Latest news with #Rodríguez
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Police seize €57 million in illegal Ozempic, peptides, and other black market drugs in global bust
Police agencies worldwide seized $65 million (€57.2 million) worth of counterfeit or unapproved medicines in a major international bust that took aim at the deluge of cheap fakes sold online. Between December and May, authorities in 90 countries – including 16 in the European Union – confiscated 50.4 million doses of drugs that were either fake, misbranded, unapproved, or diverted, according to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which coordinated the operation. In Europe, many of the seizures were for counterfeit or unapproved weight loss drugs and peptide supplements, which Interpol said reflects the surging popularity of 'cosmetic and performance-enhancing' pharmaceuticals. These drugs are so widely available online and on social media that police are having a hard time keeping up, Alfonso Mejuto Rodríguez, Interpol's pro tempore assistant director of criminal networks, told Euronews Health. Related Rising deaths, fake pills, gang violence: How the EU is struggling to cope with illegal drug problem 'It's not even necessary to go to the dark web [because] there are a lot of advertisements online,' Rodríguez said. The drugs are marketed as 'good for your health, good for your image,' he added. 'That is exactly the risk for human health, because when you buy them, you are not really sure what they contain'. The World Health Organization (WHO) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have both warned in recent years that the black market is flourishing for counterfeit semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in blockbuster anti-obesity and diabetes medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Interpol said a single semaglutide pen can sell for hundreds of euros on the black market. Meanwhile, peptide seizures were relatively rare until recently. The agency said the uptick in Europe, North America, and Oceania reflects a rise in demand for supplements such as BPC-157, ipamorelin, and melanotan, which are unproven products sold illegally as wellness, anti-ageing, or cosmetic aids. Related Weight loss drugs: New study sheds light on illegal online pharmacies selling Wegovy and Ozempic Melanotan, for example, is a synthetic hormone designed to boost melanin production, giving people the appearance of tanned skin. Sometimes called the 'Barbie drug,' melanotan has taken off on platforms such as TikTok – but it is not regulated in Europe and health agencies have warned that it may cause serious health problems. 'With a lot of substances, the marketing is amplified by influencers, for instance in terms of health and culture,' Rodríguez said. Worldwide, the most commonly seized illicit pharmaceuticals were psychostimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and Parkinson's disease medicines, followed by erectile dysfunction drugs, Interpol said. Other commonly seized counterfeit or otherwise illegal drugs include anabolic steroids, anti-smoking medicines, dermatological agents, health supplements, herbal products, and psychotropic medications for mental health conditions. Police also confiscated the opioid painkiller oxycodone in Bulgaria, France, Ireland, and Sweden. Related Fake painkillers are circulating in the Netherlands, authorities warn after man dies The sale of counterfeit medicines can have deadly consequences. In March, a 30-year-old man died after taking fake painkillers in the Netherlands, and last month, health authorities in Denmark warned that they were also circulating there. 'It seems that in the West, the demand for painkillers is rising… and criminals are taking advantage of it,' Rodríguez said. As part of the Interpol operation, nearly 800 suspects were arrested and 123 criminal groups were dismantled. Police also took down about 13,000 websites, social media accounts, and bots that advertised and sold illegal or counterfeit medicines online. Authorities in Ireland shuttered about 1,400 online listings for fake or illegal medicines, more than any other country except for Malaysia and Russia. Together with Singapore and Iran, the five countries accounted for 96 per cent of all listings that were taken down. Related Over 230 arrested as Europol dismantles four major drug smuggling networks Ireland also saw large seizures of illegal medicines, as did the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, according to Interpol. In Portugal, for example, police discovered anabolic steroids in eight prisons, which Interpol said was evidence of a criminal smuggling network. The agency noted that Europe-based criminals have easy access to the raw materials and infrastructure needed to run counterfeit drug production networks, meaning they can quickly adapt to changing trends and demand from consumers. 'It's a challenge for law enforcement agencies to follow this activity,' Rodríguez said.
Campaign ME
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Saudis gather to see Georgina Rodríguez ‘treat herself' to a Holsten at Rajeev's baqala
Premium malt beverage Holsten has partnered with Georgina Rodríguez – an international social media celebrity, style icon, model and entrepreneur – for its latest campaign titled Georgina's Favourite Treat centred around the tagline 'Treat Yourself with a Holsten'. The multi-platform campaign, designed specifically for Saudi Arabia with deep cultural relevance and local consumer insight, is being rolled out across content streaming platform Shahid, social media channels such as Meta and TikTok, cinemas, as well as outdoor advertisements. Brought to life M+C Saatchi Group Middle East, Dentsu and BOHO Films, and shot entirely in Saudi Arabia, the campaign takes a hyper-local and humorous approach with a playful storyline. Set in a neighbourhood baqala run by 'Rajeev' that sells Holsten, the hero video plays up a rumour that Rodríguez visits the baqala every Monday to pick up her 'favourite treat' — a bottle of Holsten. The rumour spreads across Riyadh — through living rooms, office breakrooms, social gatherings and group chats — humorously tapping into the power of word-of-mouth, anticipation and celebrity fandom until it all culminates in a surprise appearance by Rodríguez. In conversation with Campaign Middle East, Dorothea Drew, Marketing Manager MEA – Carlsberg Group, said, 'Humour and hyper-localisation were deliberate choices to connect authentically with our Saudi audience. The playful, light-hearted tone made the campaign feel approachable and shareable, enhancing engagement across social channels.' Drew added, 'Hyper-localisation — for example, the convenience store setting and the subtle cultural cues — ensured that the content felt native to Saudi daily life. Pairing this with Georgina, a global icon, created a balance between aspirational star power and everyday relatability helping us stand out in a highly competitive beverage market.' The campaign is anchored by a bold, audience-first strategy that taps into Saudi Arabia's shifting lifestyle landscape — where premium choices, self-expression, and light-hearted entertainment increasingly define youth culture. The campaign primarily targeted young adults (Gen Z and millennials) in Saudi Arabia who seek brands that bring a sense of reward to their daily lives. Discussing the goals of the campaign, Drew said, 'This campaign set out to strengthen Holsten's brand image and premium positioning in Saudi Arabia, while building relevance among younger adult consumers. Through culturally resonant storytelling and the aspirational presence of Georgina, we aimed to create emotional connection, drive brand consideration and recruit new consumers into the malt category.' 'Our key objective was to reinforce Holsten's position as a bold, refreshing and premium choice that invites consumers to reward themselves in their daily lives — perfectly captured by our tagline, 'Treat yourself with a Holsten',' she added. Explaining why Rodríguez was the perfect fit for the campaign, the Holsten marketing team revealed, that she: Resonates across genders — admired for her authenticity, family values and aspirational lifestyle. Brings instant star power, helping cut through the noise while staying relevant to a broad Saudi audience. Elevated the campaign's credibility and visibility, making Holsten feel both premium and approachable. 'I had so much fun working on this campaign,' said Georgina Rodríguez. 'It's playful, unexpected, and has that perfect local energy. Holsten is all about celebrating the little wins — and I love that message. Sometimes, the best part of the day is just treating yourself.' The success of the campaign is being measured through brand health uplift, media reach and engagement, sales impact and earned media coverage, including influencer buzz and PR. Client: Carlsberg Group Dorothea Drews – Marketing Manager MEA at Carlsberg Group Sally Shin – Brand Manager at Carlsberg Group Olivia Wiklund – International Commercial Graduate Agencies: M+C Saatchi Group Middle East Ryan Reed – Chief Creative Officer Natalie Cooke Tombs, Group Managing Director Dario Albuquerque – Executive Creative Director Mark Haycock, Head of Strategy Bilel Labjaoui – Creative Director Tom Norton – Creative Director Jarrad Pitts – Creative Director Zainab Yasseen – Senior Creative Mahmoud Gahallah – Senior Creative Ahmed Mansour – Art Director Ahmed Bahaa – Copywriter Rasha Lambe, Business Lead Katie Dumbrell, Account Director Seran Dilshan, Account executive Ahmed Magdy, Social Media Executive Ananda Swanepoel, Head of Production Stella Violla, Producer Jose Romualdez, Senior Editor Rami Al Ekhlasi, Animator Rashmi Jeetendra – Head of PR Alaa Salameh – PR Account Director Sydney Miranda – PR Account Manager Renad Nahfawi – PR Account Executive Dentsu Claire Peach, Media Director Aya Daher, Media Manager Elissa Khalil, Senior Performance Executive Anji Toutounji, Media Planning Executive Boho Films Vania Aoun, Executive Producer Samah Obeid, Line Producer
Euronews
5 days ago
- Health
- Euronews
Police seize €57 million in black market medicines, weight loss drugs
Police agencies worldwide seized $65 million (€57.2 million) worth of counterfeit or unapproved medicines in a major international bust that took aim at the deluge of cheap fakes sold online. Between December and May, authorities in 90 countries – including 16 in the European Union – confiscated 50.4 million doses of drugs that were either fake, misbranded, unapproved, or diverted, according to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), which coordinated the operation. In Europe, many of the seizures were for counterfeit or unapproved weight loss drugs and peptide supplements, which Interpol said reflects the surging popularity of 'cosmetic and performance-enhancing' pharmaceuticals. These drugs are so widely available online and on social media that police are having a hard time keeping up, Alfonso Mejuto Rodríguez, Interpol's pro tempore assistant director of criminal networks, told Euronews Health. 'It's not even necessary to go to the dark web [because] there are a lot of advertisements online,' Rodríguez said. The drugs are marketed as 'good for your health, good for your image,' he added. 'That is exactly the risk for human health, because when you buy them, you are not really sure what they contain'. The World Health Organization (WHO) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have both warned in recent years that the black market is flourishing for counterfeit semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in blockbuster anti-obesity and diabetes medicines such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Interpol said a single semaglutide pen can sell for hundreds of euros on the black market. Meanwhile, peptide seizures were relatively rare until recently. The agency said the uptick in Europe, North America, and Oceania reflects a rise in demand for supplements such as BPC-157, ipamorelin, and melanotan, which are unproven products sold illegally as wellness, anti-ageing, or cosmetic aids. Melanotan, for example, is a synthetic hormone designed to boost melanin production, giving people the appearance of tanned skin. Sometimes called the 'Barbie drug,' melanotan has taken off on platforms such as TikTok – but it is not regulated in Europe and health agencies have warned that it may cause serious health problems. 'With a lot of substances, the marketing is amplified by influencers, for instance in terms of health and culture,' Rodríguez said. Most commonly seized drugs Worldwide, the most commonly seized illicit pharmaceuticals were psychostimulants, anti-anxiety drugs, and Parkinson's disease medicines, followed by erectile dysfunction drugs, Interpol said. Other commonly seized counterfeit or otherwise illegal drugs include anabolic steroids, anti-smoking medicines, dermatological agents, health supplements, herbal products, and psychotropic medications for mental health conditions. Police also confiscated the opioid painkiller oxycodone in Bulgaria, France, Ireland, and Sweden. The sale of counterfeit medicines can have deadly consequences. In March, a 30-year-old man died after taking fake painkillers in the Netherlands, and last month, health authorities in Denmark warned that they were also circulating there. 'It seems that in the West, the demand for painkillers is rising… and criminals are taking advantage of it,' Rodríguez said. 13,000 websites, accounts shut down As part of the Interpol operation, nearly 800 suspects were arrested and 123 criminal groups were dismantled. Police also took down about 13,000 websites, social media accounts, and bots that advertised and sold illegal or counterfeit medicines online. Authorities in Ireland shuttered about 1,400 online listings for fake or illegal medicines, more than any other country except for Malaysia and Russia. Together with Singapore and Iran, the five countries accounted for 96 per cent of all listings that were taken down. Ireland also saw large seizures of illegal medicines, as did the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, according to Interpol. In Portugal, for example, police discovered anabolic steroids in eight prisons, which Interpol said was evidence of a criminal smuggling network. The agency noted that Europe-based criminals have easy access to the raw materials and infrastructure needed to run counterfeit drug production networks, meaning they can quickly adapt to changing trends and demand from consumers. 'It's a challenge for law enforcement agencies to follow this activity,' Rodríguez said.
New York Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Blue Jays bullpen stock report: Braydon Fisher's rise, what's up with Jeff Hoffman?
The Toronto Blue Jays' bullpen was a disaster last year, finishing 29th in league ERA. Only the Colorado Rockies' was worse. Through 77 games this year, Toronto's reliever group ranks 10th in ERA, eighth in FIP and 10th in win percentage added — an issue largely solved. Toronto's bullpen fix needed good stories, but it hasn't all been positive for the 41-36 Blue Jays. In this bullpen stock report, I'll break down the Jays' rising and falling relievers: Fisher arrived in a June trade last year, looking to throw more strikes. Advertisement Punching out batters was never Fisher's problem, but the young Texan walked at least five batters per nine innings in each of his previous three minor-league seasons. Taking a little velocity off his fastball and leaning on strong breaking pitches, Fisher found the zone. He's become one of the Blue Jays' best developmental stories this season. 'Throwing the ball harder out of the zone doesn't work any better than throwing the ball slower in the zone,' Fisher said. The righty's 71 percent strike rate is the highest of any Blue Jays pitcher this season. He's walked just three batters in 19 1/3 frames, posting a 2.33 ERA and 2.09 FIP. Fisher's slider and curveball both earn whiff rates over 31 percent. The 24-year-old has gone from good story to bullpen staple. The Blue Jays tried the whole rotation thing with Rodríguez last year. Now, he's back where he belongs. Rodríguez has a 2.19 ERA in 30 relief appearances this season, finding the same form that earned him the NPB Central League's setup man of the year award in 2022. Everything about Rodríguez plays up in a relief role. His fastball is 2.3 mph harder, his slider has more spin and the sinker and splitter miss more bats. He credits an increased focus on big spots to the fewer walks, as well. Manager John Schneider still maximizes the Cuban's length, leaning on Rodríguez for 15 multi-inning appearances, but the rotation trials are over. Rodríguez has found a home in Toronto's bullpen. Little's surprising dominance comes from complete ownership of the strike zone's basement. Over 80 percent of his pitches land below the top third of the zone, 7.5 percent more than any other Blue Jays pitcher. Despite his power curve often falling below the zone or landing in the dirt, batters still constantly chase it. The curve comes out of the same release point as his sinker, another pitch that lives at the bottom edge, causing hitters to misjudge the deliveries, Blue Jays bullpen coach Graham Johnson said. Advertisement 'When he locates those two pitches over the plate, but down, they kind of mirror each other,' Johnson said. 'Obviously they're both firm, but there's a differential there that I think really messes up some timing and makes it hard.' Flirting with the zone's edge has earned Little plenty of walks, including seven in eight June appearances, but it's an accepted risk with his swing-and-miss offerings. Keeping those pitches near the zone is the difference between Little being a solid lefty reliever or one of the game's best southpaws. Either way, he's invaluable for this Blue Jays bullpen. Brendon Little's pitch location heat map (Baseball Savant) Hoffman sits eighth in baseball with 17 saves in 21 opportunities after signing a $33 million deal to become Toronto's new closer. He's won Toronto several games, but there's no denying the 5.29 ERA ain't pretty. Much of Hoffman's struggle came in a brutal May in which batters hit .318 against him and the righty posted a 13.50 ERA. The former Philadelphia Phillies set-up man has a nasty slider and splitter, but the Jays felt there may have been overreliance on the secondary pitches in May, leading to bad counts and untimely walks. His usage changed in June, with Hoffman throwing 11.7 percent fewer breaking balls in favor of fastballs and sinkers. After a May in which hitters posted a .400 OBP against Hoffman, it's down to .276 in June. Toronto's closer still needs improved execution, as his putaway rate dropped from 31.9 percent in April to under 21 percent in May and June. On Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, he muffed a ground ball that would've ended the eighth and held the Jays' lead, too. Even with improvements this month, Hoffman's brutal May sank his stock. He's been better in June, despite Sunday's blowup, but needs multiple strong months to restore confidence in the closer role. Advertisement 'We trust the s— out of Jeff Hoffman,' Schneider told reporters on Sunday in Toronto. Green has allowed more homers than any other MLB reliever. All his offerings are getting hit hard this season, with five homers off the fastball and four against the slider. While Green's velocity hasn't fallen off, the 34-year-old reliever has lost spin on his slider in each of the last three seasons. He still misses bats and avoids walks, but neither of Green's offerings are plus pitches in 2025. With a 4.18 ERA and 5.85 FIP, Green's clearly fallen down the trust hierarchy. His last three appearances have come in games separated by at least six runs. We've seen the Blue Jays flash urgency this year, quickly designating relievers for assignment when performance wasn't there — well-liked righty Erik Swanson, José Ureña, Dillon Tate and others. With Yimí García and Ryan Burr in rehab games, the Jays have more decisions ahead. (Photo of Braydon Fisher: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
NBC News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
With Emmy voting underway, Ramón Rodríguez wants to break barriers for Latinos on TV
A Latino actor has never won an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series, and 'Will Trent' star Ramón Rodríguez hopes he'll be the one to break that barrier. 'It's a sad and unfortunate reality,' the Puerto Rican actor said. 'It's not why I do what I do, obviously. But does it matter? Of course it does. Because what it does is it gives it a stamp of value.' 'It sort of says, 'Oh wow, this show is critically acclaimed,'' Rodríguez said. It would indicate that Latino actors can lead a television series with 'a compelling story and character.' In the history of the Emmys, only three Latinos have been nominated in that category: Pedro Pascal, who was nominated in 2023 for his starring role in 'The Last of Us;' Jimmy Smits, who was nominated five consecutive times from 1995 to 1999 for his performance in 'NYPD Blue'; and Jose Ferrer in 1953, when the category was just known as 'best actor.' From becoming a leading figure in reinventing police procedurals to starting his own production company 'to tell our stories,' Rodríguez is looking to make a difference at a time when few Latinos are leading TV shows. 'It is scary. ... I place a lot of pressure on myself in terms of wanting to continue to elevate,' Rodríguez said about the 'kind of unspoken' responsibility that comes with being part of the 4% of on-screen TV talent who are Latinos. 'Being Latino and Puerto Rican, there's no doubt that's something I'm very conscious and aware of,' Rodríguez said. 'I'm standing on shoulders of people who've paved that and made it a little easier for me. I'm hoping to make it a little bit easier for those who follow.' 'Will Trent' is based on Karin Slaughter's bestselling books of the same name. It follows a dyslexic orphan who endured physical trauma and abuse as he aged out of the foster care system in Atlanta. The character becomes an intuitive detective at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation who solves cases others can't. 'Will is an underdog,' Rodríguez said. 'All of those things are very loaded, heavy, monumental kind of moments in people's lives.' 'I quickly fell in love with his resilience and his heart, which are kind of deeply buried. I love that about him,' Rodríguez said of his character. Will Trent's beloved sidekick Betty, a pocket-sized Chihuahua he reluctantly adopted in Season 1, is perhaps the one character who can always tap into the harsh detective's soft side. 'There's such a beautiful story there that sort of says so much about who Will is,' Rodríguez said. Despite mixed reviews from critics, audiences have shown up for 'Will Trent,' which will start filming its fourth season later this summer, according to Rodríguez. The series, which airs on ABC and streams on Hulu and Disney+, amassed an average of 11.6 million viewers across multiple platforms during the 2024-25 season, according to Nielsen, which puts 'Will Trent' among the 10 most watched TV shows on prime time. 'The writers do a fantastic job of balancing comedy and drama,' Rodríguez said. 'That's a hard thing to do.' As the actor who plays Will Trent and the show's executive producer, Rodríguez said he is heavily involved in every aspect of bringing this character to life. He recalled shedding his ' Nuyorican' accent to create a dialect reflective of his character's unique experiences and developing Will Trent's signature look: a retro three-piece suit that serves almost like a protective armor for a character who struggles to show his vulnerable side. 'He's very different than any other character I've portrayed, which is exciting,' said Rodríguez, who is also known for playing memorable characters in TV shows including 'The Wire,' 'Day Break' and 'The Affair.' Season 4 of 'Will Trent' is expected to air on ABC early next year, Rodríguez said.
