Rebels Capture Strategic Tessalit Camp in Mali
Separatist rebels from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) announced on Friday the capture of a strategic military camp in the northern town of Tessalit. This development follows the withdrawal of the Malian army and its Russian allies, members of Russia's Africa Corps, who reportedly began pulling out of the installation on Thursday.
The capture was confirmed in a video by top FLA commander Achafghi Ag Bouhanda, who highlighted the camp's strategic value due to its proximity to a well-maintained airport and the Algerian border. This latest setback for the ruling junta comes just days after the loss of the major city of Kidal, as the FLA and the Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM wage their most significant offensive in over a decade. While the Associated Press noted that poor internet access in the region has hindered independent verification, the withdrawal marks a critical turning point in the unified rebel effort to topple the Malian government.
Peru Investigates Trafficking Ring Luring Citizens to Russian War
Public prosecutors in Peru have launched an investigation into a suspected human trafficking network that allegedly lured Peruvians, including former police and military personnel, to Russia with fake job offers, only to force them into combat in Ukraine. According to the attorney general's office, recruits were contacted via social media with deceptive promises of high-paying security work.
"Victims were reportedly taken to Russia and, once on foreign soil, forced to take part in combat operations," the statement noted. Human rights lawyer Percy Salinas reported that approximately 600 Peruvians have been lured by monthly salary promises of $2,000 to $3,000 since October, and at least 13 have died in the conflict. While the Russian embassy in Lima acknowledged that Peruvians have signed military contracts, it maintained that all recruits joined "voluntarily and legally."
Massive Factory Fire in Kanpur Controlled
A major fire broke out on Friday night at a factory in the Rakhi Mandi area of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, prompting a large-scale emergency response. The blaze, which started on the ground and first floors, threatened to spread to neighboring industrial units in the sensitive zone.
Speaking to news agency ANI, chief fire officer Deepak Sharma confirmed that seven to eight fire tenders from nearby stations were deployed to the scene. Firefighting teams strategically approached the building from three sides to contain the flames and prevent further escalation. "The primary goal was to evacuate people," Sharma stated, adding that the fire has been largely extinguished. Authorities confirmed there were no injuries or casualties, and the entire operation was conducted in "safe mode." An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway.
Two Men Drown in Bisalpur Canal
Two young men drowned on Friday while bathing in a canal in the Bisalpur police station area. The victims, identified as Vineet (21) and Ashu (24), both residents of Bisalpur town, reportedly ventured into deep waters where they were caught in a powerful current.
Station House Officer Sanjeev Kumar Shukla confirmed that the tragedy occurred in the afternoon when the two friends accidentally moved beyond the shallow sections of the canal. Local villagers attempted a rescue, but the high water levels and swift flow made it impossible to reach them. Following a several-hour search, local divers retrieved the bodies approximately 500 metres downstream. The remains have been sent for post-mortem examination.
Five Dead After Small Plane Crashes in Texas
A Cessna 421C crashed into a wooded area in Wimberley, Texas, late Thursday night, resulting in the deaths of all five people on board. The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that the pilot and four passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene after the aircraft went down around 11 pm (local time) near Round Rock Road.
Preliminary information indicates the plane was travelling at a high rate of speed when it struck the trees and caught fire, causing severe damage. The flight had departed from Amarillo approximately two hours earlier and was en route to New Braunfels National Airport. Air traffic control audio revealed that the plane began moving erratically before disappearing from the radar, and at least one other pilot in the area confirmed that the troubled aircraft's emergency locator device had emitted a distress signal. A second aircraft that was flying in tandem with the Cessna managed to land safely at the destination airport.
