Excluded Headlines: Who is the new left leader of Sri Lanka, Lebanon strikes, heavy price for massive IMF loan to Pakistan ...
Stay up to date on the Global South news stories the US- and Eurocentric media overlook, with author and journalist, Tamara Pearson.
In this week’s Global South news:
Left wins in Sri Lanka - In recent elections, the People’s Liberation Front (JVP), gained power for the first time, as part of a coalition called National People’s Power (NPP). The NPP is an alliance of unions, political parties, women’s groups, youth groups, civil society groups and activist networks. The left-leaning coalition campaigned on a platform opposing corruption, mismanagement by politicians, and economic waste. The victory comes after massive frustration with the main parties, economic crises, and uprisings in 2022. The new president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, said he would renegotiate the IMF deal to make austerity measures more bearable. Source, source, source.
Lebanon strikes - Earlier this week the Israeli military launched strikes on Lebanon. 558 people were killed in the strikes and 1,835 injured, making for one of the highest death tolls in a single day in conflicts anywhere. The bombing killed 11 members of one family. A further 72 were killed in strikes on Wednesday. Lebanon’s health minister estimates there are likely 400,000 to 500,000 internally displaced people as a result of the strikes. The Netanyahu government rejected a proposed 21-day ceasefire put forward by the United States, France, Canada, Australia, Japan, Qatar, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Source, source, source, source.
US announces funding for police in Haiti - The US has announced US$160 million in funding for intervention in Haiti, to go to the Haitian National Police. At the same time, the US announced additional sanctions on Haiti. Source, source.
Sudanese Armed Forces launches major offensive in Khartoum - The army launched a ground offensive, with airstrikes, and later claimed that it had seized control of major bridges and retaken the University of Khartoum, killing hundreds of the opposing RSF fighters in the process. Source.
Israel blocks 83% of food aid into Gaza - People in Gaza are eating just one small meal every two days, and half a million people are at risk of starvation. Source.
Indonesian government lifts 20-year sea sand export ban, endangering small islands - Just after the ban was lifted, 66 sea sand mining companies quickly sought permits to utilize sedimentation sand from the sea. Source.
Thailand to allow same-sex couples to marry in January - Thailand’s king signed a marriage equality bill into law, making the country the first in Southeast Asia to recognise same-sex marriages. Source.
Massive IMF loan to Pakistan comes at a price - Pakistan has had to implement economic reforms and cater to businesses and investors in exchange for a latest IMF package worth US$7 billion. Source, source.
Samsung workers have been striking for 2 weeks in India - Some 1,300 workers in Sriperumbudur, in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu, have been striking despite threats from management and attacks by the security forces. They are demanding wage revisions and increases, better working conditions, and recognition of their union SIWU, which has been delayed due to objections raised by the company. Source.
Did you know: Africa spends nearly three times more servicing its external debt than it receives in climate finance. Source.
Useful reads:
Behind the left victory in Sri Lanka
In Northern Thailand, Indigenous People Use Traditional Farming to Combat Injustice
Without debt relief, Africa is fighting climate change with its hands tied
Rising Temperatures Devastate Agricultural Eden of India’s Kashmir Region
Can the United Nations fulfill its mission in an imperialist-dominated world order?
With All Eyes on Gaza, Israel Bulldozed 'Mile After Mile' of West Bank