Africa

Fulani Islamic Extremists Kill at Least 16 Christians in Southern Nigeria — Fulani Islamic extremists stormed a village in Ebonyi state in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 2, shooting Christians and setting homes on fire. At least 16 people died in the attack. Those killed belonged to The Lord Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry. Local sources reported that the attack occurred after several days of threats were made following accusations that villagers had killed cattle belonging to the Fulani herders. Community leaders denied the allegations. Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru condemned the attack and urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that security forces had been deployed. “Our people are hospitable, but strangers should not take advantage of their calmness,” he said.

Two Christians Released in Egypt After 3 Years in Prison — On Jan. 31, two Christian men, Abdulbaqi Said Abdo and Nour Gerges, were released from prison in Egypt after spending more than three years behind bars. Both men were arrested in 2021 on blasphemy-related charges after participating in a Facebook group that discussed and helped individuals who had converted from Islam to Christianity. Though the men have been released, Egyptian authorities haven’t formally dropped the charges in their cases. 

Genocidal Militia Continues to Persecute Christians Across Sudan — In the last weeks of the Biden administration, the United States declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were guilty of committing an ongoing genocide in Sudan. Citing the systematic murder of men and boys and widespread sexual violence against women and girls of the Masalit ethnic group, the United States levied a raft of sanctions against the RSF, its leaders, and companies in the United Arab Emirates that had been supporting the group financially. The genocide declaration, late as it came in the Biden administration, drew comparisons to the first Trump administration’s decision to declare China’s actions against its Uyghur Muslim community a genocide just one day before President Biden’s 2021 inauguration. Both declarations were upheld by the successive administration, highlighting the high levels of evidence supporting a heavily scrutinized decision. The RSF grew out of the Janjaweed, a group of Sudanese militias that carried out the Darfur genocide, recognized by the United States in 2004.

5 Muslim Men Sentenced to Life in Prison for Rape of 10-Year-Old Christian Girl — Five Muslim men were sentenced in December 2024 to life imprisonment for the rape of a 10-year-old girl from a Christian family in Nigeria. The men attacked the girl child in September 2024 in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna. The five men, ages 21 to 25, are all related through a shared father. Abishag Sambo, a long-time Christian advocate in Nigeria, served as the girl’s attorney. In an interview with International Christian Concern (ICC), Sambo explained the details of the case and the state of vulnerability facing Christian women and girls in Nigeria. 

Christian Villages in Nigeria’s Middle Belt Face Ongoing Attacks — At least 22 Christians were killed in a series of recent attacks on villages in Plateau state, Nigeria, as armed groups occupied Christian communities, preventing residents from accessing their homes, farms, and places of worship. In Mangu County, the hometown of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, more than 20 Christian villages remain inaccessible, said Mathias Jonathan, secretary of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) committee. “Seventeen people were killed in one week,” he said. “We are denied access to our farms and homes. We will die of hunger.” Meanwhile, in Barkin Ladi County, local sources told an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer that Muslim Fulani extremists targeted Christian farmers, students, and commuters, killing at least five people in one week.

10 Years Later: The Slaying of 21 Christians in Libya — Saturday marked the 10th anniversary of 21 Christians who were slain by the Islamic State group (ISIS) in Libya on Feb. 15, 2015, because they refused to deny Christ as their Lord and Savior. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) memorialized the killings in a statement released Saturday. “The [USCIRF] solemnly commemorates the 10th anniversary of the ruthless abduction and execution in Libya of 21 Christian migrant workers by … [ISIS],” the statement read. 

Sudan’s RSF Kills Hundreds of Civilians, Announces Parallel Government — In what may be its largest act of violence since 2023, Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces militia is reported to have murdered 433 people, including infants, in the southeast Sudanese state of White Nile. The series of attacks, which took place in the state’s Qetina area, targeted several small villages and towns. Even as news of the attacks spread in the news and on local social media channels, key RSF leadership gathered in nearby Nairobi, Kenya, for a lavish event announcing the formation of a nascent breakaway government designed to challenge the authority of its main rival, the Sudanese Armed Forces. The current conflict, born out of fighting between the Sudanese military and the RSF, has led to one the largest humanitarian crises in the world since igniting in 2023.

Fulani Militants Shoot Pastor, Abduct 6 Church Members — After suspected Islamic Fulani extremists stormed into Elyon Paradise Ministry Church in Delta state, Nigeria late Saturday night, they shot and injured Pastor Divine Omodia and kidnapped six church members. Omodia is receiving urgent medical attention in a local hospital, where medical staff are striving to stabilize his condition. Pastor Steve Victor Onuchukwu shared that since the incident, the kidnappers have not contacted the church for ransom, adding to the anxiety surrounding the situation. Human rights activist Victor Ojie pointed out the ongoing threat posed by armed groups in Delta state, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and action regarding the presence of these groups in the Otulu forest. He called for more robust support for law enforcement to ensure their effectiveness in addressing security concerns.

Congolese Christians Massacred Amid Terrorist Advances in Eastern DRC — Recent weeks have brought a wave of concerning news from central Africa’s Democratic Republic of the Congo. There, terrorist forces are sweeping through large tracts of land and seizing cities in a lightning offensive that has rapidly shifted the frontlines of a decades-long conflict that has killed about 6 million people and displaced many more. This week, local sources revealed the massacre of 70 Christians in DRC’s eastern Lubero Territory near the country’s border with Uganda and Rwanda. While no group has formally taken responsibility for the attack, reports indicate that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) were responsible.

Blasphemy Accusations Fuel Violence Against Christians in Northern Nigeria — Christians in northern Nigeria continue to face increasing violence over accusations of blasphemy, often leading to mob attacks, destruction of property, and forced displacement. While Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the application of Sharia law in 12 northern states has created a parallel legal system where blasphemy charges frequently lead to vigilante justice rather than formal prosecution. The case of Sadiq Mani Abubakar, a 45-year-old Hausa Christian and lecturer at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina state, illustrates the growing trend. On Jan. 30, a mob set his home and vehicles on fire, forcing him and his family to flee. The attack stemmed from a decade-old Facebook post in which Abubakar questioned the origins of the Quran. While some Islamic scholars consider the post blasphemous, accusations spread, and a mob responded with violence.

ASIA & MIDDLE EAST

Supreme Court of India Orders Chhattisgarh to Demarcate Burial Sites for Christians — On Jan. 27, the Supreme Court of India gave the government of Chhattisgarh a two-month deadline to demarcate exclusive burial sites for Christians to prevent disputes over burial grounds in the state. The directive came after a Christian man sought justice from the highest echelons of the judiciary to bury his father in his native village when local authorities, including the regional court, rejected his plea. This judicial directive provides a huge relief for many Christians in the state. Many hope it will help diffuse the severe opposition that arises whenever a Christian family attempts to bury a loved one.  

Help Rural Pastors Like Ravi Sustain Their Ministry — In the last two years, Pastor Ravi has watched God expand his ministry beyond anything he could have imagined. When he planted a church four years ago in a remote village in Telangana, southern India, he did so out of faith, trusting God would provide as he shared the gospel in the village of 300 Hindu families. Soon, the 33-year-old pastor had a church of 50 believers known as Praise Temple Church. Pastor Ravi’s small income from his church wasn’t enough to cover his family’s basic needs, including his children’s education. Despite the financial constraints, he remained committed to the work God had given him.

Banned Islamic Organization HTI Re-Emerges — Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), an Islamist organization disbanded by the government in July 2017, has re-emerged, challenging the government with a growing presence in multiple regions. Several HTI flag-raising activities have occurred in Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Palembang, with the distribution of fliers containing calls to establish an Islamic state with a caliphate system. Secretary General of the Central Leadership of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor) Ahmad Rifiqi Elmoe, known as Gus Rifiqi, recently criticized HTI’s increasingly open activities. 

Nepalese Government Detains, Questions 17 U.S Citizens on Proselytization Charges — Nepalese media reported last week that more than a dozen U.S. citizens and one citizen of India were detained and questioned over alleged evangelistic activities in southeastern Nepal. Civil society sources and religious leaders have confirmed the news to International Christian Concern (ICC), specifying the city of Dharan as the location of the incident and expressing alarm at the Nepalese government’s overt attempt to intimidate the Christian community. The American Christians, visiting Nepal on tourist visas, were reportedly found helping to construct a building in Dharan. Authorities accused them of sharing their faith with locals, though officials did not elaborate on the concern. 

Film’s Depiction of Conversions to Christianity Sparks Concern — A film produced and released on Feb. 7 in India’s Odisha state has created a huge uproar among the Christian community, many fearing it may stoke communal tensions and even lead to riots. Two petitions filed in the High Court to stop the film’s screening were rejected, and the film is now showing in theaters throughout Odisha. Christians in at least 20 of Odisha’s 30 districts petitioned district officials, cautioning of potential attacks due to the film’s content. The film, titled Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma in the Oriya language, allegedly deals with religious conversions in the tribal-dominated regions of Odisha, according to Christian leaders.

Proposed Guidelines for Muslims Participating in Non-Muslim Celebrations Raise Concerns — The Malaysian government is preparing to implement new guidelines governing Muslim involvement in non-Muslim celebrations and ceremonies, raising concerns about religious freedom, potential discrimination, and human rights violations. 

Military Junta in Myanmar Bombs New Catholic Cathedral — The ruling military regime in Myanmar bombed a newly designated Catholic cathedral earlier this month. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, located in Mindat, Chin state, was designated as a cathedral by Pope Francis on Jan. 25 — just two weeks before it was bombed on Feb. 6. Reports indicate that the bombing destroyed the cathedral’s roof and blew out the windows, rendering the building unusable. Fortunately, the area had been evacuated in anticipation of the attack, and no deaths were reported. Chin state is the country’s only Christian-majority state, with about 85% of the population ascribing to the faith. Nearly 90% of Burma’s overall population is Buddhist.

Muslims Post Banner Rejecting Establishment of Church, Christian Worship — On the morning of Feb. 4, Christians living in Paccerakkang, Biringkanaha, Makassar, Indonesia, saw a banner telling them they were not welcome in the community. The banner read, “We, all Muslims, residents of Paccerakkang, especially Neighbourhood 02 and 03 STRONGLY REJECT the Establishment of a Church and worship activities in our environment forever.” An unknown person installed the banner in front of the Polda Housing Complex, Mangga 3, targeting the worship activities of the Toraja Church of the Lanraki Congregation. Residents removed the banner early that afternoon. 

Filipino Christians Join Protests against President, Vice President — In early February, religious groups and activists in the Philippines protested, demanding the resignations of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. The demonstration stemmed from concerns over alleged government corruption, threats to democracy, and the perceived decline of civil liberties. The rally occurred amid rising political tensions, with Duterte facing impeachment proceedings. Her trial is set to begin once the Senate reconvenes in June following accusations of conspiring to assassinate Marcos, engaging in large-scale corruption, and failing to address China’s activities in the South China Sea. Duterte has refuted these claims and is preparing her defense. 

Christian Woman Arrested in Iran After Police Raid Christian Gathering — Iranian authorities raided a gathering of roughly 80 Christian converts on Feb. 6 in northern Iran, and arrested Somayeh Rajabi, according to a report from Mohabat News. Agents from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stormed the gathering, which occurred in Gatab, and confiscated Bibles, phones, and musical instruments. Agents reportedly ripped crosses from individuals’ necks and forced the Christians to divulge the passwords to their electronic devices. According to Article 18, agents also stopped emergency medical assistance from reaching the Christians. The day after her arrest, Rajabi was allowed one phone call to inform her family that she had been imprisoned in the town of Sari. Authorities have not yet announced formal charges against her. 

Hindus Urged to Rape, Kill Christians on March 1 in Chhattisgarh — An open call issued by Hindu leaders to kill and rape Christians in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh on March 1 has raised serious concerns about the impunity with which Christians are being targeted in the country. Several individuals and church bodies have written letters to Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi as well as to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister (CM) Vishnudeo Sai calling for immediate intervention to prevent an attack on Christians in Chhattisgarh. The PM and CM belong to the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The call for the massacre was issued through social media by a local Hindutva leader and social media influencer and a Hindu religious head last month. Their speeches were triggered apparently by the beef-eating habits of Christians.

More than 60 Montagnard Christians Arrested in Thailand — More than 60 Montagnard Christian refugees from Vietnam — including men, women, children, and pregnant women — were arrested on Feb. 23 in Bangkok, Thailand. Reports have emerged that the Montagnard believers were involved in a memorial service that included prayer and worship and allegedly caused a disturbance. Footage has emerged on social media from some of those detained describing their situation. International Christian Concern (ICC) workers said those detained faced a judge in the last few days, and most of them chose to stay in jail because they were unable to pay the fines or bail money imposed by Thai officials.  

Hamas releases 3 more hostages, including US citizen, as part of fragile ceasefire deal — Terror group Hamas on Saturday released three more hostages, an American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel, as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel. Hamas first handed over Ofer Kalderon and Yarden Bibas to the Red Cross, and both were later given over to IDF soldiers. Keith Siegel's release was the final one of the day.  Siegel's family thanked President Trump for his release in a statement. "Finally, after 484 long, terrifying days and nights, full of immense worry for our father, we can breathe again. 

Australia

13 charged over alleged conspiracy to import more than two tonnes of drugs in Australia’s largest cocaine bust  —  The Australian Federal Police has charged 11 men and two juveniles over an alleged conspiracy to import 2.34 tonnes of cocaine into Australia by sea. Police say the cocaine seized from an alleged transnational organised crime syndicate has an estimated street value of about $760m. The operation took place about 18km off of Fraser Island on Queensland’s east coast.

NSW Police investigate anti-Semitic graffiti at Maroubra, Sydney — A home near a Jewish primary school is among the latest targets in a spate of anti-Semitic attacks sweeping Sydney. Graffiti reading “f**k the Jews” and other anti-Semitic messages was discovered scrawled on a house near a Jewish primary school in the Sydney suburb of Maroubra on Thursday morning. The graffiti is written onto a residential property on Hannan Street, next to the Mount Sinai College and close to a childcare centre that was firebombed last week. Anti- Semitic messages were also scrawled at the Westfield Eastgardens shopping centre in Sydney’s east. NSW Police told NewsWire it was investigating multiple anti- Semitic graffiti attacks on Thursday morning.

14 Pentecostal sect members convicted for death of 8-year-old girl denied lifesaving insulin — The parents of an 8-year-old girl, her adult brother and 11 other members of a small, tongues-talking Pentecostal sect in Toowoomba, Australia, were convicted of manslaughter Wednesday for causing her death by withholding lifesaving insulin needed to treat her Type 1 diabetes because of their religious beliefs. In a nearly 500-page verdict, Queensland Supreme Court Justice Martin Burns convicted 8-year-old Elizabeth Rose Struhs’ father, Jason Richard Struhs, 53; her mother, Kerrie Elizabeth Struhs, 49; and her brother Zachary Alan Struhs, 22; of manslaughter for her Jan. 7, 2022, death. Also convicted of manslaughter are Loretta Stevens, Therese Stevens, Andrea Stevens, Camelia Stevens, Acacia Stevens, Alexander Stevens, Sebastian Stevens, Keita Martin, Lachlan Schoenfisch and Samantha Schoenfisch..

Australian police find explosives for possible antisemitic attack — Authorities in Sydney are investigating whether explosives discovered in a caravan were intended for an antisemitic attack. The explosives could have caused a 40m-wide blast and significant damage, police said on Wednesday, adding that the threat was contained.A note was found in the caravan that displayed antisemitic messages, investigators said. This is the discovery of a potential mass casualty event, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.

Australian feared dead in captivity is still alive, Russia says — The Australian government has been told by Moscow that one of its citizens in Russian captivity is still alive. Oscar Jenkins, a 32-year-old teacher, was captured last year while fighting for Ukraine. The Australian government has received confirmation from Russia that Oscar Jenkins is alive and in custody,; Foreign Minster Penny Wong said in a statement on Wednesday. Earlier, there were reports that Mr. Jenkins had been killed while in captivity, with the Australian government citing grave concerns for his welfare.

EUROPE

Lebanon seizes $2.5M destined for Hezbollah after stopping man at airport in 'unprecedented’ bust — A man allegedly carrying $2.5 million in cash destined for the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah reportedly was detained Friday at Beirut’s airport in a bust that an expert told Fox News Digital is "unprecedented."  "The detainee and the seized funds will be handed over to the investigation division at the General Directorate of General Security," Lebanon's finance ministry said in a statement obtained by Reuters, which cited sources saying that the man had been traveling from Turkey.  

Russian mafia money-laundering ring broken up in Spain — Fourteen people have been arrested in Spain and Portugal in a series of raids targeting a €1tn (£828bn) criminal, money-laundering network working with gangs across Europe. Most of the suspects, detained last month, are Russian nationals, according to EU law enforcement agency Europol. The ring mainly laundered money originating from illegal drug trafficking and charged 2-3% commission per transfer as part of "a genuine multinational money laundering company", according to Spain's National Police. Nine properties were raided in cities across Spain, as well as the Portuguese capital Lisbon, and more than €1m in cash and cryptocurrencies were seized.

Irish police seize more than €1m in drugs and cash — Two people have been arrested after gardaí (Irish police) seized drugs and cash worth more than €1 million (£828,485). The items were discovered during a search at a residential property in the Old Bawn area of Tallaght, Dublin, on Tuesday. The drugs, including cannabis, cocaine and ketamine, have a combined estimated street value of about €950,000 (£787,217.50). More than €231,000 (£191,380.03) in cash was also seized by gardaí.

Berlin stabbing suspect planned to kill Jewish people, police believe — A 19-year-old Syrian man suspected of stabbing a Spanish tourist at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial had planned for several weeks to kill Jewish people, Berlin police believe. The attack took place on Friday evening, with the assailant approaching the 30-year-old victim from behind before stabbing him and fleeing the scene. A man was arrested nearby after police noticed blood stains on his hands and clothing. The suspect was carrying a prayer rug, a copy of the Quran, and the suspected weapon in his backpack, suggesting "a religious motivation", police said.

French prisoner 'The Fly' arrested nine months after deadly van ambush — A French convict who went on the run after escaping a police van in a deadly ambush has been arrested in Romania, French authorities have said. Two prison officers were killed and three others injured when a vehicle carrying Mohamed Amra was attacked by men using military-grade assault weapons in May 2024. Amra, known as La Mouche, or The Fly, has links to a major drug gang in Marseille, according to French police. President Emmanuel Macron hailed his capture as "a formidable success" and said his thoughts were with the families of the prison officers who died.

Dozens arrested in global hit against AI-generated child abuse — At least 25 arrests have been made during a worldwide operation against child abuse images generated by artificial intelligence (AI), the European Union's law enforcement organisation Europol has said. The suspects were part of a criminal group whose members engaged in distributing fully AI-generated images of minors, according to the agency. The operation is one of the first involving such child sexual abuse material (CSAM), Europol said. The lack of national legislation against these crimes made it "exceptionally challenging for investigators", it added. Arrests were made simultaneously on Wednesday 26 February during Operation Cumberland, led by Danish law enforcement, a statement said.

North America

Deported Persecuted Christians Expected to Face Persecution Yet Again — Among those deported from the United States to Panama for eventual return to their home countries are several converts to Christianity facing severe persecution in their home countries, according to widespread media reports in a story published by The New York Times. “Only a miracle can save us,” one deportee said. A persecuted minority who converted to Christianity in a banned underground church, her life — and those of many around her — hang in the balance as they await their fate at the hands of Panamanian authorities. 

New Orleans sued over Bourbon Street terror attack, accused of negligence that cost lives — Plaintiffs affected by the New Year's terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans have filed a civil lawsuit against the city's leadership and private companies hired to consult the city about safety planning in the French Quarter for negligence. Terrorist Shamsud-Din Jabbar of Texas killed 14 civilians and injured 57 others when he rammed a Ford F-150 through crowds of people celebrating New Year's on the famous New Orleans street around 3 a.m. Jan. 1. Jabbar was killed in a shootout with police.

Texas to execute man who killed pastor in church days after being released from anger management program — Texas man convicted of killing a pastor in his own church during a robbery, days after being released from a court-order anger-management program, is slated to be executed Wednesday. Steven Lawayne Nelson was sentenced to death for the 2011 murder of Rev. Clint Dobson, 28, who was beaten, strangled and suffocated with a plastic bag inside NorthPointe Baptist Church in Arlington. Nelson allegedly suffocated Dobson by putting a plastic bag over his head as he was sitting in his office writing a sermon. He was captured after going on a shopping spree using the victims’ stolen credit cards, Fox Dallas reported.

Bomb threat near Texas courthouse prompts 2-mile evacuation — A swath of a Texas town was given the all-clear after authorities advised the area to evacuate on Thursday during the investigation of a bomb threat near a county courthouse.The evacuation zone spanned a 2-mile radius in the downtown Angleton area near the Brazoria County Courthouse, the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a post on Facebook. "After multiple thorough sweeps of the area, authorities have found no materials or devices that pose a danger to the community," the sheriff's office said. "The evacuation advisory has been lifted, and there is no ongoing threat."

New York state prison placed on lockdown after inmates take over, injure three corrections officers — A New York state prison was placed on lockdown after inmates attacked and injured three guards days after concerns of staffing shortages were reported. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) announced that the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County was placed on lockdown following an early morning incident on Wednesday, the Albany Times Union reported.  The incident happened around 1 a.m. when three dorms were taken over by inmates and the staff were removed, a union rep for the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association told the outlet.

Intoxicated Virginia man allegedly breaks into Bible study session thinking it was human trafficking operation — An intoxicated Virginia man who broke into a Bible study session took it upon himself to investigate, thinking it was a human trafficking operation, authorities said. David Campbell of Stafford is charged with breaking and entering, assault and public intoxication, the Stafford County Sheriff's office said. 

Priest attacked during service in Washington Catholic church, says Holy Spirit helped him respond — A Washington church service was interrupted on Tuesday night as a man stormed the altar, attempting to punch a reverend. Livestream footage shows the moment when Joshua James Sommers ran toward Rev. David Gaines, arms swinging. Gaines was able to largely deflect the attack, but did take some hits.

SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina canal turns bright red, alarming locals — A waterway in a suburb of Argentina's capital Buenos Aires turned bright red on Thursday, alarming locals. The Sarandí Canal flows through residential neighbourhoods and industrial areas before reaching an estuary, the Rio de la Plata, which borders an ecological reserve. Local media reports suggested the colour may have been caused by the dumping of textile dye, or by chemical waste from a nearby depot. Authorities have taken samples to determine the source of the contamination.

Sexual violence against children in Haiti rises by 1,000%, UN says — Gang rule in Haiti has led to a staggering rise in sexual violence against children, the United Nations' children's organisation has warned. The Caribbean island has been in the grip of violent gangs for several years who have been treating the population with unrelenting brutality, Unicef said. Sexual violence against children has increased 1,000% since 2023, turning their bodies "into battlegrounds", spokesman James Elder said. Unicef estimates 85% of the capital Port-au-Prince is under the control of gangs. More than one million children are living with the constant threat of violence.

Plane crashes into bus on busy São Paulo street — Two people were killed and two more injured when a small plane crashed in São Paulo, emergency services have confirmed. The aircraft came down on the busy Marques de Sao Vicente Avenue, colliding with a bus on the ground. A passenger on the bus and a motorcyclist hit by debris were taken to hospital, while those who died were aboard the plane, fire department spokesperson Captain Maycon Cristo said. Smoke could be seen rising over Brazil's largest city in the aftermath of the incident.

Mexican army seizes tonnes of crystal meth — The Mexican army says it has seized more than four tonnes of methamphetamine in raids conducted in the violence-wracked state of Sinaloa over the weekend. Soldiers raided warehouses and drug labs in Higueras de Abuya, a village about 75km (45 miles) south of the state capital, Culiacán. A spokesman for the army said the seizure of such a large amount of the synthetic drug - which in some forms is known by its street name crystal meth - would constitute a hard blow to whichever criminal gang was behind the labs.

Man arrested trying to smuggle cocaine under toupee — A Colombian national was caught trying to smuggle drugs hidden under a toupee, while boarding a flight from Cartagena to Amsterdam on February 20. The wig contained 19 cocaine capsules, a shipment valued at more than €10,000 (£8,290), authorities said. The suspect was arrested and placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office for the crime of trafficking, manufacturing and carrying narcotic substances.

'Severe blow' to Sinaloa cartel as security chief of El Chapo's son arrested — The Mexican army says it has arrested a key player in the Sinaloa drug cartel in the northern city of Culiacán. José Ángel Canobbio, also known as "El Güerito" (little blond one), is accused of being the right hand man of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, one of the sons of infamous jailed drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Mexican security forces say the arrest of Canobbio, who they say was in charge of security for Iván Archivaldo Guzmán, is a severe blow to the Sinaloa cartel. He was captured just hours after the United States added the Sinaloa cartel to its list of foreign terrorist organisations (FTOs), a move which the Trump Administration says will allow it to better combat the criminal groups