100 killed in fire during wedding in northern Iraq

16 Sept 21:42 Key points summarised by AI

A catastrophic fire erupted during a wedding in Hamdaniyah, northern Iraq, resulting in at least 100 deaths and over 150 injuries.
The blaze, reportedly triggered by fireworks, spread rapidly due to highly flammable, substandard construction materials and released toxic gases, trapping many attendees.
Victims primarily suffered from severe burns, asphyxiation, and injuries sustained during the ensuing crowd crushes as people desperately tried to escape.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani mobilized immediate rescue efforts, with health ministries dispatching medical aid and teams to assist the numerous casualties.
The incident underscores critical failures in safety standards within Iraq's infrastructure, mirroring previous fatal fires in the country's hospitals.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.