hangzhou — FILE PHOTO: People cool off in an air raid shelter amid a red alert for heatwave in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China August 2, 2024. REUTERS/Nicoco Chan/File Photo

At least two people have died from heatstroke in a Chinese city, with many more falling ill, as temperatures hovered around 40°C (104°F) for the eighth consecutive day on the eastern seaboard. Read more here.

Philippines, Vietnam hold first-ever joint coast guard exercise

Philippine and Vietnamese Coast Guard Joint Maritime Exercise — A Vietnamese Coast Guard ship fires water cannon during a joint maritime exercise between the Philippine Coast Guard and Vietnamese Coast Guard, in the waters of Bataan province, Philippines, August 9, 2024. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

On Friday, August 9, Philippine and Vietnamese vessels conducted their first joint exercises, using water cannons and simulating a search and rescue operation. This collaboration comes amid tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea. Find out more here.

Latin America

Venezuela's Maduro blocks X access in country for 10 days

FILE PHOTO: Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro attends an event, in Caracas, Venezuela May 1, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

On Thursday, August 8, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro escalated tensions with social media platform X and its owner Elon Musk by banning the platform for 10 days amid controversy over a disputed presidential election. Read more here.

Brazil authorities recover bodies of all 62 plane crash victims

Officials work at the site of a plane crash in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo — A drone view shows people working at the site of a plane crash in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, August 10, 2024. REUTERS/Carla Carniel

On Saturday, August 10, Brazilian emergency crews recovered the remains of all 62 victims from an airliner crash in Vinhedo, near Sao Paulo. The bodies, including 34 males and 28 females, were moved to Sao Paulo's police morgue for identification. The pilot and co-pilot were identified earlier in the day, according to Vinhedo's mayor, Dario Pacheco. Read more here.

Argentina grains workers strike set to drag on into weekend

Argentina grains workers strike could continue beyond Friday — Oilseed workers stand near train wagons used to carry grains as an oilseed workers strike affects terminals, in Rosario, Argentina August 9, 2024. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

An oilseed workers' strike in Argentina continued into Saturday, August 10, as wage negotiations remain stalled. This has affected shipments from one of the world's major grain exporters, with at least 36 ships delayed near the key agricultural port of Rosario, according to an industry spokesperson and unions. Read more here.

Abigail Johnson Boakye