This week’s biggest stories from the Global South: Cannabis food ban, Bangkok earthquake, defense of jailed Venezuelans

Former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander Retired Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe is sworn in as Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, at State House in Harare

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa attends the swearing in of former Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander Retired Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe as the new Minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, replacing International Olympic Commitee (IOC) President Elect Kirsty Coventry, at State House in Harare, Zimbabwe, March 27, 2025. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo

Source: REUTERS

Here are the top stories that made the news across the Global South during the week.

Africa

Namibia's top 3 government positions now held by women

Flag Namibia. Flag Namibia against cloudy sky. Country, nation, union, banner, government, Namibian culture, politics. 3D illustration country_flag_namibiaNo Use Switzerland. No Use Germany. No Use Japan. No Use Austria

For the first time in the country’s history, Namibia's top three government positions are held by women. Read more here.

Zimbabwe president fires army chief ahead of planned protests

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa acted to consolidate his hold on power with the dismissal of a senior general, political analysts say, amid growing fears of a possible coup by former allies. Read more here.

South Africa’s government backs down on Cannabis food ban

Cyril Ramaphosa inauguration ceremony — Cyril Ramaphosa gestures after taking the oath of office for his second term as South African President at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, 19 June 2024. KIM LUDBROOK/Pool via REUTERS

South Africa’s government will withdraw new rules that ban the sale, import, and production of food products containing cannabis and hemp. Read more here.

Asia

India tightens immigration rules with strict fines and jail terms

India's PM Modi visits Poland — India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to the Good Maharaja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, in Warsaw, Poland, August 21, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

India is introducing new immigration laws to improve security and make visa rules easier to follow. The government says the new rules, part of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, will also help the tourism industry and boost the economy. Read more here.

Jakarta plans to introduce “cat island” to help strays and boost tourism

Governor of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta has indicated plans to create an island just for stray cats. The plan, inspired by Japan’s famous cat islands, aims to control the growing number of stray cats in the city while also attracting tourists. Read more here.

Moment apartment block collapses as powerful earthquake rocks Bangkok

Tremors from an earthquake felt in Bangkok — People gather on a street after a strong earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, earthquake monitoring services said, which affected Bangkok as well with hundreds of people pouring out of buildings in the Thai capital in panic after the tremors, in Bangkok, Thailand, March 28, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

An under-construction apartment block in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district collapsed after a powerful earthquake struck the capital at noon. Workers scrambled for safety as debris fell around them. Read more here.

Latin America

Lula says Brazil 'cannot stand still' in reaction to US tariffs

FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends the National Seal of Commitment to Literacy Award Ceremony in Brasilia — FILE PHOTO: Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the National Seal of Commitment to Literacy Award Ceremony in Brasilia, Brazil February 10, 2025. REUTERS/Adriano Machado/File Photo

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told reporters in Tokyo on March 27 that his country "cannot stand still" in response to US President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. Read more here.

El Salvador Supreme Court to hear defense of jailed Venezuelans deported from US

U.S. deports alleged members of the Tren de Aragua to be imprisoned in El Salvador — FILE PHOTO: Salvadoran police officers escort alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua recently deported by the U.S. government to be imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison, as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government, in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in this handout image obtained March 16, 2025. Secretaria de Prensa de la Presidencia/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

A law firm on March 24, presented a habeas corpus lawsuit to El Salvador's Supreme Court in defense of 30 Venezuelan citizens jailed in the Central American nation's so-called mega-prison after being deported there by the United States. Read more here.

Panama ex-President Martinelli cleared to leave for asylum in Nicaragua

FILE PHOTO: Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino holds a press conference in Panama City — FILE PHOTO: Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino gestures during a press conference in Panama City, Panama, February 13, 2025. REUTERS/Enea Lebrun/File Photo

Panama's government has approved safe passage for former President Ricardo Martinelli to travel to Nicaragua, where he has been granted asylum, a top Panamanian official said in a press conference on March 27. Read more here.

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