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Botswana – Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat in the country’s general election on Friday, marking an end to the Botswana Democratic Party’s 58-year rule since independence. The main opposition party, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, secured 25 of the 61 parliamentary seats in partial results, making Boko the president-elect. UDC’s win reflects widespread voter dissatisfaction, with economic challenges from declining diamond demand central to the campaign. The Botswana Congress Party, Botswana Patriotic Front, and ruling BDP trailed significantly in the elections, highlighting a seismic political shift for the nation.
Spain – Spain is battling its worst flooding in decades after unprecedented rainfall this week, primarily in the southern and eastern regions. The storm, which began on Tuesday, has claimed at least 202 lives, with 155 deaths reported in Valencia alone. The flooding has caused rivers to overflow, drowned towns, destroyed roads, and left thousands without power or water. Emergency services continue to search for missing people, but the chances of finding survivors diminish with time. Rescue and recovery operations remain underway as officials warn of further infrastructure collapse.
UK – Logan MacPhail, 17, was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 17 years, for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, 15-year-old Holly Newton, in Northumberland. In January last year, MacPhail followed Holly through Hexham town centre, attacking her outside a pizza shop and inflicting 36 injuries within a minute. A 16-year-old boy who was with Holly was also stabbed when he tried to help her, sustaining injuries that required surgery. Prosecutors described MacPhail as “jealous” and “stalking” Holly, upset over her new relationship.
UN – The UN Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (Minurso) for another year on 31 October, with Russia, Mozambique, and Algeria raising objections. Algeria proposed two amendments aimed at supporting a political solution, but these were not adopted, and Algeria abstained. The US, which authored the resolution, reaffirmed its support for a “dignified resolution for Western Sahara.” Russia and Mozambique also abstained, with both countries voicing concerns that the resolution fails to address the real situation on the ground or support a lasting solution.
Pictured above: President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Source: Instagram
