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Capture of Sinaloa Cartel Leader Marks Major Victory in Battle Against Drug Trafficking
In a significant blow to international drug trafficking operations, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the leader of Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa cartel, was apprehended by U.S. federal agents in El Paso, Texas. Zambada, a pivotal figure in one of the world’s most powerful criminal organizations, was arrested alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of his former partner, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the United States.
The U.S. Justice Department announced the arrests on Thursday, underscoring the magnitude of capturing Zambada, who had evaded authorities for decades. Earlier this year, U.S. prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl, a potent opioid linked to the ongoing U.S. opioid crisis.
Although specific details of their capture remain undisclosed, it appears that both men were lured into the United States under a sophisticated operation by Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI. Reports suggest that Zambada was deceived into boarding a private plane under the guise of inspecting clandestine airfields in Mexico, with the assistance of a high-ranking Sinaloa member.
In a statement released Thursday evening, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the gravity of Zambada’s arrest, highlighting the cartel’s role in trafficking fentanyl, a drug that poses a deadly threat to American communities. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced,” Garland stated, reiterating the Justice Department’s resolve to hold every cartel leader accountable for their actions.
The Sinaloa cartel, identified as the primary supplier of drugs to the United States, has been a target of American authorities due to its significant impact on the opioid epidemic. Fentanyl remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45, prompting aggressive efforts to dismantle the cartel’s operations.
Zambada’s capture represents a monumental victory in these efforts. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for his arrest, highlighting his influence and elusive nature. Beyond his criminal activities, Zambada also owns several legitimate businesses in Mexico, including a milk company, a bus line, and a hotel, as well as various real estate assets.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through Mexico, where Zambada’s status as a long-standing drug lord made him an elusive target. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas lauded the operation, noting that the Sinaloa cartel “pioneered the manufacture of fentanyl” and has been responsible for devastating American communities for years. FBI Director Chris Wray echoed these sentiments, describing the arrests as a testament to the commitment of U.S. law enforcement agencies to dismantle violent transnational criminal organizations.
Ukraine has confirmed an agreement with the United States on a minerals deal, calling it a “positive outcome” with “good amendments,” though officials have yet to disclose further details.
Media reports suggest that Washington has dropped an initial demand for a $500 billion share in potential revenue from Ukraine’s natural resources. However, the deal does not appear to include the firm security guarantees that Kyiv had sought.
US President Donald Trump announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Washington this week to finalize the agreement. The development follows a series of tense exchanges between the two leaders.
While Trump did not explicitly confirm the deal’s finalization, he stated that in return, Ukraine would get “the right to fight on.” Acknowledging Ukraine’s resilience, he added, “Without the United States and its money and its military equipment, this war would have been over in a very short period of time.”
When asked whether US military support for Ukraine would continue, Trump indicated that assistance might persist “until we have a deal with Russia,” stressing the need for a negotiated settlement to end the conflict. He also suggested that any future peace deal would require “some form of peacekeeping” acceptable to all parties involved.
Ukraine possesses vast deposits of critical minerals such as lithium and titanium, alongside substantial reserves of coal, gas, oil, and uranium—resources valued in the billions. Trump has framed the agreement as one that will allow the US to recoup more than it has spent on supporting Ukraine. However, final details of the deal reportedly remain under negotiation.
Two Australian nurses have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them making violent antisemitic remarks, including threats to harm Israeli patients. The incident, which allegedly took place at a hospital in Sydney, has sparked outrage and is now under police investigation.
New South Wales (NSW) Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that the two individuals had been stood down immediately and would never work in the state’s healthcare system again. Authorities are conducting a thorough review of hospital records to ensure no patients were harmed, though a rapid preliminary check found nothing unusual.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the video as “sickening and shameful,” emphasizing that antisemitism has no place in Australia. His comments come just days after the country passed stricter hate crime laws in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents.
The video, shared online by Israeli content creator Max Veifer, appears to have been recorded in a hospital setting. In the footage, a man claiming to be a doctor tells Veifer he has “beautiful eyes” but adds, “I’m sorry you’re Israeli,” before making a throat-slitting gesture and stating he sends Israelis to “Jahannam” (an Islamic concept of hell). A woman later appears on screen, saying she refuses to treat Israelis and will “kill them” instead.
Despite the video being edited with emojis and censoring certain comments, authorities have not questioned its authenticity. NSW Police stated they have identified the individuals involved and are investigating whether criminal charges should be pursued.
Albanese vowed that anyone found guilty of committing hate crimes will “face the full force of our laws.” Park echoed this sentiment, apologizing to the Jewish community and reassuring them that NSW hospitals remain committed to providing “first-class” healthcare to all patients, regardless of background.
Coca-Cola has warned that it may have to increase the use of plastic bottles in the U.S. if President Donald Trump’s new tariffs make aluminium cans too expensive. The announcement was made by Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey during a call with investors.
Trump’s recent order imposes a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the U.S., a move expected to raise costs for canned food and beverage manufacturers. Quincey acknowledged that Coca-Cola could shift more emphasis to PET plastic bottles to manage affordability.
“If aluminium cans become more expensive, we can put more emphasis on PET bottles,” he said, while noting that packaging costs are only a small fraction of the company’s overall expenses.
This shift comes shortly after Coca-Cola scaled back its sustainability goal of using 50% recycled materials in its packaging by 2030, adjusting the target to 35-40% by 2035. The beverage giant has been under pressure from environmental groups, which have labeled it the world’s “top global plastic polluter” for six years in a row.
Aluminium cans, despite being pricier, are far more recyclable than plastic bottles. The U.S. imports nearly half of its aluminium, according to the United States Geological Survey, making the tariffs a significant factor in production costs. Unlike in 2018, when some can-makers received exemptions from similar tariffs, Trump has now ruled out any exceptions for products or countries.
In a separate move, Trump also signed an executive order rolling back efforts to replace plastic straws with paper alternatives in government facilities—undoing a policy introduced by former President Joe Biden, who had called plastic pollution a “crisis.”
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