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In a decision that took the world by surprise, U.S. military forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a “covert strike” authorized by President Donald Trump in January 2026.

Jeff O’Dywer

Lindsay Skinner

Lou Ann Skinner

Taiyo Matcha Café

Phyliss Nicole Taylor, MD

Michelle Tibbits

The operation took place in Caracas, immediately sparking a wave of debate over international law, executive power, and Venezuela’s future leadership.

According to the Pentagon, the mission used advanced military technology and was carried out with “precision and limited risk.” Trump later addressed the nation in a televised statement, claiming Venezuela had “stolen American oil” and posed a threat to U.S. interests. He said the United States would temporarily “ run” Venezuela to restore order and protect resources.

“This is about protecting what’ s ours,” Trump said during the announcement.

His reasoning has elicited numerous reactions and criticism from foreign policy experts and legal analysts. Many of them quote that the action violates the long-standing international precedent. CBS News reported that the operation was tied to bigger disputes over oil assets, though critics warn it sets a dangerous precedent for unilateral intervention.

Venezuelan officials referred to the strike as an act of aggression, and protests have erupted across Latin America as citizens demand Maduro’ s release and denounce U.S. involvement.

More information is expected to be uncovered as officials continue to respond to the incident.

Sgt Anthony L. Ortiz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

US Military, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Operation in Caracas sparks global outrage and questions of legality

SurinameCentral CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Navigating uncertainty,

independence,

and the first steps into adulthood

By Trinity Hodge and Jada Stevens

As graduation approaches, most seniors find themselves feeling excited and nervous about what’s to come. Life after high school looks different in the eyes of every student. For most people, it’s about learning how to adapt rather than following a concrete plan because, as we know, life tends to throw unexpected curveballs. The pressure to have your life plan figured out can feel overwhelming.

Senior Mackenzie Frazier believes the shift after graduation is challenging because of how quickly the expectations change.

"The transition out of high school can be challenging because students suddenly have more independence and responsibility," Frazier said.

Moving from a structured environment to one where students must make their own choices can feel overwhelming at first. For Frazier, the future gives her feelings of excitement but a little uncertainty.

"I feel excited about starting a new chapter, but there's some nervousness because everything's changing so quickly. that the transition is a step towards inde-

For senior Vonshana Porter-Dubois, her biggest worry is making the “right” decisions in a short amount of time. “I’m most concerned about making perfect decisions after she said. "As graduation approaches, important decisions are also coming like career paths, school choice, and ma-

Most seniors feel the pressure to have their entire futures planned out, even while trying to still discover who they are and what they want to be. This pressure is also increased by ending questions and comparisons. “I think most seniors feel the need to have every step of their future figured out because society makes it seem as though we’re on a time Dubois explained. “We already have these thoughts ourselves internally, but on top of that, constantly being asked re going to, what career we want, and what our plans are, even though re still young and figuring these things

Dubois also pointed out the effect of social media and how it portrays young adults as perfect and as if they have everything together. This can lead to teens feeling behind and lowering their confidence. Despite the stress that’s attached to senior year, Dubois says there is still a level of excitement about this next phase in new experiences, connections, and discovering more

For some students, taking a gap year or volunteering can provide clarity about the next steps and what they should look like. According to Career Prep School, a gap year

allows students to explore their personal interests, gain experience in the real world, and develop new skillsets before committing to a career or college program. Investing time in volunteering can help students gain an idea of what their purpose is while allowing them to serve their communities and build valuable life skills. This period also builds confidence in students because it gives them experience and shows them what they're capable of achieving on their own.

Life after high school isn't necessarily about having everything figured out. It's about learning how to adapt and making the most out of every situation you're in. Whether students choose to take the path of college, a gap year, the military, or something else, everyone's new chapter is about growth and independence. Although the future may have uncertainties, the sky is the limit!

Participants learn about global communities through a variety of activities.

By Mico Jimenez & Abigail Norris

Imagine a day dedicated to showcasing the diverse cultures that are represented every day all across our campus. This is the goal of the International Fair held on campus on February 25, coordinated by the world languages teachers.

The International Fair allows students to explore other cultures through student performances, flag parades, fashion shows, and different booths representing countries. The fair also allows students to bring their family and friends to celebrate and participate in the event.

“The food is amazing, the variety is awesome, all of the families coming out to the event are really special, but I mostly love the student performances,” reading teacher Sheri Porubski said. Students come together and sign up to do special performances to represent other cultures and to amaze guests who attend the multicultural event, showcasing their hard work and dedication.

“I’m looking forward to all of the performances this year because they are just all so wonderful because of the hard work the students are putting into these performances, their passion and time, it all inspires me,” Spanish teacher Elena Wigelsworth said. “I am excited to see the fruits of their labor.”

Students will often stay after school to prepare

for their performances. Some students will represent places like Spain by doing a certain dance like flamenco, while others will sing cultural songs like AP Junior Jan Henin, leading to a large showcase of diversity.

“My favorite stuff about the international fair is getting to see different cultures and how the students represent where they’ foods and games, the dances, and stuff like that are very nice to see,” senior Mirah Flores said.

Booths consist of educational information about each country and have games, food, and amazing interactive activities that draw in the attendees.

“The booth that I did last year was the Philip-

pines, and it consisted of various interactive activities such as sipa, lato lato, and saying simple Tagalog phrases before getting food,” senior Miagrace Jimenez said. “I’m excited to run the booth because I get to share my culture with other students. It’s bittersweet because it is my senior year.”

One of the most popular performances of the international fair is Tinikling, which is represented by Paxon’s tinikling group known as the “Pinoy Eagles.”

trying not to have their feet caught in the collision of the sticks.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the tinikling performance and seeing how they are doing after taking this year off from the group, and look at the foods and just see everything one more time for my senior year,” Flores stated.

The International Fair educates the school community on different places and cultures from all around the world through various activiti th t th t dents have planned, making it an especially personal learning experience. Participants have an opportunity to learn more about the people they see every day.

s a great time to go with your friends and family to see what Paxon holds outside of academics and stuff, and more than that, we are representing our culture, our identity, our love for each other, and supporting each other,” Flo-

VONSHANA PORTER-DUBOIS / EAGLE TALON

MACKENZIE FRAZIER / PHOTO PROVIDED

Imagine you were washing the dishes and heard a piercing screech from outside your house. Then imagine the next day you have an excruciating headache. The next day, you can And the next day, you can events unfolding right in front of you.

Throbbing pain, frozen limbs, and a dazed mind Diplomat Kate Husband experienced all these symptoms for many years due to being a victim of Havana syndrome. Havana syndrome is a brain injury that causes severe headaches and cognitive symptoms. Kate is only one of thousands of people who suffer from Havana syndrome even now.

In 2016, various DOS (Department of State) employees at the U.S embassy in Havana, Cuba, began to experience many cognitive disruptions ranging from vertigo and blurry vision to cognitive dysfunction and hearing loss. This incident was the beginning of a long, mysterious trail of cases known officially as “anomalous health inci-

always manifest as audio and vestibular (sensory and balance) phenomena,

neurotoxins, drugs, stress, or a case of group hysteria. However, the leading explanation is a mechanical device that is capable of “shooting” one of two kinds of directed energy pulses.

The first possibility is microwaves. Microwaves are electromagnetic energy waves that work to heat things like frozen burgers through agitating the H2O polarity, causing them to spin billions of times per second and build up thermal energy. With s not hard to believe that these waves can cause extreme damage, considering our brains are about 75% water and consequently make for a very vulnerable pink burger

cently discovered that the Pentagon had investigated a similar case that occurred in 2014 in Frankfurt, Germany, but this was overlooked and left unreported for a time. Since then, anomalous health incidents have been appearing left and right in Australia, China, Colombia, Georgia, India, Poland, Russia, and Vietnam.

Two common patterns among these instances are that nearly all the victims are either government agents, active duty, former federal employees, or family members of these individuals, in-

Another contender for the cause of Havana syndrome is directed ultrasonic energy pulse waves, since this type of energy can inhibit proper neuron function through disrupting electrical and chemical brain activity between certain neural pathways. However, it’s also important to mention that ultrasonic energy can sometimes struggle to penetrate the skull without the right intensity.

The effects of Havana syndrome are debilitating and, oddly enough, mirror the conditions found in people with brain damage or concussions. A few immediate side effects include a sudden onset of pain and pressure in the head, insomnia, brain fog, balance issues, and confusion, while the longer-lasting effects consist of symptoms like mi-

tigo. A few victims have even reported hearing a loud, piercing, but localized sound (meaning only the victim could hear it) at night and claimed that it seemed to be coming from a certain direction, like a window. s completely dependent on personal accounts, and an obscure mystery like Havana syndrome t have much real, credible evidence to support its existence besides a few similar claims among some random government workers, right? Interestingly enough, victims of Havana syndrome were also found to have undergone real, measurable changes in the makeup of their brains, where their white matter amounts had been physically altered according to the results of a neuroimaging test done through a study published in 2019.

The neuroimaging results in this study revealed that Havana syndrome victims had significantly smaller

frontal, occipital, and parietal lobe white matter volumes compared to the control group and a 16% decrease in functional connectivity between auditory subnetworks, alongside a 10% decrease in visuospatial subnetwork functionality than normal. In fact, the brain’s entire white matter volume of the victim group was discovered to be 27.39 cm3 less than that of the control group.

So, what does this mean?

White matter is responsible for the transmission of information and connects different brain regions. This decrease in white matter means that whatever the cause of Havana syndrome is, it can directly affect your brain tissue and interrupt your brain’ s ability to interpret information by damaging the communication pathways between your neurons.

s also important to mention that this was passed off as being caused by stress and group psychology, despite the fact that neither stress nor group psychology is capable of significantly impacting brain matter volume like this, and they certainly can’t cause these symptoms either.

But even with these contradictions, the claim that it had been only stress causing these problems has been echoed through media like Britannica and downplayed by agencies like the National Intelligence Council, which contributes to alienating the topic and the victims who already struggle to get proper care and face very real, recurring issues from Havana syndrome to this day.

But who could be doing this to these people? Is it some attack intended to hinder the efficiency of important American agencies? Is it a series of illegal and immoral experiments meant to test some secret psychological weapon? Well, the idea of this being of foreign source is very unlikely according to numerous national intelligence agencies, and it’s hard to disagree.

After all, the negligence surrounding the research and handling of the Havana syndrome situation is a bit fishy, especially considering America’s past with arguably immoral testing on humans, like the Stateville penitentiary malaria tests and the Guatemalan syphilis tests, which harmed many people, even America’s own citizens. Sometimes, the hidden political powers that be have been more deceptive than we can imagine, and with such under coverage and sloppiness surrounding what could turn out to be a near undetectable, long-range, brain-altering weapon, can we really say that Havana syndrome won ’t be revealed to be another MK Ultra?

We citizens, don’t know. And by the time we do, that piercing ring, whether it be foreign or domestic, may already be coming from your window.

Jongleur100, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

C.Stadler/Bwag, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

smuggling, and trafficking, as well as to reinforce the immigration laws of the U.S. They were designed to handle both immigration enforcement issues and customs investigations under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). But unfortunately, this contrasts with the recent experiences of those in the communities affected by I.C.E.

A Cold Front of Controversy

Recently, I.C.E. has been getting a lot of new attention due to its recent controversial tactics and methods of detaining suspects. This attention has grown due to several recent incidents involving I.C.E. detaining suspects, where the public feels they used unnecessary violence and carried out arrests that were not justified.

For example, one incident that has drawn significant public attention is the case involving Liam Ramos, which raised questions about how I.C.E. agents conducted the arrest and the level of force that was used, as well as the lack of a legitimate reason for detainment. Liam Ramos, a 5-year-old child, was detained by I.C.E. agents along with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who was also detained on January 20, 2026. According to reports, the agents stopped the vehicle carrying Ramos and his father during an enforcement operation. Witnesses stated that the situation

shooting as “defensive”, but city and state leaders felt differently. They stated that they were denied access to key evidence and, therefore, they were unable to conduct a full investigation. Good’s death sparked immediate protests across the city of Minneapolis, with many residents arguing that the use of lethal force was extremely unnecessary and avoidable. Sadly, this would not be the only life taken by I.C.E. that month.

Later that same month another I.C.E. operation led to the death of a citizen. That event was the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Jeffery Pretti. According to the reports, Pretti was approached by I.C.E. agents early in the morning of January 24, and the encounter

spokesperson said in a statement to DC News Now. I.C.E. added that they will continue to carry out their mission to enforce the federal immigration laws as they are ordered to.

When the Stage Meets the Streets

The recent incidents have drawn massive national attention, including multiple speeches at this year's Grammy Awards. While going on stage to accept their awards, performers such as Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Kehlani, Israel Houghton, and SZA all address the recent controversy and actions I.C.E. has taken, as well as some wearing “I.C.E. OUT” pins. For the audience, Bad Bunny’s speech had the largest impact of the night, delivering one of the most widely shared moments of the cere-

have made her question the fairness of I.C.E.’ s Even though some people aren't from here originally, they should at least have Leon-

Going door to door is t from AmeriShe added that the situation feels especially frightening because This is terrifying because I have a lot of friends who t fully American, which makes it both scary and unfair. They can pull up to my s an immigrant including me and several of my friends.”

What Lies Beneath the Ice

As investigations continue and public pressure grows, the impact of these incidents is being felt far beyond the scenes of each confrontation. Families, students, workers, and longtime residents all say the recent events have changed the way they view safety in their own neighborhoods. For many, the debate over I.C.E.’s tactics is no longer a distant political issue, but a daily reality shaping how entire communities move, speak, and live. Whether change comes from federal policy or public demand, people across Jacksonville say they will be watching closely.

usicegov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

By Damion Wilson

The New era of the UFC is here. On August 11, 2025, company TKO Group Holdings and Paramount announced a 7-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal, making Paramount+ the exclusive U.S. home for all UFC events beginning in 2026. The first event under the new agreement, UFC 324: Gaethje vs. Pimblett, aired on Paramount+ on January 24, 2026, and was considered a massive success. The overall event averaged fortynine million viewers and drove approximately one million new subscribers to the streaming platform.

For the first time ever, UFC CEO Dana White also announced new fighter bonuses that have already changed the landscape of the sport. Fighters who finish their opponent by knockout or submission now receive a $25,000 bonus, which is huge for smaller fighters who are on a considerably small contract. Fight of the Night bonuses now award both fighters $100,000 each, while Performance of the Night bonus-

incentives will push competitors to be more aggressive inside the octagon.

This past weekend, the UFC held its second event on Paramount+, Volk vs. Lopes 2, which left many fans questioning the matchup. Some fans believed Lopes should not have received a title shot since the two had already fought in April, and many expected the same

outcome. That prediction came true, as Alexander Volkanovski went on to win in a dominant performance. The fight further cemented Volkanovski’s legacy, with many considering him one of the greatest featherweights to ever step into the octagon.

"I thought Volk fought a good fight and was very powerful and good in the octagon," stated Junior Chadrick Hicks.

"Paramount has been really good so far, especially with the new multicamera angle feature making it possible

by all coaches. Do the Jags bring it home this year?

By Logan Kelly & Sariyah Douglas

The Jacksonville Jaguars closed the regular season with a statement. A 41–7 win over the Tennessee Titans sealed a 13–4 record, an AFC South title, and one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent NFL history. That turnaround isn’t just impressive. It’s rare in NFL history. Yet despite this success, head coach Liam Coen has yet to receive widespread recognition, leaving the Jaguars head coach on the outside looking in.

Coen inherited a team that finished 4–13 the season before his arrival. In one year, Jacksonville became a playoff team, a division champion, and a legitimate contender in the playoffs That type of turnaround rarely happens in the NFL, especially in a coach’s first season. According to Jaguars senior

reporter J.P. Shadrick, Coen became only the seventh coach in league history to win at least 13 games in his first year as a head coach.

Despite those results, national attention has shifted toward coaches in larger markets or teams with longer playoff histories. This has caused Coen’s impact to be overlooked, even though the numbers show a clear case for Coach of the Year. Shadrick argued that Coen’ s run is historic, noting that no first-year head coach has ever taken a team with four or fewer wins and turned it into a 12-plus win team before.

What makes Coen’ s season even more compelling as a Coach of the Year candidate isn’t just the wins. It’s how the Jaguars achieved them. In his first year as head coach, Coen reshaped the team’s identity, using an approach grounded in culture, resiliency, and accountability. Jaguars chief football strategy officer Tony Khan said the biggest impact Coen had was transforming the Jaguars’ culture from one weighed down by past struggles to one focused on winning and sustained growth.

Beyond wins and losses, Coen reshaped the identity of the franchise. Jacksonville played with discipline,

to see four different cams on screen at once," said Senior Triston Rodgers.

The new deal has also changed how fans consume the sport on a weekly basis. With all UFC content now centralized on Paramount+, viewers no longer need multiple subscriptions to follow fight nights, major cards, and exclusive content. Paramount executives reported that early data shows longer average watch times compared to events under ESPN, with fans staying tuned in from the prelims through the main event. The improved production, including alternate camera angles and live fighter statistics, has helped attract younger viewers and more casual fans.

From the fighters’ perspective, the updated bonus structure is already making an impact. Several undercard fighters have spoken about how the guaranteed $25,000 finish bonus gives them more motivation to push the pace rather than fight safely for a decision. For fighters on lower contracts, one finish can double or even triple their pay for the night. As the UFC continues its first full year under the Paramount deal, fans and analysts are watching closely to see if higher bonuses, bigger viewership numbers, and improved production truly mark the beginning of a new era in UFC history.

confidence, and consistency all season. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence delivered the best year of his career, breaking the franchise record for total touchdowns with 38, including 29 passing and nine rushing. Lawrence also emerged as an MVP and Comeback Player of the Year candidate, a reflection of both his growth and the system built around him.

The Jaguars did not rely on star power alone. They improved situational football, limited mistakes, and closed games with authority. Those changes point directly to coaching. Preparation, in-game adjustments, and player development were evident throughout the season, especially during key divisional matchups.

Shadrick added that if Coen is passed over for the award, it will only strengthen the team’s mindset. Jacksonville has embraced its role as a smaller market franchise playing with something to prove. Each moment of national doubt has fueled a deeper focus on postseason goals, where recognition matters far less than results.

Coach of the Year is meant to honor impact, change, and results. Liam Coen delivered all three. Turning a four-

win team into a 13-win division champion in one season is rare. Doing it while redefining a franchise makes it even more meaningful.

Whether or not voters acknowledge it, the Jaguars already have their answer. Liam Coen changed the direction of the team, and seasons like this are exactly why the award exists.

Andrius Petrucenia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Tourpia DAMION WILSON/ EAGLE TALON

Hutcher at English Wikipedia., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

®Paramount Global Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

LIAM COEN ACTION FIGURE. CREATED BY STAFF VIA OPENAI

Grammys reach full potential to appreciate the artists who made the music happen.

The Grammy Awards have been one of the most popular award shows in history. Every year since May 4, 1959, they feature newer artists, popular songs, and award the most critically acclaimed artists and albums. With music being a very influential part of society as of late, many people tune in from home to watch their favorite artists receive the award.

Many artists have risen to fame through the process of awards shows, especially when it comes to the Grammys. They give old and new artists more exposure and recognition. Many different demographics of fans who hear about or watch the awards love seeing the artists they know.

Although the awards feature a lot of artists they love, many people also wish they saw the artists at the award show that they admire but aren’t as popular in the music industry.

“It’s nothing crazy,” sophomore Haendel Gaboyau said. “I just wish there were more artists that I listen to on the nominations list, like NBA Youngboy and Plaqueboymax.”

Other people, such as psychology teacher Hadiya Crocker, think that some artists are just nomi-

nated this year because they have more popular names than others.

“Some aren’t relevant to being memorable, and don’t pay attention to the quality of work,” Crocker said.

During this year's live stream of the Grammys, a variety of artists were lined up for performances, from girl group KATSEYE to more well-known artists like Tyler, the Creator. A lot of the performances had an impact on the crowd and audiences, especially Tyler’s. It was something new that people hadn’t seen, leaving people intrigued and interested in seeing more from Tyler.

“Tyler, the Creator closed the show with a literal bang: he mimicked a dynamite explosion and flung himself to the Grammys floor, panting and covered in smoke after giving his latest Grammys performance his all,” assistant editor Maya Georgi said in an article for Rolling Stone.

With the impactful performances, important awards were also given out on Sunday, February 1, at this year’s Grammys. Artists such as Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, and more won notable awards. For instance, Puerto Rican

artist Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for his album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”, the first time in history that a Spanish-language album won the coveted award. Not only did he win big at the awards show, but rapper Kendrick Lamar also won a total of 5 Grammy awards, putting him at a total of 27 career wins. This makes him the most Grammy-winning rapper in history, surpassing a record previously held by Jay-Z.

Crocker also agreed that Kendrick did a good job and was deserving of an award.

Out of the list of people, he stood out the most,” Crocker said. “He’s very impactful, and his album was a hit.

”

Along with the awards, the Recording Academy also paid tribute to artists who have passed away. Lauryn Hill led a group of star-studded artists honoring the late Roberta Flack and D’Angelo. Reba McEntire also performed at the Grammys for the first time, honoring other late artists and music producers. And Post Malone and Slash of

them a must-see for fans of all ages.

Bruno Mars, a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and performer, is famous for his soulful voice, catchy tunes, and dynamic stage presence. His shows often include a mix of funk, pop, and R&B that gets everyone dancing. Senior Brooke Baker is excited to see Bruno Mars. “I

cannot wait to see Bruno,” Baker said. “I am going with my mom, and I love all

Conan Gray is a singer-songwriter known for his emotional and relatable music. He first gained popularity by reHeather” and “Maniac.” His style blends indie pop with heartfelt s music often explores themes of love, identity, and growing up, making him a voice for many teens and young adults today. Junior Rylie Lynch is excited to go to the Conan Gray concert. “Conan Gray is one of my favorite artists,” Lynch said. “I am going with my friend Julia Stein and my mom.” These artists are set to perform in several cities in Florida. The concerts promise to be exciting events filled with great

“After it ended, Kelly was seen wiping away tears as the family

”

“

left his seat to quickly dart over to Kelly and offer condolences and a hug.”

A lot of these artists leave an influence on the audience, especially when mentioning their fans by honoring them for their support. The artists always pour out their hearts, thanking their fans for sticking with them for the ride, and improvement will always be recognized by their supporters. Although it can take a mental toll, many artists do it from the bottom of their hearts for their fans.

After winning a Grammy for her song “Messy”, Lola Young agreed that it’s a lot to handle and how it feels in the real world. “I’m very proud of this song,” Young said. “I feel it speaks on just like being a messy human being and not being enough, you know, for the world. And that’s how a lot of us feel all the time.”

music, amazing performances, and a chance for fans to connect with their favorite stars in person. Tickets are expected to sell quickly, so fans are encouraged to purchase them early to avoid missing out.

For students and music enthusiasts, these concerts offer more than just entertainment; they are a chance to experience live music culture and witness some of the best performers in the world. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their music, these shows are sure to create lasting memories.

If you're getting ready to snag tickets for your favorite concerts, you might want to do it before it's too late. So, get ready, Florida! The stage is set for an unforgettable musical journey with BTS, Bruno Mars, and Conan Gray coming your way soon.