Tehran selling deal with US as victory – but for Iranians it was necessity

Germany votes to bring in voluntary military service programme for 18-year-olds11 hours agoShareSaveBethany BellBerlinShareSaveWatch: 'We're protesting now before it's too late'Germany's parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to introduce voluntary military service, in a move aimed at boosting national defences after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It marks a significant shift in Germany's approach to its military and follows Chancellor Friedrich Merz's push to create Europe's strongest conventional army.
The change means that all 18-year-olds in Germany will be sent a questionnaire from January 2026 asking if they are interested and willing to join the armed forces. The form will be mandatory for men and voluntary for women.
Students at schools across Germany have said they will join strikes in as many as 90 cities on Friday to protest against the move.
EPAGermany scrapped compulsory military service in 2011 but the size of its milit..

Senior IS leader killed in joint operation, US and Nigeria say7 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMakuochi Okafor,West Africa reporter, LagosandBarry Marston,Jihadism researcherAFP via Getty ImagesThe Nigerian military has increased cooperation with the US in efforts to combat extremist violence (file photo)Nigeria and the United States say they have killed a senior Islamic State (IS) leader in a joint-operation.
Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was described by US President Donald Trump as the “second in command of ISIS globally” and “the most active terrorist in the world”.
IS has radically shifted in recent years, with around 90% of its attacks now taking place in sub-Saharan Africa. Its Nigeria-based branch is by far the most active.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said the two countries had carried out a “daring joint operation that dealt a heavy blow” to IS.
Al‑Minuki was declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by Washington in 2023.
He was killed along with “several of hi..

At least 44 dead and hundreds missing after fire engulfs Hong Kong tower blocks3 hours agoShareSaveHafsa KhalilandKathryn ArmstrongShareSaveWatch: Deadly fire engulfs Hong Kong apartment blocksAt least 44 people have been killed in a huge fire that has engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong's Tai Po district.
There are reports that some residents were trapped in the building, and police say 279 people are still missing.
More than 760 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze on Wednesday afternoon, with pictures showing flames and thick clouds of grey smoke billowing from the towers, dominating the city's skyline.
Three men have since been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to the fire, according to local media reports, and an investigation has been launched.
The blaze broke out at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex at 14:51 local time (06:51 GMT) and was classified as a level five – the highest in severity – by the fire department at 18:22.
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