This week’s biggest stories from the Global South: Indian protests over doctor's rape, beauty queen controversy, Brazil plane crash

Africa

‘I could hear the screams’: Nigerian resident in UK recounts terrifying night during riots

Adewumi Oluwasemilore, a film graduate from Teesside University, shared his harrowing experience during the violent riots that erupted in the United Kingdom, particularly in Middlesbrough, where he is resident. Read more here.

Why Botswana has turned against government over funding for Olympic heroes

Government’s request for donations to reward the country’s Olympic heroes stirred a wave of public outrage across Botswana this week. This controversy has sparked heated debates and raised questions about the government's financial priorities and the nation's economic challenges. Read more here.

This African Innovator's e-lockers are saving Kenyan commuters from robbery, improving deliveries   

From a horrific robbery experience, a genius idea, the first of its kind on the African continent was birthed; smart lockers that provide secure storage solutions for commuters. The product was designed by Kenyan entrepreneur Charles Oduk after he lost his laptop during a rush-hour commute in 2013. Read more here.

Nigerian heritage offers ex-Miss South Africa finalist Chidimma Adetshina a comeback amid scandal

Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina, a former Top 11 finalist in the Miss South Africa beauty pageant, has been formally invited to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. This invitation comes in the wake of Adetshina's withdrawal from the Miss South Africa competition due to harassment and controversy surrounding her mother's citizenship. Read more here.

Latin America

Brazilian plane spins before crashing, killing all 61 on board

A regional turboprop plane fell into what aviation experts called a flat spin before crashing in a residential neighborhood near Sao Paulo in Brazil on Friday, killing all 61 people on board. Regional carrier Voepass said the plane, bound for Sao Paulo's international airport, took off from Cascavel, in the state of Parana, and crashed at around 1:30 p.m. (1630 GMT) in the town of Vinhedo, some 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Sao Paulo. Read more here.

Venezuelan opposition protests as election dispute drags on

Protests are still rife in Venezuela as political opposition and its supporters gathered in cities around the country on Saturday to demand recognition of what they say is their candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez’ resounding victory in a presidential vote nearly three weeks ago. The country's electoral authority, considered by the opposition to be an arm of the ruling party, has said President Nicolas Maduro won his third term in the July 28 contest, with just under 52% of the vote. Read more here.

Argentine prosecutors charge ex-President Fernandez in alleged abuse case, local media says

Argentina's federal prosecutor's office has formally charged ex-President Alberto Fernandez for allegedly causing serious injuries to his ex-partner and former first lady, Fabiola Yanez, local media reported on Wednesday. Read more here.

Migrant repatriation flights from Panama to start this month

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a phone call with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino that US-funded flights would start this month to repatriate migrants illegally crossing into Panama through the Darien jungle, according to a Panama government statement. Read more here. 

Asia

Nationwide protests in India after doctor’s rape and murder

Thousands of people marched through Kolkata, New Delhi, and other cities on Friday demanding justice for a doctor who was raped and murdered. The 31-year-old's body was discovered on August 9 at a state-run hospital in Kolkata, sparking widespread outrage and demonstrations. Read more here.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thailand's youngest Prime Minister

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leader of the ruling Thai coalition, Pheu Thai has been elected as Thailand's youngest Prime Minister at the age of 37. This comes after Thailand’s ousted prime minister, Srettha Thavisin was removed from office by the Constitutional Court. Read more here.

Students whitewash Bangladesh after months of deadly unrest

Students, who were at the forefront of the protests that led to the ousting of the 'autocratic premier' Sheikh Hasina, are now channelling their efforts into a new mission of transforming the capital city, Dhaka, through painting. These students, who once filled the streets with their demands for change, are now armed with paintbrushes and buckets of whitewash. Their goal is to erase the politically charged graffiti that marked the height of the recent unrest. Read more here.

Indian amputee becomes first to conquer Mt. Kilimanjaro on crutches

An Indian amputee has made history by becoming the first person to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, using crutches. This climb was part of the Divyangjan Expedition Team's mission under the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), backed by the Ministry of Defence. Read more here.