donald trump The US Justice Department has played down fears of rising tensions with Cuba after the US Justice Department convicted former Cuban President Raul Castro of shooting down a civilian airliner in 1996, insisting there will be “no further escalation” between the two countries.Asked whether impeachment could escalate the conflict, Trump responded: “No. It won’t escalate. I don’t think it needs to. Look, the place is falling apart. It’s a mess, and he’s kind of lost control.”The comments came as federal court records showed Castro, 94, has been charged in the US with murder and related crimes in the downing of two civilian airliners operated by the Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue nearly three decades ago.The indictment was filed April 23 in Miami federal court and unsealed this week. In this, Castro has been charged with one count of conspiracy to murder American citizens, four counts of murder and two counts of destroying the plane. Five other persons have also been named as defendants.Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the charges at an event in Miami, where officials gathered to honor the victims of the 1996 incident. “My message today is clear: the United States and President Trump will not and will not forget their citizens,” he said, drawing applause from the Cuban-American attendees.The case centers on the downing of two small planes on February 24, 1996, when Cuban MiG fighters intercepted and destroyed planes flown by Brothers to the Rescue, a Miami-based exile organization that was flying missions over the Caribbean Sea to detect Cuban migrants attempting the dangerous crossing.All four people on board the boat died. The victims were Armando Alejandre, Carlos Alberto Costa, Mario Manuel de la Peña and Pablo Morales.The Cuban government has long maintained that the planes entered its airspace illegally, while the U.S. investigation and international aviation findings concluded that the planes were in international airspace when they were destroyed.Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro had previously said that the military acted under “standing orders” to intercept the plane, but insisted that Raul Castro, who was defense minister at the time, had not given any direct orders.Raul Castro was born in 1931 and, along with his brother Fidel, played a central role in Cuba’s communist revolution and helped consolidate power after the overthrow of Fulgencio Batista in 1959. He served as Defense Minister for decades, later becoming President in 2008 before leaving the post in 2018. He officially left the leadership of the Communist Party in 2021 but is still seen as an influential figure in Cuban politics.The indictment comes amid increased US pressure on Havana under the Trump administration, including sanctions and diplomatic pressure, calling Cuba a “rogue state”.Trump has also designed US policy towards Cuba to increase influence in the Western Hemisphere, stating: “From the shores of Havana to the shores of the Panama Canal, we will drive out the forces of lawlessness and crime and foreign usurpation.”Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has rejected the US allegations, previously warning that any military action could lead to “bloodshed”.Tensions have been further complicated by Cuba’s worsening economic crisis, with fuel shortages, blackouts, and food shortages contributing to unrest on the island. Washington has increased sanctions on countries supplying fuel to Cuba, deepening economic tensions.

A Tennessee man who spent more than a month in jail over Facebook posts about the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk will get $835,000 after settling a lawsuit against local officials.Larry Bushart, 61, is a retired police officer and was jailed for 37 days before prosecutors dropped the felony charge related to social media memes he posted after Kirk’s death.Tennessee officials will now pay $835,000 to settle Buschart’s federal lawsuit against Perry County, the local sheriff and an investigator involved in obtaining the arrest warrant.Bushart said the time spent in custody had a personal and financial impact. He lost his job after retirement, missed his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter while behind bars.“I am pleased that my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Buschert said in a statement announcing the settlement Wednesday.He said: “People’s freedom to engage in civil discussion is vital to a healthy democracy. I look forward to moving on and spending time with my family.”Buschart was arrested in September after refusing to remove Facebook memes that referenced Kirk’s murder, sparking outrage among the conservative activist’s MAGA supporters. Officials said the post has caused concern in the local community.A meme shared by Bushart read, “We have to get over this,” along with an image of President Donald Trump. The image references Trump’s 2024 comments following a school shooting in Iowa. The meme stated that this quote was given “a day after” the incident.Bushart added the caption: “It still feels relevant today…”Controversy escalated when some residents misinterpreted the post as a potential threat to a local school with a similar name in Tennessee. Police later confirmed that the meme was not referring to the Tennessee school shooting, but to the Iowa school shooting.Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems said at the time that most of Bushart’s posts were protected speech, but the specific meme created concern in the community.“Investigators believe that Bushart was fully aware that his posts would instill fear and that he deliberately tried to create hysteria within the community,” Weems said in a statement to The Tennessean last year.Bushart was initially held on $2 million bail before being released as the case attracted scrutiny over free speech protections.Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, when a gunman using a sniper from the rooftop about 140 meters away during a public event fired a single shot, killing him. His wife Erica Kirk later made emotional public comments, while Turning Point USA continued operations after his death.

Plastic pollution, biodegradable materials and sustainable manufacturing are becoming major priorities for scientists around the world, and researchers in the United States have found a breakthrough solution. Scientists at Rice University and the University of Houston have created a new supermaterial developed from bacteria using bacterial cellulose that is strong, flexible and environmentally friendly. Published in Nature Communications, the research shows how aligned cellulose nanofibers could produce high-performance materials capable of replacing plastics in packaging, electronics and manufacturing. Researchers believe the innovation could help reduce microplastic pollution by transforming green manufacturing, bioengineering and sustainable industrial design across many industries.

How did scientists create a new bacteria-derived supermaterial?

The main aspect of the innovation relates to bacterial cellulose, a natural biopolymer produced by special types of bacteria. Although cellulose is present in plants, bacterial cellulose is known to be one of the purest forms in nature. Scientists have invented a rotating bioreactor that helps direct the movement of bacteria in a certain direction while generating cellulose fibers.As noted in the paper titled ‘Flow-Induced 2D Nanomaterials Intercalated Aligned Bacterial Cellulose,’ Alignment significantly increases content performance. Specifically, the artificial cellulose sheets were able to withstand tensile forces of up to 436 megapascals, making them as strong as metals and glass but also lighter, flexible, and transparent. “Bacteria move in all directions; we tell them to move in a certain direction,” said MASR Saadi, lead author of the research. The scientists also introduced boron nitride nanosheets to boost the material’s performance. As a result, the improved material was able to dissipate heat three times faster than traditional cellulose sheets.

Why could bacterial cellulose replace traditional plastics?

Scientists have reported that traditional plastics continue to cause serious environmental challenges as they decompose into microplastics and emit toxic compounds such as BPA and phthalates. Unlike petroleum-based plastics, bacterial cellulose is biodegradable and derived from natural sources.Muhammad Maqsood Rehman, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of Houston, said the team envisions “strong, multifunctional and eco-friendly bacterial cellulose sheets becoming ubiquitous”.The material’s potential is being addressed by researchers due to its unique blend of properties. It is strong like industrial materials, light like plastic and eco-friendly at the same time. Scientists believe it could be used in the future for food packaging, flexible electronics, textiles, thermal management systems and energy storage devices.The global research community is increasingly looking for biodegradable alternatives to plastics. Bio-based structural materials are becoming increasingly important to reduce dependence on fossil fuel plastics.

Could sustainable supermaterials transform modern manufacturing?

Perhaps the most important aspect of search is its scalability. It is often difficult for eco-friendly materials to move from experimental tests to practical applications due to their high manufacturing costs. However, according to the researchers, this bacterial cellulose process can be implemented in just one manufacturing step and scaled up to industrial scale.While the sustainability of the material is praised, doubts have been expressed about its economic feasibility compared to cheaper petroleum-based plastics.Nevertheless, scientists hope that this experiment will prove to be an important milestone towards green manufacturing. Instead of making the material from crude oil, we may be able to produce the material with the help of bacteria in the future.Plastics have always been the preferred choice for manufacturers because they are cheap and easy to manufacture. But it appears that the future of manufacturing lies in developing supermaterials using bacteria.

The US indictment of Raul Castro in the 1996 shooting down of civilian planes has heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, with some analysts warning that the move could take the two Cold War rivals closer to open conflict.Charges against the 94-year-old former Cuban president were announced this week in Miami, where Cuban exile groups welcomed the verdict as they awaited long-awaited justice for the deaths of four Cuban Americans when Cuban fighter planes shot down two planes operated by Brothers to the Rescue in 1996.But in Cuba, Raul Castro is still seen by supporters as one of the main symbols of the communist revolution he founded along with his revolutionary brother Fidel Castro.“He is the living embodiment of the revolution,” former US diplomat Ricardo Zuniga told CNN.Zuniga was involved in secret talks that restored diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba during the Obama administration. He warned that the indictment could cut off communications between the two governments and make tensions even more dangerous.“Ultimately, frustrations on both sides could lead to conflict as Washington cuts off communications with the Cuban government through this indictment,” he said.The allegations come at a time when Cuba is already facing one of the worst economic and humanitarian crises in decades. Fuel shortages, food shortages and lengthy power outages have fueled growing despair across the island, while new US sanctions and embargoes have increased pressure on Havana.US President Donald Trump has criticized the Cuban government in recent months and has also suggested he is open to a possible deal.“Whether you change the regime or not, I can (make the deal). It’s been a harsh regime and they killed a lot of people,” Trump said Tuesday.POTUS said: “But this is a country that really needs help. They can’t turn on the lights, they can’t eat. We don’t want to see that.”At the same time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American and longtime critic of the Castro family, has taken a much tougher stance. He believes that the current Cuban leadership should be removed from power.The indictment has emboldened anti-Castro groups in Miami, many of whom believe Cuba’s communist government is weakening and could eventually collapse under the pressure.“Castro’s time is over,” Cuban-American congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar said on X.For Cuban exile communities, the 1996 shootings remain one of the most painful chapters in US–Cuba relations. Brothers to the Rescue aircraft were flying missions involving Cuban refugees and had previously dropped anti-government leaflets in Havana. Cuban officials at the time insisted that the planes violated Cuban airspace and called the attack an act of national sovereignty.Now, if the US attempts to pursue Castro more aggressively, the impeachment could lead to a direct confrontation. The charges could theoretically provide a legal basis for extradition efforts or further action against senior Cuban officials.Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has responded boldly, accusing Washington of trying to impose political change on Cuba. The Cuban military has stepped up exercises across the country, CNN reports, while a state message warned citizens to prepare for possible aggression.Diaz-Canel also warned that a “blood bath” would await any attacking force.Analysts say that despite Cuba’s weak military position, any military conflict would carry enormous risks. Unlike Venezuela, where the US has recently increased pressure on the government of Nicolas Maduro, Cuba’s political and military leadership has been tied for decades to the revolutionary system created by Fidel and Raul Castro.Even though Raul Castro officially stepped down from power several years ago, he still holds tremendous symbolic influence within Cuba. He is regularly referred to as the leader of the revolution, and senior officers continue to consult him on major decisions.Zuniga warned that completely isolating Cuba’s leadership could make the situation more unstable rather than less.“By cutting off communications, they may fail to understand on the Cuban side that the next step could be some type of attack from the United States,” he said.He added: “But there is nothing to destroy that is not already in disrepair.”

In the ancient ruins of Pompeii, time seems unusually still. Roads, houses and small shops are frozen after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Of the many finds scattered across the site, the most puzzling is a set of ceramic jars built directly into the stone counters inside the Roman tavern. Archaeologists have studied them for decades, yet their purpose remains unclear. The jars are physically present, but their story is out of reach. That uncertainty has made them one of the quietest mysteries of everyday Roman life.Now, new research using advanced scanning technology is beginning to change the way we understand these objects. Answers are still sketchy, but the details that are emerging are beginning to reshape long-held beliefs. The findings suggest that these jars may contain more information about Roman craftsmanship and daily trade than previously thought.

The mystery of the Pompeii tabernacle and the built-in jar that survived for nearly 2,000 years

At Pompeii, archaeologists have identified more than 150 small tavern-style establishments known as tabernae. These were simple one-room shops that served food and drink to locals and travelers. Many of these places have ceramic jars permanently set into stone counters. These jars vary in size and shape. Some are tall and narrow, reaching about three feet in height. Others are smaller and more circular. They are not removable, and they were clearly built as part of the structure rather than added later.For years, researchers could only investigate them by looking at them. Opening them was never an option as it would have destroyed both the ships and their archaeological context. As a result, their purpose remained uncertain. Scholars have debated whether they stored food, liquids, or something entirely different. No single explanation has been confirmed.

What 3D scans of Pompeii jars reveal about Roman craftsmanship

A recent study published in Archaeological Method and Theory used non-invasive scanning techniques to examine the jars. Instead of physically touching or removing them, the researchers used a handheld light scanner to capture their internal structure. The team analyzed about 40 jars from 14 different wineries. They then created detailed 3D models based on the scans. These models allowed them to study the internal shape, alignment, and structural stability of each ship.The results showed that the jars were probably made using a slow-turning potter’s wheel. The process was not entirely industrial, but neither was it entirely handmade. This appears to be a controlled method that still allows for small variations during production.

How ancient potters created jars through layered, step-by-step techniques

From the analysis it can be inferred that ancient potters used a step-by-step process in making these jars. They would build a part of the ship, stop, add new material and continue the process. This resulted in small errors in different parts of each jar. Some jars exhibit high stability with respect to their manufacture, while others do not. This implies that multiple workshops or potters were involved in making them. In some cases, jars from different wineries display similar shapes and construction patterns. This indicates some form of training among the potters of the area. On the other hand, most other jars vary considerably in terms of both their size and internal structure.

what were these jars used for

Despite all the recent discoveries about how these vessels were made, their original purpose has not yet been established. Scientists cannot establish exactly what was stored in them. According to some scholars, the contents of the jar may have been some cooked food, such as a stew. This hypothesis is more likely than any liquids due to the fact that they were fixed inside the counter and therefore could not be easily cleaned.Nevertheless, there is no chemical evidence proving the above hypothesis. There are other possible uses of the jar that are still under discussion. These can be used to store semi-solid components or local foods to be consumed in taverns.

Image used for representative purposes

Israeli lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to advance a bill to dissolve the Knesset, a move that could pave the way for early elections and deepen political uncertainty for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.In the initial reading, 110 out of 120 members of Parliament supported the motion, with no votes against it and the remainder abstained. The bill, introduced by the ruling coalition, has now moved to the committee stage before going through three more readings needed for final approval.If ultimately passed, the dissolution would automatically trigger elections within 90 days, potentially pushing voting to October 27.The development comes amid growing tensions within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, particularly over disputes with ultra-Orthodox parties. They have accused the prime minister of failing to meet commitments to pass a law granting military service exemptions to their communities, a long-standing political flashpoint in Israel.Coalition tensions have opened the door to opposition parties who are pushing for early elections and trying to capitalize on Netanyahu’s declining political standing in opinion polls. Israeli political columnist Miriam Shermer said, “The dissolution of the Knesset, approved in preliminary reading this Wednesday, could still be suspended if the exemption (for ultra-Orthodox students) is already passed.” He said the situation could still change depending on security developments or legislative deals, as cited by AFP.On Wednesday, coalition chairman Ofir Katz said: “This coalition has fulfilled its days.”Political analysts say the timing of the move could shape the election narrative, with some suggesting that Netanyahu may prefer to hold early elections to avoid the anniversary of the October 7 attacks dominating the election campaign.“The election campaign has begun,” opposition leaders have said, as rival factions begin setting the stage for another closely contested and fractured vote with so far no clear path to a stable majority.

David Lammy unveils reforms to reduce youth prison sentences in the UK and protect vulnerable children

UK Justice Secretary David Lammy announced his plans to ensure a 25 per cent reduction in the number of children in detention before the end of this parliamentary term. The Justice Ministry is also planning a consultation on lifetime criminal records for those under 18, new youth intervention courts and tougher parental accountability measures for children involved in crime. For Lammy, the reforms were linked to his personal experience as he grew up in Tottenham during the 1980s. Prison was always a threat for him as a child as were many black boys like him who found themselves in the criminal justice system due to truancy from schools and committing minor crimes.He said, “Growing up in Tottenham in the 1980s, my greatest fear was being jailed. It may seem irrational, but in reality it was the fate of many young black boys like me”, as quoted by the Guardian.“You saw it happen gradually at first. People missed school, got into minor trouble and started hanging out with the wrong crowd. No one stepped in to pull them back. For us, going to prison wasn’t shocking or far-fetched. It felt almost inevitable. I could have been one of them, but was lucky enough to get a scholarship to a state boarding school, which gave me an outlet that others never had,” he adds.According to Lammy, short-term detention makes children and adolescents more likely to commit crimes in the future. He said, “For the most serious crimes, custody will always be necessary to protect the public; that will never change.”“But for many children, even a small shock inside can cause lasting damage, disrupting the most formative years of their lives and sometimes exposing them to greater violence and criminal influence.”The Ministry of Justice intends to allocate £15 million of funding each year to special teams that will support children who are at risk of becoming involved in criminal activity. It is feared that introducing more community sentences and reducing custodial remands will reduce the youth prisoner population by 20 per cent.These measures would include criminalizing child exploitation against adults who incite children to commit crimes. These pilot youth interventions will be delivered through court judges and support workers, who will develop individual plans.Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza supported the proposals. “I have been consistently clear about the need to reform the youth justice system,” she said.“We must create an approach that keeps children safe, keeps them away from crime wherever possible and prioritizes meaningful behavior change.”

A UK utility company mistakenly declared a 78-year-old great-grandmother dead after failing to pay a £60 bill/Image: X, Metro UK

A 78-year-old great-grandmother in Britain was sent a debt collection letter addressed to the executor of her estate after she was mistakenly declared dead by a utility company.Ginette Bye later discovered the letter had been sent by debt collection agency Phillips & Cohen Associates on behalf of Southern Water over an alleged unpaid bill of £60.87, the Metro reports.The letter reportedly expressed condolences on her “death” before requesting payment linked to her water account, despite monthly payments continuing to be made from her bank account.This account was previously registered jointly with her late husband Paul Bye, who died in 2020, causing this error.Bye said Southern Water was notified of her husband’s death several years in advance and criticized the company for failing to contact her directly before referring the matter to debt collectors.“They have taken direct debits from my bank account every month for the last five years,” Bye told Metro.“If Southern Water had spoken to me and said, ‘Mrs Bye, you owe me £60, fine, I’ll pay it’. That’s what I’m angry about.”He also said the letter could have been very distressing for elderly people living alone without family support.The debt collection notice said Southern Water had been informed that he had “sadly passed away” and claimed the unpaid amount could become a liability of his estate.His son Mark Bye said the family is deeply troubled by the situation.“At first they thought it was a scam,” he said.“She’s almost 80. Something like this could seriously affect anyone.”Daughter Paula McVicar also questioned why payments were still being accepted when the company believed the account holder to be dead.“How can you talk to the bill payer when, according to you, she is dead?” He said.The account has since been completely transferred to Bye’s name and the disputed balance has been removed as a goodwill gesture.A spokesperson for Southern Water apologized for the incident and confirmed that an investigation had been launched.“We regret this error, which has caused unnecessary distress to Mrs. Bye,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by Metro.“We are now reviewing our processes to understand exactly what went wrong and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

Truck driver Shamsher Singh (Source: NZ Herald)

A married father of two in New Zealand has been jailed for six years and nine months after raping a woman he met on a dating app while driving late-night freight.Indian-origin Shamsher Singh, 33, attacked the victim inside the cab of his commercial truck while it was parked on an isolated stretch of highway between Nelson and Blenheim, the NZ Herald reports.Singh was found guilty of rape and sexual assault. Despite the medical evidence and the guilty verdict, Singh has denied any wrongdoing.The incident occurred in January 2024 when the pair connected online and met for lunch in Nelson. Upon learning that the woman’s father was a truck driver, Singh invited her to accompany him on a commercial delivery during the night. The victim accepted the invitation because her memories of traveling with her father as a child made her feel safe around trucks.The attack occurred during the return leg of the journey in the early hours of the morning. The victim was sleeping on a bed inside the vehicle when Singh stopped in the remote Rai valley and immediately attacked him.When the woman protested, Singh told her, “F***, I’m horny, let’s do it,” before pinning her down and forcing himself on her.Crown prosecutor Sophie O’Donoghue said the victim was vulnerable, noting that she was trapped in a completely isolated area and had no means of escape. O’Donoghue said Singh ignored the woman’s distress and later attempted to avoid blame by claiming the victim had a choice and could have escaped sooner.After the attack, Singh drove back to the Nelson Freight Depot, where the victim ran away and contacted police. Later, medical examination revealed injury marks all over his body.The woman cried in court, saying the attack had destroyed her sense of security and ruined her childhood memories. Addressing Singh directly, she said, “You stole from me the happy memories of when you held me and raped me. You made me feel disgusted and ashamed and I blamed myself for what happened and for getting into your truck.”When sentencing Judge Harrop said that responsibility for the crime rested solely with the criminal. He also said that Singh did not participate in restorative justice, did not apologize and showed no remorse, so he did not receive a normal sentence reduction.Defense lawyer Paul Borich, KC, said the attack was an “unusual event” for Singh, pointing to his steady work record and support from his family and the South Island branch of the New Zealand Sikh Society. He also said that Singh’s wife still supports him despite his impact on the family.Judge Harrop imposed an initial sentence of eight years in prison. He then reduced it slightly for Singh’s previous good character and by 10% for the financial and emotional hardship the prison sentence would cause to his wife and two young children.Singh received a final sentence of six years and nine months for rape, with a concurrent sentence of two years for sexual assault