In a devastating suicide attack near the Afghan border, seven Pakistani soldiers lost their lives on Friday, according to security officials. The assault targeted a military camp in North Waziristan, leaving 13 others injured. The incident occurred amidst a fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following days of intense cross-border clashes earlier this month. The ceasefire, which paused the hostilities, is set to expire at 1300 GMT on Friday. The attack involved a militant driving an explosive-laden vehicle into the boundary wall of a military fort, while two others attempted to infiltrate the facility but were neutralized by security forces. Pakistan’s army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. This surge in militant violence has strained relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, who regained power in Kabul after the U.S.-led forces withdrew in 2021. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its soil, while the Taliban denies these allegations and accuses Pakistan of provoking border tensions and sheltering ISIS-linked militants. The recent clashes, the most severe in decades, have drawn international attention, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar mediating to de-escalate the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has also offered assistance in resolving the crisis.
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Plan to test Liberian schoolchildren for drugs blocked
Liberia’s Education Ministry has intervened to halt a contentious proposal for mandatory drug testing across all schools in the country. The initiative, spearheaded by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), aimed to combat the escalating issue of drug abuse among students. Interim LDEA head Fitzgerald Biago argued that such measures would address the growing crisis, which President Joseph Boakai declared a national emergency last year. A recent EU-backed report revealed that one in five young Liberians engages in drug use, underscoring the severity of the problem. However, the Education Ministry expressed reservations, stating that it was unaware of the plan and emphasized the need for evidence-based decision-making. Assistant Minister Sona Sesay-Toure highlighted the potential negative consequences of drug testing, including privacy concerns, social stigma, and adverse effects on students’ academic performance. She stressed the importance of thorough research and case studies from other nations before implementing such measures. Sesay-Toure also noted the establishment of a multi-sectoral committee, led by the Health Ministry, to address drug and substance abuse. Additionally, she emphasized the role of strengthened school health clubs in reducing drug prevalence. The LDEA has undergone recent leadership changes, with Biago appointed as interim head following the dismissal of the previous leadership in August. The debate over drug testing in schools continues, balancing the urgency of tackling drug abuse with the need to protect students’ rights and well-being.
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Portuguese parliament approves bill banning face coverings in public
In a significant legislative move, Portugal’s parliament has passed a bill prohibiting the wearing of face veils for ‘gender or religious’ reasons in most public spaces. The bill, primarily targeting Islamic face coverings such as burqas and niqabs, was introduced by the far-right Chega party and received backing from center-right political groups. While the ban excludes specific locations like airplanes, diplomatic premises, and places of worship, violators could face fines ranging from 200 euros to 4,000 euros ($234 to $4,669). The legislation now awaits approval from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who may either sign it into law, veto it, or refer it to the Constitutional Court for further review. If enacted, Portugal would join several European nations, including Austria, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which have implemented full or partial bans on face and head coverings. Although the number of women in Portugal wearing such garments is relatively small, the issue has sparked debates similar to those in other European countries. Chega has justified the ban by arguing that face coverings perpetuate ‘exclusion and inferiority,’ particularly for women, and contradict principles of ‘liberty, equality, and human dignity.’
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Iran slams Israeli strikes in Lebanon as ‘ceasefire violation’
Iran has strongly criticized recent Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon, labeling them as a direct violation of a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel. The attacks, which targeted civilian facilities, have drawn sharp condemnation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who described the strikes as a breach of the truce negotiated last year.
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Japan’s ruling, opposition parties agree to pick new PM on Oct 21
Japan’s political landscape is poised for a significant shift as the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan have agreed to elect a new prime minister on October 21, 2025. This decision comes as the current Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, prepares to step down. The parliamentary vote will coincide with the commencement of an extraordinary Diet session, which is scheduled to run for 58 days, concluding on December 17. Sanae Takaichi, who recently secured victory in the LDP presidential election on October 4, is the frontrunner for the position. However, her appointment as prime minister is contingent upon approval by the Diet, Japan’s parliament. The Diet’s two houses will cast their votes, with the lower house’s decision taking precedence in case of a discrepancy. A candidate must secure a majority in the first round to be named prime minister; otherwise, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates. If elected, Takaichi is expected to swiftly address pressing economic issues, including rising prices, and propose a supplementary budget bill for parliamentary review by early December.
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UAE: 2-year licence fee exemption for businesses amid infrastructure works in some RAK areas
In a significant move to bolster the private sector and mitigate the challenges posed by ongoing infrastructure developments, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has announced a two-year exemption from commercial licence fees for businesses in the Al Riffa and Al Jazeera Al Hamra areas. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a resilient and competitive economic environment while ensuring the continuity of local enterprises. The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development emphasized that this decision aligns with the leadership’s vision to empower businesses, enhance economic confidence, and stimulate growth across the Emirate. By alleviating financial burdens on businesses affected by construction works, the government aims to strengthen Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a regional business hub and promote sustainable development. This strategic measure reflects the UAE’s broader efforts to support the private sector and create a conducive environment for economic prosperity.
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Can Putin’s ‘Flying Kremlin’ travel through EU airspace to Budapest?
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential visit to Budapest for a summit with US President Donald Trump faces significant logistical and diplomatic challenges, despite the willingness of both leaders to engage in talks. The meeting, which has yet to be finalized, would require Putin to navigate complex airspace restrictions imposed by the EU and NATO, as well as geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Putin’s preferred mode of travel, his heavily modified Ilyushin Il-96 aircraft—often referred to as the “Flying Kremlin”—would necessitate special permissions to traverse EU airspace, which has been off-limits to Russian planes since the war began. Hungary, a NATO member and one of Putin’s closest allies within the EU, has expressed confidence in facilitating the visit. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has maintained strong ties with both Putin and Trump, has already initiated preparations for the summit, emphasizing its potential to advance peace efforts in Ukraine. However, the EU’s executive commission has indicated that while it supports dialogue aimed at achieving a “just and lasting peace,” it will not directly participate in the talks. The logistical challenges of Putin’s journey to Budapest are compounded by the need to avoid airspace over Ukraine and Poland, both of which have strained relations with Moscow. Potential routes include flying through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Serbia, though each would require individual approvals from the respective countries. The summit, if realized, could bolster Orban’s domestic standing ahead of Hungary’s upcoming elections, while also testing the limits of EU unity in addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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Watch: Dubai Police seize vehicle for reckless driving, nearly hitting delivery rider
In a recent incident highlighting the dangers of reckless driving, Dubai Police seized a vehicle after its driver endangered the life of a delivery rider. The incident, captured in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), shows the car abruptly changing multiple lanes, narrowly avoiding a collision with the motorbike. The delivery rider is seen attempting to maintain a safe distance from the erratic vehicle and other traffic. Dubai Police emphasized the severe consequences of such behavior, warning that reckless driving not only jeopardizes the driver’s safety but also endangers the lives of others on the road. Under UAE traffic laws, driving in a manner that threatens lives incurs a fine of Dh2,000, 23 black points on the driver’s license, and a 60-day vehicle impoundment. The police urged motorists to prioritize road safety and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent such incidents. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible driving in ensuring public safety.
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Thousands rally in Albanian capital against EU-backed court prosecuting Kosovo war veterans
Thousands of Kosovo war veterans and their supporters gathered in Tirana, Albania, on Friday to protest against the European Union-backed Kosovo Specialist Chambers, which is prosecuting former fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The demonstrators, who filled Skanderbeg Square, accused the tribunal of bias and injustice, claiming it unfairly targets those who fought for Kosovo’s independence from Serbia during the 1998-1999 war. The rally, organized by the veterans’ association OVL-UCK and supported by the Albanian government, featured national Albanian and KLA flags, with some participants donning KLA uniforms and singing songs about freedom. The protest’s motto, ‘Freedom has a name. Justice for the liberators,’ underscored their demands for fairness. High-profile defendants, including former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and other ex-leaders, are currently on trial at The Hague for charges such as murder, torture, and persecution of civilians. The court was established following a 2011 Council of Europe report alleging KLA involvement in human organ trafficking and killings, though these allegations were not included in the indictments. The rally remained peaceful, with former Albanian President Alfred Moisiu calling for justice and criticizing the court’s processes as biased. The event highlighted ongoing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, with Kosovo’s 2008 independence still unrecognized by Serbia and its allies.
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Army colonel Michael Randrianirina sworn in as Madagascar’s President
In a dramatic turn of events, Colonel Michael Randrianirina, the leader of Madagascar’s CAPSAT army unit, was sworn in as the nation’s president on Friday, October 17, 2025. This follows a military coup that ousted former President Andry Rajoelina, who fled the country amid widespread youth-led protests. The military’s takeover has drawn sharp criticism from international bodies, including the African Union and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Randrianirina, who previously commanded the elite CAPSAT unit, played a pivotal role in the 2009 coup that brought Rajoelina to power. However, he broke ranks with Rajoelina last week, urging soldiers not to fire on anti-government protesters. During his swearing-in ceremony at the High Constitutional Court, Randrianirina pledged to ‘fully, completely, and justly fulfil the high responsibilities’ of his new role, vowing to strengthen national unity and human rights.
The military has dissolved all government institutions except the National Assembly, establishing a transitional committee to rule alongside a provisional government for up to two years before organizing new elections. This political upheaval comes against a backdrop of severe economic challenges in Madagascar, where 75% of the population lives in poverty, and GDP per capita has plummeted by 45% since independence in 1960.
Rajoelina, who was impeached by lawmakers after fleeing the country, has condemned the coup and refused to step down. The situation remains volatile, with the international community closely monitoring developments in the island nation.