Powerful explosion rocks Lebanon’s capital Beirut, thousands injured

Before the Taliban swept to power in Afghanistan, Kabul was a city with a vibrant nightlife and arts scene. But since then, there has been a radical transformation. Thousands of longtime Taliban fighters have poured into the capital, now working in round-the-clock security patrols. Meanwhile, financial disputes and quarrels between neighbours are being settled by Islamic judges. FRANCE 24's Catherine Norris-Trent and Roméo Langlois report from Kabul.

FRANCE 24 spoke to Jerry Tardieu, national coordinator of Haiti's "En Avant" (Forwards) political movement and a former opposition MP. Haiti is still reeling from the July assassination of the president, as well as recent kidnappings of missionaries and a deadly earthquake. Tardieu told us that the widespread chaos in the country can be explained by "a collusive relationship" between the authorities and all-powerful armed gangs. Gangs now control "most neighbourhoods of the capital" Port-au-Prince, Tardieu said.

Lebanon is once again caught in a regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. A diplomatic row with the Gulf states could add to the country's political instability and economic crisis.

At least 74 people were killed and dozens more were injured on Sunday after bombs ripped through two restaurants in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. Police said the bombs were targeting football fans who had gathered to watch the World Cup final.

Five persons have lost their lives while a number of persons yet to be ascertained injured in a gas explosion at Odekunle Street, Papa Ajao, Mushin, Lagos, on Tuesday morning.⁣⁣ The fire incident was said to have been caused by a woman frying bean cake (Akara) close to a gas cylinder.⁣ Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service are currently at the scene of the explosion.⁣⁣

At least one person was killed and six people including children injured in an explosion in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Wednesday, according to an official statement. Local media says the gas cylinder blast happened in a multi-story building in Lyari area the city. The police said the building was partially damaged.

Five people were killed and more than 40 injured after an SUV sped through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, knocking down dozens of people, including youngsters waving pompoms and a group of "Dancing Grannies."

More than half of families in Lebanon had at least one child who skipped a meal by October 2021 amid a "dramatic deterioration of living conditions", the UN's children's fund UNICEF said in a report released on Tuesday (November 23). Children have been hit hard by the country's deep economic crisis exacerbated by the global coronavirus pandemic which has left about eight in 10 people poor and threatens the education of some 700,000 children including 260,000 Lebanese, the report said.

In Afghanistan, women have now been waiting for three months for their fate to be decided by the Taliban government. One key question is whether older schoolgirls will be able to return to high school. With winter school holidays coming up, women in Kabul fear that the Taliban will simply play for time and postpone any decision on the issue. In the meantime, some Afghan provinces have been able to reopen their schools, but not others. Our team on the ground reports from Kabul.

A massive fire in Burundi's capital kills at least 38 people; Benin's opposition candidate is sentenced to 10 years in prison for treason; and we go to DR Congo where those suffering from HIV/AIDS are hesitant to seek treatment because of stigma.

Lebanon blast linked to Hamas weapons depot: Anchal Vohra reports

The 2020 Beirut port blast was a traumatic experience for many people in Lebanon. A large number sought therapy in the aftermath. But, with doctors leaving the country, help is not easy to find.