Cuba claims its military fired on a US speedboat that entered territorial waters, killing four people and injuring six in a confrontation on Friday

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Cuban military forces have shot at an American boat, resulting in four fatalities and six casualties, according to emerging reports.

Cuba’s Ministry of Interior (MININT) announced today (February 25) that a US speedboat bearing the Florida registration FL7726SH was spotted approximately one nautical mile northeast of the El Pino Channel, near Cayo Falcones in Corralillo Municipality, Villa Clara.

According to the Home Office’s official account, hostilities erupted when the “violating” craft opened fire on Cuban border personnel, wounding the commander, after Border Guard Troops moved in to identify the vessel.

The statement confirmed the “offending boat opened fire against the Cuban personnel, causing the commander of Cuban vessel to be injured. As a result of the confrontation, at the time of this report, on the foreign side, four aggressors were killed and six were injured, who were evacuated and received medical assistance”.

Cuba’s Home Office further declared: “Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defence is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban State in order to protect its sovereignty and stability in the region. Investigations are continuing by the competent authorities to fully clarify the facts.”, reports the Express.

The exchange of gunfire occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between the United States and the communist nation, separated by merely 100 miles (160 kilometres) of the Florida Straits, AFP reported. This development follows Washington’s decision to ease the near-total oil embargo on the island, initially imposed by President Donald Trump in January following the U.S. removal of Cuba’s key ally, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela.

The agency further reported that prior to Maduro’s apprehension by U.S. forces on January 3, Cuba had depended on Venezuela for approximately half its fuel requirements.

In response to concerns from Caribbean leaders, who feared that depriving Cuba of oil would rapidly lead to economic collapse, Washington announced it would permit shipments of Venezuelan oil for “commercial and humanitarian use,” according to AFP.

Daniel Dubois refused a fist bump from world champion Fabio Wardley as the pair came face-to-face at a lively news conference in London.

The world title fight between two of Britain’s biggest punchers takes place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on 9 May.

After some long-winded bickering between the two camps, the fighters – relatively restrained until that point – finally sparked into life.

Wardley said he would “flatten” the challenger. “My power is proven. If there’s time left on the clock, I’m taking you out of the fight,” he added.

The 31-year-old – with 19 stoppages in 20 wins – will make the first defence of his WBO crown, having claimed the ‘interim’ title against Joseph Parker before being upgraded to full champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

Former IBF champion Dubois, 28, is coming off a devastating knockout loss to generational great Usyk last summer.

“If you look back, when it gets dicey, he’s not up for it,” Wardley said of Dubois, who has faced accusations of folding too easily in his three stoppage defeats.

Wednesday’s news conference took place at Dutch Hall, a converted 16th-century church tucked away in the heart of the city.

Dubois – never one for lengthy monologues – kept his answers short and matter of fact.

But the Londoner was clear in his intention. “Victory by knockout, by any means necessary,” he said.

When the fighters eventually stepped forward for the obligatory face-off, Dubois looked away first as Wardley smirked.

Moments later Wardley extended his fist in a gesture of respect, but Dubois shook his head and refused to engage.

The former glamour model visited an aesthetics clinic on Tuesday with her husband Lee Andrews, where she splashed the cash on course of beauty treatments

Katie Price has showed off her new face after booking in for a series of tweakments in Dubai. The former glamour model visited an aesthetics clinic on Tuesday with her husband Lee Andrews, where she splashed the cash on course of beauty treatments.

On Wednesday evening she posed for a glamorous selfie in front of the Burj Al Arab, telling fans she had enjoyed a “gorgeous dinner with a gorgeous view”. Katie wore her hair up and showed off her tan in a white dress, accessorising with some gold jewellery.

READ MORE: Katie Price’s husband says he prefers the ‘natural look’ as she reveals weight gainREAD MORE: Princess and Junior Andre ‘sign up’ for huge BBC series

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The newlyweds both underwent aesthetic tweakments, with the clinic claiming on Instagram that they have set out a “treatment plan” for Katie “over time” – suggesting she isn’t planning on coming back from her honeymoon any time soon.

Sharing a snap with Katie and Lee on Instagram, aesthetic practitioner Max McNiel wrote: “It was lovely to see you today @katieprice. It was great to have you both in clinic today & was lovely to meet you both!

“Thank you for trusting me to carry out your treatments & I look forward to seeing you both again soon. A full treatment plan for Katie has been set out to achieve best results overtime.”

It’s not yet known what the Pricey has done to herself, however the clinic says it specialises in ‘lip contouring’.

The mum-of-five, 47, promised fans she would come back to Blighty last week with her new husband, Lee, 43, who hasn’t stepped foot in the country since their bombshell wedding in Dubai.

After the shock nuptials, the former glamour model returned home to the UK on her own just days later – as her new husband explained she needed to see her children .

She then flew back out to Dubai for their ‘honeymoon’ after the businessman claimed he would come to the UK several times. However, the couple have now been in Dubai for several weeks.

Last night, the Pricey admitted she’d put on half a stone in weight since meeting Lee, who she teased was a “feeder”. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday evening, Katie told fans: “I have a confession to make. He is a feeder. I’ve been to the doctors and everything, asked them why… everyone’s saying how I’ve lost weight.”

“I’ve got to sort you out, I’m sorry,” Lee replied. “I’ve actually put on half a stone,” Katie continued. “You’ll be pleased to know I’ve put on half a stone because I can’t stop eating. And you’re eating for one, that’s the truth,” Lee said, referencing recent speculation that Katie was pregnant. She has since confirmed she isn’t. “I’m just comfy,” Katie concluded as the couple enjoyed their meal in Dubai.

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The changes will come into affect in March 25, which will recognise vehicles automatically.

Under the new system, travellers will be able to pay for parking after their visit, either online, by phone, or via Auto Pay.

A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: “We’re introducing a new barrierless parking system, so you can simply drive in and out without stopping.

“No barriers. No queues. No pay stations.

“Your vehicle will be recognised automatically, and you can pay after your visit – online, by phone, or via Auto Pay.”

More information can be found here: https://pay.manchesterairport.co.uk

Firefighters were called to the property in Church Lane, Thornton le Dale, at 12.45pm on Wednesday (February 25).

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the crew from Pickering pumped the water out of the property and helped a Yorkshire Water engineer to isolate the burst main.

A service spokesperson said: “Crews used main pump, hard suction and a delivery pump to get water out of the property as well as a salvage sheet and small tools to assist a Yorkshire water engineer isolate the water.

“Once the water had stopped progressing into the property, crews left the incident.”

On 23 February 1981, a group of officers led by Tejero burst into the main chamber of the national parliament, wielding guns and threatening the politicians as a new government was being sworn in. Their aim was to return authoritarianism – six years after the death of the country’s dictator Francisco Franco.

York Central MP Rachael Maskell said the “web” surrounding child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associates “must be brought to book”.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, whose royal titles were removed in October 2025, was a known associate of Epstein’s and stepped down from his role as UK trade envoy – a position he held from 2001 – in July 2011.

It came after details of his friendship emerged following Epstein’s 18-month prison sentence for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

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Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday (February 19).

He has since been released under investigation and has previously denied any wrongdoing.

Rachael Maskell MP has called for more to be made clear surrounding Andrew’s appointment and time spent as trade envoy, along with the

‘Privilege must not be protected’

In a parliamentary debate held on Tuesday (February 24), Ms Maskell said “unaccountable power must not hide, privilege must not be protected”.

The debate was brought to the House of Commons by the Liberal Democrats, who demanded all papers relating to the creation of Andrew’s role as trade envoy, along with minutes and communications on the vetting of the former prince, be made public.

The motion also requested correspondence relating to advice from – or provided to – Peter Mandelson, another associate of Epstein’s who was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Monday (February 23).

‘This is the latest blow, in this shameful chapter’

The House passed the motion on Tuesday (February 24) without division.

Trade Minister Chris Bryant confirmed that the government will release the files “as soon as is practicable and possible within the law”.

He indicated that any documents potentially relating to the offence of misconduct in public office may be withheld.

Tom Gordon MP has welcomed the passing of his party’s motion in Parliament (Image: Supplied)

MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon, said he “welcomed” this news, which he said would “shine a light on Andrew’s dealings”.

He added: “This is the latest blow, in this shameful chapter.

“We’ll continue to call for transparency and restore trust in our political institutions.”

But Ms Maskell has called for more to be done.

She called the Liberal Democrats’ motion “narrow in scope”, adding: “Clearly the police investigation must take its course, and I am sure it will be deep and thorough because it runs so far, but ultimately, if we are just looking at the appointment, we must also ask about that period of time when Mr Mountbatten-Windsor carried out the role and the implications to wider networks.”

The death in Poynton is not being treated as suspicious

Police sealed off a pathway and area of woodland on Tuesday night (February 24) after a woman was tragically found dead. Officers and paramedics attended the incident off Woodside Lane in Poynton, Stockport.

Emergency crews were called to the scene shortly after 7pm to concerns for welfare reports regarding a woman. A woman, aged in her 60s, was found dead at the scene.

A number of incident response units and police cars were seen stationed along Woodside Lane following the incident, with a walkway and wooded area also cordoned off by police who were standing guard amid investigations.

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The death is not currently being treated as suspicious, Cheshire Constabulary said. A file is being prepared for the coroner.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Constabulary said: “At 7.05pm on Tuesday 24 February, police were called by paramedics to concerns for the welfare of a woman on Woodside, Poynton.

“Officers attended and sadly a woman in her sixties was declared dead at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious, and a case file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Christopher Trybus, 43, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is accused of the manslaughter of his wife Tarryn Baird, 34, who took her own life, along with other charges including rape, which he also denies

A man accused of subjecting his wife to a ‘tsunami’ of domestic abuse before she took her own life has claimed that an audio recording of alleged abuse was ‘kinky bondage type sex’.

Christopher Trybus, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is accused of the manslaughter of Tarryn Baird, who died of hanging in November 2017. The 43-year-old also faces charges at Winchester Crown Court of controlling and coercive behaviour and two charges of rape.

Trybus is accused of controlling Ms Baird by using and threatening violence towards her, sexually assaulting her, monitoring her whereabouts, limiting access to finance, threatening to reveal private information to her family and isolating her from her family. He denies the charges.

Tom Little KC, prosecuting, told the jury that Trybus carried out a “tsunami” of abuse against his wife, including “extensive and escalating controlling, coercive and manipulative behaviour including sexual violence of two rapes and other sexual assaults”. Katy Thorne KC, defending Trybus, told the jury that the defendant denies the allegations and said Ms Baird presented a “facade” to health professionals because of her own mental health issues. She said: “This without question is a tragic case, a young woman has died and she took her own life and nothing you decide in this courtroom can alter the grief and loss of those who loved her.” Ms Thorne continued: “The defence position is Christopher Trybus was never abusive to his wife, he didn’t beat her, he didn’t break her, he didn’t coerce her, control her and he didn’t cause her death. “On the contrary, he loved her and cherished her deeply and his case is that without anyone’s knowledge, Tarryn Baird was making demonstrably false allegations to health professionals. “There are injuries but the defence case is that on a number of occasions Tarryn Baird made allegations of violence which were demonstrably false, for example, by reporting injuries to health professionals when Christopher Trybus was not even in the country. “The defence case is that one obvious example of that on November 16, he says that he was out of the country, having left on 8th November and not returned until 23rd November. “And yet during that period, Tarryn Baird made more than one set of allegations of domestic violence and took photographs of injuries, each of which she said was caused by him.”

Ms Thorne told the jury they should question the “reliability” of Ms Baird’s claims and said: “You will hear that Tarryn Baird had mental health problems which were longstanding and the defence case is that she was desperately seeking help and feeling she wasn’t receiving it and she may have become addicted to the attention that her allegations brought. “The defence case is that the reason why she never made the allegations to the police or went to a refuge was because the allegations weren’t true and she didn’t want that fact to be exposed.”

Ms Thorne said Trybus denied sexual assaults against Ms Baird and added: “Theirs was a healthy, consensual marital sex life enjoyed by both of them. “It included some practices which may not be familiar or comfortable to everyone, including bondage and rough sex. “What goes on in other people’s bedrooms can be surprising, the defence case is that it was consensual.”

She added that an injury presented by Ms Baird to her neck was caused by a “collar” worn during sex and an audio recording from her phone was of a “kinky bondage type sex” that was consensual. Ms Thorne continued: “The allegations of Terryn Baird being trapped and controlled, the defence says are untrue and the defence will suggest that they will turn out to be just false. “You will need to consider her claims that she was being financially controlled or kept away from family and friends bears scrutiny, his case is the absolute opposite is true.” She added: “Health professionals were being told a false story and her boredom and troubled mind was leading her to make allegations to seek care and attention.” Ms Thorne said that the jury would need to consider if Ms Baird’s suicide was a “cry for help that went tragically wrong”. She added that Trybus’s actions were not a cause of Ms Baird’s suicide and said: “The defence case is that there are other matters such as her mental health difficulties and withdrawal of services from her which led her to take her own life.” Trybus, who is a software consultant and developer, denies the charges.

The trial continues.

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FAI chief executive David Courell has spoken at length about the UEFA Nations League draw that paired Ireland with Israel, outlining security measures and charitable donation plans

Ireland is set to host Israel in Dublin on 4th October, with the aim of being as “sympathetic” as possible to the sentiments within Ireland regarding the conflict in Gaza. David Courell, CEO of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), confirmed that a portion of the ticket sales for the match would be donated to a charity aiding humanitarian efforts in Palestine.

Courell faced extensive questioning about the UEFA Nations League draw that put Ireland and Israel in the same group. Nearly two weeks after the draw, he made his first comments on the issues raised by the pairing of the two nations, stating that away fans are not expected to travel to Dublin for the game at Aviva Stadium.

He highlighted the crucial role of the Gardaí in ensuring security around the fixture and addressed potential protests and any concerns FAI staff might have about the matches. Despite repeated requests for his personal stance on the situation, Courell refrained from sharing his views, asserting: “I am a football administrator, I am not a politician.”

He continued, “I am here in my capacity as CEO of the federation, and it’s incumbent on me to look at everything through the lens of football and what’s right for the interest of the Irish game, and as such I don’t think my opinion counts.”

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He added, “I’m sure everybody has an opinion on this, but my personal views on this situation do not come into the decision-making process,” reports the Irish Mirror.

Security

“An Garda Síochána have been very clear that they are confident that they can deliver a safe and secure environment for this game to proceed,” Courell stated.

“And as such, we are working on the firm basis that the game will be hosted here in the Aviva Stadium.”

Protests.

Demonstrations are expected both within and around the Aviva Stadium on match day.

Courell commented: “We fully understand the depth of sentiment on this topic. We’ve made the decision to fulfil these games.

“With that said, we want to approach it in as sympathetic a manner as possible to make sure that, just like the Norwegian federation did quite well, I think it’s fair to say.

“They took what could have been a very challenging environment and created it into an opportunity for people to have their voices heard in a respectful and safe environment.

“That is absolutely our intent. How we execute that, how we manifest that, is something we’ll have to work through, not only with An Garda Síochána but also with UEFA.

“But it is our intent to try and approach this in light of the depth of sentiment in the country.

“Our desire to fulfil the games doesn’t mean that we can’t still allow our stakeholders to have their voices heard.”

Away fans

The FAI has been informed that no supporters will be travelling from Israel for the Dublin fixture, though this doesn’t rule out the presence of away supporters at the Aviva Stadium. Courell referenced the September fixture in Oslo, which went ahead despite significant calls for a boycott and demonstrations both in the city and at the venue.

“There was no travelling fans in Norway. The indication from Israel is there will be no travelling fans coming to Ireland,” said Courell.

“However, there were 600 to 1,000 Israeli supporters in the ground (in Oslo). They would have been made up of domestic supporters, be that from the different community groups locally.

“They were facilitated and were able to support their team, as they should, in a safe and secure environment.”

Charitable donation

Courell has committed to mirroring the Norwegian approach by pledging proceeds from the Israel home fixture to a Gaza-focused charity.

Norway welcomed Israel last September for a World Cup qualifying match and directed ticket revenue towards Doctors Without Borders.

Courell characterised this as being part of efforts to “approach this in as sympathetic a manner as we can.”

He continued: “That’s 100 percent within our intent. The manner and mechanism of how we do that is yet to be established. Who the recipient, charitable foundation might be, etcetera, we’ve yet to establish.

“But it is absolutely something that we are working towards.”

Renewed boycott pressure

The choice to proceed with the fixtures is likely to frustrate many in Irish football circles, especially given that 93 percent of the FAI’s General Assembly backed suspending Israel from international competition last November. Whilst Courell acknowledged that the Association’s leadership “heard our GA loud and clear,” he went on to say: “Whether or not we fulfil these fixtures is a decision for the board and the executive.”

He continued: “That is, within the constitution, our obligation, our role. And as such, that decision has been taken.”

He stated: “We are very happy to hear further from our General Assembly on their viewpoints. However, the decision has been taken.”

Staff welfare

SIPTU issued a statement soon after the draw expressing worries about the wellbeing of its members working for the FAI.

According to Courell, though, nobody within the organisation had indicated any unwillingness or hesitation to carry out their responsibilities surrounding the match.

He said: “If there are individuals that have a different viewpoint, then of course we’ll engage with them and try and understand how we can accommodate any concerns they may have.”

Potential penalties

The FAI set out in correspondence to the General Assembly, dispatched on Tuesday evening, the “tangible” penalties that UEFA might impose on the FAI.

These encompass the loss of six points, demotion to League C, and damage to Ireland’s Euro 2028 seedings and overall FIFA standings.

He warned that there was “every potential that there will be greater ramifications for Irish football – reputational, financial, operational.

“The reality is, we’re talking solely in the lane of the men’s national team here. But if we fail to qualify for Euro ’28, you know the financial benefit that can bring for the association and the benefit it will bring to the grassroots game and every aspect of what we do.

“So there is a big range of implications that extend beyond what we’ve included in that letter.

“But we don’t even need to go there. From a sporting perspective, it’s not within the interest of Irish football not to fulfil these games. We are fulfilling the games.”

The FAI are operating under the assumption that the away match will be held on neutral ground, despite the Israeli FA’s wish to reintroduce international football to Tel Aviv.

“As things stand, and UEFA reconfirmed this, the position is very clear from UEFA that there is no ability for Israel to host home games at this moment in time,” he said.

“So until that position changes, I’m not really in a position to comment on whether or not the game is in Tel Aviv. Right now we’re working on the assumption it’s not.”

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