World Tour: Cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe

Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: World Tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Ohikere

SOUND: [Water taps]

ONIZE OHIKERE, REPORTER: Zimbabwe cholera emergency — We start today’s World Tour in a densely-populated neighborhood in Zimbabwe’s capital of Harare where residents lined up by a borehole to get clean water.

Zimbabwe declared a state of emergency in Harare on Friday over a deadly cholera outbreak.

Health authorities have reported more than 8,000 suspected cases nationwide since February. The numbers include more than 200 suspected deaths.

Cholera is transmitted through contaminated food or water.

RESIDENT: [Speaking Shona]

This resident says her community doesn’t have clean water and sewage flows freely.

A cholera outbreak in 2008 killed more than 4,000 people.

AUDIO: [Cheering]

Argentina election — Over in Argentina, cheering supporters welcomed the record-making victory of libertarian Javier Milei as the country’s incoming president.

With nearly all of the votes counted, Milei landed nearly 56 percent while center-left Economy Minister Sergio Massa emerged with 44 percent. Milei’s victory marks the highest percentage score of any president-elect since Argentina’s return to democracy four decades ago.

Milei—a freshman lawmaker and economist—criticized what he called the political caste during his campaign and pledged to eliminate several government ministries.

Argentina is facing a crippling economic crisis that has seen inflation surge and poverty rise. Milei also said he plans to introduce the U.S. dollar into the economy and privatize state-owned media outlets and other public companies.

MILEI: [Speaking Spanish]

He says here that his victory ushers in the end of an impoverishing state model and dispels the idea that politicians and their friends can share the spoils of the state.

Milei has also backed conservative values—including supporting pro-life measures and opposing sex education in schools.

He is set to assume office on December 10.

SOUND: [Courtroom]

Bangladesh ruling — In Bangladesh, the Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that bars the country’s largest Islamist party from partaking in elections.

The initial ruling back in 2013 concluded the Jamaat-e-Islami party conflicted with the secular constitution in the Muslim-majority country.

LAWYER: [Speaking Bengali]

The opposing lawyer says here that the party would face new charges of contempt of court if it holds any rallies.

The party is also embroiled in tribunal proceedings over abuses that occurred during Bangladesh’s independence war from Pakistan in 1971.

Four top party leaders have received death sentences or life imprisonment.

Bangladesh is set to hold its next national elections in January.

AUDIO: [Official countdown]

Paris lights — We close with thousands of revelers counting down at the Paris Champs-Elysees Avenue.

Organizers turned on the lights during the official lighting ceremony that marks the start of the Christmas season in the French capital.

The annual ceremony drew a crowd of tourists and spectators—including Alfredo, a student in Paris.

ALFREDO: I really liked the music, like live music. It was perfect when the countdown like 'five, four three.' I really loved it. It was really beautiful lights.

The lights will stay on until January 7.

That’s it for today’s WORLD Tour. Reporting for WORLD, I’m Onize Ohikere in Abuja, Nigeria.

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