This week's biggest stories from the Global South - top highlights

President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during a celebration after Clara Brugada received the certificate of majority that accredits her as mayor-elect of Mexico City, in Mexico City, Mexico June 8, 2024. REUTERS/Luis Cortes

Source: REUTERS

From politics to human interest and crime, we bring you a roundup of the biggest must-read stories from the Global South this week.

Asia

Indonesia's Mt Ibu volcano erupts, spewing clouds of ash

Mount Ibu volcano eruption as seen from Gam Ici in West Halmahera, North Maluku — Lightning appears amid a storm as Mount Ibu spews volcanic material during an eruption, as seen from Gam Ici in West Halmahera, North Maluku province, Indonesia, May 18, 2024 in this handout image. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG)/Handout via REUTERS

Indonesia's Mount Ibu volcano erupted on Tuesday, sending thick columns of grey ash five kilometres (three miles) into the sky, according to the volcanology agency. There were no immediate reports of evacuations. Find more in the link here.

Myanmar junta arrests dozens in bid to stabilise currency

FILE PHOTO: Stacks of Myanmar kyat are seen on the counter before a client collects them, at a bank in Yangon, Myanmar October 19, 2015. REUTERS/Minzayar/File Photo

Myanmar's junta is cracking down on gold and foreign exchange traders and agents selling foreign real estate, with 35 arrests announced in the last two days as part of efforts to stabilise its rapidly depreciating currency. Find more in the link here.

Indian opposition leader returns to jail after vote ends

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses supporters and members of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in New Delhi — New Delhi, June 2, 2024. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

The chief minister of India's capital New Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal returned to jail on Sunday to continue his prison term after being granted an interim bail by the country's top court. The politician who is an opponent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was arrested by the federal financial crime-fighting agency in March in connection with alleged corruption in the awarding of liquor licences. Find more in the link here.

Africa

Egypt's Sisi orders prime minister to form new cabinet

FILE PHOTO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi attends a military ceremony in the courtyard of the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France, November 26, 2014. REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reappointed Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Monday to form a new government after the latter submitted his cabinet's resignation, following Sisi's reelection for a third term last year, the presidency said in a statement. Find more in the link here.

South Africa's ANC to invite other parties to form government of national unity

South Africa's ANC meets to decide on preferred partners to govern — ANC'S President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting looking at options to form a new South African government, its Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said in Boksburg, in the East of Johannesburg, South Africa, June 6, 2024. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

South Africa's African National Congress (ANC) will invite other political parties to form a government of national unity, its leader Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday after a meeting of the ANC's National Executive Committee.

The ANC lost its parliamentary majority in last week's election, meaning it cannot govern alone for the first time since the end of apartheid 30 years ago. Find more in the link here.

Attacks leave Sudanese refugees stranded in Ethiopian forest

FILE PHOTO: Influx of Sudanese refugees arrives in Adre hospital — FILE PHOTO: Sudanese refugees gather as Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams assist the war-wounded from West Darfur, Sudan, in Adre hospital, Chad, June 16, 2023 in this handout image. Courtesy of Mohammad Ghannam/MSF/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo/File Photo

Refugees from Sudan's civil war who fled into neighbouring Ethiopia said they have been forced to move on again and take shelter in a forest and on roadsides after repeated attacks by gunmen left their tents pock-marked with bullet holes. Find more in the link here.

Latin America

Mexico's Sheinbaum wins Mexican presidency

Celebration after Clara Brugada received the certificate of majority that accredits her as mayor-elect, in Mexico City — President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum gestures during a celebration after Clara Brugada received the certificate of majority that accredits her as mayor-elect of Mexico City, in Mexico June 8, 2024. REUTERS/Luis Cortes

Ruling party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum won Mexico's presidential election, according to the INE electoral institute's rapid sample count released Sunday night. Find more in the link here.

Innovative Chileans use discarded hair to clean up coasts and waterways

Group uses human and animal hair to clean waterways of oils, heavy metals, and even bacteria, in Chile — Members of Matter of Trust Chile prepare to place a tube-like device made from human hair as part of 'Petropelo', a system that utilizes hair's natural absorbent qualities to clean waterways of oils, heavy metals, and even bacteria, in Laguna Verde area, Chile May 28, 2024. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

Luisana Gil, a dog groomer in Santiago, Chile, like others has bags and bags of client's hair being used inovatively. Gil is connecting her discarded pet hair with Matter of Trust Chile, a group that uses human and animal hair to make tools that leverage hair's natural absorbent qualities to clean local waterways of oils, heavy metals, and even bacteria. Find more in the link here.

Mexico councilwoman killed after bloodiest-ever elections

A local Mexican councilwoman, Esmeralda Garzon in a small town in the Pacific coastal state of Guerrero was killed on Friday by armed men who showed up at her front door. Authorities say she was killed in the early afternoon as she was leaving her house. Find more in the link here.

Wonder Hagan