World
Rebels seize northern town, set up checkpoints around Mali's capital
Al-Qaeda-linked JNIM rebels have seized the northern town of Tessalit and set up checkpoints near Mali's capital, Bamako, calling for an uprising against the junta. The advances follow attacks that reportedly killed the defense minister, with video evidence showing fighters in control of a key military base. Russia’s African Corps denies abandoning positions, but analysts say the army appears to offer little resistance.