In a significant escalation of U.S. efforts to combat drug trafficking, President Donald Trump has officially declared that the United States is in a state of ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels. This declaration was formalized in a notice sent to Congress, which was obtained by AFP on Thursday. The notice serves as a legal justification for recent military strikes in international waters off Venezuela, which resulted in the deaths of at least 14 individuals. The Trump administration has deployed multiple military vessels to the Caribbean Sea, intensifying its campaign against drug smugglers and further straining relations with Venezuela’s leftist President Nicolas Maduro. The Pentagon’s notice labeled drug cartels as ‘non-state armed groups’ and designated them as terrorist organizations, asserting that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States. Suspected smugglers were also described as ‘unlawful combatants.’ While the White House maintains that these actions are lawful and necessary to protect national security, legal experts have questioned the legality of the strikes. Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela have heightened, with Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino accusing the U.S. of provocations after detecting five U.S. fighter jets near its shores. Trump’s recent military deployment to the Caribbean, including 10 F-35 aircraft, eight warships, and a nuclear submarine, marks the largest such operation in the region in over three decades. Maduro has accused Trump of attempting to orchestrate a regime change in Venezuela.
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Two women further their dreams with FHCCU scholarship and grant
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union Limited (FHC) and its foundation have once again demonstrated their commitment to empowering individuals through education and entrepreneurship. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the FHC Credit Union 2025 Scholarship and Awards Ceremony took place at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel under the theme, “Play to Win: Strength in Strategy, Power in Performance.” The event celebrated the achievements of students and entrepreneurs who received scholarships and grants to further their aspirations. Among the beneficiaries were Gayon Stewart and Renae McEachron, whose stories highlight the transformative impact of this support. Gayon Stewart, a dedicated educator pursuing a primary teacher education degree at St. Joseph Teachers’ College, was awarded the Renald Mason Scholarship for her outstanding academic performance, achieving a 3.7 GPA. Specializing in science and mathematics, Stewart’s journey has been marked by resilience and determination. A mother of three, she had to delay her educational ambitions to support her family. Now, with her children grown, she is seizing the opportunity to fulfill her lifelong passion for teaching. The scholarship provides her with financial stability, allowing her to focus on her studies without the burden of financial stress. Renae McEachron, an ambitious entrepreneur, was one of three recipients of the entrepreneurship grant. Her agro-business, Breezy Castle Farm, located in St. Mary, will benefit from the $500,000 grant to modernize operations and implement irrigation systems. This innovation will enable year-round planting, overcoming the challenges posed by seasonal droughts. McEachron’s journey has been fraught with setbacks, including praedial larceny that forced her to abandon farming for a time. Now, with a secure location and renewed determination, she is expanding her farm to include animal rearing and storage facilities. The ceremony also recognized other outstanding individuals. In the tertiary category, $1.7 million was distributed among recipients of the Renald Mason, Oswald Thorbourne, and sports education scholarships. Additionally, ten high school students received over $600,000 in academic awards and grants for their exceptional performances in the 2025 Primary Exit Profile. The FHC Credit Union’s initiatives underscore the importance of strategic investment in education and entrepreneurship as catalysts for community development and economic growth.
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Villa win in Europa League as Forest and Scottish clubs lose
Aston Villa delivered a commanding performance in the Europa League on Thursday, securing a 2-0 victory over Feyenoord in Rotterdam. Emi Buendia opened the scoring with a stunning 20-yard curler, followed by John McGinn’s composed finish, marking Villa’s triumphant return to the city where they clinched the European Cup in 1982. Despite a rocky start to the season, Unai Emery’s side has now notched three consecutive wins, placing them among the top teams in the competition with six points. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot, stepping in for the injured Emiliano Martinez, made crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. “We never lost faith,” Bizot remarked, reflecting on the team’s resurgence. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s European campaign faltered as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home against Danish side Midtjylland. Defensive lapses proved costly, with Ousmane Diao, Mads Bech, and Valdemar Andreasen capitalizing on set-piece opportunities. Despite Chris Wood’s late penalty, Forest’s new manager Ange Postecoglou remains winless. Rangers’ woes deepened with a 2-1 loss to Sturm Graz in Austria, leaving them pointless in the competition. Manager Russell Martin lamented his team’s poor mentality, while Celtic also struggled, falling 2-0 to Braga at Parkhead. Celtic’s inability to score in key matches has raised concerns for manager Brendan Rodgers, who vowed to find solutions. Elsewhere, Porto, Lyon, and Lille maintained perfect starts, while Basel, Real Betis, and Fenerbahce rebounded from opening defeats.
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Canada reports first death linked to measles epidemic
A premature infant in Alberta, Canada, has tragically succumbed to measles, marking the first confirmed fatality linked to the disease’s resurgence in the country over the past year. Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange confirmed the death in a statement, revealing that the child was born prematurely after the mother contracted measles during pregnancy. The infant passed away shortly after birth, with measles identified as the direct cause. This incident follows the death of another premature infant with measles in June, though authorities at the time cited additional medical complications and did not definitively attribute the death to the disease. LaGrange emphasized that children under five, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes from measles. Canada, which had declared measles eradicated in 1998 due to widespread vaccination efforts, has reported 5,006 cases since the start of 2025, with Alberta and Ontario being the most affected provinces. Alarmingly, 88% of these cases involve unvaccinated individuals. The outbreak, which began in October 2024 in New Brunswick, has disproportionately impacted Mennonite, Amish, and other Anabaptist communities, largely due to lower vaccination rates. Measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus transmitted through droplets from coughing, sneezing, or breathing, can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death. Health officials are urging the public to ensure vaccination to curb the spread of this preventable disease.
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Westmoreland residents urged to exercise caution following heavy rains
Following a period of intense rainfall and subsequent flooding in Westmoreland, Jamaica, local health authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution to avoid contracting leptospirosis. The Westmoreland Public Health Department’s Health Promotion Unit has issued a stern advisory, emphasizing the dangers of wading or traveling through floodwaters, which are considered high-risk environments for the transmission of this bacterial infection. Gerald Miller, the health promotion and education officer for Westmoreland, explained that the leptospira bacteria, which causes leptospirosis, can infiltrate the human body through cuts, abrasions, or broken skin. ‘Floodwaters may contain urine from animals like rats, which can carry the bacteria. Exposure to these waters significantly increases the risk of infection,’ Miller stated. He also highlighted the importance of adults modeling safe behaviors for children, particularly during times of heightened public health risk. Miller urged all family members, including parents and guardians, to educate children about the dangers of walking through puddles or floodwaters. Additionally, he stressed the microscopic and invisible nature of the leptospira bacteria, making it impossible to detect with the naked eye. Miller warned that careless exposure to floodwaters could lead to preventable health complications, further burdening local healthcare facilities. Residents who have been in contact with floodwaters and are experiencing symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, or joint pain are strongly advised to seek immediate medical attention. Miller also emphasized the importance of informing healthcare providers about any exposure to floodwaters to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. ‘The message is clear: avoid wading through floodwaters, remain vigilant, especially with children, and seek medical care if symptoms arise after exposure,’ he concluded.
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FIFA unveils Trionda, the official ball of the 2026 World Cup
NEW YORK, United States — FIFA has officially revealed the match ball for the 2026 World Cup, named Trionda, which blends cutting-edge technology with symbolic design elements honoring the three co-host nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Designed by Adidas, the long-standing provider of World Cup balls since 1970, the Trionda was unveiled at a special event in New York on Thursday. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed pride in presenting the ball, which reflects the historic nature of the first World Cup to be jointly hosted by three countries and featuring 48 competing teams. The ball’s design incorporates red, blue, and green colors, alongside iconic symbols from each host nation: maple leaves for Canada, an eagle for Mexico, and stars for the United States. A triangular motif symbolizes the unity of the three countries. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Trionda boasts advanced technological features, including deep seams for optimal flight stability, embossed icons for enhanced grip in wet conditions, and a motion sensor chip that transmits real-time data to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the lead-up to the North American World Cup, scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026. FIFA has also initiated its phased online ticket sales, with over 4.5 million fans from 216 countries and territories participating in the presale draw. The tournament’s official draw will take place in Washington, D.C., on December 5.
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Diddy pleads for judge’s mercy ahead of sentencing
In a heartfelt letter to the judge overseeing his case, American rapper Sean Combs, widely known as Diddy, expressed profound remorse for his past actions and detailed his transformative journey during incarceration. The letter, published by CNN, was penned a day before his sentencing on charges related to prostitution and domestic violence. Combs admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra Ventura, and acknowledged the irreversible damage caused by his actions. He described his time in jail as a period of deep introspection, where the ‘old’ Diddy died, and a new, reformed individual emerged. Combs emphasized his commitment to sobriety, personal growth, and mentoring fellow inmates, highlighting the positive impact of his ‘Free Game’ program, which fosters unity and learning among diverse prison populations. He pleaded for mercy, not for himself, but for his seven children, who have already endured the loss of their mother. Combs vowed to use his experience to prevent others from making similar mistakes, promising to dedicate his life to being a better father, son, and community leader.
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Australian drug kingpin to face retrial in police informant scandal
In a landmark decision, a Melbourne court has ruled that Tony Mokbel, one of Australia’s most infamous drug kingpins, must face a retrial following revelations that his defense lawyer was secretly a police informant. Mokbel, a central figure in Melbourne’s prolonged gangland war, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2012 after admitting guilt in orchestrating a vast drug syndicate. His criminal empire, known as “The Company,” was responsible for numerous violent deaths, later dramatized in the popular Australian TV series “Underbelly.”
The case took a dramatic turn when it was discovered that Mokbel’s high-profile lawyer, Nicola Gobbo, had been covertly providing information to the police while ostensibly defending her clients. Mokbel, who spent nearly 18 years in prison, was released on bail earlier this year after a court determined he had a substantial chance of overturning his convictions. His legal team argued that Mokbel would not have pleaded guilty had he known about Gobbo’s dual role.
On Friday, the court acquitted Mokbel of one charge, ordered a retrial for another, and dismissed his appeal regarding a third charge. Mokbel remains on bail as the case is set to return to court later this year.
Gobbo, also known as Lawyer X and Informer 3838, revealed in a 2015 letter that her information led to the arrest and charging of over 300 individuals. A 2020 Royal Commission of inquiry condemned Gobbo’s actions during a period of intense gang violence in Melbourne, describing them as “fundamental and appalling breaches” of her professional obligations. Gobbo, who began her double life as a police informant in 1993 after being charged with drug offenses, played a pivotal role in gangland prosecutions between 2005 and 2009.
Victorian police spent five years and millions of dollars in legal battles to conceal Gobbo’s identity, fearing for her safety. In 2024, Gobbo testified in court about her life in hiding, expressing her exhaustion and despair. “I’m tired and I’m broken,” she said. “I’ve just had enough.”
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Passenger charged with robbing driver of iPhone and cash
In a shocking incident in St Mary, Jamaica, a 21-year-old man has been formally charged with robbery with aggravation following an alleged theft of an Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and $22,000 in cash. The accused, identified as Javaine Jones from Brown’s Street in Baileys Vale, reportedly committed the crime on Stennett Street in Port Maria. According to police reports, the incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, September 21, around 7:20 pm. The victim, who was transporting Jones home, was forced to stop at a specific location on the road. Jones allegedly brandished a ratchet knife, held it to the victim’s throat, and stole the high-end smartphone, valued at $130,000, along with the cash. After the robbery, Jones fled the scene. The victim promptly reported the incident to the Port Maria police, who initiated an investigation. Jones was subsequently arrested and formally charged after being interviewed in the presence of his attorney. His court date remains pending as the legal process unfolds.
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High Court Judge Asked To Step Aside In Continuous Abdf Matter
Captain Javonson Willock has formally requested the recusal of Justice Rene Williams, the Presiding High Court Judge, in his ongoing legal battle against the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF). Willock alleges that Justice Williams has demonstrated bias, unfair treatment, and undue pressure, which he claims compromises the integrity of the judicial process.