This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Peru declares state of emergency, Indians face death sentence in UAE, Nigerian model sets world record

Protest outside the Indonesian Parliament against revisions to the country's military law, in Jakarta

A man stands on a concrete barrier during a protest outside the Indonesian Parliament, against revisions to the country's military law, which will allocate more civilian posts for military officers, in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 20, 2025. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana

Source: REUTERS

Latin America

Peru declares emergency as crime wave grips capital, singer shot dead

FILE PHOTO: Peru President of Peru Dina Boluarte — FILE PHOTO: President of Peru Dina Boluarte speaks during the launch ceremony of the presidency of APEC PERU 2024 at the Government Palace in Lima, Peru, December 4, 2023.REUTERS/Sebastian Castaneda/File Photo

Peru's government declared a state of emergency in Lima on Monday, March 17. It deployed soldiers to the streets following a surge in violence, including the fatal shooting of popular cumbia singer Paul Flores, whose bus was attacked by armed assailants. Read more here.

Venezuela reaches agreement with US to resume repatriation flights of migrants

FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan migrants arrive on a deportation flight from the U.S. at the Simon Bolivar International airport in Maiquetia, La Guaira State, Venezuela February 10, 2025. REUTERS/Gaby Oraa/File Photo

Venezuela has agreed with the U.S. to resume migrant repatriation flights, President Nicolás Maduro announced Saturday, March 22 saying the flights will begin Sunday, March 23 to return migrants held in U.S. prisons. Read more here.

Mexico City bans bloody bullfighting in historic move

Activists protest against bullfighting during a debate at the Colombian congress in Bogota — An animal rights activist holds a poster that reads "No more culture of violence" during a demonstration demanding the approval of a law that prohibits bullfights and events where animals are abused, during a debate at the Colombian congress in Bogota, Colombia May 8, 2024. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Mexico City has banned killing bulls and using sharp weapons in bullfights, with lawmakers voting 61-1 to make the practice less violent. Read more here.

Asia

25 Indians face death sentence in UAE

Gen VK Singh Minister of State for External Affairs — Source: Twitter/Gen VK Singh

India says 25 of its nationals in the UAE have been sentenced to death, but executions are yet to be carried out, Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh told Parliament on March 20. Read more here.

Indonesia parliament passes contentious amendments to military law

Indonesia's parliament passed a revised military law Thursday, March 20 which expanded civilian roles for military officers. This sparked protests and criticism that it could revive Suharto-era military dominance. Read more here.

Three years after China Eastern plane crash, regulator has not released report

A view shows fields with mountains rising in the distance, in a rural area of Duan Yao autonomous county in Guangxi region, China January 10, 2025. REUTERS/David Kirton

China's aviation regulator has yet to release findings on the 2022 China Eastern crash that killed 132 people, leaving families and the industry without answers three years after the country’s deadliest air disaster in decades. Read more here.

Africa

This Nigerian model set a Guinness World Record with a 125km catwalk for inclusivity

catwalk-distance-split-image — Ololade Ayelabola achieved the longest distance walked on a catwalk by a model

Nigerian model Ololade Ayelabola set a Guinness World Record by walking 125.11 km over five days at a Lagos fashion event to promote inclusivity in the industry. Read more here.

Kenya appeals death sentence of woman convicted of drug trafficking in Vietnam

37-year-old Kenyan woman, Margaret Nduta

Kenya has appealed the death sentence given to Margaret Nduta, 37, who was convicted of drug trafficking in Vietnam after being caught with 2kg of cocaine at Ho Chi Minh City's airport in July 2023. Read more here.

Somaliland open to hosting Gaza residents only after global recognition

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, in Addis Ababa — FILE PHOTO: Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi arrives at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding agreement with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, that allows Ethiopia to use a Somaliland port, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, January 1, 2024. REUTERS/Tiksa Neger/File Photo

Somaliland says it may host Gaza residents but insists such talks must follow formal international recognition of its sovereignty, its foreign minister told Israel’s KAN broadcaster. Read more here.

Abigail Johnson Boakye