This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Interpol's cybercrime bust in Africa, Taiwan’s nuclear future, Ecuador's state of emergency
From innovation to violence, here are the stories that made the headlines this week.
Africa
Oil made Gaddafi’s Libya and it will build - or ruin - its successor
As rival governments vie for control of Libya’s oil, the resource has become both a lifeline and a weapon. Oil will ultimately decide the country’s future—whether through unity fostered by revenue-sharing, division as regions claim resources independently, or a continued status quo where factions and their backers fight for dominance. Read more here.
Nigeria kills at least 35 Islamic fighters near Cameroon border, air force says
Nigeria’s air force said it killed at least 35 Islamist fighters in strikes near the Cameroon border on Saturday, after intelligence revealed plans to attack ground troops. The operation, which hit four assembly points, is part of an intensified northeast campaign that has already claimed 592 militia members in eight months—surpassing gains made in 2024. Read more here.
What you need to know about Interpol’s $97m cybercrime bust across 18 African countries
In one of Africa’s biggest cybercrime crackdowns, authorities in 18 countries—backed by Interpol and the UK—arrested 1,209 suspects, identified 88,000 victims, and recovered $97.4 million. The three-month “Serengeti 2.0” operation also dismantled over 11,000 malicious infrastructures. Read more here.
Asia
Taiwan’s nuclear future hinges on voter anxiety over health and safety
Health has become the key issue for Taiwanese voters ahead of the August 23 referendum on restarting the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant, with concerns focused less on energy needs than on the risks to public well-being, journalist Julien Oeuillet told Global South World. Read more here.
Turkish first lady urges Melania Trump to speak out on Gaza
Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan urged Melania Trump to press Israel’s prime minister on the plight of children in Gaza, citing Trump’s recent letter to Vladimir Putin about children in Ukraine and Russia, Ankara said Saturday, August 23. Read more here.
Iran forces kill six militants, IRNA reports, Israel link seen
Iranian forces killed six militants and arrested two in the southeast on Saturday, a day after rebels killed five police officers. IRNA said the group was linked to Israel and possibly trained by Mossad; most of the militants were foreign. Read more here.
Ecuador homicides increase 40% through July, over 5,000 killed
Ecuador recorded 5,268 homicides in the first seven months of this year—a 40% jump from 2024 and the country’s deadliest seven-month period in a decade, the interior ministry said. Most victims were aged 25–34 and killed with firearms. Read more here.
Bolsonaro's defence says drafted asylum request is not evidence of flight risk
Lawyers for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro told the Supreme Court a draft asylum request to Argentina found on his phone was from last year and doesn’t prove flight risk, noting he never fled. Read more here.
At least 18 die in Colombia in two attacks attributed to FARC dissidents
At least 18 people were killed and over 40 were injured on Thursday, August 21, in two attacks in Colombia blamed on FARC dissidents. In Cali, a car bomb near an air force base left six dead and 71 wounded, officials said. Read more here.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
