In an effort to connect with current events off the Hill — locally, domestically, and abroad —
The Spectator
will periodically publish a news recap that seeks to inform the Hamilton com- munity on the basics of contemporary issues.
President of Ethiopia resigns
The President of Ethiopia, Mulatu Teshome, reportedly submitted a letter of resignation to the country’s parliament on Oct. 24. Teshome, who took office in 2013, had often pushed for a more democratic government in Ethiopia. His resignation follows a political cabinet reshuffle begun by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a week prior. Ethiopian state news has reported that lawmakers in the upper and lower houses of the country’s parliament will consider Teshome’s resignation on Thursday. Prime Minister Ahmed is currently Africa’s youngest leader and has made radical changes since taking office. He has freed a number of political prisoners and has overseen the aforementioned reshuffle, through which women now occupy half of the country’s ministerial seats. Most recently, Ahmed appointed Ethiopia’s first female defense minister.
Hurricane Willa weakens
Hurricane Willa weakened to a tropical depression on Oct. 24. By the time it crosses the US-Mexico border, the tropical storm is expected to have weakened even more. Willa hit its peak as a Category 5 hurricane, registering winds of 55 mph over the Pacific on Oct. 22. The storm then weakened to a Category 3 once hitting land, but still registered maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Evacuations in Mexico continue. So far, no casualties have been reported.
Single lottery ticket in South Carolina wins $1.5 billion jackpot
A single lottery ticket in South Carolina won a $1.537 billion Mega Millions jackpot on Oct. 23. This prize marks the largest US jackpot ever won by a single ticket, and the second- largest US jackpot ever, falling short of the $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot split by three tickets in January 2016. The lucky mystery winner has not yet called in to claim their prize. They have 180 days to do so, and could choose to withhold their name from the public when they claim the money. Their winning numbers were 5, 28, 62, 65 and 70, with a Mega Ball of 5.
Bombs sent to Obama, Clinton, CNN, and others
On Oct. 24, U.S. authorities intercepted bombs apparently intended for former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and a number of other political figures. CNN’s New York bureau in Time Warner Center also received a package containing a bomb, addressed to former CIA Director John Brennan. Authorities believe these are part of a connected series of incidents and are investigating them as such. So far, nobody has been injured.
