News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Jan. 26, 2026: You may not know his face. You may not even know his name. But if you’ve listened to reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, pop, or rock over the last half-century, you have almost certainly heard his drums.
Lowell Fillmore “Sly” Dunbar, the legendary Jamaican drummer and one-half of the groundbreaking rhythm duo Sly and Robbie, has died at the age of 73. His wife, Thelma Dunbar, confirmed his passing after finding him unresponsive at their home early Monday morning, January 26th. His death marks the loss of one of the most influential musicians Jamaica ever produced and comes on the heels of the passing recently of Third World co-founder, Cat Coore.
Born on May 10, 1952, in Kingston, Dunbar began drumming as a teenager, quickly earning a reputation for precision, versatility, and innovation. By age 15, he was already performing professionally, first with The Yardbrooms and later with the Ansell Collins–led band Skin, Flesh & Bones. His earliest recordings came through collaborations with Dave and Ansell Collins, laying the foundation for a career that would reshape global music.
Dunbar’s life changed in 1972 when he met bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Their partnership became one of the most prolific and influential rhythm sections in modern music. Together, they formed the duo Sly & Robbie, often referred to as the “Riddim Twins,” whose sound would define reggae and dancehall while crossing seamlessly into rock, pop, and hip-hop.
Working closely with producer Bunny Lee and the Aggrovators, Sly and Robbie helped drive Jamaica’s golden era of roots reggae before pushing the genre forward with digital rhythms and experimental production in the late 1970s and 1980s. Their influence reached far beyond the Caribbean. The duo recorded and performed with artists including Peter Tosh, Grace Jones, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, and countless others.
In 1980, the pair launched Taxi Records, a label that became a powerhouse of Jamaican music. Taxi Records introduced and elevated artists such as Black Uhuru, Ini Kamoze, Beenie Man, Red Dragon, and Chaka Demus and Pliers, shaping the sound of dancehall for a new generation while keeping reggae globally relevant.
Dunbar’s drumming style was unmistakable – crisp, inventive, and deeply musical. He blended traditional Caribbean rhythms with funk, rock, and electronic influences, creating grooves that were both complex and accessible. His credits spanned from Junior Murvin’s Police and Thieves to Bob Marley’s Punky Reggae Party, as well as Bob Dylan’s albums Infidels and Empire Burlesque. Few drummers in history have left fingerprints across so many genres.
His longtime musical partner Robbie Shakespeare passed away in December 2021, making Dunbar’s death especially poignant for fans who saw the duo as inseparable. Together, they redefined what a rhythm section could be — not just backing musicians, but architects of sound.
Dunbar’s contributions did not go unrecognized. He was awarded Jamaica’s Order of Distinction and received the Musgrave Gold Medal in 2015 for his outstanding service to music. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Minnesota in May 2025, further underscoring the global reach of his work. Dunbar was set to be honored at Reggae Genealogy on Feb. 7th in Fort Lauderdale.
The Jamaican entertainment industry is again in mourning, following the loss of yet another cultural giant. But Sly Dunbar’s death does not silence his legacy. His rhythms live on in the music that still fills dance floors, radio stations, films, and playlists around the world.
You may not have known his name before today. But you’ve likely heard his drums your whole life — and you always will.
Since moving to Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham has been scoring in areas that very few defenders typically check. As Bellingham has shown himself to be a threat consistently with late runs into the box, he has provided crucial goals for Madrid and is altering the manner in which Madrid scores on their opportunities. What we are seeing from Bellingham is far more than simply a “lucky” midfielder; it is a position based upon creating space and timing with confidence. This isn’t an anomaly – there are patterns developing. The pattern of Madrid’s current goal-scoring formula is Jude Bellingham. To see how they are currently finding the back of the net, follow him.
From Midfielder to Final Third Threat
Bellingham, as a connector, has turned into a finisher. Ancelotti allows Bellingham to attack empty space because he knows that he can be trusted. Bellingham usually begins a lot closer to the back than — much like how you need to know when to use the MelBet apk to place your bet — it is a timing issue for him to quickly move into empty space when the ball is moved out to the sides of the field. The delay in his run creates the ability for him to stay on the outside of the defense and also makes him completely invisible to the defense.
Unlike bursting into the attacking third, Bellingham does not move forward each time he receives the pass. In games against Barcelona and Napoli, he was able to score from second balls and rebounded passes – arriving at the exact right moment. Bellingham does not have an off-day or lose focus; he will choose when he decides to enter the attacking third. His decisions are based on efficiency rather than chaos. Once he enters the attacking third, he is usually not marked. And he is always decisive.
Vertical Runs Replace Traditional No.10 Play
Instead of the traditional No.10 role in Madrid, Bellingham has been given more vertical freedom, so instead of sitting in spaces, he attacks them as soon as they open. However, this type of play will only work if other players complete their jobs.
To support this new style of play for Bellingham:
Both Vinicius and Rodrygo have been running wide and taking defenders with them.
The teams’ switches have forced the back line to move sideways.
The midfielders are providing structure while delaying defensive pressure.
Together, these factors create space down the middle for Bellingham to run through, not to be noticed — but to score. The style is not glamorous; it is simply cold, clinical geometry.
Narrow Front Three Creates Central Gaps
Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo, and Joselu all operate high and tight and pull full backs in toward the center of the field; that configuration (like positioning pieces on the MelBet app download apk latest version) forces the opponent’s line to collapse, which collapses the vertical space between the two lines as well as between the full back and central defender.
That is Bellingham’s zone; with the defenders’ attention occupied, he is able to break through the line, not because of his speed, but due to his timing.
Madrid does not force the ball to a #10. They instead create space and use movement to locate finishers. In this formation, Bellingham does not wait for space to open up — He attacks the area where space has just been created.
Photo: Pixabay
Penalty Area Presence Wins Matches
Bellingham isn’t simply running to the box for the sake of doing so; he’s running with purpose. For him, being in the box as an option or advantage isn’t how he views the situation. When a game comes down to a scoring opportunity, Bellingham is usually the one who creates that opportunity. And most importantly, when the match is at a standstill, Bellingham is the player who breaks the deadlock, and he does this based on timing alone.
The data also supports this — Bellingham has scored more than 10 league goals in his first La Liga season, and these goals are typically created from box entries (opportunities that arise when players enter the opponent’s penalty area) rather than shots taken from distance. With that said, Real Madrid feels confident in Bellingham’s ability to be around the goalmouth, and often, he makes decisions that end up determining the outcome of games. The way he scores is very direct. He has the ability to score consistently. And ultimately, he wins.
A Blueprint for the Future
Madrid’s system is built to amplify its best traits. Bellingham’s timing and instincts are central to that. His role is no longer typical of a Madrid midfielder—but it’s becoming the new normal. With balance behind him and freedom ahead, his ceiling keeps rising. And so does Madrid.
Romanceast messaging is where romantic interactions might begin, which is why etiquette plays a central role in how connections develop over time. On a comm platform centered around written communication, messages carry more meaning than many users expect.
Without tone of voice, facial expressions, or immediate feedback, small details such as wording, timing, and pacing can shape the entire interaction. This Romanceast review explains messaging etiquette. It may offer practical advice that users can apply while communicating on the platform, whether they are just starting or refining their approach.
1. Start Before You Message
Messaging etiquette does not start with typing. It begins with preparation. Taking time to read profiles carefully helps users avoid assumptions and generic messages. When people browse profiles on Romanceast, they may get context about interests, tone, and communication preferences.
Referencing something specific from a Romanceast profile may create a natural entry point. It signals attention without pressure and makes the first message easier to answer. This approach often leads to steadier conversations than dramatic or emotionally loaded introductions.
Understanding profile information on Romanceast also helps manage expectations. Profiles offer clues about how much someone may want to engage, how they express themselves, and what topics might be appropriate early on.
2. Keep Early Messages Simple and Grounded
It all starts with the Romanceast login. Early messages on the platform usually work best when they are short, clear, and neutral. Long explanations, personal disclosures, or emotional statements can place pressure on someone who is still deciding whether to engage.
A simple greeting on Romanceast combined with one clear question often keeps the conversation open. This style allows both people to ease into communication at their own pace. Over time, users often notice that clarity reduces misunderstandings and makes conversations easier to sustain.
Timing on Romanceast matters just as much as wording. Responding instantly is not expected, and slower replies are common. Allowing space between messages is part of respectful etiquette on Romanceast, especially in the early stages.
3. Balance Questions, Sharing, and Timing
Good messaging etiquette involves balance. Conversations can stall if one person only asks questions or only talks about themselves. On Romanceast, balanced exchanges usually feel more natural and less forced.
Sharing small details alongside questions possibly helps create a mutual rhythm on Romanceast. It keeps the conversation from turning into an interview while still moving it forward. Matching the general length and pace of the other person’s messages may also help reduce friction.
Topic choice on Romanceast may play a role here. Early conversations often benefit from everyday, neutral subjects. More personal topics may develop later if both people show interest. Rushing emotional depth too soon can feel intrusive rather than engaging.
4. Respect Boundaries and Signals on Romanceast
Setting personal boundaries is important for well-being, according to data on self-care. Messaging etiquette includes recognizing boundaries, even when they are not stated directly. Short replies, longer response times, or topic shifts can signal limits. Adjusting communication in response to these cues may support respectful interaction on Romanceast.
Silence is also part of online communication. Pauses often happen due to schedule changes, shifting priorities, or simple uncertainty. Accepting these pauses without pressure is an important aspect of polite messaging.
Tone deserves attention as well. Emojis can add warmth, but overuse may distract from meaning. Clear language usually communicates intent better than sarcasm or playful ambiguity, especially early on. When communication aligns with personal comfort levels, interaction on Romanceast may feel calmer and more manageable.
5. Trust, Safety, and Platform Awareness
As users spend more time on the platform, they naturally become curious about how it works. Reading a review can help users understand typical messaging patterns, moderation practices, and platform structure.
Questions such as what Romanceast is often come up when users want clarity about the platform’s purpose. It functions as a romantic communication space where users connect through profiles and ongoing messaging rather than fast matching.
Over time, users may look into whether Romanceast is legit, especially if they are new to online platforms. Reviewing official policies, support pages, and user guidelines often provides clearer context than outside opinions.
Safety is closely linked to etiquette. Keeping conversations on the platform, avoiding pressure to move to private channels early, and using reporting tools when necessary all support safer communication. Understanding whether Romanceast is safe often comes from learning how moderation systems function rather than relying on assumptions.
Accessing features through login gives users control over message history, settings, and interaction pace. Using these tools thoughtfully may help maintain consistency and emotional balance. And the questions about whether Romanceast is real or not will not bother you.
6. Ending or Pausing Conversations Gracefully
Not every conversation continues, and that is a normal part of online interactions. Messaging etiquette on Romanceast might include accepting endings without confrontation or explanation.
Some conversations might fade naturally, while others end with a brief, polite message. Both approaches are common. Responding calmly helps preserve emotional energy and keeps interactions respectful.
As users gain experience, they often reflect on what Romanceast is used for in their own routine. For many, it becomes a space for steady romantic communication rather than immediate outcomes. This understanding often shapes how much time and attention they give to each conversation.
Rarely, users may encounter claims questioning whether Romanceast is fake. Evaluating such statements calmly by reviewing platform information and personal experience usually provides better clarity than reacting emotionally.
Final Thoughts on Messaging Etiquette
Messaging etiquette on the platform centers on awareness, patience, and respect. Thoughtful communication does not require perfect phrasing or constant engagement. It simply requires attention to how messages might be received.
When Romanceast users approach chats with steady pacing, clear language, and respect for boundaries, conversations are more likely to remain comfortable and sustainable. Over time, messaging may feel more natural and less uncertain as habits develop and expectations adjust.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It was sponsored by Romanceast and does not provide professional, psychological, or relationship advice. Personal experiences vary, and outcomes are not guaranteed.
SEC whistleblower advocates’ eligibility calculator helps screen cases before filing.
Most people don’t know if their information qualifies for the SEC whistleblower program. Employees at publicly traded companies witness potential violations daily. Corporate insiders see questionable accounting. Compliance officers spot unauthorized trading. Senior executives observe suspicious transactions. Few understand whether observations meet legal thresholds.
Experienced SEC whistleblower attorneys help potential clients evaluate eligibility before filing. SEC Whistleblower Advocates created a proprietary eligibility calculator to assist in screening. The tool helps people assess whether their information might qualify for the SEC whistleblower program. A free consultation provides a detailed evaluation from former prosecutors.
Why Eligibility Screening Matters
The Dodd-Frank Act established specific requirements for SEC whistleblower claims. Federal securities laws define what constitutes qualifying information. Not every workplace concern meets the threshold. Understanding eligibility prevents wasted effort and protects careers.
The Securities and Exchange Commission receives over 20,000 submissions annually. The exchange commission opens roughly 2,000 investigations yearly. Most whistleblower claims never advance past initial review. Submissions lacking key elements get dismissed quickly.
SEC whistleblower law requires original information about securities violations. Generic complaints don’t qualify. Observations from public sources fail eligibility tests. Information must come from independent knowledge. The SEC relies on corporate insiders who possess non-public details.
How the Eligibility Calculator Works
SEC Whistleblower Advocates developed screening tools based on decades of enforcement experience. Jordan Thomas served as a principal architect of the SEC whistleblower program. He knows what the exchange commission requires. His team designed the calculator to assess key qualification factors.
The tool evaluates several critical elements. Does the information relate to federal securities laws violations? Have potential violations occurred within statute limitations? Does the whistleblower possess independent knowledge? Will successful enforcement action likely exceed the $1 million threshold?
Complex securities laws make self-assessment difficult. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act covers certain violations. The False Claims Act applies to specific fraud cases. The Consumer Protection Act addresses consumer-related securities fraud. Determining which law applies requires expertise.
Key Eligibility Requirements
Original Information Requirement
SEC whistleblower attorneys explain that information must be original. Public domain facts don’t qualify. News reports fail the test. Information derived from public filings gets rejected. The SEC office needs details not available elsewhere.
Corporate insiders possess qualifying knowledge. Employees witness securities violations firsthand. Compliance officers discover regulatory violations during audits. Senior executives observe corporate misconduct in real time. Internal reporting sometimes provides original information.
Securities Law Violations
Qualifying violations must breach federal securities laws. Securities fraud schemes qualify clearly. Market manipulation meets requirements. Investment fraud through Ponzi schemes works. Financial fraud involving publicly traded companies counts.
Violations must involve securities specifically. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission handles commodities fraud. Other law enforcement agencies pursue non-securities matters. SEC whistleblower claims require securities violations under SEC rules.
Monetary Threshold
Successful SEC enforcement action must collect over $1 million in monetary sanctions. Small violations don’t generate whistleblower awards. The enforcement must result in significant financial penalties. Monies collected determine award eligibility.
Whistleblower reward calculations depend on recovery amounts. Awards range from 10 to 30 percent of monetary sanctions. A $10 million enforcement generates $1 million to $3 million in potential awards. Larger cases produce bigger whistleblower awards.
Independent Knowledge
SEC whistleblowers need independent analysis beyond public information. Reading news articles doesn’t create eligibility. Reviewing public filings alone fails. Independent knowledge comes from workplace access or specialized analysis.
Employees possess independent knowledge through job duties. Accountants analyzing financial fraud have expertise. Traders’ understanding of market manipulation schemes brings value. Foreign officials aware of bribery possess unique information.
What the Calculator Cannot Replace
The eligibility calculator provides initial screening. SEC whistleblower attorneys offer a detailed case evaluation. A confidential consultation examines facts thoroughly. Former prosecutors assess legal options comprehensively.
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The legal team collectively handled more than 500 enforcement actions. Former government experience enables accurate eligibility assessment. SEC whistleblower law expertise developed over the decades.
Common Violations That Qualify
Corporate Disclosure and Financial Fraud
Corporate disclosure violations account for 25 percent of whistleblower claims. Companies submit false financial statements to regulatory authorities. Executives manipulate quarterly earnings. Investors receive misleading information. Financial fraud hides actual company performance.
Market Manipulation Schemes
Market manipulation creates artificial stock prices. Coordinated trading inflates values temporarily. Pump and dump operations deceive investors. Unauthorized trading occurs without client approval. SEC relies on insiders to detect schemes.
Investment Fraud and Ponzi Schemes
Ponzi schemes promise guaranteed returns. Early investors receive payments from new money. Investment fraud destroys retirement savings. Financial fraud schemes collapse eventually. Corporate insiders often see warning signs first.
Foreign Bribery
Violations involving foreign officials generate massive penalties. Companies pay bribes to secure contracts. International clients report cross-border schemes. The SEC office coordinates with other law enforcement on global cases.
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Whistleblower rights include protection from adverse employment actions. Companies cannot fire employees who report regulatory violations. Internal reporting sometimes triggers retaliation claim situations. Federal court protections help SEC whistleblowers.
Successful whistleblower retaliation claims result in double back pay. Employees get reinstated to their positions. Legal violations of retaliation laws carry consequences. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act provides specific protections.
International Eligibility Questions
International clients face unique eligibility considerations. Securities violations occur worldwide. International whistleblowers can file SEC whistleblower claims. Location doesn’t disqualify information.
The exchange commission pursues violations globally. Companies doing business in America fall under the jurisdiction. Foreign officials involved in bribery schemes qualify. International fraud cases meet requirements.
The Contingency Fee Advantage
The SEC whistleblower law firm works on a contingency fee basis. SEC whistleblower clients pay nothing upfront. Attorney fees come only from eventual whistleblower awards. Excessive fees never surprise clients.
Eligibility screening happens at no cost. Confidential consultation includes a detailed case review. Whistleblower clients understand their legal options before committing.
What Happens After Screening
Accepted cases undergo months of development. The legal team builds comprehensive submissions. Industry experts consult on technical matters. Evidence gets organized strategically. Former prosecutors craft filings matching SEC priorities.
The SEC’s Division receives submissions prepared by experienced sec whistleblower attorneys. Quality matters more than speed. Thorough preparation increases the chances of successful enforcement action. Cases developed properly stand out during vetting.
Why Self-Assessment Helps
Understanding eligibility early protects careers. Premature reporting damages credibility. Incomplete information wastes SEC resources. Proper screening identifies strong SEC whistleblower cases before submission.
The firm accepts fewer than 12 whistleblower cases annually. Selectivity benefits accepted whistleblower clients. Resources get concentrated on matters with the highest potential. Rigorous screening enables ultra-selective practice.
Choosing SEC whistleblower attorneys who provide eligibility screening tools means working with the SEC Whistleblower Advocates’ team that invested in helping potential clients assess their situations accurately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes an SEC whistleblower lawyer’s eligibility assessment more accurate than self-evaluation?
An SEC whistleblower lawyer with former enforcement experience understands the technical requirements for original information, independent knowledge standards, and monetary thresholds that determine whether cases qualify for an SEC whistleblower award.
How does a specialized whistleblower lawyer evaluate cases differently from general practitioners?
A specialized whistleblower lawyer who previously worked inside the SEC knows exactly which details the agency prioritizes during vetting, while other law firms without enforcement backgrounds may miss critical eligibility factors.
What role does the eligibility calculator play before formal case evaluation?
The eligibility calculator provides initial screening to help potential whistleblowers assess basic qualification factors before scheduling detailed case evaluation with former prosecutors who determine whether information meets all program requirements.
At major airports along the Northeast corridor the FAA warned of continued weather-related delays and the possibility of ground stops due to snow and low visibility
A sweeping U.S. winter storm of snow and ice delivered the worst single day of flight cancellations since the Covid-19 pandemic, grounding more than 11,000 flights and triggering roughly 17,000 delays on Sunday, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The disruption, hitting during a high-volume weekend travel window, strained airlines, airports and utilities and raised the risk of continued delays into the start of the workweek.
The scale of the shutdown was reflected in flight-tracking data. Reuters reported that early Monday totals still showed about 3,800 cancellations and more than 1,000 delays, after Sunday’s peak, citing FlightAware. The storm was driven by a low-pressure system near New England, spreading freezing rain and heavy snow across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic while also affecting parts of the Southeast coast and the Appalachian region.
Federal aviation authorities moved into planning and recovery mode. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said its command center held storm-preparation planning calls with airlines and airports, and worked with carriers to reposition aircraft ahead of anticipated closures. After the storm, the FAA said the recovery would focus on snow and ice removal, aircraft de-icing and air-traffic management measures such as reroutes and ground delays as operations ramp back up.
At major airports along the Northeast corridor — including New York-area hubs and Washington-area facilities — the FAA warned of continued weather-related delays and the possibility of ground stops due to snow and low visibility. Reuters noted that the storm heavily affected airlines with large operations in the East and South, and that carriers issued waivers and flexible rebooking options for stranded travelers.
The disruption extended well beyond commercial schedules. AP reported that more than 11,400 flights were canceled on Sunday and cited industry analytics suggesting the event ranked as the largest experienced cancellation episode since 2020, underscoring how quickly winter conditions can cascade through hub-and-spoke networks.
Outside aviation, the storm put pressure on critical infrastructure. Reuters reported that over 820,000 customers were without power across multiple states, with the Southeast particularly affected. Local authorities emphasized safety messaging over hazardous roads, downed trees and frozen pipes, while emergency declarations and response measures expanded across storm-hit areas.
For businesses, a mass flight shutdown carries immediate implications for time-sensitive air cargo, last-mile logistics and regional supply chains, at a time when weather-driven disruptions increasingly intersect with economic resilience planning. How quickly airlines, airports and air-traffic management systems normalize will determine whether the impact remains concentrated in a critical weekend or spills into broader weekly commerce and mobility.
Bessent claimed it was “very clear” that Kirchnerist sectors were trying to “trigger a market disruption” to affect the electoral landscape
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised Argentine President Javier Milei and defended the currency swap deal between the two countries, offering a mix of political and financial backing that the Trump administration frames as part of its broader Latin America strategy.
In an interview carried by Argentine media La Derecha Diario/RAV Español, Bessent said Milei “is going from being a great thinker to becoming a high-level politician,” and described Argentina as “the central objective of the U.S. strategy in Latin America.”
Bessent also linked the arrangement to market turbulence and Argentina’s domestic politics. In the same interview, he claimed it was “very clear” that Kirchnerist sectors were trying to “trigger a market disruption” to affect the electoral landscape—an allegation made without publicly presenting evidence in that format.
A US$20 billion swap and scrutiny in Washington
The swap—presented by the Trump administration as a financial “stabilization” tool—totals US$20 billion and was signed with Argentina’s central bank. The arrangement also included direct U.S. purchases of Argentine pesos in the market, according to that report.
Bessent argued it was not a giveaway. “Everyone said, ‘Oh, they’re giving the Argentines $20 billion.’ No, no, no… That was a loan,” he said, adding that Washington profited: “We ended up making money on the transaction.”
Reuters previously reported that Bessent said the Treasury made gains under the structure and that Argentina has already repaid US$2.5 billion. In the United States, critics cast the deal as a politically motivated bailout, while the administration described it as a bridge to maintain macroeconomic stabilization and market confidence in a country long battered by currency crises.
Political signals and Buenos Aires’ debate
Bessent’s remarks reinforce the perception of a close Milei–Trump relationship with implications beyond economics. In the interview, the Treasury secretary suggested Argentina’s pivot could reshape regional dynamics, naming several South American countries as potential candidates to “turn” toward Washington.
In Argentina, the government has defended the deal as a way to contain financial stress and support its reform agenda, while opposition figures and analysts continue to debate the political cost of deepening alignment with the United States—and the practical limits of the “stabilization” the agreement is meant to deliver.
On geographic distribution, the report identified Ceará and Minas Gerais as the states with the highest number of killings in 2025, with eight each
Brazil again topped the global ranking for killings of trans and travesti people despite a year-on-year decline in recorded murders, according to a new annual dossier released on Monday by the National Association of Travestis and Transsexuals (Antra). The report counted 80 killings in 2025, down from 122 in 2024 — a drop of about 34% that still leaves Brazil in first place for nearly 18 years, the group said.
Antra president Bruna Benevides framed the figures as the outcome of entrenched, systemic drivers rather than isolated incidents. “These are not isolated deaths,” she said at the dossier’s launch, describing a community exposed “from a very early age” to extreme violence shaped by social exclusion, racism, institutional abandonment and ongoing psychological suffering.
According to Antra, the dossier is built through daily monitoring of news reports, direct complaints submitted to trans organizations and public records. Benevides argued the methodology highlights a gap in state capacity: if civil society does not do the tracking, “the deaths simply do not exist for the state,” she said.
On geographic distribution, the report identified Ceará and Minas Gerais as the states with the highest number of killings in 2025, with eight each. By region, the violence was most concentrated in Brazil’s Northeast (38), followed by the Southeast (17), Center-West (12), North (7) and South (6). For the 2017–2025 period, Antra said São Paulo was the deadliest state in cumulative terms, with 155 deaths recorded.
While the murder count fell, the dossier reports an increase in attempted killings, warning that the decline does not necessarily indicate meaningful improvements in safety. Antra lists several factors that can obscure the true scale of violence: underreporting, low trust in law-enforcement and justice institutions, reduced media coverage and the lack of specific public policies to tackle transphobia. The organization also points to Brazil’s legal framework, noting — as referenced in a United Nations Brazil release — that the Supreme Federal Court has treated homophobic and transphobic conduct under the scope of the country’s Racism Law.
The Brazilian findings also align with broader regional patterns captured by international monitoring. TGEU’s Trans Murder Monitoring project, which compiles reported cases worldwide, recorded 281 murders of trans and gender-diverse people between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025. TGEU said 68% of reported murders occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, and that Brazil led the list for the 18th consecutive year, accounting for 30% of the reported cases in that period. The organization cautions that its figures depend on reporting and may undercount the real number due to data limitations and misreporting.
Antra’s ninth dossier will be presented at a ceremony hosted at Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights, with an official handover to federal government representatives, according to Agência Brasil.
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Jan. 26, 2026: In 1959, Haitian dictator François “Papa Doc” Duvalier created a paramilitary force that answered only to him. Empowered to use unrestrained violence, it existed to terrorize, silence, and eliminate perceived enemies.
FLASHBACK – :A corpse is unloaded from a tuck in downtown Port-Au-Prince 2/7 under the eyes of a Tonton Macoute. The bystanders said the badly beaten man was a Tonton Macoute.
This force – the Tonton Macoutes – was born not from law, but from paranoia: Duvalier replaced institutional accountability with personal loyalty enforced through brutality. Critics now argue that similar dynamics are emerging within ICE under the current administration, where political loyalty increasingly appears to eclipse institutional accountability.
Named after a Creole myth of an “uncle” who kidnaps disobedient children in a gunnysack, the Tonton Macoutes became a national nightmare. Armed with machetes and guns, wearing straw hats and dark glasses, they extorted businesses, kidnapped dissidents, and murdered civilians with impunity. They were not accountable to courts, legislatures, or law – only to Duvalier himself. Civil rights did not apply.
That history matters now in these United States.
Federal agents remove a protester they arrested on Nicollet Avenue near West 26th St. in south Minneapolis after Alex Pretti was fatally shot by federal agents in the area early Saturday morning, January 24, 2026. (Photo by Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
On January 24, 2026, another taxpayer-funded US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed an innocent American. He was gunned down in a cold, snowy, street – a moment so jarring that critics say it reflects the same moral coarsening publicly embraced by political leaders, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who wrote in her own memoir about shooting a puppy and a goat. or puppy. The killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, has shocked the nation to its core. Dozens of CEOs have issued statements, as have Presidents Obama and Clinton. It comes less than three weeks after the killing of another 37-year-old by ICE, Renee Good, and the killing of Keith Porter, 43.
“According to publicly reported data and investigative reporting, at least 27 ICE-related shootings occurred, leading to 8 deaths. At least 19 incidents of agents opening fire and 36 incidents where agents held bystanders or protesters at gunpoint were reported as of late 2025. At least six people have died in ICE detention centers since the start of 2026, following at least 30 deaths in ICE custody last year, a two-decade high.
Civil-rights advocates, legal scholars and even cultural figures are stunned. Singer Bruce Springsteen even used his recent concert to denounce the Trump administration’s use of ICE.
“We are living through incredibly critical times,” Springsteen told the audience. “The ideals and values this country has stood for are being tested as never before.” He condemned what he described as heavily armed federal agents using Gestapo-like tactics against American citizens exercising their right to protest.
Legal thinkers have echoed that concern. New York Times op ed writer David French has warned that the United States is drifting toward what Nazi-era legal scholar Ernst Fraenkel called a “dual state” – one system governed by law, another by unchecked power. Journalist M. Gessen, also in the Times op ed section, noted that in Europe, observers increasingly describe America as building detention camps that resemble historical authoritarian regimes.
Protesters gather in downtown Minneapolis demanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leave Minnesota following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents during a federal immigration enforcement operation, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 25, 2026. On January 24, federal agents shot dead US citizen Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, while scuffling with him on an icy roadway, less than three weeks after an immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good, also 37, in her car. His killing sparked new protests and impassioned demands by local leaders for the Trump administration to end its operation in the city. (Photo by Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images)
The constitutional principles at stake are the same. No one is arguing that immigration law should not be enforced. The question is how it is enforced – and whether any agency should operate with expanding powers, military equipment, and minimal accountability, while attacking civilians exercising their right to free speech, and arresting Native Americans and preschoolers.
History teaches us that when armed forces answer more to political authority than to law, abuse follows. Haitians know this lesson intimately. The Tonton Macoutes did not spring up overnight. They emerged gradually, justified by fear, normalized by silence, and enabled by impunity.
Americans should take heed. History rarely announces itself with sirens. It advances through normalization — through the quiet acceptance of practices once considered unthinkable. When armed agents answer more to political power than to law, when deaths are dismissed as procedure, and when fear becomes policy, the comparisons we resist today become the realities we inherit tomorrow.
Felicia J. Persaud is the founder and publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, the only daily syndicated newswire and digital platform dedicated exclusively to Caribbean Diaspora and Black immigrant news across the Americas.
The C-40 is not a standard commercial jet. It is a government transport platform based on the Boeing 737, used for official travel and support missions
A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-40 Clipper landed around midday Sunday at Ushuaia’s international airport — officially named “Ushuaia–‘Malvinas’ Argentinas” — an unusual arrival that drew immediate attention from local media and political observers in Tierra del Fuego.
Local reporting based on flight-tracking data said the aircraft operated under the RCH (“Reach”) callsign, commonly associated with the U.S. Air Mobility Command, and arrived after a multi-stop routing that included Buenos Aires before the final leg to Argentina’s far south.
The C-40 is not a standard commercial jet. It is a government transport platform based on the Boeing 737, used for official travel and support missions, including configurations intended for “distinguished visitors,” depending on the variant. With no official readout on passengers or purpose, local coverage speculated the flight could involve senior defense or diplomatic personnel.
Photo: Flightradar24
Political backdrop: a port takeover and Antarctic logistics
The landing comes amid escalating tensions between President Javier Milei’s administration and Tierra del Fuego Governor Gustavo Melella, after the federal government moved to take over the Ushuaia port’s administration for one year. Authorities cited alleged management and infrastructure issues and, crucially, suspected diversion of funds: the head of the relevant national agency said “more than 30%” of revenues were allegedly used to cover provincial expenses despite rules requiring reinvestment in the port. Melella rejected the decision, saying there was “no objective justification” for a move of that scale.
Ushuaia is also central to Argentina’s long-discussed integrated naval base / logistics hub plans tied to operations in the South Atlantic and Antarctica. In April 2024, Milei publicly backed the project in the southern city, calling it a “major logistics hub” aimed at positioning Argentina and the United States as a “gateway” to the white continent, according to national press coverage. U.S. Southern Command has likewise framed its regional posture in terms of strategic infrastructure and access in official visits and statements.
A widening bilateral defense track
Argentina–U.S. defense ties have strengthened in recent years, with combined drills and political signals of closer alignment. Reuters has reported on joint naval exercises and the broader geopolitical context of the relationship in the Southern Cone. Against that backdrop, a government-configured military aircraft arriving in Ushuaia is bound to be read through a strategic lens, even if the specific mission remains unclear.
As of publication, there was no official confirmation of who was aboard the C-40 or whether the visit was linked to the port intervention, the integrated base project, or Antarctic logistics coordination. In Ushuaia, where geography amplifies politics, the absence of answers ensured the landing did not go unnoticed.
Pretti case risks becoming a new stress test for federal authority, state autonomy, and public confidence in law enforcement operations
Protesters returned to the streets of Minneapolis demanding accountability after Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive-care nurse and U.S. citizen, was shot dead during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Multiple videos of the incident are now central to official reviews, as the episode triggers a fresh political clash between Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and the Trump administration—set against a broader national fight over “sanctuary” policies and how far local authorities should cooperate with federal immigration agencies.
Walz renewed his call for President Donald Trump to withdraw federal agents from Minnesota, calling the shooting “an inflection point” for the country. Trump, in turn, escalated pressure on state and city leaders. In a Truth Social post, he demanded that Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey hand over for deportation “criminal illegal aliens” held in state prisons and jails—an argument that echoes the administration’s wider campaign against jurisdictions that limit cooperation with ICE and other federal agencies.
Conflicting accounts as videos drive the investigation
State and federal officials have offered competing narratives about the moments before the fatal shot on Saturday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Pretti was killed because he was “brandishing” a gun. Local officials have countered that the weapon was legally registered and that the core question is whether Pretti displayed it as a threat—or was disarmed before the shooting.
New “angle” video shows moments before federal agents’ shooting that killed a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis, Minnesota, near Glam Doll Donuts.
Minneapolis police say he was a gun owner with a valid permit to carry; DHS has said he was armed with a gun and two magazines. #ICEpic.twitter.com/xpy030nt9B
On the federal side, Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino urged caution, arguing that an investigation is needed to “establish the facts” given the video evidence. Pretti’s parents, meanwhile, have publicly called for “the truth” about their son’s death.
The broader fault line: sanctuary policies and federal-local limits
The Minnesota standoff comes as the White House intensifies a political and legal push against sanctuary-style restrictions nationwide. In 2025, for example, a federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging Chicago and Illinois sanctuary laws, reinforcing the principle that Washington cannot compel state and local governments to carry out federal immigration enforcement—an argument tied to the Tenth Amendment.
In Minnesota, tensions sharpened further after the state Department of Corrections rebutted federal claims about the criminal background of the person agents said they were trying to detain, calling the public statements “inaccurate” and stating the individual had not been in state prison custody.
What comes next
The inquiry is unfolding amid institutional distrust. Walz has accused federal leaders of smearing the victim to justify force, while federal officials argue the deployment targets crime and facilitates deportations.
