This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Mexican influencer shot dead, sexual violence in Sudan, students detained in Turkey

Mexican beauty influencer shot to death during TikTok livestream

Mexican social media influencer, Valeria Marquez, 23, who was brazenly shot to death during a TikTok livestream in the beauty salon where she worked in the city of Zapopan, looks on in this picture obtained from social media. @v___marquez/via Instagram/via REUTERS

Source: UGC

We bring you a roundup of the biggest stories that made waves in the Global South this week.

Latin America

Mexican beauty influencer shot to death during TikTok live stream

Mexican newspapers report on the funeral Mass of social media influencer Valeria Marquez, who was fatally shot during a TikTok livestream, in Guadalajara — A newsstand displays front pages covering the funeral Mass of Valeria Marquez, 23, a Mexican social media influencer who was fatally shot during a TikTok livestream, in Guadalajara, Mexico, May 16, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Mexican beauty influencer Valeria Marquez, 23, was fatally shot during a TikTok livestream, sparking outrage in a country plagued by gender-based violence. Authorities are investigating her death as a possible femicide. Read more here.

'Our land is not for sale': Ecuador's Waorani rally to defend Amazon from government oil plans

Waorani protest in Quito against Ecuador’s expanded Amazon oil plans — Members of the indigenous community Waorani march towards the Constitutional Court building of Quito to demand respect for their rights due to fears of new oil exploitation in their territories, in Quito, Ecuador, May 13, 2025. REUTERS/David Arcos TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Dozens of Waorani Indigenous people protested in Ecuador’s capital on May 14 against proposed oil expansion in the Amazon, saying it endangers their ancestral lands and culture. Read more here.

Who was José Mujica? Uruguay’s iconic ex-president, who lived like the poor

FILE PHOTO: Uruguay's president-elect Jose Mujica celebrates winning the presidential run-off election in Montevideo — FILE PHOTO: Uruguay's president-elect Jose Mujica celebrates winning the presidential run-off election in Montevideo, Uruguay, November 29, 2009. REUTERS/Andres Stapff/File Photo

José Mujica, Uruguay’s former president known for his humility and bold reforms, has died at 89, President Yamandú Orsi announced on social media. Read more here.

Africa

Survivors fight to heal from rampant sexual violence in war-torn Sudan: Video

In Port Sudan, now serving as the de facto capital of eastern Sudan, survivors of sexual violence find refuge at the Aman Centre—a community-run hub offering psychological support and a path to healing amid the country’s ongoing conflict. The centre has become a critical lifeline for many. Read more here.

Gambian lawmakers demand expanded probe into Jammeh’s hidden assets

FILE PHOTO: Then Republic of Gambia President Yahya Jammeh waves during his arrival in Manila June 20, 2005. Jammeh was forced to flee his country in January 2017 after an election defeat. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo/File Photo

The Gambian National Assembly has approved a motion to expand the investigation into former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets, amid rising calls for transparency over his seized properties. Read more here.

Libyan economy and trade minister resigns from the internationally recognised government

Demonstrators demand the overthrow of the Libya's Government of National Unity, in Tripoli — Demonstrators demand the overthrow of the Libya's Government of National Unity headed by Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, in Martyrs' Square in Tripoli, Libya. May 16, 2025. REUTERS/Ayman al-Sahili

Libya's Economy Minister, Mohamed al-Hawij, has resigned, joining two other ministers amid protests in the capital after this week’s violent clashes. Local Government Minister Badr al-Tumi and Housing Minister Abu Bakr al-Ghawi also stepped down. Read more here.

Asia

Vietnam leads the world in breeding high-value sushi fish in lab

Amberjack (Seriola rivoliana) caught by a fisherman off the island of Yap, Micronesia, Pacific Copyright: RyanxRossotto — Amberjack Seriola rivoliana caught by a fisherman off the island of Yap, Micronesia, Pacific Copyright: RyanxRossotto 1387-98No Use Switzerland. No Use Germany. No Use Japan. No Use Austria

Vietnam has made history as the first country to successfully breed amberjack, a prized fish widely used in Japanese cuisine. Read more here.

Turkish police detain 97 students over university protest

Women wave Turkey's national flags during a rally against recent Kurdish militant attacks on Turkish security forces in Istanbul — FILE PHOTO: Women wave Turkey's national flags during a rally against recent Kurdish militant attacks on Turkish security forces in Istanbul, Turkey, September 20, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Turkish police detained 97 students at Istanbul’s Bogazici University on Tuesday during a protest against a campus event featuring controversial Islamic preacher Nureddin Yildiz. Read more here.

Rogue communication devices found in Chinese solar power inverters

FILE PHOTO: Solar panels are arrayed on Earth Day in Northfield — FILE PHOTO: Solar panels are arrayed on Earth Day in Northfield, Massachusetts, U.S., April 22, 2022. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

U.S. energy officials are reviewing risks tied to Chinese-made power inverters after finding unexplained communication equipment in some devices. These inverters, crucial to solar, wind, and EV infrastructure, are widely used globally. Read more here.

Abigail Johnson Boakye

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