Global South Roundup: Ramaphosa re-elected, 3D-printed rocket engine, march against abortion ban

Global Affairs

Global South World's lens caught several huge stories that made the headlines in the last few days.

This roundup captures the biggest stories of the week you must read.

Africa

South Africa's Ramaphosa re-elected as ANC strikes coalition deal

First sitting of parliament in Cape Town — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Pemmy Majodina of the African National Congress (ANC) attend a swearing-in ceremony into the National Assembly during the first sitting of the National Assembly following elections, at the Cape Town International Convention Center (CTICC) in Cape Town, South Africa June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Nic Bothma

The united coalition of South Africa on Friday, June 14 finally struck an agreement which re-elected the country's incumbent president, Cyril Ramaphosa as the new leader for a second term. He was re-elected by lawmakers with 283 votes. Read more about the development here.

Al Qaeda affiliate claims responsibility for Burkina attack that killed over 100, SITE Intelligence Group says

Attackers seize control of hotel in Mogadishu — Vehicles of Somali security officers are parked near Syl Hotel, the scene of an al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group's attack, in Mogadishu, Somalia March 15, 2024. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

The group known as Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), which is affiliated with Al Qaeda, has announced that it was behind the assault that occurred on June 11, resulting in the death of more than 100 soldiers from Burkina Faso. The incident took place in the Mansila region, which is situated close to the Niger border. This information was reported by the SITE Intelligence Group on Sunday, June 16. Read more here.

Surge in rebel attacks sparks deadly protests in eastern Congo

FILE PHOTO: Suspected Islamist rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), attack villages of Masala — FILE PHOTO: The ruins of market stalls smoulder following an attack by suspected Islamist rebels from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), within Masala village in Beni territory of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo June 9, 2024. REUTERS/Gradel Muyisa Mumbere/File Photo

Local authorities reported on Saturday, June 15 that a minimum of seven individuals lost their lives amid disturbances in the North Kivu province, located in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fatalities occurred as a result of public demonstrations against a recent increase in lethal assaults, which are believed to have been carried out by suspected Islamist militants. You can find out more here.

Asia

Indian women scientists propel space innovation with world's first 3D-printed rocket engine

newindianexpress_2024-06_24d8bef3-5a02-41dc-b996-df1c8d60ba6c_Screenshot_2024_06_09_024610 — Indian Women break space barriers with 3D-printed rocket engine

K Umamaheswari and Saraniya Periaswamy, key team members of the Indian aerospace company Agnikul Cosmos, have developed a rocket using indigenous technology. This rocket was successfully test-fired on May 30. Umamaheswari, who holds a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology at Anna University in eastern India, led the project as the director. Find more in the link here.

Flooding hits China's south, temperatures sizzle elsewhere

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: Cracks run through the partially dried-up river bed of the Gan River, a tributary to Poyang Lake during a regional drought in Nanchang — Nanchang, August 28, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo

On Sunday, June 16, the National Meteorological Centre of China released a high-temperature warning due to the intense heat experienced in various parts of the nation. Concurrently, several southern provinces have declared critical flood alerts in response to substantial rainfall. According to the centre, the severity of the heatwave is anticipated to diminish in northern China and the areas spanning between the Yellow River and the Huaihe River. Find out more in the link here.

India brings home bodies of 45 workers killed in Kuwait fire

India brings home bodies of workers killed in Kuwait fire — Father of Cibin Thevarottu Abraham, one of the victims of a fire that broke out in a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait, cries next to the coffin containing the body of his son at Cochin International Airport, in Kochi, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, June 14, 2024. Reuters/Sivaram V

The remains of 45 Indian nationals, who perished in a blaze at a workers' accommodation in Kuwait, were repatriated to India on Friday, June 14. In the wake of this tragedy, grieving family members and specialists are calling on New Delhi to intensify efforts to safeguard its citizens employed overseas who contribute by sending money back home. Read more here.

Latin America

Mexico's amnesty, legal protection reforms become law

FILE PHOTO: Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum hold an event with relatives of Pasta de Conchos miners, in Nueva Rosita — Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum attend an event with relatives of the more than 60 miners who lost their lives in the Pasta de Conchos coal mine tragedy in February 2006, in Nueva Rosita, Mexico June 14, 2024. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

Mexico on Friday, June 14, implemented two contentious pieces of legislation that enhance the president's power to issue amnesties and restrict the judiciary's capacity to halt public initiatives. These legal changes, which were ratified by Congress earlier in the year and came into force on Saturday, June 15 permit the president to bestow amnesty directly, bypassing the usual protocols. Find more in the link here.

Brazilian women march against bill tightening abortion ban

Protest against a bill that would equate abortion carried out after 22 weeks of pregnancy with the crime of murder, in Sao Paulo — Sao Paulo, June 15, 2024. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Thousands of women took to the streets on Saturday, June 15 to protest a proposed bill in Brazil's conservative Congress. The bill, if passed, would classify abortions performed after 22 weeks of gestation as equivalent to homicide, with potential prison sentences ranging from six to 20 years. Read more here.

Argentina Senate hands Milei 'bittersweet' win with reform bill backing

Senate debates Milei's "omnibus bill\ — Lawmakers meet to debate Argentina's President Javier Milei's economic reform bill, known as the "omnibus bill", at the National Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina June 12 2024. REUTERS/Mariana Nedelcu

The Senate of Argentina has delivered a significant victory to libertarian President Javier Milei by passing his principal reform bill along with a related fiscal package. However, this approval did not come without compromises, as both pieces of legislation were substantially diluted in order to secure their passage. The approval by the Senate occurred late on Wednesday, June 12. Find more here.