News
Ukraine Confirms Withdrawal from Sudzha as Russia Advances in Kursk Region
Ukraine’s military has confirmed its withdrawal from the town of Sudzha, days after Russia announced it had regained control of the area. The recapture marks a significant victory for Russian forces in their ongoing push to reclaim territory occupied by Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk region.
Sudzha, the largest town seized by Ukrainian troops in the region, had been the site of intense fighting in recent months. Reports indicate that the battle for the town was among the most fiercely contested in the three-year-long conflict. Once home to approximately 5,000 residents, Sudzha has suffered extensive destruction due to the prolonged clashes.
Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated on Thursday that relentless Russian airstrikes had devastated the town, leaving much of it in ruins. Over the past few weeks, Russian troops have steadily regained ground lost to Ukraine after Kyiv’s surprise cross-border offensive in August last year.
Reconstruction Efforts Begin in Kursk Region
With Russian forces now in control of Sudzha, authorities in Kursk have begun planning reconstruction efforts. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein announced on Saturday that key priorities include clearing landmines and repopulating the town.
Additionally, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its engineering units had already commenced demining operations in newly reclaimed border areas. The ministry emphasized that restoring essential infrastructure and reviving economic activities were immediate objectives following the heavy combat.
Russian Attacks on Northern Ukraine Intensify
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s northern city of Chernihiv came under a wave of Russian drone attacks overnight. Dmytro Bryzhynskyi, head of the Chernihiv City Military Administration, confirmed that several drones struck residential buildings, sparking fires that were later extinguished by emergency responders.
Bryzhynskyi also reported that a drone hit a five-story building, while private homes sustained damage in separate strikes.
In a related incident, a Russian ballistic missile reportedly crashed near Semenivka, a border town in the Chernihiv region, causing a partial power outage. Ukrainian authorities have yet to confirm whether the missile was part of a broader Russian offensive or a misfired projectile.
As the war continues, both sides remain locked in a battle for strategic control, with Russia strengthening its hold in Kursk while Ukraine faces escalating aerial assaults in its northern territories.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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