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Twenty-Five Killed in Russian Strike on Apartment Buildings in West Ukraine

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Simeon Bateren
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TERNOPIL, Ukraine (BN24) — A devastating Russian missile and drone attack on the city of Ternopil, in western Ukraine, killed at least 25 people and left more than 80 others wounded, Ukrainian officials confirmed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The attack, which targeted residential buildings overnight, also left dozens missing, with hopes fading for their survival.

The assault, which saw the launch of 476 drones and 48 missiles across Ukraine, struck several cities, including Ternopil, a regional hub in the west. Energy and transportation infrastructure were targeted, causing widespread power outages amid freezing temperatures. This forced emergency power cuts in many regions, as millions of Ukrainians endured the cold without electricity.

The attack in Ternopil destroyed the upper floors of an apartment building. Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the flames, while plumes of thick smoke rose into the sky. Residents stood outside the devastated building, anxiously waiting for news of loved ones still trapped inside.

“From the ninth to the first floor, this fiery lava engulfed our people. They didn’t have time to escape from their flats because everything was on fire,” said Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko in televised comments.

Three children were among the victims, and officials warned the death toll could rise as the search for survivors continues. At least 25 people remain unaccounted for, and fears are mounting that the true toll could be even higher.

Oksana Kobel, whose son Bohdan was living on the ninth floor of the apartment building at the time of the strike, held out hope that he would be found alive. “I went to work, heard the explosions. I called him and said, ‘Bohdan, go to the shelter, get dressed.’ He answered ‘Mom, I am already up, everything will be fine,’” she recalled tearfully.

The attack prompted a temporary closure of airports in Poland, a NATO member country to the west of Ukraine, as a precautionary measure. Both Rzeszów and Lublin airports in southeastern Poland were briefly shut down, and Polish and allied aircraft were scrambled to safeguard the country’s airspace.

Russian airstrikes were launched as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was in Turkey for peace talks aimed at reviving negotiations with Russia. Zelenskiy, who had just completed a diplomatic tour of European capitals, condemned the attack as an example of Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine’s civilian population. “Every brazen attack against ordinary life shows that the pressure on Russia is insufficient. Effective sanctions and assistance to Ukraine can change this,” Zelenskiy wrote on social media platform X.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha vowed to bring Russia’s actions before the United Nations Security Council. “Ukraine will bring Russia’s horrific murder to the spotlight of tomorrow’s UN Security Council meeting,” Sybiha stated, urging the international community to take stronger action against Russia.

In addition to the casualties in Ternopil, energy infrastructure was severely damaged in seven Ukrainian regions, leaving millions without power and prompting authorities to implement power restrictions. In the western city of Lviv, a Reuters witness reported hearing multiple explosions, while the northwestern city of Kharkiv also came under fire. The capital, Kyiv, was not spared either, with residents in the metro stations seeking shelter as air raid sirens blared.

Russian authorities, who continue to deny deliberately targeting civilians, said the airstrikes were in retaliation for “terrorist attacks” allegedly committed by Ukrainian forces. Russia claimed Ukrainian forces had launched U.S.-made ATACMS missiles at the southern Russian city of Voronezh, though no independent verification of this claim has been made.

The November 18 attack is the latest in a series of deadly airstrikes by Russia on Ukrainian civilian areas, as the war between the two nations enters its fourth year. Despite international condemnation and sanctions, Russia’s missile and drone strikes on Ukraine show little sign of abating, with Ukrainian officials warning that the worst may still be ahead as winter weather sets in.

Achraf Hakimi Wins Africa Player of the Year Award

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Simeon Bateren
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RABAT, Morocco (BN24)— Achraf Hakimi claimed the 2025 Confederation of African Football Men’s Player of the Year Award on Wednesday, capping a career-defining season that propelled him past Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen in one of the most competitive races in recent years.

The announcement unfolded during the CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, where Hakimi’s presence as the only finalist in attendance intensified anticipation inside the packed venue. The Paris Saint-Germain right back received a prolonged ovation as his name was called, with fans and dignitaries acknowledging a breakthrough long in the making.

Hakimi’s win carries historic weight for Moroccan football. He becomes the nation’s first recipient of the award since Mustapha Hadji captured the honor in 1998, ending a 27-year gap for Morocco on African football’s most prestigious individual podium. His triumph also places him among the rare defenders to claim the title, marking only the fourth time a player in a defensive role has earned the recognition in the award’s modern history.

The 27-year-old entered the 2025 ceremony with unfinished business, having finished as runner-up twice. In 2023, he narrowly lost to Osimhen, and in 2024, he finished behind Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman. His consistent performances for PSG and the Moroccan national team over the past year, marked by decisive contributions on both ends of the pitch, have strengthened his case, elevating him above two of Africa’s most celebrated attackers.

Hakimi’s victory is viewed as a defining moment in his career and a milestone for defenders on the continent, underscoring his influence in a sport often dominated by forwards. His win is expected to further enhance Morocco’s rising stature in football and reaffirm his status as one of Africa’s most complete and influential players.

Four Kano Family Members Killed in Early Morning Fire, in Nigeria

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Simeon Bateren
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KANO, Nigeria (BN24)— Four members of a family in Kano State died early Wednesday after a fire swept through their home at Kundila Layin Baba Impossible in the Tarauni Local Government Area, authorities said.

The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the tragedy in a statement by its spokesperson, Saminu Abdullahi. The blaze was reported at about 4:13 a.m. by one of the agency’s personnel, Abba Datti, who alerted colleagues as flames consumed the ground-floor residence.

Firefighters arrived to find the building, measuring roughly 40 by 30 feet and used for residential purposes, already engulfed. According to the Fire Service, the fire destroyed two bedrooms, a parlour, a kitchen, and a toilet as it advanced through the structure, trapping the occupants inside.

Among the victims were the 43-year-old head of the household, Shodandi; his wife, Rafi’a, 30; and their two young daughters, three-year-old Mardiya and one-and-a-half-year-old Yusira, all of whom were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said the only survivor was a 12-year-old boy, Aminu Shodandi, who was rescued by firefighters.

The Fire Service extended condolences to the bereaved family and urged residents to exercise greater caution with fire-related materials, especially during the harmattan period when conditions heighten the risk of ignition.

A preliminary investigation indicated the fire was sparked by a mosquito coil the family had lit before going to sleep, the agency said.

Curaçao Makes History as Smallest Nation to Qualify for World Cup

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Simeon Bateren
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KINGSTON, Jamaica (BN24)— Curaçao reached the World Cup for the first time Tuesday night, salvaging a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in Kingston and becoming the smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the tournament. The Caribbean island, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, secured its place atop Group B with 12 points and completed the qualifying round undefeated.

The achievement comes as Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and a traditional football power failed to qualify for next year’s tournament. Nigeria, with more than 200 million people and a national team stocked with internationally recognized players, fell short despite its sizable football infrastructure and resources.

Curaçao’s milestone qualification was secured without head coach Dick Advocaat on the sideline. The 78-year-old coach returned to the Netherlands over the weekend due to a family matter. Advocaat previously guided the Netherlands national team in three separate tenures and has managed South Korea, Belgium, and Russia.

The Central Bureau of Statistics in Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao, reported a population of 156,115 as of January, establishing the country as the smallest ever to qualify for a World Cup. The previous record was held by Iceland, which entered the 2018 World Cup with a population just above 350,000.

Elsewhere in CONCACAF, Panama, of Panama City, qualified for its second World Cup after a 3-0 victory over El Salvador in Panama City. Cesar Blackman scored in the 17th minute, Erick Davis added another in the 45th, and Jose Luis Rodriguez sealed the match in the 85th. Panama finished atop Group A with 12 points, while Suriname, based in Paramaribo, lost 3-1 to Guatemala and settled for second with nine points. Panama’s last World Cup appearance was in 2018.

In Managua, Nicaragua, Haiti clinched its second-ever World Cup berth with a 2-1 win over the Nicaraguan side, finishing first in Group C ahead of Honduras and Costa Rica. Loicious Deedson scored in the ninth minute, and Ruben Providence added a goal in the 45th to secure Haiti’s first World Cup appearance since Germany 1974. Haiti finished with 11 points, while Honduras tallied nine and Costa Rica seven.

Curaçao’s breakthrough qualification marks a historic moment for the small island nation and reshapes expectations across global football, especially as larger nations such as Nigeria face increased scrutiny following their surprising absence from the upcoming tournament.

Colorado authorities seize over 1,000 pounds of meth, charge 15 in cartel-linked investigation

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admin
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Federal authorities said Wednesday they seized more than a half-ton of methamphetamine and charged 15 people after a two-year investigation that disrupted what prosecutors described as a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization operating across Colorado. Eleven suspects have been arrested, while four others, including the alleged leader of the network, remain at large and are believed to be in Mexico, according to the Colorado U.S. Attorney’s Office.

During a news conference, Dave Olesky, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s special agent in charge, said the investigation uncovered direct connections to criminal elements in Mexico, including ties to the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels. He did not take questions, and a DEA spokesperson declined to provide further details. The two cartels, long considered among the world’s most influential criminal networks, were recently designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the administration of President Donald Trump.

An arrest affidavit stated that the seized methamphetamine amounted to millions of individual doses. Most of the drugs — roughly 1,115 pounds, or 505 kilograms — were discovered in April hidden in the corners of boxes of pear squash imported from Mexico and found at a property in Lakewood, a suburb of Denver. Nearly 100 pounds, or 45 kilograms, were intercepted in December on a Greyhound bus passing through Vail. Investigators had obtained a warrant to track a cellphone used by a suspected dealer and were waiting when the bus arrived in the ski resort town. The drugs were headed toward the Denver metropolitan area, U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly said.

Marv Massey, acting FBI special agent in charge, said the coordinated investigation dismantled a major criminal supply chain. “This is one supply chain that needed to be broken,” he said.

US rapper, Nicki Minaj delivers powerful speech on ‘persecution’ of Christians in Nigeria at the UN

By
Simeon Bateren
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NEW YORK (BN24)— Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj delivered an impassioned speech Tuesday at a United Nations conference in New York, urging global attention to allegations that Christians in Nigeria are being persecuted, displaced, and killed. Appearing alongside United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz, Minaj said the issue demanded urgent action and insisted her stance was rooted in justice rather than political allegiance.

Dressed in a form-fitting black gown, Minaj opened her remarks by admitting she felt “very nervous” before thanking Waltz and former U.S. President Donald Trump for raising concerns about violence against Christians in Nigeria. She said both had prioritized the matter and pressed for international efforts to protect religious freedom.

“Thank you, Ambassador Waltz, for this invitation,” she said. “It is an honor to stand on this stage with you and the other speakers here today to shine a spotlight on the deadly threat faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria.” She continued by thanking Trump “for his leadership on the global stage” and for calling for urgent action to defend those who “simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”

Minaj used her global music career as a reference point, saying she has witnessed firsthand how people of all backgrounds are connected through art. She said that freedom of religion allows individuals to “sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live and what we believe,” but warned that faith is “under attack in way too many places.”

The rapper described the situation in Nigeria as one in which Christians are “being targeted, driven from their homes, and killed,” with churches burned and families “torn apart.” She said communities were living in constant fear “simply because of how they pray.” She stressed that the concern extended beyond a single country, adding, “Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but so many countries across the world, and it demands urgent action.”

Minaj emphasized repeatedly that her speech was not about political division. “I want to be clear, protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people,” she said. “It is about uniting humanity.”

She also used the moment to acknowledge her fans, known as The Barbz, and highlighted her longstanding support from Nigerian followers. “Nigeria is a beautiful nation with lots of beautiful Barbz that I can’t wait to see,” she said before thanking them for being “the ultimate light” in her life and career.

Addressing criticism of her recent expressions of support for Trump, Minaj said her stance was consistent with her lifelong values. “I want to make it clear once again, this isn’t about taking sides,” she said. “This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career, and I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life.”

Her remarks came weeks after she amplified a Trump Truth Social post asserting that Christianity in Nigeria faced an “existential threat” and suggesting the nation could be considered for designation as a Country of Particular Concern. In that video message, Trump warned the U.S. would end all aid to Nigeria if the killings continued and said the country could become a target for direct American action against “Islamic Terrorists” responsible for violence.

Minaj’s appearance at the UN placed her voice among political and diplomatic figures advocating attention to the issue, framing her message as both a humanitarian appeal and a defense of religious liberty.

Japan Orders Evacuations as Major Fire Tears Through Southwestern Region, Destroys 170 Homes

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Simeon Bateren
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0

TOKYO (BN24)— Firefighters in southwestern Japan struggled Wednesday to contain a fire that swept through a coastal neighborhood in the city of Oita, damaging or destroying roughly 170 homes and forcing more than 170 residents to evacuate as strong winds continued to complicate the response. Authorities said a man in his 70s remained missing as emergency agencies worked to account for residents and assess the full extent of the damage.

The blaze began Tuesday evening near a fishing port in Oita on Kyushu, Japan’s southern main island. Officials said powerful winds quickly carried the flames inland, moving from the waterfront through tightly packed residential streets before spreading into a nearby forest. The speed of the fire’s advance left little time for evacuation, and residents described rushing to safety as smoke and embers filled the air.

One woman told Kyodo News she escaped with only the clothes she was wearing, saying the flames “spread in the blink of an eye,” leaving no opportunity to gather belongings as the fire overran her neighborhood. The rapid escalation forced authorities to issue immediate evacuation orders, sending families to shelters as firefighters attempted to create containment lines.

By midday Wednesday, Japanese television footage showed smoke still rising from large sections of the affected area, where rows of houses had been reduced to blackened foundations. Though the flames that lit the sky overnight were no longer visible, scorched debris continued to smolder as emergency teams navigated collapsed structures and unstable ground.

More than 200 firefighters and dozens of fire engines were dispatched to the scene, where crews had been working for nearly 20 hours without full containment. The Ground Self-Defense Force deployed two UH-1 helicopters to drop water over the burning forested sections and support ground units fighting the spread toward additional homes.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in a statement posted on X, offered condolences to residents who lost homes and pledged government assistance. She said authorities would “provide maximum support” to those affected as local officials coordinated ongoing firefighting operations, shelter management, and damage assessments.

The cause of the fire had not been announced, and officials said the priority remained controlling remaining hot spots and ensuring that shifting winds did not reignite flames in residential areas already weakened by the overnight blaze.

Terrorists Attack CAC Church in Kwara Community, Kill 3, Abduct Pastor and Worshippers, in Nigeria

By
Simeon Bateren
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ERUKU, Kwara State, Nigeria (BN24)— Panic and terror swept through Eruku, a community in the Ekiti Local Government Area, on Tuesday evening when gunmen attacked a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), killing three worshippers and abducting several others, including the church pastor.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants struck without warning during a church meeting, opening fire on worshippers and forcing them to flee into surrounding bushes. “The gunmen came in suddenly and started shooting. Three people were killed instantly,” one resident said. “They gathered others at gunpoint and marched them into the bush. We still don’t know the exact number taken.”

The attackers reportedly entered the community through bush paths connecting Eruku to neighboring settlements, advancing into the town with sporadic gunfire that sent residents and travelers fleeing in panic. Vehicles were abandoned on roads as residents scrambled for safety, creating scenes of chaos across the community.

A traveler escaping the attack recorded a frantic video from the bush, describing the mayhem. “This is 18-11-2025. On my way back from the Federal Poly, Bida, Niger State, we were coming through Ilorin road when they started shooting. Everybody has scattered into the bush. Please, come to our rescue. They are shooting everywhere. People have abandoned their vehicles. The community is in chaos,” he said, his voice trembling.

Reports indicate that three people were killed, though some sources suggest two fatalities, reflecting the confusion during the assault. An unspecified number of worshippers were abducted, including the CAC pastor. The gunmen reportedly fled through forested areas linking Eruku to neighboring communities, leaving a trail of fear in their wake.

Residents say Eruku has faced repeated attacks in recent weeks, despite local authorities, vigilante groups, and the Eruku Progressive Union attempting to secure the area. “Nothing concrete has come from the authorities. We are living in fear every day,” a community member said, highlighting the growing insecurity in the region.

The Kwara State Police Command and the state government have yet to issue a formal public statement, though the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the attack. She said the Divisional Police Officer and his team responded quickly to gunfire reports, with assistance from local vigilante groups.

The attack has intensified fears across Eruku and surrounding areas, raising concerns about escalating violence in parts of Kwara State. Authorities continue to investigate the identities, motives, and movements of the attackers, while residents remain in uncertainty over the fate of the abducted pastor and worshippers.

Nigeria Steps Up Search for 25 Abducted Schoolgirls in Northwestern Kebbi

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Simeon Bateren
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MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (BN24)— Nigerian security forces intensified their search Tuesday for 25 girls abducted from a boarding school in northwestern Kebbi state, the latest in a series of school kidnappings that continue to plague the country.

Police said armed men stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town around 4 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Monday. The attackers, arriving on motorcycles, engaged police in gunfire before scaling the school’s perimeter fence and abducting the students. Authorities described the operation as well-planned.

“We must find these children. Act decisively and professionally on all intelligence. Success is not optional,” Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, told troops during a visit to Kebbi on Tuesday.

Nazifi Isa, a resident, said he learned of the abduction after dawn prayers at a mosque. One of his two daughters was among those taken. “Since yesterday, we haven’t eaten, and my wife is in tears. I can’t even go back home to see her because I know how distraught she is,” Isa told Reuters by phone.

The abduction comes as Nigeria faces mounting pressure from the United States following threats of military action by former President Donald Trump over the persecution of Christians by Islamist insurgents, including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.

The kidnapping highlights the continuing insecurity across Nigeria. In the northeast, the government battles Islamist insurgents, while the northwest has seen a rise in ransom kidnappings by armed groups. Clashes between cattle herders and farmers persist in the central “middle belt” region.

ISWAP said its fighters abducted and executed an army general in the northeast over the weekend, dealing a blow to Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts. Local media also reported that on Monday, another armed gang kidnapped 64 people, including women and children, in neighboring Zamfara state. Many kidnappings go unreported because they occur in remote areas with limited communication.

At Maga school, some parents waited in hope that their children would be found alive. The attack evoked memories of Boko Haram’s 2014 abduction of more than 300 Chibok schoolgirls, which sparked global outrage. Some of those girls later escaped or were released, but hundreds remain missing. Since then, kidnappings from schools and universities for ransom have become a recurring threat.

Mali Army Killed 31 Villagers in Attacks on Insurgent Area, HRW Says

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Simeon Bateren
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SEGOU, Mali (BN24)— Mali’s military and allied militias killed at least 31 villagers in two attacks in the central Segou region, where the main insurgent group linked to al Qaeda operates, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday in a detailed report documenting the killings.

The first attack occurred on October 2 in the village of Kamona, where HRW reported that soldiers and allied militias killed at least 21 men and burned homes. Witnesses described the troops moving through the village, accusing residents of supporting Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al Qaeda-linked group that has been expanding operations in southern Mali.

A second attack occurred in Balle, roughly 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Kamona. At least 10 villagers, including a woman, were killed. Witnesses said the army and militia forces carried out executions after identifying individuals they suspected of collaborating with insurgents.

One survivor, a local herder, recounted hiding in an abandoned home with his nine-year-old daughter during the Kamona attack. When it was safe to emerge, he discovered 17 bodies riddled with bullets, HRW said. Witness testimonies described homes set ablaze and families fleeing into nearby bushlands, creating a climate of fear across the region.

The report called on the Malian authorities to urgently investigate the killings and hold perpetrators accountable. Human Rights Watch also urged the African Union to take measures to help end the ongoing conflict and provide protection for civilians caught between state forces and insurgents. Requests for comment from Mali’s army and the African Union were not immediately returned.

Mali, a landlocked country in West Africa, has been grappling with escalating attacks by jihadist groups that target government forces and civilian communities. In recent months, insurgent groups imposed a fuel blockade, leading to long lines at stations and dramatically increasing costs for diesel generators, which are critical for hospitals, businesses, and rural communities.

Despite the intensifying violence, Mali’s foreign minister dismissed as implausible the notion that jihadists could seize the capital, Bamako, in the near future. Analysts, however, warn that the central and southern regions of the country have become increasingly vulnerable as government forces struggle to maintain security and humanitarian access.

The HRW report underscores the growing humanitarian crisis in Mali, where civilians face threats from both insurgent groups and state-aligned military operations. Human Rights Watch said international intervention, including oversight by regional organizations such as the African Union, is critical to preventing further atrocities.

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