The State Security Court said it unanimously issued a final ruling against the defendant, finding him guilty of assaulting law enforcement personnel tasked with enforcing narcotics laws, resulting in the deaths of three officers and injuries to another.

According to the court’s statement, the accused was convicted on multiple charges related to the attack and received the harshest penalty available under Jordanian law, a sentence of capital punishment.

The case stems from a March 18 security operation conducted by Jordan’s Anti-Narcotics Department. During the raid, three officers were killed and a fourth was wounded before authorities arrested the suspect and seized quantities of drugs and weapons, according to the Public Security Directorate.

While Jordan’s legal system continues to permit capital punishment, executions have effectively been suspended for years. The last known executions were carried out in 2017, when authorities hanged 15 convicted prisoners, including 10 found guilty of terrorism-related offenses.

The ruling comes as Jordan faces mounting challenges linked to drug trafficking and cross-border smuggling. Authorities have significantly increased enforcement efforts in recent years amid concerns over the kingdom’s role as a transit route for narcotics destined for regional markets.

Jordanian officials say the vast majority of drugs seized within the country are intended for smuggling beyond its borders rather than domestic consumption. Government figures show that security agencies arrested more than 38,000 individuals last year in over 25,000 cases involving drug use, trafficking and smuggling.

Security forces have also stepped up operations along Jordan’s lengthy frontier with Syria, where the military regularly reports intercepting attempts to smuggle narcotics, particularly captagon pills, into or through the kingdom.

Captagon trafficking expanded significantly during the Syrian conflict and became one of the region’s most lucrative illicit trades during the rule of former Syrian president Bashar Assad. Jordan has repeatedly cited drug smuggling as a major national security concern and has intensified cooperation between military and law enforcement agencies to curb the flow of narcotics.

The court’s decision reflects the increasingly hard-line approach adopted by Jordanian authorities toward drug-related crimes, particularly cases involving violence against security personnel engaged in counter-narcotics operations.

The measure would provide funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol through the remainder of Trump’s current term in office.

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives, where Republican leaders are aiming for swift passage as early as next week before sending the bill to the president for his signature.

The funding package comes after months of political battles in Washington over immigration enforcement, deportations and border security, issues that have remained central to Trump’s domestic policy agenda.

The woman was detained in May at a rented residence on the tourist island of Lombok after police learned she had received a delivery containing liquid cannabis, narcotics officer I Nyoman Diana Mahardika said on Thursday.

According to police, the suspect told investigators that she used the cannabis vape product to alleviate knee pain and depression. Authorities said the explanation would not exempt her from prosecution under Indonesian law, which prohibits the possession, use and distribution of marijuana and cannabis-derived products.

“She must comply with the laws and regulations in force in our country. As for narcotics such as marijuana, it must not be possessed, used, or traded within our jurisdiction,” Mahardika said.

If convicted, the woman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to two billion rupiah ($111,000), according to police.

The case underscores the legal risks facing foreign nationals in Indonesia, which maintains some of the world’s toughest anti-drug regulations. The country retains the death penalty for drug trafficking offenses, although it has not carried out an execution since 2016.

Indonesia currently has dozens of convicted drug traffickers on death row. The last executions were conducted in 2016, when authorities executed four drug convicts by firing squad, including three Nigerian nationals and one Indonesian citizen.

The arrest follows other recent narcotics prosecutions involving foreign nationals. In March, two British men were sentenced to nine and 11 years in prison after being found guilty of smuggling cocaine to the resort island of Bali.

Authorities did not provide further details regarding the source of the cannabis liquid or indicate when formal charges may be filed.

The victims were found after firefighters extinguished a vehicle fire at a petrol station near the village of Amendolara in Calabria, a major agricultural region that employs large numbers of migrant laborers.

Investigators are treating the case as a homicide after surveillance footage reportedly showed two individuals blocking the vehicle’s doors from the outside before pouring a liquid into the van and setting it alight. The footage then showed flames engulfing the vehicle as the suspects fled the scene, according to Corriere della Sera newspaper.

Firefighters discovered the four bodies inside the minivan after bringing the blaze under control. Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the victims.

“This is definitely murder, we just have to work out the details,” local police chief Antonio Borelli was quoted as saying by Corriere della Sera.

The arrests come amid broader concerns over tensions within migrant communities working in Calabria’s agricultural sector. According to the newspaper, the area has recorded 14 arson incidents involving cars and minivans used by Pakistani migrants in recent months.

Investigators are examining whether the killings were linked to disputes over access to seasonal farm work, residency documentation, or accommodation, issues that have periodically generated friction among migrant workers in the region.

Calabria’s agricultural industry relies heavily on foreign labor, with migrant workers often employed in seasonal harvesting and farm-related activities across the region’s extensive farming districts.

Authorities have not disclosed additional details regarding the motive for the attack as the investigation continues.

Shams Sadiq, 51, who owns two cafes in Manchester and has publicly supported Palestinian causes, said the approach occurred on May 15 at Ashton-under-Lyne police station when he attended to retrieve electronic devices seized following his arrest last year in connection with alleged offenses linked to Palestine Action.

Sadiq told The Guardian that two officers, whom he believed were connected to Operation Wildflower, a Greater Manchester Police initiative focused on activism-related concerns, informed him they were aware of his involvement with Palestine Action but that no charges would be brought arising from his arrest.

According to Sadiq, the officers then sought his cooperation, telling him there were advantages to assisting authorities. He alleged that financial benefits were discussed and that officers suggested they could overlook certain minor infractions, while making clear that serious crimes would not be tolerated.

Sadiq said the officers also referenced his standing within the local community, leading him to believe they were interested in information about individuals attending mosques or holding extremist views.

The allegations come amid heightened scrutiny of Palestine Action, a pro-Palestinian activist organization that has faced increased attention from British authorities over direct-action campaigns targeting companies and institutions linked to Israel.

In a separate incident four days before the alleged recruitment attempt, Sadiq said he was stopped and questioned for more than three hours at Manchester Airport under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act after returning from Morocco. He was not arrested but said officers questioned him about Palestine Action, Iran and his financial circumstances, including his mortgage obligations.

Sadiq told The Guardian that his electronic devices were confiscated during the airport stop and later returned following a meeting with officers at the airport. He said the officers were cordial and apologetic during that encounter.

A vocal supporter of Palestinian causes, Sadiq has attended demonstrations and produced stickers for Palestinian organizations and cultural events. Local media previously reported that miniature Israeli flags were placed on the door of one of his cafes following his public activism.

Sadiq said he decided to speak publicly about the alleged recruitment effort because of concerns for his safety and reputation. He said his arrest last year had affected relationships within his community and that he feared ongoing scrutiny despite not being charged.
His solicitor, Simon Pook, said formal representations were being made to Greater Manchester Police regarding the incident.

Pook questioned whether the use of Schedule 7 powers was appropriate if the objective had been to encourage cooperation with law enforcement rather than investigate suspected terrorism-related activity.
Neither police nor other authorities were quoted in the report as responding to the allegations.

The group, comprising seven women and 12 children, was scheduled to arrive in Sydney and Melbourne on Tuesday, according to Australian officials. Their return follows the repatriation earlier this month of another group of 13 Australians from the same region, some of whom were subsequently charged with terrorism-related offenses.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said law enforcement and intelligence agencies had spent years preparing for such returns and would closely monitor those arriving.

“Anyone who has committed crimes can expect to face the full force of the law,” Burke said in a statement, emphasizing that community safety remained the government’s primary concern.

The minister added that the government had not provided assistance for the latest group’s travel arrangements, describing the individuals as people who had chosen to associate with a terrorist organization and place their children in dangerous circumstances.

The returnees were being held in Roj Camp, a detention facility in northeastern Syria near the Iraqi border that has housed women and children associated with Daesh since the group’s territorial defeat in 2019.

Following the departure of the latest group, at least two Australian nationals are expected to remain at the camp. One woman subject to a temporary exclusion order, a legal mechanism designed to delay the return of high-risk citizens for up to two years, was not among those traveling back to Australia.

The repatriations highlight the continuing challenge facing governments around the world as they deal with citizens who traveled to territories once controlled by Daesh. Australia introduced temporary exclusion orders in 2019 as part of broader legislation aimed at managing the return of suspected foreign fighters and their families.

Authorities have already demonstrated a willingness to pursue legal action against returnees. Three of the four women repatriated earlier this month were charged with slavery and terrorism-related offenses and remain in custody pending legal proceedings.
Among those charged were Kawsar Ahmed, also known as Kawsar Abbas, and her daughter Zeinab Ahmed, who were arrested upon arrival in Melbourne over allegations connected to the purchase of a Yazidi woman held as a slave during Daesh’s rule.

Another returnee, Janai Safar, was detained in Sydney and charged with membership in a terrorist organization as well as entering or remaining in territory controlled by a terrorist group.
Australian governments have conducted several organized repatriation efforts since the collapse of Daesh’s self-declared caliphate, while other citizens have returned independently without official assistance.

The latest operation reflects Canberra’s continuing policy of bringing back women and children from Syrian detention camps while relying on criminal investigations, intelligence monitoring and court proceedings to address potential security risks posed by returning adults.

Appearing before a royal commission investigating Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in decades, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation chief Mike Burgess said the agency had been “stretched” by competing security challenges, including religious extremism, politically motivated violence and the growing radicalization of young people online.

The inquiry is examining the circumstances surrounding the December attack at Bondi Beach, where authorities allege that Sajid Akram and his son Naveed opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration attended by Jewish families, killing 15 people and triggering a nationwide debate over security failures and rising antisemitism.

Questioned about Australia’s counterterrorism capabilities before the attack, Burgess acknowledged mounting operational demands on the intelligence service but rejected suggestions that resource constraints had prevented investigations into significant threats.

“We were not leaving serious matters untreated or uninvestigated,” Burgess told the commission, adding that intelligence agencies could not anticipate every potential threat despite extensive monitoring efforts.
He said that, even in hindsight, he believed the agency’s resources were sufficient to address the security challenges it faced at the time.

Burgess is expected to provide further evidence in a closed hearing focused on classified intelligence matters and operational arrangements that cannot be discussed publicly.

The attack has prompted intense scrutiny of Australia’s security framework and sparked broader concerns about the safety of Jewish communities. It also led to calls for stronger measures against violent extremism and hate-motivated attacks.

In response to the shooting, the Australian government announced a package of firearm reforms, including a proposed nationwide gun buyback program. However, implementation has slowed amid difficulties securing support from state and territorial governments, whose cooperation is required for nationwide enforcement.

The inquiry is being led by former High Court judge Virginia Bell and is expected to examine intelligence assessments, law enforcement responses and broader policy issues linked to the attack.

Authorities said alleged gunman Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police during the assault. His son, Naveed Akram, 24, remains in custody and has been charged with terrorism offenses and 15 counts of murder.

Royal commissions are among Australia’s most powerful public inquiries and can run for months or years while examining evidence and making recommendations for legislative and institutional reform.

The incident unfolded on Saturday evening when a man identified by police as 21-year-old Nasire Best allegedly fired toward a security checkpoint near the White House. Secret Service personnel returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The unidentified bystander sustained a gunshot wound during the exchange of fire. Officials said the injury was not considered life-threatening, though authorities have not determined whether the individual was struck by the suspect’s gunfire or during the officers’ response.

The United States Secret Service said no officers were injured. Secret Service Director Sean Curran expressed concern for the wounded civilian and said the agency hoped for a full recovery.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting, according to officials.
Authorities have released limited information regarding the motive behind the attack. In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the suspect appeared to have a “possible obsession” with the White House and linked the incident to his broader calls for expanded security measures around the presidential complex.

The president has requested congressional funding for a major security expansion of the White House campus, including the construction of a large ballroom and additional protective infrastructure. Following the shooting, Trump argued that enhanced facilities would contribute to future presidential security.

Court records show Best had a previous encounter with law enforcement near the White House in July 2025. During that incident, he was arrested after allegedly attempting to enter White House grounds near another checkpoint, ignoring police orders and making statements claiming he was Jesus Christ.

Investigators are reviewing the latest shooting as concerns grow over a series of security incidents near the president. The attack marked the third shooting-related episode in the vicinity of Trump within the past month.

In April, an armed individual breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, while earlier this month Secret Service officers shot and wounded another man following a confrontation near the Washington Monument.

Best graduated from Dundalk High School in Maryland in 2023 and had previously participated in track and field athletics. In comments reported by U.S. media, a woman identifying herself as his mother said she learned of the shooting through social media and disputed portrayals of her son as a violent person.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and federal authorities.

A series of arson attacks targeting Melbourne’s hospitality and liquor sectors has drawn attention to the increasing involvement of teenagers in organised criminal activity, with police warning that young offenders are being recruited as low-cost operatives to carry out high-risk attacks.

Investigators examining the attacks, which have been linked to what authorities describe as the city’s ongoing “hospitality wars,” say criminal groups are increasingly turning to juveniles because they are viewed as expendable and face less severe legal consequences than adult offenders.

Law enforcement officials have indicated that some young people involved in the attacks were allegedly offered less than A$1,000 to carry out acts of arson.Police have argued that organised crime groups are exploiting the differences between youth and adult sentencing frameworks, allowing criminal networks to distance themselves from direct involvement while relying on minors to execute attacks.

Authorities say the trend presents a significant challenge because it combines organised criminal planning with the recruitment of young people who often have limited prior contact with the justice system.

The issue has become more prominent following several attacks on hospitality-related businesses across Melbourne, including the firebombing of the Keysborough headquarters of liquor company 80 Proof on April 23 and a fire at Melbourne CBD venue Bar Bambi two days later.

More recently, Ladida nightclub was attacked on May 5 as part of the broader pattern of incidents under investigation.Two teenagers charged over some of the earlier attacks have already been sentenced and released into the community. The youths, aged 15 and 16, pleaded guilty to offences connected to the attacks on 80 Proof and Bar Bambi.

According to court outcomes, both teenagers had no prior convictions before the offences.The court imposed youth supervision orders rather than custodial sentences. Such orders require offenders to comply with strict conditions while remaining in the community for a specified period.

One of the teenagers was released without a conviction being recorded.The sentencing outcomes have prompted concern among some business owners affected by the attacks, particularly those who suffered significant financial losses. The owners of 80 Proof said the fire caused extensive damage to company property and inventory, with the destruction of a building valued at more than A$3 million and stock estimated at approximately A$1 million.

In a joint statement, the owners questioned whether the punishment reflected the seriousness of the offending. They argued that the consequences extended beyond property damage and had significant effects on employees and business operations.“This was not a minor offence,” the owners said, noting that the fire resulted in the loss of eight jobs and severely affected the livelihoods of another 15 workers.

They said many of those impacted had families who depended on the business for income.The owners also pointed to comments made during sentencing proceedings, saying the judge acknowledged the seriousness of the offences and noted that nobody had been physically injured.

However, they argued that the broader consequences of the attack should also be considered.“Even the judge reportedly acknowledged it was serious offending and that it was lucky nobody was physically hurt,” the statement said. “The reality is a lot of people were hurt by their actions; emotionally, financially, professionally and psychologically.”

The business owners said they believed the penalties imposed did not adequately reflect the damage caused by the attack and expressed concern about the potential message sent by the sentencing outcome.“At the moment, it feels like victims, businesses and employees are the ones carrying the real punishment while the actual offenders face very little accountability,” the statement said.

“We do not believe justice was served today, and we are deeply concerned by the message this sentencing sends.”The case highlights the tension between youth justice principles, which often emphasize rehabilitation for first-time offenders, and the concerns of businesses and victims seeking accountability for serious crimes.

Courts typically take into account factors including age, prior criminal history, guilty pleas and prospects for rehabilitation when determining sentences for juvenile offenders.

Police, meanwhile, have continued to focus on the broader criminal networks believed to be behind the attacks. Investigators view the teenagers who carried out individual incidents as only one part of a larger criminal ecosystem in which organisers recruit younger people to perform tasks while attempting to shield senior figures from direct legal exposure.

Law enforcement officials say disrupting those recruitment pipelines has become a central objective. Authorities have stressed that the response requires cooperation across government agencies and law enforcement bodies rather than focusing solely on individual offenders.

The comments reflect growing concern among investigators that organised crime groups are adapting their methods in response to policing pressures. By using minors with little or no criminal history, criminal networks can reduce costs, complicate investigations and limit the risk of lengthy prison sentences for those carrying out attacks.

For businesses caught up in the violence, however, the immediate concern remains the damage caused by the attacks and the uncertainty surrounding the motives behind them. An owner of 80 Proof said the company still does not know why it was targeted.

According to the owner, police have advised that the incident is being treated as part of the broader pattern of arson attacks under investigation.Authorities have not publicly identified the individuals or groups believed to be directing the attacks, and investigations into the wider network remain ongoing.

Police continue to examine links between multiple incidents across Melbourne’s hospitality and liquor industries as they seek to determine who organised the attacks and why specific businesses were selected.

Mérida Sánchez, 66, is the first of 10 current or former Mexican officials indicted by U.S. prosecutors last month to appear before a court. Federal authorities accused him and others of protecting cartel operations and helping move large quantities of narcotics into the United States.

The former security official did not enter a plea during the hearing and was ordered detained pending further proceedings. Court records showed he is scheduled to return to court on June 1. A message seeking comment was left with his lawyer.

Prosecutors charged Mérida Sánchez with narcotics importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy involving prohibited weapons offenses. If convicted, he faces a potential prison sentence ranging from 40 years to life.

The indictment also named Rubén Rocha Moya and Juan de Dios Gámez Mendívil among the accused officials. Both men announced temporary leaves of absence after the charges were unveiled but have not been taken into custody.

Mexico’s Security Cabinet said on social media that Mérida Sánchez crossed into the United States from Hermosillo, Sonora, on Monday and was detained by the U.S. Marshals Service at the Nogales border crossing in Arizona before being transferred to New York.Mérida Sánchez served as secretary of public security in Sinaloa from September 2023 until resigning in December 2024.

In that role, he oversaw the state police force and senior law enforcement appointments.According to the indictment, Mérida Sánchez received at least $100,000 in monthly cash payments from “Los Chapitos,” a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel led by sons of imprisoned cartel leader Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán.

Prosecutors alleged the payments were made in exchange for targeting rival groups and leaking sensitive law enforcement information.Federal authorities said Mérida Sánchez warned cartel members about at least 10 planned raids on drug laboratories and safe houses during 2023, allowing operatives to remove drugs, weapons and personnel before authorities arrived.

Some of the accused officials are affiliated with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Morena party. Following the indictments, Sheinbaum said Mexico would not shield any official proven to have committed crimes, but argued that any prosecution involving Mexican public officials should occur within Mexico’s judicial system.

Her remarks came amid heightened tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened military action against drug cartels operating in Mexico.Mexico’s Foreign Ministry and Security Cabinet said they remain in institutional communication with U.S. authorities under existing bilateral cooperation frameworks.“El Chapo” Guzmán was convicted in the United States in 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Another senior cartel figure, Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, pleaded guilty last year to U.S. drug trafficking charges and is scheduled to be sentenced in July.