Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, targeting a cement plant and an environmental group’s site that it accuses of being fronts for Hezbollah, injuring at least six people and triggering massive explosions that caused widespread panic.

Pix of the Day: October 17, 2025

Hansi Flick’s side were at the top of the table before suffering a humbling 4-1 defeat to Sevilla ahead of the international break.

Here’s what to know about Col. Michael Randrianirina, who seized power following weeks of large anti-government protests by mainly young people:

A Russian military court convicted 15 captured Ukrainian soldiers on terrorism charges Friday, sentencing them to prison terms of up to 21 years in a proceeding widely condemned by Kyiv and human rights groups as a sham violation of international law.

Simone Gbagbo is one of two female candidates contesting the 25 October vote which incumbent President Alassane Ouattara is widely expected to win.

With earnings estimated at $280 million, the Al Nassr star will earn more than double that of Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi

A muskox at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, received an early Halloween treat on Wednesday — a 210-pound pumpkin to play with and devour.

Elephants at the Oregon Zoo in Portland marked the arrival of Halloween season on Thursday by stomping, crushing, and eating giant pumpkins during the zoo’s annual “Squishing of the Squash” event.

Gunmen ambushed a security personnel in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state and killed at least eight people, the state’s governor said.

It is estimated that the two-year Israeli offensive has generated close to 70 million tonnes of rubble and debris across the enclave.

A ruling party office was set ablaze in western Cameroon on Wednesday, marking a dangerous escalation of tensions following a disputed presidential election that opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary claims to have won, challenging the 42-year rule of 92-year-old President Paul Biya.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has been trying to rally fellow evangelical Christians and urge Congress to designate Nigeria as a violator of religious freedom with unfounded claims of “Christian mass murder,” which the government of the West African nation has vehemently rejected as false.

An army colonel who seized power in a military coup was sworn in as Madagascar’s new leader Friday in a lightning-fast power grab that ousted the president and sent him fleeing from the country into hiding.

Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai closed its doors on Sunday after six months of welcoming the world, drawing more than 28 million visitors to Japan’s second-largest city.

Kenya is observing a period of national mourning as the state funeral for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga commenced Friday at Nyayo National Stadium, a somber event marred by deadly violence a day earlier that left at least four people dead.

Egypt implements second fuel price hike in 2025 to curb subsidies, budget deficit

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he would meet again with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to end the war in Ukraine.

This week: decisive elections amid economic uncertainty in Cameroon, Madagascar: protests and political crisis weigh on the economy, and strategic partnership between the EU and South Africa.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the recent unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar, calling for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and respect for the rule of law.

Only 13 of the 36 hospitals across the enclave remain partially functional, according to the World Health Organization.

Mourners were gathered for a public viewing of the former prime minister’s body at a Nairobi stadium.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in Moscow on Thursday.

The late French fashion designer once said “I only feel comfortable at home with my dog, my pencils, and my paper.”

Sub-Saharan African governments are increasingly turning to local banks to fund their budgets, paying higher borrowing costs at home than abroad and putting new pressure on domestic lenders, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on Thursday.

The World Health Organization said a total of 64 cases had been reported in Kasai province as of 12 October

Many supposedly invincible leaders have been forced to flee their countries or go into hiding to escape imprisonment, execution, or political reprisals from succeeding governments following revolutions, military coups, or mass protests.

Here is a timeline of the major events that led to the takeover of this former French colony off the east coast of Africa.

The planned solemnity of Raila Odinga’s final homecoming was overtaken by raw, public emotion on Thursday as thousands of mourners overwhelmed security at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, breaching barriers in a powerful, chaotic tribute to the fallen statesman.

The country long had the world’s second highest HIV infection rate, but made notable progress and hit key milestones in its fight against the epidemic in recent years.

The Holy Father addressed the World Food Day ceremony in Rome on Thursday.

Sumo wrestlers posed outside London’s Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday, with the sounds of city traffic providing the backdrop ahead of the opening bouts of a five-day tournament.

Morocco welcomed 15 millions tourists in the first nine months of 2025, according to the ministry of tourism.

In a stunning upset, Morocco’s team made history by beating France 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to advance to the FIFA U-20 World Cup final in Chile.

It said this ‘last resort’ decision was as a result of the extended violent clashes that have threatened the safety of its staff and patients.

Nestlé is cutting 16,000 jobs globally to streamline operations, focus on high-return products, and shore up profitability under new CEO Philipp Navratil.

Violence broke out in Barcelona on Wednesday night as a pro-Palestinian demonstration escalated following a march of around 1,000 protesters towards the Israeli consulate.

The Federal Ministry of Health earlier this week reported 120,496 cases and 3,368 deaths nationwide.

The former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo was seen in public on Wednesday, for the first time since he was sentenced to death in absentia on charges of treason and war crimes for collaborating with rebels.

The update, expected in December, will introduce a stricter age-verification system to confirm users are over 18 before they can access adult materials.