This week’s biggest stories from the Global South: U.S elections and Africa, Mexican president condemns Bolivia assassination, sex trafficking in India
Here’s a compilation of stories that made the headlines across various continents within the global south. This week, stories focused on the aftermath of U.S elections, innovations, law and other social issues.
Africa
Trump vs Harris: What each candidate’s win will mean for Africa
Americans went to the polls this week to elect the 47th president and as a world superpower, leaders of continents like Africa were concerned about the impact of the elections on them. The question of how a win by each candidate, both the Democratic, Kamala Harris, and Republican, Donald Trump could affect the continent emerged strongly with experts suggesting various issues to look out for. Read more here.
Zimbabwe set to launch second satellite – crucial for climate monitoring and mining exploration
Zimbabwe launched its second earth observation satellite, ZimSat-2, on Tuesday, November 5, marking a key advancement in the nation’s expanding space programme. The launch took place at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast. Read more here.
Ghana launches first 5G network, aims to become West Africa’s digital hub
Ghana launched its first 5G network, a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey and economic advancement. Developed by Next-Gen InfraCo, a consortium of telecommunication service companies, this new network promises faster connectivity and enhanced coverage. The company has been granted exclusive rights for ten years to roll out 5G and 4G infrastructure, aiming to boost network reliability nationwide. Read more here.
Latin America
Mexican president condemns apparent assassination attempt on Bolivia’s Morales
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned an apparent assassination attempt on former Bolivian President Evo Morales a day earlier, which took place amid a growing dispute within the Andean country's socialist ruling party. The vehicle transporting Bolivia's former leftist leader was shot at, injuring the driver on November 3. Read more here.
Argentina's Milei to meet with Trump, Musk next week in the US
Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei will meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and tycoon Elon Musk next week in the United States, a government spokesperson confirmed. The meeting with Trump will take place at Mar-a-Lago, the incoming U.S. leader's private south Florida club, according to the spokesperson. Read more here.
Mexico Congress likely to pass reform abolishing autonomous bodies by mid-November, official says
Mexico's Congress will likely be able to pass a constitutional reform abolishing certain autonomous institutions by mid-November, the lower house's leader has said. The reform "will probably come out some time between Nov. 11 and 14," lower house leader for the ruling Morena party, Ricardo Monreal, said in a press conference. Read more here.
Asia
Young girls trafficked for sex in India recount harrowing stories of exploitation
Young girls in India are being trafficked for sex in India. Some of these girls shared their experiences of how they were forced into a nightmare of abuse, captivity, and sexual exploitation. Their stories reveal the disturbing reality of human trafficking in the country, where vulnerable young women are sold and exploited by those they trust, including their own families and guardians. Read more here.
Exclusive – India aims to curb judges; arbitrary sentences for criminals, sources say
India plans to overhaul its criminal sentencing norms to counter accusations of arbitrary punishment, sources said, following public outrage over the 2022 rape conviction of a man within 30 minutes of trial, by a judge who handed him the death penalty. A higher court in the eastern state of Bihar later overturned the conviction and ordered a retrial, saying the man had been denied the opportunity to defend himself and the judge had acted in "utmost haste". Read more here.
Prominent Cambodian reporter quits after arrest, torturous detention: Video
Mech Dara, an award-winning Cambodian journalist, who was tortured in police custody has announced his decision to quit journalism. Dara, known for his courageous reporting on cyber scams and human trafficking, revealed that his arrest and subsequent imprisonment have left him without the courage to continue his work. Read more here.
