The Mexican authorities would’ve expected a violent backlash after the killing of El Mencho, one of the country’s most powerful cartel bosses.

But it’s likely they’ll have been surprised at the scale of violence across so much of the country.

That violence appears to have calmed down for now, but there’s nothing to indicate it will simply peter out.

‘El Mencho’ killing – as it happened

When incidents like this happen, the cartels usually respond in three ways. The first is a show of strength, aimed at deterring the authorities from carrying out more raids – that’s what has just happened.

The second is often fighting between factions within the same cartel or turf wars with other cartels trying to muscle their way into the territory – something gang members are already talking about.

The third is to launch a war against the Mexican government and its security forces.

It wouldn’t be what we have seen over the past 24 hours; it would be something far more organised. This will no doubt be on the government’s mind.

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Why has cartel violence flared up in Mexico?

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El Mencho was head of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of the only ones I haven’t managed to access in my time covering Mexico’s drug wars.

Jalisco New Generation are notoriously violent and untrustworthy, and our go-betweens in Mexico have always warned us not to even try approach them, although we have tried, but with little success.

This cartel, along with the Sinaloa drug cartel, is the top producer of a range of illegal drugs, including the opioid fentanyl, a drug predominantly made in Mexico and exported to the United States, where it kills thousands of users every year.

Just because its leader has been killed, it doesn’t mean that Jalisco New Generation as a cartel is anywhere near finished.

US President Donald Trump’s war on drugs has mainly focused on Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Mexico – and ever since Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro was captured in January, Mexico’s government has come under even more pressure to take the war to the cartels inside Mexico and show some results.

Read more on Sky News:
El Mencho’s death followed partner’s visit
Who is ‘El Mencho’ and why does his death matter?

El Mencho’s scalp will be much appreciated by the Trump administration and will likely take off some of the pressure on Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president.

But with the football World Cup not too far away, and Mexico, like the United States and Canada, a host nation, President Sheinbaum’s government needs to contain the fallout from this very quickly, or people may not risk going to Mexico.

Carl Temple was caught on camera footage trying homes on Woodland Road and Elms Road as well as a garage and a parked car in the early hours of the morning.

The 48-year-old drug addict has a string of 105 convictions for 197 offences on his record including eight for burglary, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Charlie Thompson, prosecuting, said: “He tried to enter a Mercedes parked on Elms Road and the walks to the front of Woodland Road where he is caught on a Ring doorbell.

“He tries another house on Woodland Road before going down the side of a property on Elms Road where he tries to enter a garage but is unsuccessful before searching through the garden looking for something to steal.”

Mr Thompson said the attempted burglaries had left the householders fearful of what could have happened if Temple had been able to gain entry to their homes.

Temple, of Chester Terrace, Peterlee, pleaded guilty to three charges of attempted dwelling house burglary, one count of attempted non-dwelling house burglary and vehicle interference on July 26 last year.

Michele Turner, mitigating, said there had been a delay in sentencing to allow time for a psychiatric report to be compiled to determine whether the drug addict was fit to plead.

She added: “He tells me that he has never felt more positive or better being drug free.”

Judge Advocate Tom Mitchell sentenced Temple to a total of 14 months in custody for all offences.

Read more:

“You are a habitual thief and to that litany you have eight dwelling house burglaries and 14 non-dwelling house convictions,” he said.

“At 5.23am, you were out and about on the streets of Darlington. It was early, you tried to get into three houses, a garage and a car.

“You did what did within a relatively short period of time and none of your attempts were successful – you didn’t cause any damage.

“I do recognise that this all took place early in the morning with people present – they would be afraid as they would wonder what could have happened if you got in.”

The Pentagon reportedly has not received any orders to send a hospital ship to Greenland, despite President Donald Trump claiming at the weekend that a vessel was “on the way.”

The military hasn’t received orders to deploy any Navy vessels, The Wall Street Journal reported, and both Navy hospital ships are reportedly docked at a shipyard in Alabama.

The Independent has contacted the Navy, Pentagon, and White House for comment.

On Saturday, President Trump claimed a mission was heading for the self-governing Danish territory, posting an image of the Navy’s USNS Mercy hospital ship.

“Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “It’s on the way!!!”

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The same day as the president’s post, the Danish military conducted an emergency medical evacuation of a crew member on a U.S. submarine near Greenland, flying them via helicopter to a hospital in the island’s capital, Nuuk, for treatment.

Leaders in Greenland and Denmark dismissed the suggestion a hospital ship was needed.

“That will be a ‘no thanks’ from us,’” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen wrote on Facebook Sunday.

“President Trump’s idea to send a U.S. hospital ship here to Greenland has been duly noted,” he added. “But we have a public health system where care is free for citizens.”

“Happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wrote in a separate statement. “Where it’s not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment. You have the same approach in Greenland.”

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Landry, who also serves as the special U.S. envoy to Greenland, reacted angrily to the condemnation from the officials.

“Shame on Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen!” he wrote on X on Sunday.

“After speaking to many Greenlanders about the day to day problems they face, one issue stood out—healthcare,” he added. “Many villages and small towns lack basic services that Americans often take for granted.”

The confusion over the hospital ship mission comes amid larger tensions between the U.S. and its neighbor to the north, given President Trump’s repeated overtures suggesting he wants to take over or perhaps invade Greenland despite opposition from local officials and European partners.

In January, Trump swore off using military force on Greenland and rowed back a threat to tariff U.S. allies who opposed the push.

He has said the U.S. and NATO allies reached a “framework of a future deal” about the Arctic island territory.

Headteachers are being urged to group together school inset days into full weeks to reduce term-time absences and enable families to book more affordable holidays.

The proposal comes from travel company On the Beach, which claims the measure would solve a problem the government “has run out of answers to”.

Most schools in England currently have five inset days annually, with Welsh schools observing six.

These are days when teachers work but pupils do not attend.

While schools determine their own schedules, these days are rarely grouped together.

On the Beach has written to 25,000 headteachers across England and Wales, requesting they implement regionally staggered inset weeks.

The company said enabling families of schoolchildren to book week-long trips outside of term time would give them “access to holidays at a fraction of peak-season prices”.

Analysis by insurer Go.Compare published in July last year found the average price of a package holiday in Spain was 20% higher during school breaks compared with term time, which was equivalent to an extra £337 per person.

Parents can be fined if their children have unauthorised absences from school.

The daily rate is £80 if paid within three weeks, or £160 if paid within four weeks.

Recent Department for Education (DfE) figures show nearly 460,000 fines for unauthorised family holidays were issued in 2024/25.

Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “Families shouldn’t have to choose between following the rules and being able to afford time away together.

“The real frustration we hear is that parents can see cheaper off-peak holidays, but there’s no straightforward way to access them without their children missing school, and that’s exactly where inset weeks can help.

“Approximately 25,000 headteachers hold the key to getting more families on holiday for less, boosting attendance figures and solving a problem that the Department for Education has run out of answers to.

“Inset weeks are the answer.”

Andy Stirland, principal at Python Hill Academy in Nottinghamshire, which has had an inset week tagged on to the spring bank holiday every May for the past seven years, said: “Parents should not be faced with fines or enforcement for wanting to spend family time together.

“Inset week has allowed families at our school the option of cheaper holidays while maintaining our attendance figures.

“Our school attendance figures have been above the national average every year and I believe without inset week this would be a very different story.”

The DfE was approached for a comment.

On Sunday night’s ceremony, the Sinners castmates were left shocked as they presented an award.

The BAFTAs has issued a formal apology to both Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo following a racial slur being shouted at them while on stage at the film awards. The Sinners stars were left momentarily shocked after the outburst came from Scots campaigner John Davidson, who is diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome.

This apology comes as Delroy reportedly shared with Vanity Fair at a BAFTA after party while he and his co-host Michael “did what he had to do” while presenting the award for special visual effect , he wishes “someone from BAFTA spoke to us afterwards”.

Davidson, who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at 25 but first experienced symptoms at the age of 12, was the inspiration behind the film ‘I Swear’ which had been nominated for a BAFTA. Along with winning Best Casting, Robert Aramayo – who portrayed Davidson – was also awarded Best Actor and Rising Star.

Following Davidson’s involuntary tics in parts of the show, which can manifest in muscles movements or sounds, the BBC issued a statement apologising if it had “caused any offence”. This has now been followed by a statement from the BAFTAs which thanks Michael and Delroy for their “incredible dignity and professionalism”.

The statement reads: “At the Bafta Film Awards last night our guests heard very offensive language that carries incomparable trauma and pain for so many. We want to acknowledge the harm this has caused, address what happened and apologise to all.

“One of our guests, John Davidson MBE, has Tourette syndrome and has devoted his life to educating and campaigning for better understanding of this condition.

“Tourette syndrome causes involuntary verbal tics that the individual has no control over. Such tics are in no way a reflection of an individual’s beliefs and are not intentional. John Davidson is an executive producer of the Bafta-nominated film, I Swear, which is based on his life experience.”

It continues: “We take the duty of care to all our guests very seriously and start from a position of inclusion. We took measures to make those in attendance aware of the tics, announcing to the audience before the ceremony began and throughout that John was in the room and that they may hear strong language, involuntary noises or movements during the ceremony.

“Early in the ceremony a loud tic in the form of a profoundly offensive term was heard by many people in the room. Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage at the time and we apologise unreservedly to them, and to all those impacted. We would like to thank Michael and Delroy for their incredible dignity and professionalism.”

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The statement adds during the ceremony John decided to leave the auditorium and watched the rest of the proceedings from a screen. BAFTA added: “We would like to thank him for his dignity and consideration of others on what should have been a night of celebration for him.

“We take full responsibility for putting our guests in a very difficult situation and we apologise to all. We will learn from this, and keep inclusion at the core of all we do, maintaining our belief in film and storytelling as a critical conduit for compassion and empathy.”

Davidson has also since released his own statement sharing he is “deeply mortified” if anyone has considered his involuntary tic as “intentional or to carry any meaning”.

Thanking the BAFTAs for inviting him to the broadcast, he shared he was blown away by the applause he received as it was announced ahead of the recording of his attendance and the symptoms of his condition.

He said: “I was heartened by the round of applause that followed this announcement and felt welcomed and understood in an environment that would normally be impossible for me.”

The masked suspect in the abduction of Nancy Guthrie may have been at her front door earlier than the date of her disappearance, according to multiple reports.

Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show star Savannah Guthrie, vanished from her home in the Catalina Foothills outside of Tucson, Arizona, on February 1. Police believe the elderly woman was taken as she slept.

Authorities released photos of the suspect, who has yet to be publicly identified, earlier this month. The suspect was wearing a ski mask, gloves and, in most of the photos, a backpack.

The photos were taken from a doorbell camera at Nancy’s front door the morning of her disappearance, according to the FBI.

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But ABC News reported Monday, citing sources familiar with the investigation, one of the images, which showed the suspect without a backpack, was taken on another day before the alleged abduction.

A CNN source later confirmed the suspected kidnapper was at her front door on a night other than the day Nancy disappeared.

It’s unclear which day the suspect came to the home before Nancy vanished.

The Independent has reached out to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which referred to the FBI. The FBI has been contacted for comment.

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It’s been more than three weeks since Nancy vanished. Authorities and the Guthrie family are desperate to find her.

The reward for valuable information in connection with Nancy’s disappearance has grown to more than $200,000. Savannah and her family have even gone as far as to offer to pay for her safe return following reports of ransom notes that have yet to be verified by police.

Savannah has not posted on Instagram, where she usually posts updates about the case, in more than a week.

In her last post, the TV journalist spoke directly to her mother’s suspected kidnapper: “I wanted to say to whoever has her, or knows where she is, that it’s never too late.”

“It is never too late to do the right thing,” she said.

This is a developing story…

The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first joint public appearance since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at the annual BAFTAs in London

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out for an evening of glitz and glamour on Sunday as they attended the annual BAFTAs in London. The outing marked the first time the royal couple had undertaken a joint engagement since William’s uncle Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday.

Following their red carpet appearance, where Princess Kate looked stunning in a pink-toned floor-length Gucci gown, Kate chatted with Emily Stillman, Chair of Bafta’s Film Committee, where she spoke openly about Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis’ growing love of film and how their interest in cinema is enabling her to broach “hard conversations” with them.

Emily reminisced with the princess and said: “Last time I saw you, you were pregnant with George and you were doing your Harry Potter spells”, referring to the royal couple’s 2013 visit to the Warner Brothers studios in Hertfordshire, where they toured the set of Harry Potter.

Kate replied: “I was saying how much the children would love to look around. They love the idea of going behind the scenes and finding out how it all happens.”

The Princess of Wales went on to reveal that the three children are becoming increasingly interested in films, saying: “The children are starting to get interested in films and it’s a really great way to have some of the hard conversations with them.”

Prince William and Princess Kate have a well-documented appreciation of film, having regularly attended the BAFTAs, where William has served as President since 2010, reports the Mirror. At the annual awards ceremony, Prince William made a frank remark about his wife’s reaction to the emotional film Hamnet, which was nominated in the Best Picture category.

He revealed that she was left in “floods of tears” after watching it. When questioned if he had seen the film, William candidly responded: “I need to be in quite a calm state and I am not at the moment. I will save it.”

In conversation with Emily Stillman, Kate remarked: “Yes, I think it was a very bad idea actually… ended up with very puffy eyes.” She described the film as “really very very powerful”, lauding the “fantastic” and “raw” music score and discussing its depiction of “intergenerational grief”.

The BAFTAs appearance by William and Kate comes amid reports from royal insiders that the Prince of Wales is committed to aiding the King in regaining the nation’s trust, following the arrest of former prince Andrew that has embroiled the royal family.

Mountbatten-Windsor was interrogated for 11 hours last week over allegations of misconduct in public office, and the future king has been discreetly formulating plans to transform the monarchy. According to sources, William aims to manage the institution with a “corporate-like structure” to enhance accountability to the public.

The arrest of the King’s brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, last Thursday on suspicion of leaking confidential information to his billionaire paedophile friend, Jeffrey Epstein, has sharply raised questions about the suitability of the monarchy.

From the brand-new Dino-Paws and Dino-mite Party to the much-loved Easter Bunny Breakfast, there are plenty of activities at Dobbies to make this year’s Easter eggs-traordinary.

Dobbies’ Sandyholm store in the Clyde Valley is inviting families and pets to join the Easter fun, with a fantastic selection of events to enjoy.

From the brand-new Dino-Paws and Dino-mite Party to the much-loved Easter Bunny Breakfast, there are plenty of activities at Dobbies to make this year’s Easter eggs-traordinary.

The store is hosting a brand-new event, Dino-Paws, in support of Dogs Trust, taking place on Saturday, April 4 and 11 as well as Sunday, April 12.

Well-behaved dogs are invited along to enjoy a fun-filled event that includes dinosaur themed treats, toys and games with their owners.

Dogs can unleash their inner dinosaur at Dino-paws, with the opportunity to step back in time and enjoy some fossil fun.

The event includes a Dino Dig Site for dogs to sniff, dig and unearth hidden treats, a dino-themed toy, a dog cookie to take home, and a digital photo in front of the dinosaur-themed backdrop taken by a Dobbies’ colleague.

Dogs will also get to take part in a sniff-ari around the store, where they can explore their surroundings and will be guided on a scent adventure. The sniff-ari activity helps dogs decompress, make their own decisions and build confidence, leading to a more content pup.

After taking part in the dino activities, dogs and their owners can enjoy a puppuccino and a hot drink in the dog-friendly restaurant, which is free when owners purchase a slice of cake or breakfast roll.

READ MORE: Motherwell minister landed top job with the Church of Scotland

Tickets for the Dino-Paws event are priced at £15 per dog and the experience is taking place in 50 stores. The Dino Dig is recommended to last ten minutes, followed by the 25-minute sniff-ari.

By joining the event, guests are invited to donate to Dogs Trust’s vital work to provide care, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of dogs each year.

Also new to Dobbies’ Snadyholm store this year is the Dino-mite Party, a dinosaur themed afternoon event for children and families. The party will be filled with fun, prehistoric activities and games, and children will have the opportunity to meet the Dobbies’ dinosaur.

The Dino-mite Party is suited to families with children aged three to 10 years old, and children under three can still take part in some activities with the support of an adult.

READ MORE: Airdrie Town Hall to host Easter pantomime ‘Sleeping Beauty’

The event will take place from Thursday, April 9 to Sunday, April 12, with tickets priced at £18 for children and £14 for adults. The event is expected to last 90 minutes.

Dobbies’ Easter Bunny Breakfast is back by popular demand and taking place on Friday 3 and Monday 6 April at the Sandyholm store. The whole family can enjoy an Easter breakfast together, with a selection of cooked, vegan and pancake breakfast options for children and adults.

Children’s tickets are priced at £18, and this includes breakfast, games and activities, meeting the Easter Bunny and the Easter craft experience. Adults’ tickets are priced at £11.75, including breakfast. The event is expected to last 90 minutes,

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is excited to welcome families along to enjoy the in-store activities this Easter.

She said: “Our Easter Bunny Breakfast is always a family favourite and a lovely way to bring everyone together to celebrate the occasion.

READ MORE: North Lanarkshire Community Safety Hub continues to make a difference

“This year, we have added brand-new dinosaur events, Dino-Paws and the Dino-mite Party, that are set to be popular for our young dinosaur fans and four-legged friends. We can’t wait for our customers to get involved in the fossil fun at our Sandyholm store.”

For more information about the Easter events at Dobbies’ Livingston store, visit www.dobbies.com/events

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Detectives have located human remains 11 days after the 85-year-old was snatched from his bed in a shock case of mistaken identity – police have now provided a tragic update on the case

Detectives searching for missing pensioner Chris Baghsarian have uncovered what they believe are human remains, nearly 30 miles from where the 85-year-old was last seen alive.

Police in Australia confirmed that a body has been found in the New South Wales village of Pitt Town, a regional community 40 miles north-east of Sydney.

A New South Wales Police spokesperson said: “Following extensive inquiries, about 8am today (Tuesday 24 February 2026), detectives located what is believed to be human remains near a golf club in Pitt Town.”

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Police added that Investigations into Mr Baghsarian’s disappearance are ongoing and inquiries are still continuing.

The grim development comes 11 days on from the horror morning the 85-year-old grandfather was abducted from his own home in what police believe was a shocking case of mistaken identity. Chris Baghsarian was taken just before 5am on Friday after intruders forced their way into his home in New South Wales, Australia, with his captors caught on camera bundling the elderly man into a waiting car as he pleaded for help.

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Grainy vision aired on Australian news network Nine shows two men — one wearing a high-visibility jacket — arriving at the North Ryde home in a dark four-wheel-drive before approaching the property. Moments later, Mr Baghsarian can be seen being pushed towards the vehicle before it speeds away into the darkness. Police later discovered an abandoned dark Toyota SUV that they believed is linked to the abduction. The car, found more than eight miles away, was completely burned out. New South Wales Police Detective Acting Superintendent Andrew Marks said officers were “a million per cent confident” the kidnappers had taken the wrong man, stressing that Mr Baghsarian and his family had no links to organised crime.

Police had begged his captors to return Mr Baghsarian safe and sound, but it seems their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. New South Wales premier Chris Minns described the family as “distraught” in the days following his adduction. He too had called on those responsible for the savage abduction to do the right thing. “This is a man over 80 years old,” Mr Minns said. “Please return him to his family.”