World Tour: Global leaders respond to U.S. election

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: World Tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Oduah.

ONIZE ODUAH: We start today with global leaders responding to president elect Donald Trump’s anticipated return to the U.S. presidency for a second term …

Here’s Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

SHIGERU ISHIBA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

He says here that he looks forward to cooperating with Trump on elevating the Japan-U.S. alliance.

In Iran, government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani says the election outcome will not heavily affect the country.

FATEMEH MOHAJERANI: [SPEAKING FARSI]

She says that major American policies with Iran are already fixed, and claimed the Irani government already acted in advance to brace for political changes.

And in Europe, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said a Trump presidency could bring increased economic protectionism and lowered commitment to helping Ukraine.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sent his congratulations.

KEIR STARMER: As the closest of allies, the UK and U.S. will continue to work together to protect our shared values of freedom and democracy and having, having had dinner with President-elect Trump just a few weeks ago, I look forward to working with him in the years to come.

Meanwhile in Botswana, a new president took office this week after a smooth transition of power.

President Duma Boko replaces incumbent President Mokgweetsi Masisi ending the ruling party’s 58 years in power. Masisi conceded even before the final results were announced.

Boko—a 54-year-old lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate—ran for the top office back in 2014 and again in 2019.

After friendly handshakes and laughter with his predecessor, Boko accepted his new office.

DUMA BOKO: Thank you very much. I am humbled to sit here. I accept it with humility. I accept it with some trepidation knowing that it’s a very very big assignment.

The seamless power shift comes as other African countries have faced contentious political transitions.

In Mozambique, at least 10 people have died in post-election violence after a presidential candidate who came in second claimed he won the vote. South Africa temporarily shut its border with Mozambique due to security concerns.

Over in Pakistan, authorities in the country’s second-largest city shut down primary schools over record air pollution.

A toxic smog has blanketed Lahore since last month. The city’s air quality yesterday ranked more than four times the recommended limit set by the World Health Organization.

The class closures will last for a week and include children up to the age of 10. Authorities said they will determine over the weekend whether or not to extend the closure.

Authorities also banned motorized rickshaws and barbecue grills without filters.

Shahid Abbas is the chief meteorologist.

SHAHID ABBAS: [SPEAKING URDU]

He says that authorities can work more with nature to control pollution by regulating traffic control and rubber burning.

Authorities are also looking into creating artificial rainfall to combat the smog.

AUDIO: [RESCUE TEAMS]

We wrap up today in Spain where rescue workers are still searching for missing people after deadly floods in the eastern Valencia region.

Authorities have called the floods the worst in a generation after more than 217 people died. Nearly 90 others are still missing.

Firefighters pumped water out of flooded car parks and searched through rubble for more victims.

Joel Forster is the director of Evangelical Focus—a European Christian news service. His town of Paiporta is among the hardest-hit areas.

JOEL FORSTER: We have loads of water from many volunteers who are bringing drinking water, so this is working as well. Electricity is back in most of the town. We are encouraged by all your prayers, not only from Spain, where we are, but the rest of Europe and the world.

Nearly 15,000 emergency workers—including civil guards and police officers—are working in the region.

On Tuesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced an $11 billion aid package. It includes support for small and mid-sized businesses and households that have suffered deaths or damage. The government will also fund clearance efforts in local councils.

That’s it for this week’s World Tour. Reporting for WORLD, I’m Onize Oduah in Abuja, Nigeria.

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