Federal authorities announced charges against an alleged top Sinaloa Cartel fentanyl producer, Ivan Valerio Sainz Salazar, also known as "Mantecas," following his arrest in Mexico, according to Fox News. The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that Sainz Salazar is charged with fentanyl trafficking and weapons offenses tied to an alleged conspiracy to manufacture the drug for the Sinaloa Cartel and smuggle it into the U.S.
The arrest of Sainz Salazar was announced during a press conference on Tuesday, as reported by Fox News. Mexican authorities apprehended him along with several others in Sinaloa. The charges against Sainz Salazar highlight the ongoing efforts to combat the flow of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid, into the United States.
In other news, the crown of French Empress Eugenie, which was dropped by fleeing thieves during a raid at the Louvre Museum last October, was left crushed but "nearly intact," according to BBC World. The museum issued the first photographs of the crown since the theft, showing the damage it sustained. The thieves, who stole an estimated 88 million euros in jewels, left the diamond-studded headpiece belonging to the wife of Napoleon III on their escape route. The museum stated the crown is "badly deformed" after the thieves tried to remove it through a narrow hole they sawed in its glass display case, but it can be fully restored.
Meanwhile, the US has launched an initiative to form a trade zone for critical minerals, aiming to counter China's dominance in the industry, as reported by BBC Technology. The State Department hosted the first Critical Minerals Ministerial event on Wednesday, attended by countries and organizations including the UK, European Union, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Delegates discussed the availability of and access to minerals crucial to the manufacture of things like computers and smartphones.
In Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a plan to bolster the country's car industry and support its electric vehicle transition, as reported by BBC Business. The new initiatives, announced on Thursday, mark Canada's latest effort to reduce its reliance on the US, amid President Donald Trump's push for more domestic car production. Carney's strategy includes financial incentives for carmakers to invest in Canada and the reintroduction of rebates for EVs. Trump last year imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian cars and car parts.
Finally, in Nigeria, the traditional chief of a village in Kwara state recounted a night of terror during which jihadists massacred residents earlier this week, according to The Guardian. Umar Bio Salihu, the local head of Woro, said gunmen "just came in and started shooting," killing two of his sons and kidnapping his wife and three daughters. The attack in Woro occurred on February 5, 2026, according to the source.
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