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.

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.

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.

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.”

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The military has not provided evidence that the boats or people killed on Monday were involved in drug trafficking.

In January, the US launched a direct military attack on Venezuela, extraditing Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, transporting them both to New York to face narcoterrorism and other charges, which both deny.

Born in 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson became involved in politics at an early age. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as a leader in Martin Luther King, Jr ‘s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was with King when he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968.

The Open Iftar event is free and open to anyone to join in.

To mark Ramadan, millions of Muslims around the world will be fasting from dawn until sunset. The holy month is said to teach people about “self-discipline and reminds them of the suffering of the poor”.

In 2026, Ramadan starts on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, and will last until Wednesday, March 18. Every year, the Ramadan Tent Project runs a Ramadan Festival described as an “annual celebration of connection, learning, and shared humanity”.

The festival involves a range of community events happening across the UK, including one in Cambridge. Cambridge University will be holding a free iftar event at King’s College in collaboration with the Ramadan Tent Project on Sunday, February 22.

The Open Iftar will allow Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and enjoy a meal after sunset as well as involving prayers and a chance to spiritually reflection. Iftar is the meal that Muslims eat after sunset to break their fast during the month of Ramadan.

The event is completely free to attend and anyone is welcome to join in. The Open Iftar is free but you do not need secure your space by booking a ticket on the Ramadan Tent Project website.

Fellow Henning Grose-Ruse Khan, who initiated the partnership with Ramadan Tent Project and King’s College Cambridge, said: “Open Iftar is a wonderful opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims from across Cambridge to gather at King’s College during Ramadan.

“Previous events have been a great success, and I’m delighted that King’s College continues to be a place that welcomes these opportunities for people of all faiths and none to gather.”

As well as King’s College, other famous venues across the UK will be holding similar events. For 2026, the Brighton Dome, the National Gallery, and AFC Wimbledon are getting involved. For the first time, the Silverstone Circuit will be hosting an Open Iftar.

Omar Salha, Founder and CEO of Ramadan Tent Project, said: “Welcoming the return of Ramadan Festival in 2026 fills me with a profound sense of hope, our chosen theme for this year. Hope is what carries communities through challenge, inspires generosity, and reminds us that renewal is always possible. It is central to Ramadan. It is the thread that connects our past to our future, and the light that guides us towards compassion, unity, and purpose.

“Entering our 13th year, it is a remarkable to witness the incredible growth of the festival across exciting new spaces, venues and landmarks that reflect the diversity and dynamism of our nation. Allowing us to bring more people together, create deeper cultural experiences, and celebrate the spirit of Ramadan in ways that are more accessible, vibrant, and inclusive than ever before. A powerful symbol of how Ramadan is part of Britain’s rich cultural ecology.”

He continued: “Ramadan teaches us to look inward with sincerity and outward with kindness. By anchoring the Ramadan Festival 2026 in the theme of Hope, we’re honouring that tradition by inviting people from all faiths and none, turning strangers into friends, to imagine and build a future rooted in empathy, connection, and shared humanity.

“We look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors and guests across the UK throughout the festival. We’re excited for what this year will bring and grateful to everyone who continues to make this festival a beacon of togetherness.”

Police taped off a road as a suspected Second World War memorabilia device was found

A bomb squad was scrambled to a residential street, as police taped off the area. Officers cordoned off a bust Stockport road after reports of a suspected Second World War device.

Police rushed to Schools Hill at around 1.30pm this afternoon (February 17), amid the reports of a suspected Second World War memorabilia device that had been discovered. The area was roped off from the general public, and residents took to social media to warn people not to use the road.

An explosive ordinance disposal unit was sent to the scene. A detonation did take place, according to the force.

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It has not yet been confirmed if the device was viable, or if the detonation was a precautionary measure. GMP has said the area has now been made safe.

The incident occurred at around 2.30pm on Tuesday on Victoria Road in Govanhill, Glasgow.

A man has been rushed to hospital after being ‘seriously assaulted’ on a busy Glasgow street. Emergency crews rushed to Victoria Road in the Govanhill area of the city this afternoon.

An alarm was raised at around 2.30pm after receiving reports that a man had been attacked. Upon attendance, the man was blue-lighted to hospital for treatment.

His condition is currently unknown. Officers say enquiries are ongoing, reports Glasgow Live. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 2.30pm on Tuesday, 17 February, 2026, emergency services attended at Victoria Road, Glasgow following reports a man had been seriously assaulted.

“He has been taken to hospital for treatment. Enquiries are ongoing.”

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Drone images appear to show two excavators moving rubbish from one area of the sprawling site and dumping it on land belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster

Shocking footage has revealed new activity at an enormous illegal dump dubbed the ‘UK’s worst’, with diggers shifting mountains of waste onto royal land. The site, partly owned by King Charles, is a 25,000 ton mountain of illegally fly-tipped waste along Bolton House Road in Bickershaw.

Drone images appear to show two excavators moving rubbish from one area of the sprawling site in Wigan and dumping it on land belonging to the Duchy of Lancaster. The two-acre tip already holds a haul of rotting rubbish within yards of homes and a primary school.

It comes after it emerged last month that a significant portion of the site sits on land owned by the Monarch through the Duchy of Lancaster estate. Furious locals say a procession of lorries carrying rubbish to the site began in January 2025. Shocking images show thousands of black bin bags full of household rubbish like nappies as well as harmful chemicals and plastics littering the area.

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Residents say they were assured a major criminal investigation meant the site was secure – but the new footage captured by Channel 4 News has sparked fears that the ‘nightmare’ is far from over.

The Environment Agency previously confirmed it had launched a ‘major criminal investigation’ and interviewed individuals under caution. Locals assumed that meant no further activity could take place.

Residents speaking to the press previously revealed their ‘living hell’ with the air filled with a ‘rotten sewage smell’ and that their house prices had been slashed.

The Duchy of Lancaster has maintained it is exempt from clean up duties under ancient feudal law, which is called ‘escheat’. The impasse between the numerous agencies involved has enraged residents, some have now started a petition, demanding the King intervenes to support in clearing the site. That petition has already amassed almost 20,000 signatures in a week.

It is now also revealed that Wigan Council recently convened a meeting for the community, attended by residents, the Environment Agency, the Fire Service and Council officials which required a considerable police presence.

Nicha Rowson, a resident who lives less than 100 metres from the stinking, rat‑infested waste is also writing a separate letter to King Charles appealing directly to him.

The Duchy has so far only offered to ‘hand over the land’ to Wigan Council, but maintains it has no responsibility to help clean it up, after insisting that only 30 per cent of the land is vested with the King’s estate. The Environment Agency has countered that claim, saying the Duchy owns the ‘majority parcel’ of the illegal dump.

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If the Duchy succeeded in giving the land to Wigan Council, the King would hand the clean‑up bill, running into millions, to the taxpayer.

Josh Simons MP, the local MP and a Cabinet Office Minister has previously said that the Duchy ‘seems to be getting off scot‑free’ adding that it has a ‘moral obligation’ to help clear the illegal dump.

A spokesperson for The Duchy of Lancaster told Channel 4 News: “The Duchy remains fully committed to working with Wigan Council and the Environment Agency to address this issue and to counter the impact of illegal waste tipping”.

In comments to the broadcaster, Baroness Sheehan, Chair of the House of Lords Environment Committee, said: “Well, I am gob smacked really and, when I saw it, it was just so filthy and so horrible, it’s a living nightmare for the residents and it just seems as though there’s no end in sight.

“That there is now new activity being seen there. It’s just awful for them. My message to the EA is that they really need to urgently clear this site because it is going to attract new activity.

“They need to clear the site, they need to secure the site thereafter. I do think CCTV would be a good deterrent – if they can get one up that’s effective.

“It does shock me given the history of the site, given what’s already there and given that we know that the waste criminals who operate sites like this are unscrupulous actually and they will do anything for more money.”

The Environment Agency said: “We have taken robust action at this site, including launching a major criminal investigation and interviewing individuals under caution. A series of interventions have already been made to ensure there has been no additional waste dumped illegally. As this is an active criminal investigation, we are unable to comment on specifics of the site.”

The second part of a Channel 4 documentary on the issue aired on Monday (February 16) at 7pm.

“Cancer has changed my outlook. I value every day and every moment with my family.”

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be life-changing, but Lesley McDowell reflects on her experience with remarkable positivity.

The 73-year-old, who lives in Holywood, Co Down, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer at the Ulster Hospital in March 2024 and went on to receive her treatment at Belfast City Hospital.

Oesophageal cancer remains one of the cancers often associated with poorer outcomes. Increasing awareness of the signs and symptoms is crucial to improving early diagnosis and expanding treatment options for patients.

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As part of Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month this February, Lesley is sharing her cancer journey highlighting this often overlooked cancer and encouraging people to recognise warning signs early and seek medical advice promptly.

She explained: “I have had a condition called achalasia for years. My oesophagus was basically paralysed, so I always had to drink a lot of fluid and rely on gravity to take food down. Because of that, when symptoms first appeared, I was not particularly alarmed.

“But I would say to anyone with a history of achalasia, or any oesophageal problems, be aware. For me, the significant symptom was bringing up blood. It happened twice. The first time I was told if it did not happen again not to worry, but if it did, to get checked.”

When it happened a second time, Lesley collapsed at home and was advised by her GP to attend the Emergency Department.

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“I went to the Emergency Department at the Ulster Hospital thinking I would be sent home. I was admitted to the gastroenterology ward and very quickly put on an urgent pathway for investigations. In March 2024 they discovered I had a malignant tumour.

“From then, everything moved quickly. I had radiotherapy, some chemotherapy and then major surgery in September 2024 where my oesophagus was removed. It was a massive operation, but I had tremendous treatment and I have been very blessed that it was successful. So far, I am cancer-free.

“It was difficult, of course. But I always felt positive. I knew it had been caught early and that made a huge difference. The staff were incredibly supportive and I always felt I was in the right place receiving the right treatment,” she added.

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Lesley is now raising awareness of a cancer many people know little about: “Oesophageal Cancer is not talked about very much. It is one of the less survivable cancers, but treatment and surgery have advanced so much in recent years.

“If people who have never had oesophageal problems start noticing difficulty swallowing, they should see their GP. And if you have had a history like mine, any change, especially bringing up blood, get checked immediately. If it is caught early, it can be treated. I am proof of that.”

South Eastern Trust Macmillan Upper GI Clinical Nurse Specialist, Joanne Flynn emphasised the importance of recognising symptoms early: “Oesophageal cancer affects the oesophagus, the food pipe that carries food and drink from the mouth to the stomach.

“As clinical nurse specialists, we support patients and families throughout their journey, from diagnosis through treatment and into recovery or supportive care.

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“Early detection plays a vital role in improving outcomes. Unfortunately, symptoms can often be subtle and mistaken for common conditions such as indigestion or reflux. Raising awareness is therefore vital.

“The signs and symptoms to be aware of include, difficulty or pain when swallowing, sensation of food sticking in the throat or chest, persistent heartburn or acid reflux, unexplained weight loss, chest pain or discomfort, ongoing cough or hoarseness, vomiting or regurgitation, fatigue or symptoms of anaemia.

“Prompt assessment and referral for investigations such as endoscopy can lead to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment options.”

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Following her surgery, Lesley has adapted to lifestyle changes but says she continues to live life fully: “I have had to change my eating habits and be careful with certain foods, but it is manageable. I am still able to do most of the things I always did.

“Cancer has changed my outlook. I value every day and every moment with my family. My daughters and grandchildren have been so supportive. Going through cancer makes you realise how important that time together is.

“If sharing my story helps even one person seek help sooner, then it is worth it.”

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