Jan Franco (left) was stabbed to death in Havana, aged just 19
The late leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, once famously called Cuba “the safest country in the world”.
In terms of the island’s low rates of violent crime and the scarcity of guns circulating among the civilian population, he may well have had a case for that title.
His critics, of course, responded that the low crime rate was achieved through intimidation, that Castro’s Cuba was – and still remains – a police state which brokered no criticism of its communist-led government, and which rode roughshod over its opponents’ human rights.
However it was done, few could deny that Cuba’s streets have traditionally been among the safest in the Americas.
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Yet it doesn’t feel to Samantha González like she lives in the world’s safest nation. Her younger brother, an aspiring music producer called Jan Franco, was murdered two months ago in an apparent gang-related dispute.
From the low-income Havana neighbourhood of Cayo Hueso and just 19 years old when he was killed, Jan Franco was stabbed twice in the chest outside a recording studio, caught in the middle of an argument when someone pulled a knife.
“I still can’t understand it,” says Samantha, struggling to express her grief as she scrolls through old photos of her brother on her phone.
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“He was the light of our family.”
Just 20 herself and mother of a one-year-old boy, Samantha says that Jan Franco was one of many young people to lose their lives in the streets in recent months:
“So many young people have been killed this year,” she explains.
“The violence is getting out of hand. They’re basically gangs, and they fall out with each other as gangs. That’s where it’s all coming from, these killings and deaths of young people.”
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They often solve their quarrels with knives and machetes, she says.
“Almost no-one settles an argument with their fists anymore. It’s all knives, machetes, even guns. Things I just don’t understand,” her voice trails off.
The situation has been worsened by a new drug in Cuba called “quimico” – a cheap chemical high with a cannabis base. Samantha says that it’s increasingly popular among Cuban youth in the parks and on the streets.
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Even Cuban authorities have admitted that drugs have become a problem
Previously, even suggesting that Cuba had a problem with opioids and street gangs – especially to a foreign journalist – could land you in difficulties.
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The Cuban authorities have always been fiercely protective of their island’s reputation as crime-free and quick to point out that the its streets are demonstrably safer than those of most cities in the US. Anything that highlights Cuba’s social problems is generally painted as biased criticism of their socialist system or as anti-revolutionary fabrications originating from Miami or Washington.
However, such has been the public perception of a worsening crime rate, a perception shared by many Cubans on social media, that the authorities have openly addressed it on state television.
In August, an edition of nightly talk programme Mesa Redonda – in which Communist Party officials are invited on air to deliver the party line – was titled Cuba Against Drugs.
During the broadcast, Colonel Juan Carlos Poey Guerra, the head of the interior ministry’s anti-drug unit, acknowledged the existence, production and distribution of the new drug, químico, and its impact on Cuba’s youth. He insisted the authorities were tackling the issue.
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In another edition, on crime, the government denied the situation was worsening, claiming only 9% of crimes in Cuba were violent and just 3% were murders.
However, critics question the transparency of the government’s statistics and say there’s no independent oversight of the bodies which produce them or the methodologies they use.
Supreme Court Vice-President Maricela Sosa Ravelo told the BBC people still trust Cuban authorities to maintain law and order
For its part, the government largely blames the old enemy, the United States, for both the existence of synthetic opioids in Cuba and for the decades-long US economic embargo on the island which they say is the reason some Cubans have resorted to crime.
In a rare interview, the vice-president of Cuba’s Supreme Court, Maricela Sosa Ravelo, told the BBC the problem was being blown out of proportion on social media. She refuted the suggestion that many crimes go unreported through a lack of public confidence in the police.
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“In my 30 years as a judge and magistrate, I don’t think that the Cuban people lack confidence in their authorities,” she claimed, speaking inside the ornate Supreme Court building.
“In Cuba, the police have a high success rate in solving crimes. We don’t see people taking the law into their own hands – which happens in other parts of Latin America and elsewhere – which suggests the population trusts in the Cuban justice system,” she argued.
Again, though, that wasn’t the experience of another recent victim of opportunistic theft on Havana’s dimly lit streets.
Shyra is a transgender activist who is used to speaking out about rights in Cuba. She says that her story, of being robbed by a man brandishing a knife one evening, is common.
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But it was the police response which disillusioned her the most.
“Just after I was attacked, I came across two motorcycle police in a side street,” Shyra recalls. Despite her obvious distress, the police ignored her pleas for help, she says.
“They openly told me: ‘We’re not here for stuff like that.’ It was such a shocking thing to hear because I told them where they could find the attacker, showed them which direction he was headed in, what he was wearing. But they just didn’t pay me any attention.”
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In the small apartment she shares with her mother, Samantha González watches videos of her younger brother’s wake. A crowd of Jan Franco’s friends appeared outside his home and began singing the songs which he’d produced before his fledgling music career was cut short.
As his coffin was loaded onto the hearse, the mourners fell silent, except for the soft murmur of weeping and prayer.
Buried with him, and every young victim of violence on the island, is another piece of Cuba’s claim to be the world’s safest nation.
Women who say they had “intrusive” medical tests while working at Harrods are to make a complaint to the regulator about a doctor, says an ex-employee who alleges she was sexually assaulted by Mohamed Al Fayed.
The woman, known as Natacha, says the examinations carried out by Dr Ann Coxon were “wholly unnecessary”.
The doctor was one of at least two who are reported to have carried out the medical tests. Another, Wendy Snell, has since died.
Dozens more women have been in touch since the BBC programme aired last week.
Natacha, part of the Justice for Harrods survivors group, said Dr Coxon had questions to answer about the medical examinations that she carried out on behalf of Fayed.
“The examinations carried out by Dr Coxon were intrusive and wholly unnecessary,” Natacha said.
“They also resulted in many employees’, including my own, confidential medical information being inappropriately shared within Harrods. This should not have happened.”
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She said the group would expect the regulator to investigate the allegations made in the BBC documentary.
A GMC spokesperson said the allegations relating to the medical staff were “deeply concerning”.
“If we identify any potential fitness to practise concerns about individual doctors, we will thoroughly examine all relevant information and take action as appropriate,” they added.
Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.
PwC’s UK partners took home an average of £862,000 this year, a drop on the previous 12 months as sales growth at the Big Four firm slowed and rising costs dented profits.
Partners at the UK firm, which also encompasses its Middle East operations, received a 5 per cent pay cut on average as total revenue growth slowed to 9 per cent compared with 16 per cent in 2023 amid a more difficult economic backdrop.
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The firm’s performance was bolstered by its business in the Middle East, which reported a 26 per cent surge in sales, compared with a rise of just 3 per cent in the UK.
Total profits for PwC UK also fell 14 per cent to £1.1bn during the year to June after staff costs swelled by nearly a fifth during the period. Total revenues for the year came in at £6.3bn.
PwC is the first of the Big Four to publish a breakdown of its UK results for the 2024 fiscal year. Rivals are also expected to report a slowdown in growth as a difficult economic environment prompted companies to cut spending.
Marco Amitrano, senior partner of the UK and Middle East firm, said: “We’ve achieved growth in a tough UK market while investing in the technology and skills that will help our clients evolve [and] improve how our people work . . . core services such as tax and audit have proven particularly resilient.”
THOUSANDS of people have just days left to apply for up to £400 free cash ahead of the winter.
The latest round of the Household Support Fund (HSF) is due to close on September 30, so if you’re eligible for help you need to make your application now.
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Household Support Fund schemes will come to an end at the end of SeptemberCredit: Getty
The HSF provides financial help to struggling households, and has been extended several times since it was first introduced by the Government in 2021.
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The latest round saw £421million given to local councils to distribute to those most in need in their area.
The current round of funding is due to end on September 30 – but applications are still being accepted by some local authorities, so if you’re quick you can still get in.
The news means that thousands more will be able to access support when schemes reopen in October, with the new round of funding in place until April 2025.
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The support available through the HSF varies across the country and what you can access depends on where you live.
But funds could be paid out as a direct cash transfer or shopping vouchers.
The amount you receive is usually based on your financial circumstances and what benefits you receive.
Save money on your energy bills with these cold weather tips
For example, East Devon District Council is offering a one-off payment of £100 to households receiving full Housing Benefit or a full Council Tax reduction, with less than £3,000 in capital and someone living in the household who is disabled or a carer.
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The cash is also available to care leavers in receipt of Council Tax relief or other benefits including discretionary Housing Benefit.
Meanwhile, Shropshire Council provided a one-off payment of £400 to households in receipt of Council Tax support with a dependant child.
Those eligible who have missed August’s payment run can still apply to have the funds added to their Council Tax account.
And Blackpool Council has already announced its support scheme will be extended until April 2025.
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Households struggling with living costs could be able to access a £200 payment if there are one or two people living in their property, or £300 if three or more are resident.
To be eligible, applicants will need to be over the age of 16, experiencing financial hardship and responsible for paying energy bills.
Many councils have warned that funds many close early if all of the cash is allocated, and some have already stopped accepting new applicants.
But it’s always worth checking your local council and, if schemes are still open, it’s best to apply sooner rather than later before all the funding is gone.
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Every council will receive funding from the HSF in the next round of support, so if you’re worried about making ends meet, keep checking your local council’s website for further details.
To find your local council, use the Government’s council locator tool.
What is the Household Support Fund?
The HSF was first set up in October 2021 and has now been extended six times.
Councils in England are now able to benefit from the latest round of funding which amounts to £421million.
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Nationwidecouncils have received a portion of the cash to distribute to households in need.
But there is a postcode lottery to determine who qualifies and each local authority can set its own eligibility criteria.
Yet, if you have a limited amount of money or savings in the bank, or are deemed to be vulnerable or on benefits, you will probably qualify for help.
The HSF’s fifth round of funding will close on September 30, but the government has extended the scheme until April 2025 with the injection of a further £421million.
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Applications may still be being accepted for the fifth round of funding, so it’s still worth checking with your local authority.
Councils will determine how the cash is distributed. For example, households in Leicestershire have been able to apply for a financial award of £300 per household, which was paid in the form of vouchers to support with gas, electricity and food.
The payment could be delivered as a Post Office voucher, which can be redeemed for cash to help with gas, electricity or water, or an e-voucher to help with food costs that can be converted to a gift card for major supermarkets.
Meanwhile, residents of Leeds could receive council tax support with those with dependent children able to claim up to £100, while those without children could receive £25.
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You should get in touch with your local council to see if you might be eligible for help.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
The help you can get varies, depending on who your local council is, as well as your personal situation.
You may be able to receive free cash or vouchers to cover the cost of heating your home, or the weekly food grocery shop.
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If an applicant is already receiving benefits, these will not be affected by the HSF.
Once you’ve identified your local council, there should be information on how to apply for the funding online.
Every council has a separate application process, meaning specific details regarding how to apply depend on where you live.
The eligibility requirements to access the fund might vary in addition so it’s best to check with your local council for further details.
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Some councils won’t need you to apply for help and will get in touch instead if you qualify.
If you can’t find any information on your council’s website, it’ s a good idea to call them and ask for further information.
How to save on your energy bills
SWITCHING energy providers can sound like a hassle – but fortunately it’s pretty straight forward to change supplier – and save lots of cash.
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Shop around – If you’re on an SVT deal you are likely throwing away up to £250 a year. Use a comparion site such as MoneySuperMarket.com, uSwitch or EnergyHelpline.com to see what deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals – meaning you’ll pay a fixed amount usually for 12 months.
Switch – When you’ve found one, all you have to do is contact the new supplier.
It helps to have the following information – which you can find on your bill – to hand to give the new supplier.
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Your postcode
Name of your existing supplier
Name of your existing deal and how much you payAn up-to-date meter reading
It will then notify your current supplier and begin the switch.
It should take no longer than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply won’t be interrupted in that time.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
The family of a woman who died falling from a balcony in Ibiza have said they are still waiting for justice for her.
On the second anniversary of 24-year-old Wallasey woman Robyn Eve Maines’ death at the Hotel Rosamar in Calle Huelva, they said she had been “tragically taken away from us”.
Robyn’s body was found on 25 September 2022.
A 27-year-old man from London was arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed, Merseyside Police officers investigating her death said.
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The force, which has been reviewing material from the Spanish police, said Ms Maines death was being treated as unexplained.
Det Insp Phil Ryan said: “On the second anniversary I am appealing for any witnesses who may have been staying at the hotel in September 2022, and who are based in the UK, to come forward.
“Perhaps you return to this same hotel on the same date every year. Were you there in 2022 and did you see or hear anything, or do you have any other information which could assist with our investigation?”
He said officers had a number of lines of enquiry, but that it was “vital that people come forward and tell us what they know”.
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“Robyn’s family have understandably been left devastated by her death and are still seeking answers as to what happened,” he added.
Keir Starmer has said he believes that people claiming long-term sickness benefits should be expected to look for work.
He added that there would be “hard cases” and that the government and businesses should help those who may feel anxious about re-entering the workplace, but that the “basic proposition that you should look for work is right”.
The prime minister was speaking to the BBC’s Today programme, following his party conference speech in which he said he wanted to “level” with the country about the “trade-offs” people would face.
He told Labour activists: “If we want to maintain support for the welfare state, then we will legislate to stop benefit fraud, do everything we can to tackle worklessness.”
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Following the speech, he was asked in an interview with the Today programme if he agreed with the proposition that virtually no-one should claim benefits without trying to get back to work.
“The basic proposition that you should look for work is right,” he replied.
“People need to look for work, but they also need support.
“That’s why I’ve gone out to look at schemes where businesses are supporting people back into work from long-term sickness.
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“Quite often, I think what lies behind this is a fear for someone who’s been on long term sickness that – ‘can they get back into the workplace? Are they going to be able to cope? Is it all going to go hopelessly wrong?’”
The inactivity rate – the number of people out of work and not looking for a job – surged during the Covid pandemic and has since remained at a persistently high level.
Nearly 3 million people are out of work due to ill health, a 500,000 increase on 2019.
The Office for Budget Responsibility says the cost of sickness and disability benefits will increase by £30bn in the next five years.
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Following Sir Keir’s conference speech, Labour announced that doctors, expert in speeding up operations, would be sent to areas with the highest number of people out of work due to ill health.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting will set out the measure to Labour activists on the last day of the conference in Liverpool.
He is expected to say that “the best of the NHS” would help “get sick Brits back to health and back to work”.
Speaking to the BBC, the prime minister was also pressed on other trade-offs he listed in his speech including the argument that the public had to accept pylons if they wanted cheaper electricity.
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He said people with concerns should be listened to but added: “We want cheaper electricity, we need cheaper power, we can’t pretend that can be done without the need for pylons above the ground.
“Politics is about being honest with people, saying: ‘If you want xyz then we are going to have to do the following things’.”
On illegal migration, Sir Keir said there was a backlog of tens of thousands of asylum seekers waiting to have their claim processed, while the government was paying for their accommodation.
He accused the previous Conservative government of “pretending there’s some magical way to wish away that number”.
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He said his government would process the backlog and return those who had no right to be in the UK.
“But I was being clear, if you have that process, there will be people who are processed, who then are able to claim asylum.”
Around 97,000 people claimed asylum in the year to the end of June 2024, with the largest number coming from Afghanistan. Other nationalities applying in large numbers include those from Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, India, and Bangladesh.
In the same year, 7,190 people who were not granted asylum were returned to their home country.
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One of the prime minister’s first decisions was to scrap the Conservative government’s Rwanda scheme, which aimed to deter people trying to get to the UK illegally by crossing the Channel in small boats.
The prime minister dismissed the policy as an expensive gimmick and have instead said they want to tackle the smuggling gangs that arrange the crossings.
Around 1.1million people in the UK living with a disability are missing out on £5,644 extra a year in benefit payments.
Attendance Allowance is a payment handed out by the Government to help those above State Pension age living with physical and mental illnesses.
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Young carer walking with an elderly woman in the parkCredit: Getty
How much you receive depends on the severity of your disability, with the maximum payment working out as £434.20 a month.
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However, a recent report by Policy in Practice found that 1.1million people may be missing out on the cash boost.
If there is a chance you or someone you know could claim the benefit then it is important to check your eligibility.
To qualify for the benefit, you must be aged 66 or over and live with either a mental or physical disability, or you require help looking after yourself.
You also must have been experiencing these issues for at least six months.
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If you live in a care home, you can only claim Attendance Allowance if you pay for all your care home costs yourself.
If you do need an assessment, you’ll get a letter saying why and where you must go.
During the assessment, a medical professional will need to examine you.
If you are confused about your eligibility, it is worth getting in touch with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to ask for their guidance.
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You are still entitled to your state pension even if you claim this benefit.
How much can you get?
Those living with less severe disabilities can get up to £72.65 a week, which works out at £290 a month.
You may be eligible for this if you require help or constant supervision during the day or at night.
The higher rate of £108.55 a week is given to those who require supervision throughout both day and night, or if a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life.
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This works out as £434.20 a month or £5,644 a year.
If your circumstances change, you could get a different rate, so it is important to report any changes to the DWP.
You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance – check with the helpline or office dealing with your benefit to see if you quality.
How does the state pension work?
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AT the moment the current state pension is paid to both men and women from age 66 – but it’s due to rise to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046.
The state pension is a recurring payment from the government most Brits start getting when they reach State Pension age.
But not everyone gets the same amount, and you are awarded depending on your National Insurance record.
For most pensioners, it forms only part of their retirement income, as they could have other pots from a workplace pension, earning and savings.
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The new state pension is based on people’s National Insurance records.
Workers must have 35 qualifying years of National Insurance to get the maximum amount of the new state pension.
You earn National Insurance qualifying years through work, or by getting credits, for instance when you are looking after children and claiming child benefit.
If you have gaps, you can top up your record by paying in voluntary National Insurance contributions.
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To get the old, full basic state pension, you will need 30 years of contributions or credits.
You will need at least 10 years on your NI record to get any state pension.
How do I claim attendance allowance?
To apply, you’ll need to download the attendance allowance form on the gov.uk website and then send it by post.
It should be sent to the following address: Attendance Allowance Unit, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 2AD.
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If you’re unable to print the form yourself, you can call the attendance allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 and ask for a copy to be sent to you.
It’s worth applying, as you may get extra pension credit, housing benefit or a council tax reduction if you receive attendance allowance.
The application form is very long and asks for a lot of personal information.
If you think you’ll need help filling in the form, you should get a friend, relative or adviser to help you complete it if possible.
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Entitled to has a full list of organisations that can help with claiming disability benefits on its website.
If you want to know if you are receiving the right amount of benefits, you can use a number of online calculators including on the EntitledTo and Turn2us websites.
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