This week's biggest stories from the Global South: Police brutality in Kenya, jet crash in Bangladesh, detainee abuse in El Salvador

Air Force training aircraft crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka

Firefighters work to remove the wreckage from a building, after an air force training aircraft crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

Source: REUTERS

Africa

Who counts the votes now as Burkina Faso dissolves independent electoral body?

Burkina Faso's military leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré at Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama's swearing-in ceremony on January 7, 2025.

Burkina Faso’s military rulers have dissolved the electoral commission, calling it too expensive and vulnerable to foreign interference. Minister Émile Zerbo said it costs nearly $870,000 annually. Read more here.

Cameroon elections body rejects candidacy of president's main rival

Maurice Kamto, a presidential candidate of Renaissance Movement (MRC), walks with his staff after his news conference at his headquarter in Yaounde — Maurice Kamto, a presidential candidate of Renaissance Movement (MRC), walks with his staff after his news conference at his headquarter in Yaounde, Cameroon October 8, 2018. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Cameroon’s electoral commission has rejected the presidential bid of Maurice Kamto, the main rival to President Paul Biya, sparking fears of protests and boosting Biya’s reelection chances. ELECAM approved 13 candidates without explaining Kamto’s exclusion; appeals are allowed within two days. Read more here.

'Gun for hire': How Kenya’s police are being weaponised against dissenters

Kenyan journalist Kioko Nyamasyo laid bare the grim realities of police violence in a country where he says, “the police are still in the colonial mentality."

Kenyan blogger Albert Ojwang died in custody after a post allegedly targeting a top police official, sparking outrage and exposing police abuse. Journalist Kioko Nyamasyo likened the force to a colonial-era tool of intimidation. Read more here.

Asia

Teacher dies saving students from inferno in Bangladesh jet crash

Air Force training aircraft crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka — Firefighters work to remove the wreckage from a building, after an air force training aircraft crashed into Milestone College campus, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, July 21, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

When a Bangladeshi fighter jet crashed into her school, teacher Maherin Chowdhury risked her life to save students, repeatedly entering the burning building despite being set ablaze herself, her brother told Reuters. Read more here.

Why Modi’s third term is raising global alarm over India’s democracy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2024 by winning his third consecutive election. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's right-wing policies and Hindutva agenda have given India global attention, but for the wrong reasons.

Indian PM Narendra Modi won a third term in 2024, but his BJP’s right-wing Hindutva agenda has drawn global concern. Critics cite rising attacks on Muslims, Christians, and marginalised groups like Dalits and Tribals under BJP rule. Read more here.

Thailand and Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as border battle expands

Thailand and Cambodia exchange heavy artillery as fighting rages for a second day — A Thailand's mobile artillery unit fires towards Cambodia's side after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Surin, Thailand, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Thailand and Cambodia traded heavy artillery fire for a second day Friday, as border clashes escalated. Cambodia accused Thailand of backing out of a Malaysian-brokered ceasefire deal. Read more here.

Latin America

Venezuelan makeup artist returns home, describes torture during El Salvador detention

Venezuelan held in El Salvador prison reunite with family after release, in Tachira — Andry Hernandez, who was held for months in an El Salvador prison after the U.S. alleged he was a member of the Tren de Aragua gang, talks with friends at his home following his release, in Tachira, Venezuela July 23, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez

A makeup artist deported with over 250 Venezuelans to El Salvador’s toughest prison returned home Wednesday, calling the experience “an encounter with torture and death.” Read more here.

Venezuela to investigate Bukele, other officials for alleged detainee abuse

El Salvador sends detained Venezuelans home in swap for Americans — Venezuelan detainees are shown being sent home in a prison exchange for Americans held in Venezuela, according to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, at El Salvador International Airport, in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on July 18, 2025. El Salvador Government/Handout via REUTERS

Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek Saab said Monday his office will investigate El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele and two officials over alleged abuse of detained Venezuelans. Read more here.

Peru seizes 4 tons of black market mercury bound for illegal gold mines

Peru has seized four metric tons of mercury bound for Bolivia, suspected for use in illegal gold mining, highlighting growing black market activity amid surging gold demand. Read more here.

This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.

Abigail Johnson Boakye [email protected]

Share

Categories

Most popular tags