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Brasília (AFP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva welcomes Ecuadoran President Daniel Noboa to the Planalto Palace in Brasilia during his official visit. IMAGES

Maidan Wardak province (Afghanistan) (AFP) – Successive wars displaced Afghans over 40 years, but peace has not brought total reprieve, as climate change-fuelled shocks drive people from their homes and strain livelihoods.

La Paz (AFP) – Poll workers in La Paz begin counting ballots in Bolivia’s most closely watched general election in two decades, with right-wing candidates poised to take power for the first time since 2005. The vote, covering the presidency and both houses of parliament, unfolds amid a deep economic crisis, with annual inflation approaching 25 percent and severe shortages of fuel and dollars, the currency in which most Bolivians save. IMAGES

La Paz (AFP) – Polls close in La Paz for Bolivia’s most closely watched general election in two decades, as right-wing candidates appear poised to claim power for the first time since 2005. Voters are turning away from the ruling Movement Towards Socialism party, widely blamed for the country’s deepening economic crisis. IMAGES

La Paz (AFP) – Bolivian presidential candidate Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga casts his ballot in La Paz during the presidential and congressional elections. Nearly eight million Bolivians are voting to choose a successor to Luis Arce, who is not seeking re-election, in a country mired in economic crisis and potentially on the verge of swinging to the right after two decades of socialist rule. IMAGES

Villa Tunari (Bolivie) (AFP) – Former Bolivian president Evo Morales, barred from the presidential race and facing an arrest warrant, casts his ballot in his Chapare stronghold, where he has remained since October. Nearly eight million Bolivians are voting to choose a successor to Luis Arce, who is not seeking re-election, in a country mired in economic crisis and potentially on the verge of swinging to the right after two decades of socialist rule. IMAGES

Entre Rios (Bolivia) (AFP) – Bolivian presidential candidate and left-wing Senate leader Andronico Rodriguez casts his vote in Entre Rios, a coca-growing region, during the presidential and congressional elections. Rodriguez had to leave after people threw objects at him in protest. Hours before his arrival, an explosion was reported near the polling station, prompting security forces to conduct an investigation. IMAGES

Ourense (Spain) (AFP) – The Spanish Prime Minister announces a “national pact for the climate emergency” that sets aside “partisan struggles and ideological issues” as he visits a western region battling devastating wildfires. Spain is entering its third week of heatwave alerts and firefighters are continuing to battle blazes in the northwest and west of the country, with army units deployed to help contain the flames.

Villa Hidalgo Yalalag (Mexico) (AFP) – “The problem we have had lately with the plagiarism of one of our models by a company called Adidas has left us upset,” says Raymundo Cuevas as Mexico is seeking compensation from Adidas, which is accused of cultural appropriation for bringing out sandals resembling a traditional design from the southern state of Oaxaca. The Mexican government is now seeking compensation for the alleged misuse of the centuries-old huarache design, a craft passed down through generations.

Buner (Pakistan) (AFP) – Rescuers struggle to retrieve bodies from muddy debris after flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains across northern Pakistan killed at least 344 people in the past 48 hours, authorities say. Most were killed in flash floods and collapsing houses, while at least 137 others were injured.

Jakarta (AFP) – Indonesia celebrates 80 years of independence from Dutch colonial rule with a grand public festival in Jakarta. The event featured a military airshow, flag-raising ceremony, music and cultural performances. One of the performances included Rayyan Dhika, the boy behind the viral “aura farming” boat racing dance.

La Paz (AFP) – Presidential candidate Samuel Doria Medina casts his vote in La Paz, as Bolivia’s presidential and congressional elections take place amid a deep economic crisis that has seen the left implode and the right eye its first shot at power in 20 years. IMAGES