U.S. Geological Survey field crews are measuring flooding across Texas and Oklahoma following significant rainfall over the past three days.
Much of Texas and parts of Oklahoma have experienced significant rainfall, with many regions receiving more than 5 inches. This heavy precipitation has resulted in flooding, particularly along the I-35 corridor and areas to the east.
Currently, 21 USGS streamgages show active flooding. USGS real-time maps of flood and high flow conditions for Texas and Oklahoma can be accessed from the USGS National Water Dashboard.
This information is critical for resource managers and emergency responders to help protect life and property. These data are used by the National Weather Service to develop flood forecasts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to manage flood control, and by county flood control districts and other state and local agencies in their flood response activities.
In Texas, 11 USGS field crews are measuring floodwaters in Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston, with some teams also collecting water quality samples. Oklahoma City also has one team collecting flood measurements. Crews are anticipated to work throughout the weekend as NWS is predicting heavy rainfall in the region. Over the next three days, heavier rainfall is anticipated to move towards the Texas coast, potentially exacerbating flood conditions.
There are more than 1,000 USGS-operated streamgages across Texas and Oklahoma that collect water data. When flooding occurs, USGS crews make numerous flood measurements to verify the data USGS provides to federal, state and local agencies, as well as to the public.
For more than 130 years, the USGS has monitored flow in selected streams and rivers across the U.S. The information is routinely used for water supply and management, monitoring floods and droughts, bridge and road design, determination of flood risk and for many recreational activities.
Access current flood and high flow conditions across the country by visiting the USGS National Water Dashboard. Receive instant, customized updates about water conditions in your area via text message or email by signing up for USGS WaterAlert.
The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Kananaskis, Alberta (Canada) to take part in the G7 summit from 15 to 17 June 2025. Hosted by Canada as the rotating G7 presidency, the Summit will bring together the leaders of the seven G7 countries, as well as the European Union and other invited countries to discuss pressing global issues, including international peace and security, the global economic outlook and energy security.
GREENVILLE, N.C. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Wednesday charging Omoyoma Christopher Okoro, 51, a United States citizen born in Nigeria, with naturalization fraud. The indictment alleges that Okoro lied about his criminal history on his application to obtain U.S. citizenship.
According to the indictment and previously issued court documents, Okoro is alleged to have made knowingly and materially false statements under penalty of perjury on an application for naturalization. In response to one question “Have you EVER committed, assisted in committing, or attempted to commit, a crime or offense for which you were NOT arrested?” he answered “No.” Okoro took the oath of citizenship and naturalized on December 13, 2018.
On September 19, 2024, following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Okoro was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail, wire, and bank fraud. He was also convicted of two additional counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of bank fraud. He was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 100 months and ordered to pay over $22 million dollars in restitution. According to the jury’s verdict, Okoro committed those crimes from at least August 13, 2008, through January 1, 2011. He was not arrested until after he naturalized in 2018, so immigration officials were unaware of his crimes prior to granting citizenship.
Okoro is charged in a three-count indictment with naturalization fraud. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison as well as the automatic revocation of his United States citizenship.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations Division is investigating the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lori Warlick is prosecuting the case.
RALEIGH, N.C. – Kevin Day Dunlow, age 62, of Huntington Beach, California, was sentenced to more than a year in prison, six months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release for two counts of transmitting a threat in interstate commerce.
According to court records and evidence presented in court, between May 1, 2024, and May 16, 2024, Dunlow made numerous threats targeting multiple entities and individuals, including an elected official, members of law enforcement, a church located in northeastern North Carolina, and two synagogues located in Raleigh and Durham.
Specifically, on May 1, 2024, Dunlow called the Wake County Sheriff’s Office dispatch to threaten there was a bomb at the sheriff’s office and told the dispatcher: “were going kill you.” Additionally, on May 10, 2024, Dunlow called a Rabbi just prior to the commencement of evening services and stated: “Jews didn’t deserve to live. Jews didn’t deserve to be on this earth. I’m going to kill the Jews. I’m coming to the Temple to kill all the Jews and the children.”
“Threats of violence against the Jewish community and law enforcement officials are not only despicable, they are also a grave federal crime that we take seriously,” Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar stated. “I commend the FBI’s quick and decisive response to these messages, so that Mr. Dunlow can be held responsible and our community can breathe easier.”
“Kevin Dunlow made violent threats against several groups of people. He targeted law enforcement, elected officials and their families, even local faith leaders, spewing vicious threats over the phone. These people serve our communities in varies ways and should feel safe as they do so,” said James C. Barnacle Jr., the FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
Daniel P. Bubar, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Terrence W. Boyle. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Raleigh-based Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gabriel J. Diaz and Erin Blondel prosecuted the case.
MIAMI –A federal indictment unsealed today charges Beatriz Eugenia Hernandez (B. Hernandez), 57; her son Carlos Mathias Gonzalez, 26; and her brother Esteban Hernandez (E. Hernandez), 47, of an elaborate transnational gold smuggling and money laundering scheme that involved the wire transfer of over $24 million from the United States to Colombia.
According to allegations in the indictment, B. Hernandez, Gonzalez, and E. Hernandez received shipments from a Colombian company that purported to contain various types of metal widgets when, in fact, half of the packages would contain undeclared gold cylinders that were inserted within the widgets and painted over to avoid detection. B. Hernandez, Gonzalez, and E. Hernandez would extract the gold cylinders, sell the gold through two U.S. corporate entities, and then wire the funds between the entities’ bank accounts before ultimately wiring the funds to the Colombian company’s accounts in Colombia. The scheme’s systematic cycle of gold importation, followed by international wire transfers, resulted in approximately $24,628,943 being wired to Colombia from the United States between December 2018 and May 2022.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Miami Field Office, made the announcement.
HSI investigated the case with assistance from Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller is prosecuting this case.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.
An indictment contains mere allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 25-cr-20236.
Baltimore, Maryland – Today, U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Rydell Washington, 37, of Salisbury, Maryland, to 18 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Baltimore.
According to the guilty plea, on May 6, 2023, USPIS agents identified an inbound parcel, addressed to a residence in Federalsburg, Maryland, that contained suspected controlled substances. On May 9, USPIS obtained a federal warrant for the parcel, opened it, and discovered approximately two kilograms of white powder wrapped in two, roughly equal-sized, brick-shaped packages within the shipping box.
USPIS removed one kilogram of the substance to seize as evidence and repackaged the other to conduct a controlled delivery. Then on May 10, USPIS performed a controlled delivery to the residence. The parcel contained approximately one kilogram of cocaine, a GPS tracker, and a beacon that law enforcement placed in the parcel. Authorities identified Washington as the recipient of the package during the controlled delivery operation. Washington now admits that he knowingly possessed at least 1002.9 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the USPIS and HSI for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex Kalim and Patrick Rigney who prosecuted the case.
ATLANTA – Armando Carrillo-Diaz, 45, an illegal alien from Rioverde, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, has been sentenced for assaulting a federal officer, arson, and illegally reentering the United States.
“When illegal aliens resort to extreme and dangerous measures to avoid removal, they not only violate our immigration laws but also put law enforcement officers and the public at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our Office is committed to taking decisive action to hold accountable those who attack law enforcement officers and endanger the community.”
“This conviction sends a strong message to those who think they can evade justice by resorting to dangerous and reckless actions,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama. “Thanks to the dedicated collaboration between HSI and our law enforcement partners at the federal, state, and local levels, we were able to catch Armando Carrillo-Diaz, an illegal alien, and hold him accountable for his reckless and fiery attempts to evade justice.”
“Carrillo-Diaz posed a serious threat to law enforcement and the community,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Benjamin Gibbons. “Our top priority is working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe.”
According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges and other information presented in court: On April 26, 2023, deportation officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) attempted to arrest Armando Carrillo-Diaz in the parking lot of his apartment complex. Carrillo-Diaz nearly struck one of the officers as he fled from the scene in a pickup truck.
When ERO officers later returned to his residence to locate him, Carrillo-Diaz attempted to evade capture by setting his apartment on fire. The fire spread, prompting the Gwinnett County, Georgia, Fire Department to evacuate residents from the building. Carrillo-Diaz then sliced his own throat with a box cutter when the officers tried to apprehend him. The officers immediately rendered medical aid and arranged for Carrillo-Diaz’s transport to a local hospital.
On June 26, 2024, a federal grand jury seated in the Northern District of Georgia returned a superseding indictment charging Carrillo-Diaz with the offenses of Assaulting a Federal Officer, Arson, and Illegally Reentering the United States.
On June 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Mark H. Cohen sentenced Carrillo-Diaz to five years in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Carrillo-Diaz was convicted of these charges on January 29, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.
This case was investigated by ERO, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Gwinnett County Fire Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Dash A. Cooper prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
Bowling Green and Paducah, KY – Federal grand juries in Bowling Green and Paducah, Kentucky, returned indictments on June 10 and 11, 2025, charging three individuals with illegal reentry after deportation or removal and one individual with use of a false passport.
U.S. Attorney Kyle G. Bumgarner of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville, and Sam Olson, Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement made the announcement.
According to the indictments:
Santiago Tehandon-Paneda, age 45, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Owensboro, Kentucky, with reentry after deportation or removal and false claim to United States citizenship. On or about May 12, 2025, Tehandon-Paneda was an alien found in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about May 4, 2007, and August 13, 2012. On or about May 15, 2025, Tehandon-Paneda willfully represented himself to be a citizen of the United States. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.
Feliz Morales-Rangel, age 38, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Bowling Green with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about March 26, 2025, Morales-Rangel was an alien found in United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about March 20, 2008, and May 1, 2010. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.
Francisco Campos-Guardian, age 32, a citizen of Mexico, was charged in Paducah with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about May 8, 2025, Campos-Guardian was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about January 7, 2020. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.
Bogdan Drapac, age 41, a citizen of Romania, was charged in Paducah with use of a false passport. On or about May 14, 2025, Drapac willfully and knowingly used and attempted to use a false, forged, and counterfeited Spanish passport; that is, he presented the passport to law enforcement during a traffic stop to conceal his identity. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI, ICE-ERO.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
There is no parole in the federal system.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark J. Yurchisin II, of the U.S. Attorney’s Bowling Green Branch Office, and Raymond McGee, of the U.S. Attorney’s Paducah Branch Office, are prosecuting the cases.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that a federal jury has found Jose David Figueroa Pacheco (33, Davenport) guilty of fentanyl trafficking. Figueroa Pacheco faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2025.
Figueroa Pacheco was indicted on August 7, 2024, along with co-defendant Alberto Ismael Salinas Valencia. Salinas Valencia pleaded guilty on January 23, 2025, and has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, between August 2023 and August 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office conducted a joint investigation to identify firearms and narcotics traffickers in the Orlando area. As part of that investigation, on December 13, 2023, an undercover officer arranged to buy a firearm and fentanyl pills from Salinas Valencia. Salinas Valencia arrived with the firearm at the buy location as a passenger in Figueroa Pacheco’s truck. Figueroa Pacheco then made phone calls to coordinate the delivery of the fentanyl pills, inspected the pills, and facilitated the transaction.
(firearm and fentanyl pills sold during the December 13, 2023 drug transaction)
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Richard Varadan and Risha Asokan.
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man has been charged through criminal complaint in Wichita, Kansas, on allegations related to child sexual abuse materials.
According to court documents, Kenneth Norman Baker, 41, of Baxter Springs is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart is prosecuting the case.
Project Safe Childhood This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###
BOSTON – A Newton man pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025 in federal court in Boston to illegally possessing two firearms and ammunition.
James Welch, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper scheduled sentencing for Sept. 11, 2025. Welch was charged in February 2025.
On Feb. 28, 2025, during a search of the defendants Newton residence a pistol and a rifle, as well as ammunition were recovered. Welch is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions.
The charge of possessing ammunition after being convicted of a felony provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of a $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah Foley and Scott Riordan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The Newton Police Department provided valuable assistance with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric L. Hawkins of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
The model works to mitigate developing threats or concerns before they escalate to the level of involving law enforcement. Specifically, Mr. Moore trains schools on how to create threat assessment teams, how to identify and help students of concern, and how to off-ramp them from continuing down a potential path towards violence.
SAC Crocker said, “We cannot prove a negative after a concern has been resolved. However, we are aware many schools successfully identified students of concern and helped meet the students’ needs.”
In addition, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has attributed a jump in anonymous tips to its Courage2Report tipline as a result of the School Safety Initiative conferences.
Topics during today’s conference included: A Student’s Pathway to Violence, Building School Threat Assessment Teams, Trends in Youth Crisis Intervention, Hoax Threats, Swatting and Sextortion, and Online Threats and the Joint School-Law Enforcement Response.
To date, FBI St. Louis has held 10 School Safety Initiative conferences for school administrators and law enforcement since 2021 in St. Louis metro, Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Rolla, and Sullivan. We thank Ladue High School for hosting today’s conference once again.
The Met is preparing for another busy weekend in the capital with a protest in Tower Hamlets and Westminster.
On Saturday 14 June, a protest against proposals for a new Chinese embassy will take place between 14:00hrs until 17:00hrs at Royal Mint Court, north of Tower Bridge. The Met has set out conditions, which are detailed below.
A protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), Stop the War and other groups is also due to take place on Saturday at 14:00hrs in Parliament Square. There are currently no conditions in place, however there will be a police presence to ensure the protest takes place safely and any incidents can be dealt with. Any conditions will be updated on this page.
Currently we have not been informed of any planned counter protests, but the Met will be prepared and have sufficient resources in place.
Details on conditions are below:
Section 12 – Public Order Act
Any person taking part in the procession element of the protest against the proposed Chinese embassy site must not deviate from the route shown on the map below.
Having completed the procession, any person continuing to take part in the static element of the protest must remain in the area detailed below.
Section 14 – Public Order Act
Any person taking part in the static assembly element of the protest against the proposed Chinese embassy site must remain within the area shaded red on the map below.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement in response to Israel’s strike against Iran.
“I strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of escalating threats from Iran, which is the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism.
“President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear that the United States was not involved in the planning or execution of these attacks. However, our commitment to Israel’s security remains firm.
“I’ve consistently supported efforts to prevent a nuclear Iran, and I stand with President Trump in his efforts to restore stability in the region.”
Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)
The horrific passenger jet crash on January 29, 2025, involved a flight originating in Kansas and killed Rhode Island Mother and Son
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) and Congressman Ron ESTES (R-KS) are calling on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Acting Inspector General Mitch Behm to audit the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) oversight of airspace operations at Washington National Airport (DCA) following the horrific mid-air crash of a passenger jet and U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 2025.
Congressmen Amo and Estes write:
“The FAA plays a critical role in regulating and managing the U.S. National Airspace System. We have one of the busiest and most complex aviation networks with over 45,000 flights operating in our country daily. That is why this crash raises serious questions about the effectiveness of FAA airspace management, communication processes, and deconfliction procedures in one of our nation’s most sensitive and congested aviation corridors.”
“We respectfully request your office audit the FAA’s oversight of airspace operations at and around DCA, and the FAA’s procedures for managing military aircraft operating within civilian-controlled airspace.”
Read Bi-partisan Amo, Estes LetterHere.
BACKGROUND
On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter as the passenger jet approached DCA.
3 servicemembers operating the helicopter, and all 64 passengers and crew on the American Airlines flight were killed in the collision,including Rhode Island residents Christine and Spencer Lane. The mother and son were traveling with the Boston Skating Club group returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships where Spencer had competed.
On May 23, 2025, Congressmen Amo, Subramanyam, and Beyer led 16 of their colleagues in requesting that the Department of Transportation facilitate an independent review of Washington, DC airspace as part of the Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2026 transportation funding bill.
On March 3, 2025, Congressman Amo supported the House passage of a resolution to commemorate the victims.
With the severe cholera outbreak in Angola, residents are understandably alarmed. “What can we do to avoid getting sick?” asked Maesso Damião, a resident of Zaire Province, to World Health Organization (WHO) public health experts who recently visited the province. The team responded with simple advice on food hygiene, water treatment, and seeking early medical treatment. “This information can save our lives,” said Damião.
In Angola, more than 25,000 cases and almost 800 deaths have been reported since the beginning of 2025 when the outbreak was declared. In Zaire Province, nearly 174 cases have been reported, with a very high case fatality rate of 5.7% as of 13 June 2025. Considering that 1% is the benchmark to indicate early and adequate treatment, the urgency to control the cholera outbreak is clear.
During its week-long visit to Zaire, the multidisciplinary WHO team visited the municipalities of Soyo, Nzeto, and M’banza Kongo, where cholera has affected vulnerable communities, including fisherfolk and informal traders. The team’s assessment revealed the challenges facing the response: treatment centres without adequate beds, shortages of materials, underreporting of cases, lack of sanitation, and difficulties in preparing chlorine solutions.
The WHO team supported the improvement of the quality of care and biosafety (safe working practices when handling infectious agents) in four cholera treatment centres, the improvement of water safety, and distributed essential supplies and safe drinking water. They also trained 140 health professionals in epidemiological surveillance, clinical management, and infection prevention and control.
“WHO’s support has enabled us to ensure crucial conditions to contain the outbreak, highlighting the importance of community involvement in disease prevention. This will allow us to adopt crucial measures for the future, prevent diseases and save lives,” said Zaire’s Provincial Health Director, Dr João Bernardo.
Collaboration with community leaders is essential to strengthen the response at the local level. More than 700 people took part in awareness-raising sessions at churches, beaches, and town squares.
“Cholera is not only a medical emergency, but also an emergency of sanitation, treated water, information, dignity, and social justice. We must continue to work together to eliminate cholera and protect the population,” says Dr Raquel Medialdea-Carrera, WHO epidemiologist from WHO’s Pandemic hub in Berlin and a member of the WHO team currently working on the ground in Angola.
Dr Indrajit Hazarika, WHO Representative in Angola, reinforced the importance of this integrated approach: “While the cholera outbreak is a cause for great concern, it also represents a critical opportunity for us to strengthen cooperation and the health systems and build more robust emergency preparedness. Our common goal is a healthier and more resilient Angola, and to that end, we hope we can count on everyone’s support.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.
On June 13, commencing at 5:15 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Dileita Mohamed Dileita, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Djibouti.
At the outset, Minister Iwaya welcomed President Dileita’s visit to Japan, and stated that Djibouti, located along with the important sea lanes linking Europe and Asia, is a strategically important partner in promoting a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)’, and that it is a pleasure to witness the steady deepening of cooperation between the two countries in the field of maritime security.
Referring to the good relations between the two countries and his own special attachment toward Japan, President Dileita expressed his appreciation and gratitude for Japan’s development cooperation in various fields and for the Self-Defense Force (SDF) facility in Djibouti, and explained the strategic importance of Djibouti.
The two sides also exchanged views on issues, including regional situation in Africa and in East Asia such as their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, and concurred to further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in regional and international arena, with a view to the TICAD 9 to be held in August and Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received H.E. Charles Karamba, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union.
They exchanged views on regional peace and security, with a focus on the situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia.
The Chairperson welcomed the collaborative efforts of the EAC and SADC in de-escalating tensions in Eastern DRC and acknowledged progress towards a peace agreement.
The Chairperson & Amb. Karamba reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the implementation of the South Sudan peace agreement. On peacekeeping on the continent, they underscored the importance of sustainable peacekeeping financing, with UNSC Resolution 2719 providing a key framework for predictable support.
Ambassador Karamba expressed appreciation for the Chairperson’s early visit to Kigali and reiterated Rwanda’s continued support for his leadership.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) announced a significant financial commitment of ₹6,000 crore to strengthen the Agri Stack initiative under the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) during the National Conference on Agri Stack: Turning Data into Delivery, held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The funding, aimed at transforming India’s agricultural landscape through technology, will support States in building robust digital infrastructure for farmer-centric governance.
The allocation includes ₹4,000 crore for developing Farmer Registries, including legal heir systems, and ₹2,000 crore for conducting Digital Crop Surveys. The funds will be disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis, incentivizing States to accelerate their adoption of digital tools. Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary (Agriculture), emphasized the importance of linking State Farmer Registries with updated Records of Rights (RoR) to ensure accurate farmer identification and seamless delivery of schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and KCC.
A key highlight of the conference was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Maharashtra, Kerala, Bihar, and Odisha, alongside the PSB Alliance with the National Farmers’ Welfare Program Implementation Society (NFWPIS). These agreements aim to provide small and marginal farmers with digital access to credit services through Farmer Registry-linked authentication, reducing paperwork and enhancing financial inclusion.
The conference also saw the launch of the Special Central Assistance (SCA) Guidelines, jointly unveiled by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Land Resources, alongside other dignitaries. Technical sessions addressed challenges such as outdated tribal land records and errors in crop survey data, proposing solutions like remote sensing, AI/ML tools, and automated data validation to improve efficiency.
Shri Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary (Digital), MoA&FW, underscored the need for data quality assurance and compliance with Unified Farmer Service Interface (UFSI) standards. The initiative is poised to empower farmers with tools like Digitally Verifiable Certificates (DVCs) and farmer authorization systems, enabling secure sharing of land and crop information.
The Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology for transparent governance marks a significant step toward inclusive, data-driven agricultural development, promising better access to services for millions of farmers across India.
The National Conference on Agri Stack: Turning Data into Delivery, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, highlighted groundbreaking AI-driven innovations and state-led achievements in transforming India’s agricultural ecosystem through the Agri Stack initiative.
A standout feature was the unveiling of an AI-powered chatbot, built using Google Gemini and trained on Agri Stack data, capable of answering farmers’ queries in multiple languages. Additional AI tools are being piloted for crop identification, facial authentication of surveyors, and optimizing backend systems, showcasing the Ministry’s push toward cutting-edge technology. The Chief Knowledge Officer and Advisor (CKO&A) introduced the Digitally Verifiable Credential (DVC), or Kisan Pehchan Patra, which allows farmers to generate authenticated credentials for specific land parcels and crops, integrated with DigiLocker and dynamically updated upon land mutation.
The conference also launched a unified grievance redressal portal with OTP-based login, multilingual support, and audio upload features, enabling farmers to resolve land-related disputes efficiently. Farmers can now authorize representatives to access services or lodge grievances, enhancing accessibility.
A dedicated session, “Insights from States on Agri Stack Usage,” featured presentations from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. Maharashtra highlighted its progress in enrolling farmers in the Farmer Registry and sought central support for a Data Provisioning Engine (DPE) and an AI-driven advisory sandbox, Mahavistaar AI. Uttar Pradesh shared its success in integrating Agri Stack with MSP e-procurement for 2024, while addressing challenges in Digital Crop Survey (DCS) implementation. Karnataka showcased multi-layered innovations, including linking its FRUITS platform with banking systems, using Agri Stack for disaster relief, and integrating soil health cards for personalized advisories.
Families heading to this year’s Isle of Wight Armed Forces Day are in for a treat, with a packed programme of activities and displays designed to thrill visitors of all ages — especially the younger ones.
While the skies will be alive with the roar of the Red Arrows, daring parachute display teams, and the unmistakable sights and sounds of the Spitfire and Hurricane, there’s just as much excitement to be found on the ground.
Children and families can explore a range of interactive exhibits, including a hands-on stand from the Army Medical Corps and a close-up look at the Air Corps’ Gazelle helicopter. The 165 Port and Maritime Regiment will also be showcasing the Army’s vital maritime operations.
Back by popular demand, the Fort Cumberland Guard and Vectis Guards will be performing historical displays on the beach during the afternoon.
For those with a sense of adventure, the Army Cadets are bringing something extra special this year.
Event organiser Ian Dore explained: “It’s been tricky to fit this in because frankly, it’s a whopper. But Chris, our site manager, has done a sterling job of getting it in place.
“The Army Cadets will be unveiling a 30-metre inflatable assault course! You won’t miss it — it’s big, green, and set up in the Rose Gardens near the stage.”
Also returning is John Cattle’s Skate Club, offering free skateboarding lessons in the Skate Park — a great opportunity for kids to try something new.
Add to that a wide array of military vehicles, live music from military bands, and plenty of space to relax, and it’s shaping up to be a bumper day out for everyone.
The event on Sunday, 29 June, at Eastern Gardens in Ryde, officially opens at 10am with a spectacular parachute display from the Royal Navy team.
If all goes to plan, Red 10 from the Red Arrows will make a dramatic entrance by helicopter, landing right on the beach. Shortly after, the marching parade will get underway, marking the start of a full day of festivities.
Organisers are encouraging visitors to arrive early, bring a picnic, and set up on the beach to make the most of the day.
nited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan as his new Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). Dr. Alakbarov will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator. He succeeds Muhannad Hadi of Jordan, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and service. The Secretary-General also thanks Sarah Poole of the United States, who has been providing steadfast support in an ad interim capacity.
Dr. Alakbarov brings more than 30 years of extensive international experience in executive leadership, strategic planning and policy-making, development programming and management, and humanitarian response. He has been serving as the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia since 2023. Prior to this, he held the position of Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), where he was also the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, from 2021 to 2023. In Afghanistan, he also served as UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in 2020.
Dr. Alakbarov has served in several positions within the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including as Deputy Executive Director for Management and United Nations Reforms (ad interim) and Director of the Policy and Strategy Division in New York, Country Representative in Haiti, Deputy Regional Director of the Regional Office for Arab States in Cairo and Head of the Office in South Sudan. Prior to these positions, he served in various roles at UNFPA supporting country programmes in Arab States, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. His roles included Programme Officer covering Sudan, Somalia, and Iraq and Humanitarian Response Officer for Operations, in Afghanistan, Palestine and the Great Lakes Region. From 1992 to 1995, he was an Assistant Professor at Azerbaijan Medical University and a practicing physician.
Dr. Alakbarov holds M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in internal medicine from Azerbaijan Medical University and a Master of Arts in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. He is fluent in Azerbaijani, English, French, Russian and Turkish.
A large-scale anti-drug variety TV programme “Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” presented by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) was held at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O this evening, with Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki delivering a speech at the programme.
Mr Chan also officiated at the kick-off ceremony of a series of anti-drug performances along with Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk.
The Chief Secretary said in his speech that Hong Kong was previously plagued by drug problems in the 1960s. Since the establishment of ACAN, the Government and various sectors of the community have been working together to combat drug problems.
He noted that from 1977 – when records started to be kept – to 2024, the total number of reported drug abusers has dropped by as much as 70%. Last year, the number of young people under the age of 21 arrested for serious drug offences was at a record low. ACAN has been instrumental in the success of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts.
Mr Chan said: “On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all those who have participated in the anti-drug cause. I would like to appeal to all members of the public to help spread the steadfast message of ‘Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!’ and work together towards a drug-free future to safeguard the health of every member of the public.”
In the programme, various young idols and singers performed songs with positive messages, including an upbeat anti-drug theme song that shares with young people positive energy and encourages them to hold dear to positive values in life.
Members of Customs, the Police Force and the Correctional Services Department also presented their performances in the programme.
Additionally, the programme has arranged for artists to re-enact short plays based on the true stories of rehabilitees who have successfully quit drugs, and the rehabilitees have participated in the plays themselves.
The programme will be broadcast on TVB Jade at 9pm on June 21.
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement on a decision by the District Court for the District of Massachusetts granting a preliminary injunction blocking unlawful provisions in President Donald Trump’s unprecedented elections executive order. Attorney General Bonta co-led a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the order in April 2025.
“Today, the court blocked the President’s unconstitutional attempt to interfere with states’ fundamental responsibilities to manage and administer our elections,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Nothing is more fundamental to our democracy than the right to vote. We will continue to fight to ensure the President’s anti-Democratic, anti-American attacks on voting are never implemented.”
PROVIDENCE – A Massachusetts attorney who participated in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband to a detainee housed at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island has been sentenced to three years’ probation, the first six months to be served in home confinement with GPS monitoring, and 100 hours of community service, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Theresa Marie DiJoseph, 51, pleaded guilty on March 12, 2025, to one count each of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and providing a prohibited object to an inmate. She was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Melissa R. DuBose.
In pleading guilty, DiJoseph admitted that in late 2023, she conspired with other individuals to smuggle ten papers soaked with K2, a synthetic marijuana, into the Wyatt Detention Center. DiJoseph also admitted that she later made false statements to the FBI during their investigation into the source of the contraband.
According to information presented to the court, DiJoseph used her status as an attorney to meet multiple times with detainee Shawn D. Hart, 47, with whom she had a personal relationship, in a visiting room used for attorney visits to conduct legal work.
On December 1, 2023, during an attempt to visit with Hart, Wyatt correctional officers seized from DiJoseph 10 sheets of paper that appeared discolored, thicker than normal, and to have been wet and dried. The papers were later sent to an FBI testing lab that confirmed the presence of Schedule I controlled substances.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julianne Klein and Peter I. Roklan.
The matter was investigated by the FBI and the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center Professional Standards Unit.
PROVIDENCE – A Johnston-based real estate investment firm, the company’s owner, and an employee of the real estate investment firm were sentenced in U.S. District Court today for conspiring to defraud and for defrauding homeowners, many of whom spoke little or no English, and financial institutions, criminal conduct that caused some homeowners to move out of their property, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
In April 2023, after a three week trial, a jury convicted Gregory F. Aloisio, 63, of Johnston, his real estate investment company, Aloisio Group, LLC, and Aloisio Group employee John DiFruscio, Jr., 72, of North Providence, for their roles in a scheme to fraudulently obtain properties from financially distressed homeowners; to fraudulently obtain fees, commissions, and other income associated with the rental, use and short sale of homeowners’ properties; to fraudulently purchase properties in short sales and illegally “flip” them for significant personal gain; and defraud several financial institutions.
Aloisio Group, LLC and DiFruscio, Jr., were each convicted of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud; Gregory Aloisio and John DiFruscio were each convicted on three counts of bank fraud and one count of wire fraud; and Gregory Aloisio was also convicted on a charge of money laundering.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary S. McElroy today sentenced Gregory Aloisio to a term of incarceration of 12 months and one day to be followed by three years of supervised release and John DiFruscio, Jr. to three years supervised release, the first three months in home confinement. District Court Judge McElroy imposed a term of one year of probation against the Aloisio Group. Restitution orders in this matter will be entered by the court within 30 days.
The government presented evidence during the trial that, as part of the conspiracy and to further their scheme, the defendants lied to homeowners, financial institutions, and others, including evidence of the following:
Through misrepresentations and concealment, the defendants represented that they were working at “arm’s length” from the homeowners, meaning that there were no relationships or connections between themselves and the homeowners that could create incentive for suppressions of house purchase prices. In fact, the defendants were controlling both sides of the purchase transactions.
The defendants filed affidavits and documents that falsely represented 1) that no commercial relationship existed between the parties to induce lenders to approve short sales; 2) that there was no agreement to “flip” or rent the targeted properties after the short sale; and 3) the identity of the seller, the identity of the buyer, and/or cash to the parties at closing.
In fact, defendants lined-up buyers prior to short sale so as to guarantee a flip and profit after the short sale. Prior to short sale, the defendants entered into agreements with lined-up buyers to sell properties at prices more than the short sale prices.
The defendants deceived homeowners into believing that they offered a legitimate solution to the homeowners’ financial distress. In reality, the defendants were using homeowners to perpetuate their fraud. Some financially distressed homeowners were convinced to move out of their residences and lost their homes. Others remained in their properties and paid rent to the co-conspirators.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sandra R. Hebert and Milind M. Shah. The matter was investigated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Inspector General and the FBI.
BOSTON – A New York-based director of operations and sales for the Northeast region of a mobile medical diagnostics company pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to conspiring to offer and pay kickbacks to doctors in exchange for ordering medically unnecessary brain scans.
James Rausch, 57, of Port Jefferson Station, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the anti-kickback statute. U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton scheduled sentencing for July 10, 2025. Rausch was charged in May 2025.
From approximately March 2015 through approximately September 2020, Rausch conspired with others, including two managers for a mobile medical diagnostics company that performed transcranial doppler (TCD) scans, to enter into kickback agreements with various doctors. TCD scans are brain scans that measure blood flow in parts of the brain. Rausch and his alleged co-conspirators agreed to offer and pay doctors kickbacks, some in cash and others by check, based on the number of TCD ultrasounds the doctors ordered. Rausch and his alleged co-conspirators created purported rental and administrative service agreements, which on paper made it appear as if doctors were compensated for the TCD company’s use of space and administrative resources of the ordering doctor’s practice based on fair market value and not based on the volume or value of referrals. These agreements were shams that hid the true nature of the arrangement of paying per test.
The scheme as a whole resulted in fraudulent bills of approximately $70.6 million to Medicare. Medicare paid approximately $27.2 million to the TCD company for the fraudulent claims.
The charge of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Roberto Coviello, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, Boston Field Office; Kelly M. Lawson, Acting Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Boston Regional Office; Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division; and Christopher Algieri, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Northeast Field Office made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Howard Locker and Mackenzie A. Queenin of the Health Care Fraud Unit are prosecuting the case.
What’s seven times nine? Quick, you’ve got six seconds to answer.
This June, over 600,000 children in England in year four, aged eight and nine, will be expected to answer questions like this. They will be sitting the multiplication tables check (MTC), a statutory assessment of their multiplication fact recall.
The MTC was introduced in 2022 with the aim of driving up standards in mathematics. It’s an online test that children take on a tablet or computer, made up of 25 questions with six seconds per question.
Being able to quickly recall multiplication facts is valuable. Not having to think about seven times nine, just knowing that it’s 63, frees up a child’s mental thinking space. This means they can focus on different aspects of the mathematics they are doing, such as completing multi-step problems or using reasoning to solve context-based problems.
Being able to quickly recall multiplication facts is also the foundation for more advanced mathematics topics that children will encounter at secondary school.
Our research shows that the MTC is an accurate reflection of children’s multiplication fact recall. But the learning they do for this test doesn’t necessarily help them apply this knowledge in other areas of mathematics. What’s more, focus on the MTC may be diverting teaching time away from other maths knowledge.
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Since the multiplication tables check was introduced in 2022, the average score in the test has increased year-on-year from 19.8 in 2022 to 20.6 in 2024. This suggests that schools are placing more emphasis on children’s multiplication fact recall – and on preparing them for this test.
Teaching union the NAHT (National Association of Head Teachers) has suggested that the test is unnecessary, and that it places too much emphasis on fact recall at a cost to other areas of mathematics. The union has also expressed concerns that it disadvantages some children for reasons such as digital accessibility.
Our research has investigated whether the MTC is a good way of testing children’s recall of multiplication facts. We have found that children perform just as well on a more traditional paper-and-pencil timed fact test as on a computer test equivalent to the MTC. However, having a time limit per question – which is only possible with a computerised test – is essential to assess recall, rather than fast calculation.
There was no evidence that any children were particularly disadvantaged by the computerised test. However, we did find that children’s attention skills and how quickly they could enter numbers into the tablet they were using did influence their scores.
This suggests that, for it to be a fair test, it is important that children are familiar with the technology they are using to complete the test. Given that there are stark differences in access to technology in schools, this may pose an issue for some children.
The purpose of introducing the MTC was to improve children’s broader mathematics attainment by improving their multiplication fact recall. But performance in the year six Sats tests, which assess a range of mathematical skills, shows little change.
Crucially, improving children’s multiplication fact recall through retrieval practice doesn’t equate to improving their ability to use the multiplication facts they know. If posed a question such as “Tara has seven books. Ravi has four times as many. How many books do they have altogether?” Children who can recall that 5 x 7 = 35 may still not be able to solve the problem.
Time pressure
What’s more, because the MTC is a timed test, teachers and parents may use similar time-pressured approaches to prepare children and help them improve their multiplication fact recall. But our research showed that while practice with a computerised game can support children’s fact recall, the benefits to learning are the same whether or not children are encouraged to answer as quickly as possible.
In research not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, we found that children who were anxious about mathematics learnt less when practising with time pressure compared to children without mathematics anxiety. Without time pressure, anxiety levels were not related to the amount of learning. Doing some regular multiplication fact retrieval practice is more important than the type of practice, for all learners.
Even though the MTC is a timed assessment, it doesn’t mean that children only need to do timed practice to prepare for this. Some children may benefit more from less time pressure when practising.
Multiplication fact recall is just one element of mathematics and so having a good balance is important. Fact recall and testing should go hand in hand with other areas of mathematics learning such as understanding concepts, choosing strategies and solving applied problems.
Recalling multiplication facts doesn’t automatically help children to apply their knowledge. So, although working towards the multiplication tables check can support fact recall, children will need extra support in knowing how to use and apply these facts.
Camilla Gilmore receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.
Lucy Cragg receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.
Natasha Guy does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Thousands of British nationals are charged with drug smuggling abroad every year. The UK charity Prisoners Abroad reports a rise in the number of British people imprisoned abroad for drug offences in 2024-25, compared to the previous year, especially women under 34.
Two recent examples making headlines are Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old woman from County Durham, and Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old from south London. Culley was arrested in Georgia with 14 kilos of cannabis. Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka, with 46 kilos of synthetic cannabis (she has denied knowing it was in her bag and has yet to be charged).
If they are convicted, Culley and May face very long sentences. Reports suggest that Culley could receive up to 20 years or life imprisonment in Georgia. In Sri Lanka, May faces a sentence of up to 25 years.
And another three young Britons face the death penalty after being charged with smuggling nearly a kilo of cocaine into Indonesia. All of these cases are ongoing and the suspects have not been found guilty of any crime.
Why would people take the risk of such harsh punishments?
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For my book Drug Mules: Women in the International Cocaine Trade, I spent over a year visiting prisons in Ecuador to speak to people convicted of drug trafficking. I spoke to drug mules as well as people who recruited and managed them to understand how the business works. I spoke to people from the UK, Europe, the US, southeast Asia and Africa.
My research sheds light on how drug mules end up carrying such massive quantities, and why harsh punishments are an ineffective deterrent.
Who becomes a drug mule?
The abiding stereotype of the drug mule is someone who is motivated by poverty, often a woman from a drug-producing country. In fact, like most areas of crime, the majority of people arrested for smuggling drugs worldwide are men.
People’s motivations for trafficking drugs are extremely varied. In my research, I came across people motivated by grinding poverty, debts or a chance to make a change in their lives. The sums they were promised ranged from £5,000 to £10,000.
Some people didn’t expect to get paid at all, however. They became involved through debt (theirs or a family member’s), and carrying drugs was offered as a way to repay the debt. In rare cases, people became involved through threats and coercion.
There are, broadly, two kinds of people arrested at international borders with drugs. The first is carrying drugs that they have bought (and packed) themselves, and probably only a small quantity which they might use or sell for a modest profit. They probably also bought their own tickets to travel.
One trafficker I interviewed recalled that he carried only a few hundred grams of cocaine in a talc bottle. If caught, they can face custody, depending on the type and amount of drugs.
The second kind is carrying drugs that someone else has paid for – they are drug mules. The person paying for the drugs (we could call them the investor) decides what is smuggled, where to and how it will be concealed – not the mule.
Investors are, of course, motivated by profit: five kilos will be more profitable than just the one. And so, mules tend to carry much larger amounts than those carrying their own drugs.
Drug mules typically do not know what they are carrying, or how much. When people working as drug mules receive the drugs, they arrive ready to evade customs. In some cases, more professional groups might pay a specialist to conceal the drugs more effectively.
Traffickers have been known to evade detection by concealing cocaine in clear plastic products.
Understanding more about the role of drug mules sheds light on the harsh sentences that people accused of drug importation – like Culley and May – are facing. Possible sentences are very long, not only because Sri Lanka and Georgia have extremely tough drug laws, but also because of the large quantities of drugs involved.
When it comes to sentencing people for drug offences, the quantity of the drug (or, in some countries the monetary value) has long been taken as a proxy for harm. As I have argued in my research, this is a disproportionate and unfair punishment.
The key UN treaty on narcotic drugs requires countries to criminalise and punish activities relating to illegal drugs. The convention labels drug addiction as “evil”, paving the way for very harsh punishments for those who sell or transport drugs.
Drug trafficking can even be punished by death in some countries – over 600 people were executed globally in 2024. In many cases, people were executed even though they were in possession of relatively small quantities of an illegal drug – often less than 100g.
Each nation makes its own laws, but broadly speaking, more drugs means more punishment. This seems logical and proportionate, unless the person being charged with drug trafficking hasn’t made those decisions. And, as my research found, drug mules tend to be carrying larger quantities, paid for by investors or even groups of investors.
The job of the drug mule is characterised by exploitation rather than choice. If they don’t choose where they travel to, or what they are carrying, then deterrent sentences will simply fail to deter. They only serve to punish those who are most powerless and most exploited in the international drug trade.
Jennifer Fleetwood has previously receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.
The UK’s medicine regulator has issued a warning to those taking oral contraceptives.MillaF/ Shutterstock
Weight loss drugs, including Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), are becoming increasingly popular among those trying to lose weight. But a rise in so-called “Ozempic babies” has led the UK’s medicines regulator to issue guidance on their use by women of reproductive age.
Weight loss jabs (including both semaglutide and tirzepatide) act by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which is released from the gut after we eat. One of the things this hormone helps to do is suppress appetite. Tirzepatide also acts on another naturally occurring hormone system called GIP, also known to suppress appetite.
The mechanism through which these drugs impact appetite is multifaceted. First, they inhibit regions of the brain associated with hunger. This suppresses the increase in appetite that occurs when people lose weight. GLP-1 drugs also slow how quickly food leaves the stomach.
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There’s currently very little published literature which has investigated the interactions between GLP-1 drugs and oral contraceptives. However, the effect these drugs have on stomach emptying appears to at least partly explain why the oral contraceptive pill may not work as well as expected.
One 2024 study demonstrated that tirzepatide reduced the amount of ethinylestradiol (a synthetic form of oestrogen, which is a component of the combined oral contraceptive pill) in the bloodstream by 20%. It also increased the amount of time it took the ethinylestradiol to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream by two to four hours.
This reduced absorbency hampers the drug’s ability to suppress the action of the reproductive system in women. This will affect its contraceptive effects. Notably, the effects of semaglutide on ethinylestradiol absorption were less pronounced.
The increased length of time it took the contraceptive to be fully absorbed is probably a consequence of reduced gastric emptying since ethinylestradiol is primarily absorbed in the small intestine. The reasons why these effects were more pronounced in tirzepatide compared with semaglutide remain unclear. However, one study showed that while both of these drugs affect gastric emptying to a similar degree, these effects are much longer lasting with tirzepatide.
Other possible factors
Two commonly observed side-effects of GLP-1 drugs include vomiting and diarrhoea – affecting 12% and 23% of patients taking tirzepatide respectively. Vomiting and diarrhoea have the potential to interfere with the absorption of all types of oral medications – including contraceptives.
This is because the drugs may be expelled from the body before they have an opportunity to be absorbed into the blood stream. People taking the contraceptive pill are advised to use a back-up contraceptive for this reason if they vomit or have diarrhoea to avoid unintended pregnancy.
Another factor that could explain the link between GLP-1 drug use and unintended pregnancy could be the effect that weight loss in general has on fertility.
Obesity has long been associated with reduced fertility. Obesity can also exacerbate other conditions which affect fertility – such as polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that affects how the ovaries work.
It is likely weight loss associated with taking GLP-1 drugs leads to an increase in fertility. This in turn could make women more likely to become pregnant – independent of whether they’re using oral contraceptives or not.
So far, it doesn’t appear that other forms of contraceptives are affected by GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Non-oral contraceptives, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), transdermal patches and implants, are unlikely to be affected as their active ingredients are absorbed into the blood stream independently of the gastrointestinal tract. Likewise, physical barriers such as condoms and copper IUDs are also unaffected.
But women who use an oral contraceptive are advised to use an additional, non-oral form of contraception (such as condoms) for four weeks after starting semaglutide or tirzepatide. This is when side-effects are typically at their highest.
Because of a lack of evidence around the safety of these medications during pregnancy, women who do become pregnant while using a weight loss drug are advised to speak to their doctor to find alternative medications.
Simon Cork does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.