Shopping Mall Fire Kills at Least 61 in Iraq
Local officials said that the scale of the tragedy was worsened by shoddy construction and a lack of preparedness.
Day: July 17, 2025
France withdraws troops from Senegal, ending military presence in West Africa
Senegal’s new government has taken a hard-line stance against the presence of French troops as part of a larger regional backlash against what many see as the legacy of an oppressive colonial empire.
‘Old news’: Russia rolls eyes at US sanctions threat over Ukraine war; ‘we don’t accept threat’
Russia has downplayed the threat of new US sanctions, dismissing them as commonplace. This reaction follows President Trump’s 50-day ultimatum for Russia to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine, coupled with a NATO-backed military aid plan for Kyiv…
American singer Connie Francis, whose hits include Pretty Little Baby, dead at 87
Connie Francis, the wholesome pop star of the 1950s and ’60s whose hits include Pretty Little Baby, has died at 87.
New ceasefire holds in Syria’s Sweida
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Thursday pledged justice after deadly clashes in the Druze-majority city of Sweida, vowing those behind abuses would be held accountable and announcing that local authorities would be handed responsibility …
France ends military presence in Senegal
France will formally hand over its last military bases in Senegal on Thursday, ending a 65-year presence in the country. The move marks the latest in a string of withdrawals from former colonies as Paris faces growing calls across Africa to end its mi…
‘There’s got to be tens of thousands’: ground squirrels overrun North Dakota city
Minot residents exasperated as number of squirrels nears or even exceeds population of cityThe Richardson’s ground squirrel weighs less than a pound, is about a foot long and is native to the northern Plains.The little creature also is a ferocious tunn…
Syrian forces leave Sweida after ceasefire with Druze militias goes into effect
The fighting had threatened to unravel Syria’s post-war political transition and brought further military intervention by neighbouring Israel.
Labour hugely outspent Conservatives in 2024 general election, figures show
Labour spent £30m compared with the Tories’ £23m, according to data published by the Electoral CommissionLabour hugely outspent the Conservatives at the last general election including more than £12m advertising on platforms including Facebook and Snap…
Far-right supporters attack police after protest against Essex hotel for asylum seekers
Riot police deployed to anti-immigration flashpoint in Epping as far right seeks to exploit local tensionsFar-right supporters have attacked police as violence erupted following a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Essex.Hundreds of peop…