WASHINGTON (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Latin America met with Cuban military leaders Friday in a “brief exchange on operational security matters” near the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, the latest official to visit the island nation as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on its leaders.

Trump has warned that Cuba “is next” after U.S. military forces captured Venezuela’s autocratic leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a January raid. In the months since, the Trump administration has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, maintained warships in the Caribbean Sea and indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro on federal charges.

Gen. Francis Donovan, head of U.S. Southern Command, met with Lt. Gen. Roberto Legrá Sotolongo and other Cuban military officials.

Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces said in a statement that both sides viewed “the meeting positively because it addressed security issues along the perimeter separating the military enclave, and they agreed to maintain communication between the two military commands.”

Top Trump aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA chief John Ratcliffe, also have met with Cuban officials to explore possible improvements in relations. But the U.S. side has come away unimpressed from those talks, leading to even more sanctions imposed on the Cuban government.

Besides the meeting, Donovan also assessed the security of the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay and discussed the “safety of service members and their families, and operational readiness with base officials,” U.S. Southern Command said in a post on X.

The U.S. maintains the base despite decades of friction with Cuba’s socialist leaders, whom Trump wants removed from power.

The U.S. military has a handful of Navy ships, including at least one amphibious assault ship, in the Caribbean, a much smaller force than was present at the time of the Maduro raid.

On Friday, the Pentagon announced that a new unit of 1,300 sailors and Marines would be replacing the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which deployed to the region last summer.

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Associated Press writer Andrea Rodríguez in Havana contributed to this report.

There were delays on the M4 outside Cardiff early on Saturday morning due to a crash.

Two lanes of the motorway were shut on the westbound side near Junction 30 following a collision at around 7am. Traffic Wales advised motorists to expect delays and to allow extra time for travel.

Both lanes reopened at around 7.45am.

Our gallery features old photos of York’s most famous royal visits over decades.

One of the most notable occasions came on June 8, 1961, when York Minster hosted the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, attended by the Queen Mother, a young Prince Charles, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen.

Wedding of Duke and Duchess of Kent, York Minster, 8 June 1961. From left Queen Mother, Prince Charles, Duke of Edinburgh, and the Queen. (Image: The Press)

In 1971, Her Majesty returned as York marked 1,900 years since the founding of Roman Eboracum, with large crowds turning out for the celebrations.

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The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were again given a warm welcome in July 1977, arriving at Micklegate Bar during the Silver Jubilee tour.

1977 – The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive outside Micklegate Bar on their Silver Jubilee visit to York on July 13th (Image: The Press)

And in November 1981, Prince Charles and Princess Diana drew enthusiastic crowds to the city centre during their visit, capturing the excitement of a new royal era.

Princess Diana and Prince Charles meet crowds in York November 1981. (Image: The Press)

Share your memories

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email nadia.jeffersonbrown@newsquest.co.uk

Due to underwater hazards and dangers of cold water on hot days people have been told not to swim in the river

A Cambridgeshire beauty spot has warned visitors not to swim in its river due to there being ‘many dangers’ in the water. Houghton Mill, a popular National Trust site in Huntingdon with green spaces, stunning views and a pretty café, has issued a swimming warning after several deaths across the country.

Houghton Mill has been a popular place for swimmers, but the trust has warned that there are many dangers in the water, such as dangerous currents and other underwater hazards. In a statement, the trust said: “In the light of recent tragedies related to outdoor swimming, we’d like to remind you that we do not recommend swimming in the river at Houghton Mill.

“We know the Mill has been a popular spot for water activities for a long time; however, the waters are dangerous, and we strongly advise you not to swim. The water depth varies a great deal – some areas are suddenly very deep. There are underwater hazards that could injure or entangle you. The sluice gates could open at any time, and the waterwheel creates dangerous currents. The area is unsupervised, and there are no lifeguards present.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy the water safely. If you have children who might be unsupervised near the river, please remind them not to swim near the Mill and to stay clear of the sluice gates at all times. “

Houghton Mill was almost demolished many years ago. It was then saved by the local villagers and restored to working order to carry on the tradition of milling on this site for over 1,000 years. Set in an idyllic village location on an island on the Great Ouse River, Houghton Mill has inspired artists and photographers for generations.

Arsenal arrived in Hungary on Thursday and Mikel Arteta spoke to the media 24 hours later, confirming a major fitness boost ahead of the showpiece. However, it is a formidable task that awaits his side inside the Puskas Arena as PSG boast, arguably, the best set of forwards in Europe currently and are at full strength.

He happily posted with staff for a picture after having breakfast.

Former Prime Minister David Cameron popped in for breakfast at a trendy brunch spot in Glasgow’s west end.

Staff at Kudos, in Finnieston, were left speechless after the former Prime Minister appeared in the doorway looking for a quick bite on Friday.

The ex-Conservative leader later posed with staff for a candid snap outside the eatery, reports Glasgow Live.

Posting to instagram, the Kudos team said Cameron was more than happy to pose for the picture.

The post said: “RIGHT nae complaining this weekend because if it’s good enough for @dwdcameron it’s good enough for you!

“Speechless at who joined us for breakfast this morning after seeing us online. We’ve had our fair share of stars come through the door and usually just scream with excitement amongst the team & leave guests to dine in peace.

“However, we couldn’t resist this one. Our team looking gorgeous in their Scotland tops ahead of the game … HAPPY FRIDAY.”

David Cameron was leader of the Conservative party from 2005 and had election success against Labour leader’s Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn.

He elected as Prime Minister of the UK in 2010 and 2016, before standing down after losing the EU referendum.

Nowadays, Cameron is a Peer at the House of Lords and is involved in the charity sector as President of Alzheimer’s Research UK and leading the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre Advisory Council.

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Flashed by a speed camera, a friend gave them a word of advice. “I told them ‘that’s a sign from God’. I told them to go home.”

They didn’t go home. Uways Hussain and Usmon Mahmood, sucking nitrous oxide from balloons, continued motoring along south Manchester streets at speeds of up to 139mph.

Later that night, an innocent man was killed. The scene of the horror crash that claimed Sylvester Abayomi’s life was horrific. Images of the wrecked cars appalled those in court as Hussain and Mahmood faced justice months later.

Click here to hear the latest from Manchester’s courts in our newsletter

The Manchester Evening News spoke to people at the scene on Kingsway in Burnage in the wake of the tragedy. One man said he knew the pair. They were on the stretch as takeaways there stay open late on Ramadan, he said.

He revealed he had begged them to go home when he found out they were up to. “They’ve been driving fast late at night,” he said.

“When they got snapped by a speed camera on the road, they called me and I told them ‘that’s a sign from God’. I told them to go home.”

As he tried to comprehend the gravity of what had happened, he added: “It’s stupid. I told them to go home.” After Hussan and Mahmood were jailed at Manchester Crown Court this week, police released shocking footage from that night.

Videos taken on Hussain’s phone showed him casually holding the wheel of his Volkswagen Golf GTI with one hand while reaching speeds of over 100mph. He filmed himself inhaling nitrous oxide, alongside Mahmood in the passenger seat.

Their night came to a disastrous end as Hussain ran a right light, careering into Mr Abayomi’s Volvo S40 as he travelled to work. The 50-year-old suffered catastrophic chest injuries and died later that morning.

‘Chilling’

The night of March 9, 2026 began with Hussain, 20, filling up his car at a petrol station. CCTV footage showed him vaping on the forecourt. Mahmooh, 23, was seen in the passenger seat of the VW filling balloons from a nitrous oxide canister.

Mahmood paid as Hussain inhaled the drug. Hours hours later, Hussain filmed himself driving, music blasting. Mahmood was heard shouting ‘come on’, before filming on his own phone as they overtook a car at 130mph.

Speed cameras were seen flashing in the footage and the seatbelt warning sound was heard. Police recovered footage of the pair parking up at 4.13am.

Hussain filmed Mahmood inhaling from a balloon before turning the camera on himself and making a ‘gun gesture’. They were seen driving on the wrong side of the road.

Later, at Kingsway’s junction with Green End Road, Hussain went through a red light, ploughing into Mr Abayomi’s car.

The Golf was seen spinning before coming to a stop near a bus stop and bursting into flames. Hussain’s Apple Watch automatically called 999, having detected a collision.

Unaware of the call, the pair were recorded talking about reporting the car stolen. They were heard arguing about who would say they were the driver and discussing how to remove DNA evidence.

Hussain was heard saying his dad was ‘going to kill him’. Sentencing the pair, judge Nicholas Dean KC described the call as ‘chilling’, adding: “It doesn’t reveal shock or concern for the victim.”

A horrified passer-by urged them to stay at the scene. They were seen removing items from the boot of the VW – including gas canisters – and callously running away.

Officers tracked Hussain and Mahmood using Apple data. They found Hussain hiding in a garden on Sunnylea Avenue. “None of us were even there, what’s happened, did somebody pass away?,” he said.

Data recovered from the Golf showed that in the seconds leading up to the crash, the car reached a maximum speed of 139mph. At the point of impact, they were travelling at 99mph.

Mr Abayomi’s partner Denise Doyle said in court: “Sylvester was simply on his way to work. He was an ordinary, hard working man. He should have returned home to me that day, but because of your actions, he never did.

“Sylvester had kissed me and said goodbye and that he loved me. I never knew this would be the last time. It didn’t feel like it had really happened.

“A nightmare where I was in a box and I couldn’t get out. Sylvester was not just a name. he was my partner, my best friend, my future, he was a deeply loved member of our family and community.

“The life of belonging together has been taken away from me. The future we had planned no longer exists. It will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“What makes this harder is that this was not an unavoidable accident – it was entirely preventable. The choices you have made that morning have caused irreversible harm and have taken a life of a person that should be here today.

“I wish you had shown remorse and not run away. I wish you would have helped Sylv. How could you just leave him there?

“I hope this case serves as a reminder as to the devastating consequences of dangerous driving. No family should have to experience this kind of loss. No person should have to feel what I am feeling and shed the tears I have shed.”

His brother Andrew Turner told the defendants: “One day you will be able to hug your families again. I will never ever get to see or hug my brother again. You both did this and you both took away my chance to hug my brother again.”

Mitigating, Neil Ronan said Hussain had a previous conviction for drug driving and was a law student who worked full-time at an airport. He said: “Nothing I say on behalf of Mr Hussain takes away from the severity in relation to the horrible outcome for his criminal behaviour.”

The barrister said that in a letter to the judge from Hussain, he described his driving as a ‘single reckless decision’.

Judge Nicholas Dean KC said: “This wasn’t a single reckless decision. He drives under the influence of nitrous oxide in an utterly shocking way and an entirely deliberate way. There was nothing reckless about his behaviour.”

Mr Ronan responded: “This defendant deeply regrets the whole of the driving. He knows and appreciated and understands the effect his behaviour has had. He regrets the fear and panic and shock that led him to leave the scene.”

Judge Dean added: “I don’t accept it was shock that caused him to leave the scene, they were both still likely under the influence of what they had been inhaling. They were panicked, but panicked by their own knowledge for the responsibility of what happened.”

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Representing Mahmood, Clare Ashcroft said he was about to start an apprenticeship with Network Rail. “He is beginning to understand the enormity of his actions… he is remorseful,” she added.

Jailing the pair, Judge Dean said: “This case concerns the wholly unnecessary and entirely avoidable death of Sylvester Abayomi. Your driving, Uways Hussain, was not as you suggested, a ‘momentary lapse’. It was a sustained, deliberation and escalating case of highly dangerous conduct over a prolonged period.

“I have seen the CCTV footage and the videos recorded on phones and they are terrifying. You drove at extreme speeds, up to nearly 140mph on roads which were by and large, 30mph.

“This was, in every sense, a flagrant disregard. This was deliberate risk taking – seemingly for the thrill of it.”

Hussain, 20, from Burnage, was jailed for 11 years and eight months for causing death by dangerous driving; causing death by driving a vehicle whilst uninsured; conspiracy to pervert the course of justice; failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance.

Mahmood, 23, from Levenshulme, was jailed for 12 years and nine months for aiding and abetting causing death by dangerous driving; aiding and abetting causing death by driving a vehicle whilst uninsured and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

They were both banned from driving for five years with a extension of eight years.

Plenty of fun things to do right on our doorstep

The good weather over the past week has really put us in the summer mood.

After what felt like the wettest start to 2026, it feels like we could be in for a wonder summer and hopefully the sun sticks around so everyone can make the most of the fun things we have on our doorstep.

If you need some inspiration for how to mark the start of the summer, look no further!

With countless things to do over the summer, Discover Northern Ireland has put together a list of standout events to kick it off.

Here are ten exciting things to do 1-7 June across NI:

Long Meadow Cider Orchard

Long Meadow Cider Orchard/Cider Tour Experience with Tastings, Tea/Coffee, Apple Tart & Fresh Cream, Portadown, Co Armagh, 6 June. Enjoy a fully immersive orchard/cider experience in the company of the McKeever family. Enjoy an orchard walk explaining the various orchard plantations in place. Visitors can experience the apple blossom in May or the trees laden with fruit from June-October. And, of course, no visit with the McKeever family would be complete without tasting their award-winning craft ciders and apple juice.

Cultra Motorsport Festival

Cultra Motorsport Festival, Holywood, Co Down, 6 June. Hosted in partnership with the Thoroughbred Sports Car Club NI and Porsche Centre Belfast, this is an action-packed day with vintage, classic and modern cars on display at Cultra Manor, including gems from the Ulster Transport Museum collection, released from the Ulster Transport Museum’s private stores just for this event.

Every Voice Festival

Every Voice Festival, Co Derry 6 – 14 June. The Every Voice Festival celebrates the transformative power of singing together. From powerful sacred music and inspiring youth performances to community choirs, workplace singers, care home concerts and spectacular gala performances. Whether you love choral music, storytelling, live performance or simply celebrating community spirit – there’s something for everyone.

The Benjamin Franklin Dining Room at Hillsborough Castle

The Benjamin Franklin Dining Room at Hillsborough Castle, Royal Hillsborough, Co Down, visit website for dates and times. Step into a fascinating chapter of transatlantic history at Hillsborough Castle, where visitors can explore the castle’s remarkable connection to America’s founding story. To mark the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, the magnificent State Dining Room has been transformed into the Benjamin Franklin Dining Room, showcasing a unique collection of historic objects linked to the celebrated statesman.

Celtic Heart

Celtic Heart at Belfast Waterfront, Belfast, visit website for dates and times. Created in collaboration with The Music Yard, Celtic Heart is a locally produced show celebrating Belfast’s rich storytelling, traditional music and homegrown talent. Transporting audiences to the industrial heart of early-1900s working class Belfast, Celtic Heart is an intimate and powerful storytelling experience brought vividly to life through the spoken word, live traditional music, captivating vocals, and breathtaking dance choreography.

Titanic Belfast Curates

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Titanic Belfast Curates… Northern Threads, Belfast, visit website for dates and times. A celebration of style, creativity and contemporary design in Northern Ireland. The exhibition showcases how fashion and textile design is bold, expressive and deeply connected to place. It’s about what’s being created now and the ideas, stories and influences shaping it. At the heart of Northern Threads are Gráinne Maher, Hope Macaulay, Kindred of Ireland by Amy Anderson and Éadach by Sara O’Neill.

Under the Hawthorn Tree at Ulster American Folk Park

Under the Hawthorn Tree at Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, County Tyrone, visit website for dates and times. A powerful story of hardship, loss and survival, this exhibition brings Marita Conlon-McKenna’s much-loved children’s novel, Under the Hawthorn Tree, to life. The exhibition uses objects, sounds, smells, interactives and illustrations to tell the story, inviting visitors, young and old, to experience the story in a new and immersive way.

Viking Village at Fermanagh Fun Farm

Viking Village at Fermanagh Fun Farm, Lisbellaw, Co Fermanagh, 6-7 June. Step back in time at the Viking Event at Fermanagh Fun Farm. With live battle re-enactments, interactive warrior demonstrations and a fully set up Viking village to explore, there’s plenty to see and experience.

Little Construction Club

Little Construction Club at Millennium Forum, Derry, 4 June (more dates available). Little Construction Club is a pop-up construction-themed play experience for toddlers and young children. Children can explore a fully themed mini construction site featuring ride-on diggers and dumper trucks, build zones, sensory play, dress-up stations, roadworks roleplay, ball pit fun and interactive play areas designed to encourage imagination, creativity and active play.

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The Gobbins

The Gobbins, Islandmagee, County Antrim, visit website for dates and times. Experience a thrilling world where bridges will carry you over crashing waves to sunken caves and sheer cliff faces. On the thrilling Gobbins Experience, nature isn’t content to just sit back and be admired. It completely engulfs you: from the all-enveloping Irish Sea winds and the dolphins dancing off the coastline, to the squawking native sea birds and the salty air as it hits your lips.

For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit: discovernorthernireland.com.

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