A Colombian man has been arrested while attempting to smuggle £8,000 worth of cocaine hidden under a wig, police said.
Authorities at Rafael Núñez International Airport discovered the drugs when the 40-year-old suspect tried to board a flight to Amsterdam.
Footage released by police showed officers cutting off the man’s wig, revealing 19 capsules of cocaine weighing a total of 220 grams.
The suspect was taken into custody on charges of trafficking, manufacturing, and carrying narcotic substances, according to Colombia’s national police.
Officials said the seizure prevented the sale of over 400 doses of cocaine, valued at more than €10,000 (£8,296) in international markets.
Police commander Gelver Yecid Peña Araque stated that more than 450 individuals have been arrested this year for drug trafficking-related offenses.
“We are striking decisive blows against these criminal organizations that not only control local drug trade but also incite violence and other crimes that disrupt peace,” Peña Araque said.
Colombian authorities continue to urge the public to report suspicious activities, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in combating drug-related crime.
NAIROBI, Kenya— Campbell Scott, a British businessman and senior director at credit scoring firm Fico, has been found dead in Kenya, eight days after he was last seen attending a conference in Nairobi.
Scott was last spotted at the JW Marriott Hotel on February 16 before he disappeared. His employer, Fico, confirmed that Nairobi police had identified his body and launched an investigation into his death.
“Campbell went missing last Sunday while on a business trip to Nairobi. We are not sharing further details as the investigation is in the hands of the police,” a Fico spokesperson said.
The company expressed grief over the loss, describing Scott as a key leader in its international Scores business. Since joining Fico in 2014, he played a significant role in expanding the company’s market reach and strengthening existing partnerships.
“We are devastated by this tragic news. We mourn his passing and will miss his humor and kindness. Our thoughts are with Campbell’s family and friends,” the statement added.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Scott’s death.
An 18-year-old American tourist has been arrested after allegedly throwing her newborn baby from a second-floor window at a Paris hotel, authorities said.
The infant, discovered with the umbilical cord still attached, was found wrapped in a sheet outside the Ibis Style hotel in Paris’ 20th arrondissement near Place de la Nation. Emergency services rushed the baby to Robert Debre hospital following reports of the incident at 6 a.m., but the infant succumbed to injuries.
Witnesses alerted authorities after hearing screams. The woman, who was traveling through Europe with a group of young adults, was taken to a hospital for medical treatment following the delivery.
“She was also taken into custody on site. The possibility of a denial of pregnancy is being considered,” the Paris prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Investigators believe the woman may have been experiencing “pregnancy denial” when she “unexpectedly” gave birth at the budget hotel.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed an investigation has been opened into “homicide of a minor under 15.” Following medical treatment, including surgery related to the delivery, authorities charged the woman with child murder.
“The investigation is underway and the precise circumstances of this tragedy remain to be established,” a source close to the case told Paris Match.
Health officials are investigating a new outbreak of a mystery disease in the town of Bomate, Congo, where cases emerged on Feb. 9. Samples from 13 patients have been sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research in Kinshasa for testing, the World Health Organization said.
Initial results confirmed that all samples tested negative for Ebola and other hemorrhagic fever viruses, including Marburg. Some samples, however, tested positive for malaria.
Last year, a separate flu-like illness that claimed dozens of lives in another part of Congo was ultimately linked to malaria, officials said.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation as investigations into the cause of the current outbreak remain ongoing.
Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer and pianist whose intimate, emotive style made her one of the defining voices of the 1970s, died Monday at the age of 88.
Flack passed away at home surrounded by family, publicist Elaine Schock said in a statement. In 2022, she revealed her ALS diagnosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which left her unable to sing.
A classically trained pianist, Flack rose to fame in the early 1970s after Clint Eastwood featured her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his film *Play Misty for Me* (1971). The song, a slow-burning ballad carried by Flack’s ethereal vocals over a delicate piano and string arrangement, topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972 and won a Grammy for Record of the Year.
“The record label wanted it re-recorded at a faster tempo, but he [Eastwood] said he wanted it exactly as it was,” Flack told *The Associated Press* in 2018. “Once it was in the movie, the song took off.”
In 1973, she achieved another career-defining moment with *Killing Me Softly With His Song*, which also won Record of the Year, making Flack the first artist to win consecutive Grammys in the category.
Flack’s artistry extended beyond the charts. A prodigy, she received a full music scholarship at age 15 to Howard University, a historically Black institution. Jazz musician Les McCann, who discovered her in the late 1960s, once wrote, “Her voice touched, tapped, trapped, and kicked every emotion I’ve ever known.”
Her versatility allowed her to deliver up-tempo gospel-infused anthems akin to Aretha Franklin while maintaining a signature style—introspective, soulful, and lyrically profound.
Beyond music, Flack was an influential presence in the civil rights movement, forging close ties with activists like the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Angela Davis, whom she visited in prison before Davis was acquitted of murder and kidnapping charges. She also performed at Jackie Robinson’s funeral and contributed to the feminist children’s album *Free to Be… You and Me*.
Her 1970s hits included *Feel Like Makin’ Love* and duets with longtime friend and Howard classmate Donny Hathaway, including *Where Is the Love* and *The Closer I Get to You*. Their musical partnership ended in tragedy in 1979 when Hathaway died after falling from his Manhattan hotel room while battling mental illness.
“We were deeply connected creatively,” Flack told *Vibe* in 2022, reflecting on their million-selling 1972 album *Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway*. “He could play anything, sing anything. Our musical synergy was unlike anything I’d had before or since.”
Flack remained a force in music through the 1980s and 1990s, scoring hits with *Tonight, I Celebrate My Love* (with Peabo Bryson) and *Set the Night to Music* (with Maxi Priest). She gained renewed recognition in 1996 when the Fugees’ Grammy-winning cover of *Killing Me Softly* introduced her music to a new generation.
Over her career, Flack won five Grammys, including three for *Killing Me Softly*, and received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2020.
“I love that connection to other artists because we understand music, we live music, it’s our language,” she told *Songwriter Universe* in 2020. “Through music, we understand what we are thinking and feeling.”
Born Roberta Cleopatra Flack in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she was raised in Arlington, Virginia, the daughter of musicians. After graduating from Howard, she taught music in Washington, D.C.-area schools while performing at nightclubs, including Mr. Henry’s, a venue that became a launching pad for her career.
She married jazz bassist Stephen Novosel, and though the marriage ended in divorce, their interracial relationship faced challenges from both families. She had a son, Bernard Wright, a singer and keyboardist who later found success in the 1980s.
For years, Flack resided in Manhattan’s Dakota apartment building, where she lived on the same floor as John Lennon and Yoko Ono. She became close friends with Ono, who later wrote liner notes for Flack’s Beatles tribute album *Let It Be Roberta*.
In her later years, Flack dedicated much of her time to the Roberta Flack School of Music, mentoring young musicians in New York.
Her legacy remains woven into the fabric of soul, jazz, and R&B, her voice a timeless emblem of emotional depth and artistic mastery.
President Donald Trump warned of a potential escalation into World War III if a peace agreement in Ukraine is not reached, following what he described as “productive” discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House.
Macron’s visit marked the first by a European leader since Trump returned to office, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The two leaders shared a brief handshake outside the White House before addressing the ongoing conflict.
Speaking at a joint news conference, Trump reiterated his longstanding claim that the war in Ukraine would “never have happened” had he been in office. He also cautioned that failure to secure a peace deal could have far-reaching consequences.
“There will be a point where it is not going to stop at those two countries,” Trump said. “Already, there is such involvement from other countries, and it could really lead to a very big war, World War III, and we are not going to let that happen.”
Trump emphasized the importance of securing a ceasefire as soon as possible, calling for “a permanent peace.” He stated that discussions included Russia and stressed the financial burden of the conflict, arguing that European nations should take on a greater share of the responsibility.
“I’m also pleased that Macron agrees that the cost and burden of securing the peace must be borne by the nations of Europe, not just the United States,” Trump said. “Europe must take that central role in ensuring the long-term security of Ukraine, which they want to do.”
Macron echoed the need for stability but emphasized that any peace agreement must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty. He stated that European nations are prepared to play a greater role in supporting Ukraine while maintaining strong deterrence measures.
The discussions come as diplomatic efforts intensify amid ongoing tensions between Russia, Ukraine, and NATO allies. The White House has yet to provide details on whether a formal agreement is in progress.
The Kremlin has signaled interest in negotiations but has not indicated any shift in its military stance. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, has called for increased Western support and security guarantees to prevent further Russian aggression.
Trump’s remarks on the Ukraine war and his approach to European defense spending are expected to remain key issues in transatlantic relations as the conflict continues.
A Delta Air Lines flight was forced to return to Atlanta on Monday morning after the crew reported “possible smoke” in the cabin, marking the second smoke-related incident involving a Delta flight in less than a week.
Delta Flight 876 departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 8:30 a.m., en route to Columbia Metropolitan Airport in South Carolina. However, approximately 35 minutes into the flight, the aircraft turned back to Atlanta, landing at 9:04 a.m., according to FlightAware.com.
In a statement, Delta confirmed that the crew observed a haze inside the aircraft after departure and followed safety procedures to return to the airport.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people, and we apologize to our customers for the experience,” the airline stated.
Upon landing, emergency slides were deployed, and Atlanta Fire Rescue assisted in deplaning all 94 passengers, along with two pilots and three flight attendants.
Airport officials reported a moderate impact on operations due to the emergency landing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed it would investigate the incident.
Monday’s emergency landing comes just two days after another Delta flight was forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport while en route to Australia due to smoke detected in the galley. The FAA is also investigating that incident.
Both events have raised concerns over smoke-related safety issues on Delta flights, prompting increased scrutiny of the airline’s procedures and aircraft maintenance.
European leaders convened in Kyiv on Monday to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, while top U.S. officials were notably absent, highlighting a shift in Washington’s approach under President Donald Trump.
Amid strained relations between the U.S. and Ukraine, Kyiv announced it was finalizing an agreement with Washington granting access to Ukraine’s mineral wealth. Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna expressed hope that both nations’ leaders would sign the deal in Washington soon.
During a meeting with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump indicated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy could travel to Washington in the coming weeks to finalize the minerals agreement, which he described as “very close.” Trump also suggested the war could end within weeks but did not elaborate.
Kyiv has insisted on security guarantees as part of the deal, rejecting an earlier draft that proposed $500 billion in U.S. access to Ukrainian resources without equivalent aid commitments. A Ukrainian official said Washington had yet to respond to the final revisions, with security guarantees remaining a key point of contention.
Zelenskyy hosted a summit of European leaders in Kyiv, urging continued support for Ukraine’s defense. “This year should be the beginning of real, lasting peace,” he said, emphasizing that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not voluntarily end the conflict.
Attendees included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and leaders from Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Other leaders from the UK, Germany, Poland, Japan, and Turkey joined via video link. Notably, no U.S. representatives participated.
Von der Leyen stated that Ukraine could join the European Union by 2030 if it maintained its reform pace. European officials reaffirmed their commitment to Kyiv, with some stressing the urgent need for increased defense spending.
Trump’s direct negotiations with Russia—excluding both Ukraine and European allies—have unsettled European officials. The Trump administration’s warning that U.S. security priorities were shifting away from Europe further deepened concerns.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that Trump’s actions had left European leaders “worried” but expressed hope for maintaining transatlantic ties. “The statements coming from the U.S. make us all concerned,” she said after an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels. “But we have worked through differences before, and we expect to do so again.”
At the United Nations, rival resolutions exposed widening divides between the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe. The U.S. abstained from voting on its own proposed resolution after European nations successfully amended it.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said he had held discussions with Group of Seven leaders, including Macron, about ending the war. He also suggested he was open to visiting Moscow and was engaged in “serious discussions” with Putin about both ending the war and potential economic agreements between the U.S. and Russia.
Macron, during a meeting with Trump at the White House, reiterated Europe’s willingness to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, including potential peacekeeping forces in the event of a ceasefire. However, Washington has made clear it will not send troops, leaving Europe to shoulder the security burden.
Since the start of the war, thousands of Ukrainian civilians have died, and more than six million remain displaced abroad. Military casualties on both sides are estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
On the battlefield, Ukraine reported that Russia launched 185 drones overnight without causing significant damage. Meanwhile, Kyiv claimed responsibility for striking Russia’s Ryazan refinery, continuing its strategic attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
French authorities confirmed that three explosive devices were thrown at the perimeter wall of Russia’s consulate in Marseille on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Two of the devices detonated, but no injuries were reported.
It remains unclear whether the projectiles cleared the consulate’s wall. French media outlet BFM TV reported that Molotov cocktails were used in the attack, landing in the consulate’s garden. In response, consulate staff were instructed to remain indoors as police sealed off the area.
France swiftly condemned the incident, reaffirming the protection of diplomatic missions under international law.
“France condemns any infringement of the security of diplomatic compounds,” a foreign ministry spokesperson stated. “The inviolability, protection, and integrity of diplomatic and consular compounds and their staff are fundamental principles in international law.”
Russia responded by demanding a thorough investigation, calling the attack an act of terrorism, according to state news agency TASS.
“The explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in Marseille have all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. “We demand that the host country undertake exhaustive and speedy investigative measures, as well as steps to strengthen the security of Russia’s foreign missions.”
The attack took place as European and Canadian leaders gathered in Kyiv to express support for Ukraine’s ongoing war effort. French police have launched an investigation into the incident.
The United States failed to secure approval from the UN General Assembly for its resolution aimed at ending the war in Ukraine without explicitly citing Russian aggression.
The vote, held on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, was seen as a diplomatic win for Ukraine and a setback for the administration of President Donald Trump. Resolutions passed by the 193-member UN body are non-binding but serve as a measure of international sentiment.
Despite this, the vote also reflected a decline in global support for Ukraine. A separate, European-backed Ukrainian resolution demanding Russia’s immediate withdrawal passed with 93 votes in favor, 18 against, and 65 abstentions—significantly lower than previous resolutions where over 140 nations condemned Russia’s actions.
The United States had reportedly urged Ukraine to withdraw its resolution in favor of the US proposal, according to diplomatic sources. When Ukraine refused, the assembly revised the US resolution to explicitly acknowledge Russia’s invasion, aligning it more closely with Kyiv’s stance.
The amended resolution was then put to a vote, receiving 93 votes in favor, 8 against, and 73 abstentions. Ukraine supported the measure, while the US abstained and Russia opposed it.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa reaffirmed her country’s right to self-defense in response to Russia’s invasion, emphasizing that the aggression violates the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“As we mark three years of this devastation—Russia’s full invasion against Ukraine—we call on all nations to stand firm and take the side of the Charter, the side of humanity, and the side of just and lasting peace, peace through strength,” Betsa stated.
US Deputy Ambassador Dorothy Shea acknowledged the failure of previous UN resolutions condemning Russia to halt the war. “What we need is a resolution marking the commitment from all UN member states to bring a durable end to the war,” Shea said.
The competing resolutions highlight growing tensions between the US and Ukraine following Trump’s unexpected diplomatic overtures to Moscow. His administration’s negotiations with Russia—conducted without involving Ukraine or European allies—have raised concerns among Western nations.
Trump’s remarks referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a “dictator” and his unfounded claims that Kyiv initiated the conflict have further strained relations. Zelenskyy countered by accusing Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation.
As a result, the Trump administration not only declined to endorse Ukraine’s UN resolution but also introduced its own version at the last minute, urging allies to support it instead. The move comes ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington.
Meanwhile, China, which holds the UN Security Council presidency this month, has scheduled a separate vote on the US proposal in the Security Council on Monday afternoon.
