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Political situation in Spain
Tens of thousands join new Spanish housing protests

Tens of thousands of Spaniards in several cities gathered on Saturday to continue protesting conditions in the country's housing market, according to multiple media reports.

Organizers claim half a million people are participating, while the government estimates the figure at 70,000.

The new demonstrations follow the parliamentary rejection of several housing policy measures on Friday.

"It just shows that the people are forced to adapt to the political parties, rather than politicians adapting to the will of the people. This cannot go on," says 26-year-old protester Nando de Anguulo.

The protests began after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal—who had lived in her Madrid apartment for 70 years—was evicted when she could no longer afford her rent, which had suddenly quintupled. 

Political situation in Latvia
Incumbent Prime Minister heads for victory in Latvia

Incumbent Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ centrist party, the United List, is set to emerge as the largest party in Latvia's parliamentary election, according to an exit poll by the public broadcaster LSM.

The poll shows them securing 35.6 percent of the vote. The populist party "Latvia First"—which campaigned among the country's Russian-speaking minority—comes in second with 11.3 percent.

Four other parties cleared the five-percent threshold, garnering between 6.7 and 11.1 percent of the vote, according to the poll. Kariņš says he hopes to remain prime minister and rules out a coalition with the pro-Russian party.

"We do not cooperate with pro-Russian parties," he says, according to Reuters. 

Political situation in Ethiopia
Source: Federal forces capture Tigray's capital

Federal Ethiopian forces have captured Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region, which had largely been abandoned by regional rebel forces. This was stated to AFP by a source within a humanitarian organization.

"Federal forces and their allies have reportedly been seen in several locations in Mekelle," says the source, citing reports from personnel in the area.

New fighting broke out in northern Ethiopia on September 23 when the rebel group Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) launched attacks on neighboring regions, raising concerns that the devastating civil war of 2020–2022 might reignite.

However, federal forces and pro-government militias have pushed back TPLF forces in recent days. 

The future of the UK
After the opening – half of Britons want to return to the EU

49 percent of Britons want the country to rejoin the EU, according to a major opinion poll by the Messina Group reported by *The Guardian*. 28.5 percent say they do not want to reunite with the union.

The poll follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcement of a review of the relationship with the EU, in which he stated that rejoining should also be considered. Several ministers and Labour MPs worry that the issue could stir up old divisions and benefit Reform UK. "He has to tread carefully, because we don't want to reignite the division," an anonymous minister tells The Guardian.

The UK left the EU following the 2016 referendum. 

The death penalty in the US
State prison chief resigns following the Pike case

Tennessee prison chief Frank Strada is resigning following the botched execution of Christa Pike. Governor Bill Lee announced the move, according to The New York Times.

"I appreciate him putting the interests of Tennesseans first during this difficult time," Lee said.

Strada bore ultimate responsibility for the execution of Pike, who is currently on a ventilator with life-threatening injuries following the failed injection of the drug pentobarbital. An external investigation into the incident has been launched.

The prison chief maintains that procedures were followed but says he will cooperate with investigators to determine what went wrong.

According to a group representing death-row inmates, five botched executions have occurred under Strada's leadership, The Guardian reports.