Strikes have been launched by US forces on three alleged drug smuggling boats in the eastern Pacific and the Caribbean, killing 11 people.
US Southern Command posted a video on X of Monday’s operation, along with a statement that “intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations”.
The strikes are the latest in a series of controversial military operations which have brought the number of so-called “narcoterrorists” killed to at least 145 people since early September 2025.
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Like most of the military’s statements on the 42 known strikes, US Southern Command said it targeted alleged drug traffickers along known smuggling routes.
It alleged the three boats were “operated by designated terrorist organisations”.
Two vessels carrying four people each were struck in the eastern Pacific Ocean, while a third boat with three people was hit in the Caribbean Sea.
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The military posted videos showing the boats being destroyed.
Donald Trump said the US is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs.
Image: One of three boats hit during the operation. Pic: US Southern Command
Image: Footage shows the boats being destroyed. Pic: US Southern Command
In a post on X, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth praised the strikes: “Turns out President’s Day – under President Trump – is not a good day to run drugs.”
Officers are probing a total of four break-ins, one of which took place in Livingston, in the early hours of Tuesday, February 17.
Police Scotland are currently investigating a string of housebreakings in West Lothian and the Forth Valley area.
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Officers are probing a total of four break-ins, one of which took place in Livingston, in the early hours of Tuesday, February 17.
At around 2.25am, police received their first report of a break-in to a premises on Stirling Road, Tullibody. A short time later, a further report of a break-in was received at a premises on Alloa Road, Causewayhead, Stirling.
Then at around 3am, another break-in was reported at a premises on Suilven Heights, Cotton Lane, Laurieston, and at around 4am, police received a report of another break-in at a premises on Jackson Place in Livingston.
The authorities believe these four incidents are linked and are treating them as such.
Detective Sergeant Hannah Acheson said: “These incidents are being treated as linked and our enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.”
At the location and time of each incident, a white Skoda Octavia and four to five men dressed all in black were seen. This vehicle was last seen in the Stenhouse area of Edinburgh.
Detective Sergeant Acheson added: “I would ask anyone who was in these areas around the relevant times and who saw anything suspicious, or who may have seen the white Skoda Octavia, to contact police.
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“I would also ask anyone with private CCTV, doorbell or dash-cam footage to review it and get in touch if you have anything that could assist with our investigation.”
DNA from gloves found a few miles from the Arizona home of Nancy Guthrie did not match any entries in a national database, authorities said Tuesday, the 17th day of her disappearance.
“There were no DNA hits in CODIS,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said, referring to the national Combined DNA Index System.
“At this point, there have been no confirmed CODIS matches in this investigation,” the department said, suggesting that other DNA samples had been put through the system.
CODIS is a storehouse of DNA taken from crime suspects or people with convictions. Any hits could identify possible suspects in Guthrie’s disappearance.
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The 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie was reported missing from her Tucson-area home on Feb. 1 after spending the previous night with family, police said. Her blood was detected on the porch.
A porch camera recorded video of a man with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, a jacket and gloves. The FBI said the suspect is about 5 feet, 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall with a medium build.
Gloves were found about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from Guthrie’s home. The FBI has said that the gloves appeared to match those worn by the man in the video.
“There is additional DNA evidence that was found at the residence, and that is also being analyzed,” the sheriff’s department said.
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In addition, the department said it’s working with experts to try to locate Guthrie by detecting her heart pacemaker.
Parsons Corp. said its BlueFly device, which weighs less than a pound (.45 kilograms) and has a range of up to 218 yards (200 meters), can detect signals from wearable electronics and medical devices. The company said the technology has been used from the air and on the ground in Arizona. It declined further comment about the search.
Savannah Guthrie posted an Instagram video Sunday in which she issued an appeal to anyone with information about what happened to her mother.
“It is never too late to do the right thing,” she said. “And we are here. And we believe in the essential goodness of every human being, that it’s never too late.”
The fashion brand, which shut its last standalone shops in 2021, will now occupy space in the John Lewis department store as part of its spring/summer expansion.
The move follows John Lewis’ long-term investment plan, seeing £800 million funnelled into its stores.
John Lewis’ partnership with Topshop, which was confirmed by the John Lewis Partnership last year, initially saw the fashion retailer open pop-ups in several of its stores.
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The high street absence of Topshop and its sister brand, Topman, dates back to 2021 when their former owner, Arcadia, went into administration.
Following this collapse, the brand was bought by Asos, which continued to sell Topshop products online.
Topshop’s initial return to a physical retail environment occurred last year with its launch in Liberty, London, before announcing its collaboration with John Lewis weeks after.
Now, the fashion brand will have a more pronounced presence across all of John Lewis’ UK stores.
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However, Topman will only be available in seven stores.
The Trafford Centre isn’t the only Manchester site to be welcoming Topshop back, the John Lewis store in Cheadle will also see its return.
Customers will also be able to purchase Topshop and Topman items on various John Lewis online platforms as part of the new launch.
Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop, said: “Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love.
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“From our cult denim to new‑season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day.
“Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.”
The launch comes amid efforts from the department store chain to drive its growth as it continues with a major transformation plan under boss Peter Ruis.
He said the brand, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership with supermarket chain Waitrose, is investing in its fashion offer to help drive its current strategy.
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Mr Ruis, managing director of John Lewis, said: “This moment marks a significant acceleration of our fashion ambition at John Lewis.
“To be the exclusive home of an iconic brand like Topshop, sat alongside other exciting new brands, signals our commitment to be the definitive style authority on the British high street.”
John Lewis will also introduce 14 new fashion, jewellery and accessory labels ahead of this season amid efforts to expand its fashion offer.
Topshop products will be available at the following John Lewis stores:
Patrick Coe, 31, of Byker in Newcastle, was jailed for three years after he tattooed three young children who were left needing tests and Hep B and tetanus injections
A cruel man has been branded “staggeringly stupid” and jailed after permanently tattooing three young children.
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Patrick Coe, 31, left the children physically and emotionally damaged after carrying out the “foolish” and “harmful” acts, a court was told. The children told family members that the tattoos were painful and all three were taken for medical tests to check whether they had been infected with any diseases.
All three had to have hepatitis B and tetanus injections along with blood tests, Newcastle Crown Court heard. When Coe was confronted, he admitted what he had done but said he didn’t see anything wrong with it and even “laughed and joked” about the situation.
The court also heard that he “found the whole situation hilarious.” One of the victims described being in a pain rated as seven out of ten.
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They suffered a minor infection along with swelling and pain after the tattoo. The victim also said the “after care” they received had amounted to the tatto site being simply wiped with a baby wipe, reports Chronicle Live.
Usually, tattoo artists will immediately clean the area using soap and water in order to remove excess ink, blood and plasma. They then apply a thin layer of a protective ointment of some kind before wrapping the tatoo with either a plastic wrap, a ‘second skin’ or a sterile, breathable bandage to protect it.
That victim was left feeling anxious after the incident and struggled to come to terms with what had happened and has since been receiving therapy. A second victim said they were told the tattoo was temporary and would come off.
The second victim was caused slight pain and left itchy at school. They needed multiple injections and blood tests, which caused “significant anxiety and distress”. The victim said they “hate” the tattoo and are likely going to need therapy.
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A third victim was left “upset and scared”, suffering sleeping problems, needing therapy and feeling significantly anxious as a result of the medical treatment needed after the tattoo. Judge Sarah Mallett told Coe: “The children didn’t choose to have a permanent tattoo.
“They were put at risk by you giving them tattoos. They are visibly marked with a permanent reminder of you and this. This was a staggeringly stupid and foolish thing to do and also a very harmful thing to do.”
Coe, of Byker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to three counts of child cruelty and was jailed for three years and given a ten year restraining order. Brian Hegarty, defending, said: “It’s quite staggering and defies belief he could be so foolish.”
Mr Hegarty said Coe did not intend to cause the victims pain and is remoseful. He added: “He does now appreciate what he did was incredibly stupid and should not have happened.”
St Ives residents have been sharing memories and concerns as shops disappear from the high street, with blame falling on traffic schemes, big chains, and rising business rates
David Prince and Cambridgeshire Live readers
17:00, 17 Feb 2026
Readers of CambridgeshireLive have been responding to news about the disappearance of shops from the high street with a mix of nostalgia, warnings, and blame. Some have pointed fingers at large chains and escalating costs, while others reminisced about former markets and pubs that once gave St Ives its bustling atmosphere.
Locals have expressed their ‘disappointment’ over the ‘disappearance’ of some shops from their Cambridgeshire town’s high street. Over time, numerous stores have vanished from town and city high streets, leaving customers disheartened when their favourite brands depart.
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This sentiment is shared by some residents in St Ives. Jackie Smith described St Ives as a “very safe” and ‘lovely’ town, but noted that more shops and cafés are vacating the high street.
She observed: “The bigger cafés are taking over from the smaller people. We used to have one café down the road that has gone now.
“There’s a big Caffe Nero, but also a Costa opposite. Younger people can afford to go somewhere like Costa now. You couldn’t do that in my day!”
Derek Green expressed his ‘disappointment’ that more shops are leaving the high street. He added: “That’s the only thing disappointing about St Ives. We used to have a lot more independents, like cafés and shops, but the bigger brands are taking over.”
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His sentiments were echoed by another long-standing resident, who asked to remain anonymous. They lamented that the “high street is not what it used to be”.
Commenter Dcjo had this to say: “Large, foreign-owned chains have an advantage over local, independent shops, because they buy in quantity and have power to squeeze suppliers. Instead of staying local, the profits are removed from the country so the incomes of those at the top are not taxed. These outfits are also skilled at dodging corporate taxes on those profits as well. It’s a lose-lose for Britain.”
While MickJones2 comments: “I used to love St Ives, I worked there many many years ago at atcost:concrete [sic] buildings. And I used to go to the Manchester Arms for a liquid lunch, way before health and safety got ridiculous. I also used to spend many a night at a pub called the floods, and they had good music there, and other pubs in the area used to be lovely towns in those days, and the bank holiday, a massive market was there. It’s such a shame that I haven’t been there for years and years, but if it’s anything like March, there isn’t anything in my opinion worth visiting now. And I am born and bred and like St. Ives, it was a thriving town with everything, and now, nowt worth visiting.”
Whynot3 says: “I used to go to the Bank Holiday markets there rather than the ones at Bourn airfield. A nice walk around the market, then a good meal at the Golden Lion.”
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Over on our Facebook page, Julian L comments: “Recently, the Ivo Lounge and Nero opened, and we have lost Black Robin and Rockerbillys!”
The Hunts Roast writes: “2026 rent. 2004 footfall. 1998 business rates. And we’re shocked the shops vanish. Same story up and down the country.”
Andrew Jackson says: “Seems to be the way of the world at the moment, the decline of the high Street with the Internet and the superstores selling everything on the outskirts of towns. Successive governments have promised to axe business rates. It does amuse me, though, that they keep on about the cost of living crisis, yet wherever you go, the big coffee chains like Costa’s are always full of people paying extortionate prices for a substandard latte. If I have a latte, I do try to use an independent coffee shop; the quality is so much better. Even Greggs, where you can get a drink and something to eat for the price of a latte in Costa’s.”
A North Belfast woman was informed she was expecting a baby as she emerged from a coma after going into cardiac arrest when she was spiked whilst celebrating her 18th birthday.
Laura Taggart, 20, was out marking her 18th birthday with friends and was walking down Shankill Road when she suddenly began having seizures and was rushed to the Mater Hospital. The teenager suffered cardiac arrest after arriving, with her heart stopping for 16 minutes before she could be stabilised and placed in a coma.
One week later, Laura regained consciousness in intensive care unaware of what had occurred and was soon given more life-altering news as doctors had discovered she was pregnant. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
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Laura said she was extremely fortunate not to suffer any lasting brain damage, although she did face some complications during her pregnancy. At 25 weeks her waters broke and doctors told her that her baby would likely not survive, however she did not actually give birth until nine weeks later.
Her daughter Lucia was born at 34 weeks via an emergency caesarean section and weighed just 4lbs 11 ounces and was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit for a month. Then when things began to settle for the pair, Laura experienced further health issues, reports Belfast Live.
Laura shared: “It was so hard watching Lucia when she was in the NICU as there were times they had to take air out of her lungs with a needle that looked so huge compared to her tiny body. But the staff there were incredible and eventually she was able to make it home.
“Just as we were starting to get settled in together I suffered a severe chest infection that led me to have a bad asthma attack and I had to be rushed into theatre and have a central line placed in my neck.
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“It went from me visiting Lucia in the NICU to her visiting me in the ICU. After being in the Royal Intensive Care Unit I was told that I had to be put asleep to give my lungs more time to heal and that due to my previous cardiac arrest there was a chance that I may not make it.
“I said goodbye to Lucia and my mum as I thought I would never see them again but thankfully the doctors were able to clear the infection out of my lungs.
“After a few weeks in hospital I was able to leave and Lucia and I have been able to start our lives in our first home together.
“I am just so thankful to everyone who was able to help Lucia and I throughout all of this, particularly my mum who looked after Lucia whilst I was in hospital and the charity TinyLife supported me and my daughter through one of the most overwhelming periods of my life.
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“Having a premature baby whilst dealing with my own health issues was incredibly frightening and their reassurance, understanding and support helped me cope and feel less alone during such a difficult time.”
She further stated: “I want people to understand drink spiking is not funny or a joke it can change lives forever it nearly cost me and my baby our lives. Thankfully we were very lucky and are still here.”
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However, in the aftermath of his strike, the Brazilian appeared outraged, suggesting to referee Francois Letexier that he had been racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni, the Benfica winger, who had seemed to utter something to the forward with his shirt covering his mouth.
When asked about the talks in an interview with Fox News, US Vice-President JD Vance said: “In some ways, it went well; they agreed to meet afterwards. But in other ways, it was very clear that the president has set some red lines that the Iranians are not yet willing to actually acknowledge and work through.”
Mark Coleman died three days after he was hit by an Audi A4 while he was riding his scooter on Riverside Park Road, in Middlesbrough, on November, 23, 2023.
Mustafaa Hussain was jailed for four years and ten months for causing his death by dangerous driving when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.
Following the court case, Mr Coleman’s family paid tribute to the much-loved grandad.
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His family said: “The loss of Marky — a partner, father, son, brother, grandad and uncle — has completely shattered our family.
“No words can express the depth of our grief or the daily pain we live with. Our home feels empty without him, and the longing for him to walk back through the door never fades.
“Marky had a heart of gold. He was always smiling, always helping others, and he brought love, laughter and protection into all our lives. Losing him has left a hole that can never be filled.
“What makes this even harder is knowing that Marky’s life was taken because of the careless and impatient actions of another driver. In just one moment, their decisions destroyed our world and took away the man who meant everything to us.
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“His partner has lost the person she was supposed to grow old with, the one she imagined sharing every milestone, every joy and every struggle with.
“His daughters have lost the dad they adored, their source of comfort, guidance and unconditional love.
“His parents have lost their son, a loss no parent should ever endure. Our entire family has been broken beyond repair.
“Marky will live on in our hearts forever. We will carry him with us every single day, but our lives will never be the same again.”
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Mustafaa Hussain (Image: Cleveland Police)
Read more:
The court heard how Hussain overtook a vehicle but failed to make sure that the road was clear, hitting Mr Coleman head on, and leaving him with fatal injuries.
Detective Constable Aileen Ward, of the serious collision investigation Unit, said: “This incident was entirely avoidable. An ill‑judged and impatient decision in that moment resulted in the loss of Mark Coleman’s life.
“This serves as a powerful reminder to all road users: a single, impatient choice on the road can lead to catastrophic and irreversible consequences, changing the lives of everyone involved.”
Brits in 33 areas across the UK have been warned to prepare some emergency items in case they face disruption from snow which is forecast to hit the UK on Wednesday night and over Thursday
Two Met Office weather warnings for snow are due to come into effect tomorrow, covering a wide swathe of the UK with Brits warned to prepare a set of emergency items.
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The first of the two warnings, issued at 10am on Tuesday (February 17) covers an area including all of Wales as well as Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and a large part of the West Midland.
This yellow warning for snow comes into effect at 4pm on Wednesday (February 18) and covers a period of 14 hours until 6am on Thursday (February 19).
Residents are warned that over this period people in the affected areas can expect disruption with travel delays and stranded vehicles and passengers. Delayed or cancelled rail and air travel is also a possibility.
Some rural areas could also be cut off as up to 15cm of snow is forecast to fall in some parts with the chance of power cuts hitting some residents too.
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The Met Office said: “2-5 cm of snow could accumulate quite widely above 150-200 metres, with perhaps as much as 10-15 cm above 250-300 metres in mid and southeast Wales, as well as Herefordshire and Shropshire.
“Some small accumulations of snow, typically less than 2 cm, are possible to lower elevations, especially from later Wednesday evening into the early hours of Thursday morning.
“Strong east to northeasterly winds will accompany the wet weather, which could exacerbate impacts in places.”
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Meanwhile a second warning, covering Northern Ireland was announced at 7:45pm on Tuesday (February 17) with the danger of rain and snow forecast to last from 4am on Wednesday (February 18) through to 8pm that evening.
Outbreaks of rain, hill snow and strong winds may bring some disruption to travel during Wednesday, the Met Office has warned, with roads and railways likely to be affected along with disruption to power supplies.
“Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays,” the Met Office warning said.
Drivers were recommended to collect warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger in case of disruption caused by snowy conditions.
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The forecaster added: “People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.”
Meanwhile a third yellow warning for rain covers south west England and the whole of the south coast, from 6am on Wednesday to 8am on Thursday.
The areas covered by the first warning, for snow, from 4pm on Wednesday to 6am on Thursday are:
London & South East England
South West England
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Wales
Blaenau Gwent
Bridgend
Caerphilly
Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion
Conwy
Denbighshire
Gwynedd
Merthyr Tydfil
Monmouthshire
Neath Port Talbot
Newport
Pembrokeshire
Powys
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Swansea
Torfaen
Wrexham
West Midlands
Herefordshire
Shropshire
Staffordshire
Telford and Wrekin
Warwickshire
West Midlands Conurbation
Worcestershire
The areas covered by the second warning, for snow and rain, from 4am on Wednesday to 8pm are:
