This week's biggest stories from the global south: Tanzania makes HIV drugs, India’s global security visit, supreme court judges elected in Mexico
We bring you a compilation of this week's biggest stories across all topics within the Global South.
Africa
4b mega bridge to link Africa and Asia through the Red Sea
An image of what the bridge might look like. Source: DALL-E
A new bridge linking Africa and Asia is set to be built across the Red Sea, with Egypt confirming that planning is now complete. Read more here.
Why is Tanzania making its own HIV drugs?
Tanzania is moving to reduce reliance on foreign aid for HIV treatment by reviving Tanzania Pharmaceutical Industries (TPI) in Arusha to manufacture antiretroviral (ARV) drugs locally. Read more here.
Togo reviews national strategy for AFCTA implementation
Togo has conducted a comprehensive review of its national strategy for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Kpalimé, led by the Ministry of Commerce with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Read more here.
Asia
What to know about China’s first homegrown 9-valent HPV vaccine
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has approved Cecolin 9, the country’s first domestically developed nine-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, marking a significant milestone in global health. Read more here.
What’s behind India’s global security visit to the U.S
An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor arrived in Washington, D.C., on June 2 to brief U.S. lawmakers, officials, and think tanks on Operation Sindoor, terrorism targeting India, and regional security challenges. Read more here.
3 reasons why Philippines' VP Duterte's impeachment could be dropped
Vice President of the Philippines Sara Duterte may avoid a Senate trial over her impeachment as a resolution to dismiss the case gains traction. Read more here.
Latin America
Vietnam ends two-child rule—Will citizens have more kids?
After imposing a strict two-child policy since 1988, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday, June 4, that the government has lifted the limit. This means that Vietnamese families can now give birth to more than two children. Read more here.
Global gun deaths: Mexico leads in homicides, U.S. tops overall fatalities
According to the latest data from World Population Review, Mexico recorded the highest number of gun homicides, with 22,355 deaths, while the United States reported the highest total number of gun-related fatalities, encompassing homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings, totalling 15,186 deaths. Read more here.
Meet Mexico’s nine new supreme court judges elected by the people
For the first time in Mexico’s history, voters directly chose the country’s Supreme Court judges. In Sunday’s election, over 13 million people selected five women and four men to form the new nine-member bench. Read more here.
