'Equine armed with explosives': Mule laden with explosives kills soldier in Colombia; National Liberation Army blamed
A Colombian soldier was killed and two others injured on Wednesday after explosives carried by a mule detonated in rural northeastern Colombia, said Antioquia governor Andres Julian Rendon, as reported by AP.
He confirmed the soldier's death and blamed the National Liberation Army (ELN), a guerrilla group of around 6,000 fighters still engaged in conflict with the government.
Rendon said the soldiers were patrolling near Valdivia when they were targeted by 'an equine armed with explosives.' The army later confirmed that the animal was a mule and condemned what it described as 'the cruel and macabre use of animals to carry out terrorism,' as quoted by AP.
While car and motorcycle bombs are more common in Colombia, the military said the last known use of an animal for such an attack was in 2013, involving a dog. In the past, horses and donkeys have also been used to transport explosives.
President Gustavo Petro had initiated peace talks with the ELN and other armed groups under his 'Total Peace' plan. However, those talks were suspended in January after the ELN launched an offensive against a rival group near the Venezuelan border, killing more than 90 people.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
44 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Ukraine's Alaska agenda: Kiev wants a lasting ceasefire, NATO-backed security, reparations, and sustained sanctions on Russia
Synopsis As Trump and Putin prepare to meet in Alaska, Ukraine seeks assurances that its interests won't be sacrificed. Kyiv insists on a durable ceasefire, Russian reparations for war damages estimated up to $1 trillion, and binding security guarantees via NATO and the EU. Ukraine also demands the return of abducted children and prisoners of war, alongside maintaining sanctions on Russia. AP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press statement with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following talks with European and US leaders in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) As US President Donald Trump prepares to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15, Ukraine hopes for an agreement that will meet its demands of stopping the war and preventing future aggression. But since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will not attend this meeting, Kyiv fears being left out of negotiations that could decide its and its European allies also fear that Friday's Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin could yield a settlement that sacrifices Kyiv's interests for the appearance of peace. President Zelensky will hold a pre-summit call with Trump alongside European leaders on Wednesday, August 13, to lay out non-negotiable red lines, including a durable ceasefire, full participation in talks, and compensation for war damage estimated at up to $1 has warned that any decisions made without Ukraine 'are at the same time decisions against peace,' as quoted by Politico. Ukrainian officials say Putin's ultimate goal is not just holding territory but ending Ukraine's independence. These are Kyiv's longstanding demands, which they are eagerly hoping to meet. Kyiv insists on a durable ceasefire before discussing any territorial issues, rejecting US suggestions of 'land swaps' involving the says ceding the region would invite future offensives and undermine Ukraine's Mark Rutte has floated a possible compromise in which some areas remain under Russian control but are legally recognized as Ukrainian.'When it comes to this whole issue of territory, when it comes to acknowledging, for example, maybe in a future deal that Russia is controlling de facto, factually some of the territory of Ukraine, it has to be effectual recognition, and not a political de jure recognition,' he told insists that Moscow must bear the financial burden for the destruction it has inflicted (by starting a war), a toll estimated between $500 billion and $1 trillion in damages to infrastructure, homes, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference last month, underlined this demand:'Russia must pay for the approximately €500 billion in damages caused. Until this happens, Moscow must not be granted access to its frozen assets.'Ukraine points to the fact that close European allies hold significant Russian state assets, with almost €200 billion frozen in Belgium alone, as a major source of leverage. Kyiv believes these funds must remain inaccessible to Moscow until full reparations are Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made clear that only full membership in NATO and the European Union can guarantee Ukraine's long-term security:A Politico article quotes Zewleanskey, 'Will we be in NATO? In the EU? I haven't heard anything — simply not a single proposal that would guarantee that a new war won't start tomorrow. We need security guarantees that will preserve, first of all, our state, a sovereign state, our independence.'However, Ukraine faces pushback: US President Donald Trump has ruled out NATO membership, a stance quietly backed by some European capitals, and Moscow demands a permanent NATO veto for Ukraine. Zelenskyy also criticizes EU member states that are hesitant to admit a large, poor country with a vast agricultural now, European partners, not the US, are Ukraine's primary source of military assistance. Since the war began, Europe has provided at least €73.9 billion in military aid, compared to €64 billion from the US, according to the Kiel demands the immediate return of nearly 20,000 children, who it says were abducted by Russia. Only 1,453 have been returned so far, often through mediation by Qatar and other claims these transfers are evacuations to safety, but refuses to return the children to their families, instead placing them in adoption systems and subjecting them to Russian propaganda. In 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over the unlawful deportation of children from occupied Ukraine to prisoners of war, there has been more progress: more than 2,000 POWs have been exchanged under Trump's mediation, but thousands remain in Russian custody without access for international human rights backed by European allies, demands that existing primary and secondary sanctions remain in place and even be strengthened. They argue that easing sanctions or resuming trade with Russia would allow Moscow to rebuild its war Timothy Ash estimates the war has already cost Russia about $2 trillion, nearly equivalent to its annual risks for Ukraine are clear. As he told Politico, 'Ukraine could survive the war, but not survive the peace,' if a bad deal undermines its security and sovereignty.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Trump, Putin will meet at Alaska military base long used to counter Russia
Washington, Aug 13 (AP) In an ironic twist, President Donald Trump is set to discuss the war in Ukraine with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at a military base in Alaska that was crucial to countering the Soviet Union during the height of Cold War and still plays a role today. The meeting is scheduled to take place Friday at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, according to a White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning. The base created by merging Elmendorf Air Force Base and Army Fort Richardson in 2010 has played a key strategic role in monitoring and deterring the Soviet Union during much of the Cold War. Throughout its long history, the base hosted large numbers of aircraft and oversaw operations of a variety of early warning radar sites that were aimed at detecting Soviet military activity and any possible nuclear launches. It earned the motto 'Top Cover for North America" at this time, according to the base website. While much of the military hardware has since been deactivated, the base still hosts key aircraft squadrons, including the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jet. Planes from the base also still intercept Russian aircraft that regularly fly into US airspace. The irony of Putin visiting an American military base that long has — and still does — aimed to counter Russian threats comes as Trump works to reach a ceasefire deal in a war that he promised during the 2024 campaign to end quickly. Officials from Ukraine and Europe fear that the one-on-one meeting they will not take part in could lead to an outcome that favours Russian goals. French President Emmanuel Macron said Trump was 'very clear" that the United States wants to achieve a ceasefire at the summit. Macron spoke after a virtual meeting between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other European leaders. Trump has said any major agreement could involve land swaps and that Zelenskyy and Putin could meet next or he could meet with both leaders. 'There's a very good chance that we're going to have a second meeting, which will be more productive than the first, because the first is I'm going to find out where we are and what we're doing," Trump told reporters Wednesday. 'It's going to be a very important meeting, but it's setting the table for the second meeting." (AP) GSP view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Illegal mining case: CBI seeks jail for former minister Sabitha Indra Reddy
1 2 3 4 Hyderabad: The CBI, which investigated the case related to illegal mining of iron ore at Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka border, on Wednesday approached the Telangana high court urging it to set aside the acquittal order passed by the CBI court in Hyderabad. The CBI court had acquitted former AP minister Sabitha Indra Reddy and former secretary of AP industries and mines department B Kripanandam. The CBI's appeal — seeking conviction of both the public servants — came up before Justice B Vijaysen Reddy who recused from hearing the case because he happened to argue on behalf of one of the accused in the case in the past. The case will come up before another bench on Aug 18. The CBI appeal urged the high court to sustain its case filed against Sabitha and Kripanandam under IPC sections 120-B, read with 409 and under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad The CBI court last month convicted Karnataka legislator Gali Janardhan Reddy, Obulapuram mining company director BV Srinivas Reddy and others for the illegal mining activity they carried out. They challenged the conviction and the HC admitted their criminal appeals and posted them for final hearing while staying the conviction as an interim measure. The CBI in its appeal before the high court said that the CBI court had made observations that were contrary to each other. The trial court order at one place says that there was criminal misconduct on the part of Sabitha and Kripanandam, and at the same time, observes at another para that malafides cannot be attributed to their conduct. The trial court failed to see the ample evidence placed by the CBI to prove the guilt of the duo, the central agency said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
