Fresh Attacks in Central Mali Kill Dozens
A fresh wave of attacks by jihadist fighters in central Mali has resulted in dozens of fatalities, according to local and security sources on Saturday. The attacks on Friday were claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which had already killed at least 30 people in attacks on villages on Wednesday.
A local official reported that the latest attacks have brought the death toll to over 70 in recent days, while another official put the number at 80. A local youth leader expressed grief, stating, "Our hearts are bleeding," and accused nearby army detachments of failing to respond despite multiple calls for help. A security source described the situation as "worrying," noting that JNIM is specifically targeting villages that refused to sign local agreements.
These attacks follow an unprecedented assault by JNIM and the Tuareg-dominated Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) against the ruling junta last month. Since then, Mali's security situation has deteriorated critically, with several northern areas now under the control of armed groups.
Delhi Court Grants Police Custody of University Chairman in PMLA Case
The Saket court in Delhi on Saturday approved a three-day police custody of Jawad Ahmad Siddiqui, Chairman of Al-Falah University and Director and major shareholder of Tarbia Education Foundation. Siddiqui was arrested on March 24 in connection with a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case.
The Al-Falah Trust allegedly generated proceeds of crime amounting to Rs. 493.24 crore through fee receipts obtained by inducing student admissions. The prosecuting agency claimed that Siddiqui deceived multiple regulators to obtain an Essentiality Certificate from the Government of Haryana and permissions from the National Medical Commission.
On May 2, the court had dismissed his regular bail plea. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has already filed a charge sheet against him. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan noted in her order that the proceeds of crime from the university and trust were routed through related parties controlled by Siddiqui, including companies owned by his wife, children, and trusted employees. The funds were moved from India to abroad and invested in businesses and properties overseas.
The court stated that as Managing Trustee and Chancellor, Siddiqui abused his fiduciary duties by using charitable and educational institutions for personal, family, and commercial benefit, violating statutory obligations. The ED informed the court that the aggregate income from NAAC accreditation and false projection of UGC recognition under section 12(B) resulted in the generation of proceeds of crime amounting to Rs. 493.24 crore.
Three Charged with Attempting to Smuggle 89 Firearms from US to Canada
Three individuals, including a Pakistani national, have been arrested and charged with attempting to smuggle 89 firearms, including at least 17 reported stolen, from the United States to Canada. The arrests followed a traffic stop on Thursday by New York State Police along State Route 90, according to an official release from the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on Friday.
Officers observed inconsistent responses from the occupants during questioning, leading to a search that uncovered a large cache of firearms, including additional weapons in the backseat. The accused were identified as Malik Bromfield, 22, a Canadian citizen; Faizan Ali, 25, a Pakistani citizen; and Kamal Salman, 22, a citizen of Canada, the United States, and Jordan. They were presented before a US Magistrate Judge in White Plains federal court and detained.
Ali was found carrying an expired Pakistani National Driving Permit issued to another individual. The three are charged with multiple offences, including smuggling from the United States, unlicensed dealing in firearms, transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce, and unlawful possession of firearms. Bromfield faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien. The maximum statutory sentences range from five to 15 years in prison, though sentencing will be determined by the court.
US Attorney Jay Clayton stated, "As alleged, the defendants were caught transporting more than 80 guns, including short-barreled rifles and stolen firearms, to smuggle them out of the country." FBI Assistant Director James C Barnacle Jr. added that the defendants endangered communities by attempting to smuggle the firearms into Canada. ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo emphasised the threat of illegal firearms trafficking to public safety. The investigation involved a coordinated effort between the NYSP Troop F Community Stabilisation Unit, the FBI's New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, and the ATF.
Passengers to Disembark Virus-Hit Cruise Ship
All passengers on board the MV Hondius, as well as some crew members, will begin disembarkation from about 0700 GMT on Sunday, cruise operator Oceanwide Expeditions said on Saturday. The company stated that the ship was expected to arrive in Granadilla, Tenerife, at 0430 GMT, and once disembarked, those on board will be transferred immediately to their allocated aircraft.
Indian Man Among 12 to Be Denaturalised for Fraud in US
The United States has initiated action in district courts to revoke the naturalised citizenship of 12 individuals, including an Indian man accused of fraud prior to his naturalisation, according to a statement by the US Department of Justice. Debashis Ghosh, 62, is accused of conspiring to defraud investors of USD 2.5 million intended for the construction of an aircraft maintenance facility.
The statement said that before naturalising, Ghosh conspired to defraud investors of $2.5 million for an aircraft maintenance facility. After naturalising, he continued the fraudulent scheme, misrepresenting the location and safekeeping of investor funding. In his 2012 naturalisation application and interview, Ghosh claimed he had never committed a crime or offence for which he had not been arrested. The denaturalisation complaint alleges that during the period he was required to demonstrate good moral character, he committed a crime involving moral turpitude, committed unlawful acts, and falsely testified about his crime. Additionally, he willfully misrepresented the material fact of his crime during naturalisation proceedings.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a naturalised US citizen's citizenship may be revoked if the naturalisation was illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated, "Individuals implicated in committing fraud, heinous crimes such as sexual abuse, or expressing support for terrorism should never have been naturalised as United States citizens. The Trump administration is taking action to correct these egregious violations of our immigration system. Those who intentionally concealed their criminal histories or misrepresented themselves during the naturalisation process will face the fullest extent of the law."
