In case you missed it, here are OBSERVER ONLINE’s top 10 stories for today:

1. Jamaicans among C’bean nationals nabbed in NY immigration sweep

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says it has detained a number of Caribbean nationals among 118 immigrants during a five-day exercise in several areas of New York.

2. St Elizabeth police seize ganja worth $8m; man held

The St Elizabeth police is reporting the seizure of 2,000 pounds of compressed ganja during an operation in Barbary Hall district in the parish on Monday, January 28.

3. Clarendon police vows to curtail goat thieves

The Clarendon Police are seeking to assure farmers that they will be intensifying efforts to reduce praedial larceny following a spike in the theft of goats in the parish in recent times.

4. Region urged to brace for drought, recurrent dry spells

The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) says chances of drought and recurrent dry spells during the peak of the dry season have increased as the weak El Niño conditions are forecast to persist until the end of April.

5. JAMPRO recruits VP of marketing, renews country marketing strategy

The Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has recruited a new Vice President of Marketing, Gabriel Heron.

6. Maduro rallies military as Venezuela opposition plans protest

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hit out Wednesday at military “mercenaries” he says are conspiring to divide the armed forces and plot a coup as the opposition planned a new protest to force the socialist leader from power.

7. Flooding forces closure of Harbour Street tax office

Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) is advising the public that the Stamp Duty and Transfer Tax Office at 111 Harbour Street, downtown Kingston will remain closed today, January 30 and tomorrow January 31, as a result of conditions following a recent flooding.

8. PHOTOS: JCF gets manpower boost

The manpower in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) was boosted today with the graduation of 194 recruits from the National Police College in Twickenham Park, St Catherine.

9. T&T police probing kidnapping of six fishermen allegedly by Venezuelans

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Wednesday confirmed that it is investigating the kidnapping of six fishermen allegedly by Venezuelans but said it would not comment on whether or not a US$200,000 ransom had been demanded.

10. Windies Women praise enhanced security after arriving for T20s

West Indies Women touched down here Wednesday for their three-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan, hailing the enhanced level of security for the historic tour.