Chisinau (AFP) – Moldova’s pro-EU President Maia Sandu describes her re-election as a “lesson in democracy”, after narrowly seeing off Alexandr Stoianoglo from the pro-Russian Socialist party. “Today, you have saved Moldova!” she told citizens after the tense vote that laid bare divisions in the former Soviet republic bordering war-torn Ukraine.
Picanya (Spain) (AFP) – Local businesses sweep away muddy water from their warehouses in the suburb towns of Valencia, six days after devastating floods tore through southeast Spain. Since the disaster, anger has grown at authorities’ preparation for and response to the floods.
Peshawar (Pakistan) (AFP) – Militant attacks and suspicion stemming from misinformation are hampering Pakistan’s battle to eradicate polio, but teams of dedicated volunteer health workers are determined to fight on.
East Flores (Indonesia) (AFP) – Thousands of people in several villages on Indonesia’s popular tourist island of Flores have been evacuated after Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted, killing at least 10 people.
Chonburi (Thailand) (AFP) – The polls put the US election on a knife-edge, but as Americans go to vote, Thailand’s superstar baby hippo Moo Deng has predicted former president Donald Trump will regain the White House.
Tapachula (Mexico) (AFP) – Hundreds of migrants set off from Tapachula in southern Mexico, marching northward along a road in protest as the United States holds its presidential election. IMAGES
Dixville Notch (United States) (AFP) – The New Hampshire hamlet of Dixville Notch opens its polling at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday November 5, traditionally marking the start of the US election, hours before the rest of the country. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump each got three ballots from the tiny community in the northeastern state, mirroring the incredibly close national polls in the White House race.
Madrid (AFP) – Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pledges a 10.6 billion euro aid package for affected regions from Spain’s flood, describing it as a ‘good first step’ to recovery. In addition, Sanchez says nearly 15,000 troops have been deployed to affected regions, in particular the Valencia region. The floods are Spain’s deadliest in a generation, killing at least 218 people, with the death toll likely to increase as authorities search for missing persons.
East Flores (Indonesia) (AFP) – A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupts again, blowing an ash column into the sky, a day after it spewed fireballs on nearby villages, killing nine. Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, a 1,703-metre (5,587-feet) twin volcano located on the popular tourist island of Flores, shot flaming rocks at residential areas overnight, setting wooden houses on fire and pockmarking the ground.
Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – From a life-size English queen to a Roman sea god, an international fair in Birmingham is drawing cake artists from around the world to showcase their multi-tiered talents. The three-day decorating, sugar art and baking event, now in its 30th edition, runs until November 3. A life-sized replica of American pop star Taylor Swift had to be withdrawn after being damaged in transit.
Lahore (Pakistan) (AFP) – Choking haze covers Lahore, Pakistan’s second largest city over the weekend — a mix of fog, low grade diesel fumes, and seasonal agricultural burn-offs combined with cooling autumn temperatures. The thick smog has been affecting the city of 14 million people for days.
Tokyo (AFP) – At the Sanrio Puroland theme park outside Tokyo this week, fans are marking the 50th anniversary of the iconic Japanese character, Hello Kitty. The park in Tama City offers attractions, live shows, shopping outlets and restaurants featuring the beloved character.
