People walk through the city center, following an armed incident involving a Florida-registered speedboat and a Cuban patrol, in Santa Clara, Cuba, February 26, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys PerezUS President Donald Trump on Friday raised the prospect of a "friendly takeover" of Cuba, telling reporters at the White House that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was dealing with the issue at a "very high level." They have no anything right now, but they're talking with us, and maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba." Trump mentioned the large Cuban community, saying a takeover of Cuba by the U.S. could be "something good ... very positive" for people who had been expelled from the country. "We have people living here that want to go back to Cuba, and they're very happy with what's going on," he said.

Gareth Southgate confirms stance on becoming next Man Utd manager after close ally hiredGareth Southgate stepped away from football after leaving his role as England manager in July 2024, although he's been tipped to become Manchester United's next bossView 2 Images Gareth Southgate has discussed returning to management (Image: Adrian Dennis - WPA Pool/Getty Images)Gareth Southgate will NOT be Manchester United's next manager. Southgate hasn't coached a team since quitting as England manager in July 2024, shortly after the losing the European Championship final. In a new interview, Southgate reiterated that he isn't planning on a return to the dugout any time soon. "I've got no passion to just go and manage in the Premier League," he told The Football Boardroom podcast. FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE!

Landlord gets teary-eyed after winning Derby Pub of the Year 2026'I had no idea we were going to win and it came as a complete surprise', the landlord of The Brunswick Inn said with delightView 2 Images Landlord Alan Pickersgill, back third from right, celebrates with some of his team. From left to right: Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson, CAMRA pubs officer Kat Higgins, Ryan Pilmore, Brunswick bar supervisor, joint owner Philippe Larroche, Alan Pickersgill, Jamie Walker, bar manager, Baggy Shanker, Derby South MP and front, Derby Beer King Les Baynton. (Image: Submitted)A tearful Derby pub landlord paid tribute to the team who help him, and his joint-owner husband Philippe Larroche, to run The Brunswick Inn after it took the top title at the 2026 Derby CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) awards. ‌He said: "I just couldn't run the pub without the help of my team, and without the customers turning up day after day. It's nine years since the pub, which is in Railway Terrace, two minutes' walk from the station, was named Derby Pub of the Year, but it did retain the title of Derby Cider Pub of the Year- an award that The Brunswick has held for 10 years in a row.

New police statement on Ian Huntley after child killer attacked at HMP FranklandDurham Constabulary has shared an update on the Soham murderer after he was assaulted by another inmate in the prison on Thursday morningView 2 Images Ian Huntley, who has been attacked in HMP Frankland is in a critical condition (Image: PA)A new police statement has been released on Ian Huntley, after the child killer was attacked at HMP Frankland in County Durham. ‌Ian Huntley is serving a life sentence for the murder of 10-year-olds Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in 2002, when he was a caretaker at their school. During his trial, Huntley attempted to convince the jury that the deaths were accidental, but it was concluded that he was lying. Further back, in 2005, Huntley was splashed with boiling water, and subsequently moved to HMP Frankland. Article continues belowFor the latest updates around the attack of Ian Huntley, and the police investigation into the alleged assault, you can visit our dedicated live blog on the incident here.

Football's set-piece obsession is allowing the game to become more like 'wrestling', according to Everton boss David Moyes, who says referees must get a grip of the 'dark arts'. The Toffees were criticised on Monday for packing the Manchester United six-yard box with multiple players standing on the toes of goalkeeper Senne Lammens in the 1-0 defeat. But Moyes said: 'Truthfully, it wasn't the plan for our corner kicks to end up like that. I don't think there's any problem in trying to get something but it wasn't really what we wanted at all and it was very difficult to get the message on. And managers, if we see somebody else doing it and not getting punished for it, then we are all on it.'

I also remembered a strain of post-1960s filmmaking that saw distressed parents searching for lost children or grandchildren among disturbing countercultures. That is the one where John Mills sought out his grandchild among pseudo-pagan hippies as the world comes to an apparent end. The desperate attempt to find predecessors, of course, confirms quite what an original film Laxe, the Spanish director of Mimosas and Fire Will Come, has put before lucky audiences. Best enjoyed in the biggest cinema with the best audio system, Sirāt leans into the ravers’ musical preference with unforgiving relish. [ Oliver Laxe on the making of desert rave epic Sirat: ‘You jump into the abyss’Opens in new window ]Then, around halfway through, something extraordinary happens.

What happened at James Bulger's grave is appalling - his legacy must never be forgottenThe toddler's death scarred Liverpool forever and people must remember James Bulger's story after his grave was vandalised in an unimaginably heartless and cruel actView Image James Bulger's death in 1993 scarred the city in a way it should never recover from (Image: ITV)How did it ever come to this? Sadly, this is exactly what happened yesterday (February 26) when it emerged last night that James Bulger's grave had been desecrated, a sentence I still can't believe is true and I'm actually having to write. That James happened to be the child targeted on that fateful day is something his family will never be able to recover from. The words don't really exist to sum up whoever smashed the statues next to James' grave, but heartless and cruel go some way in scratching the surface of a truly appalling act. They say time is the greatest healer, but it's important this never happens with what happened to James Bulger.

Annual group passenger numbers fell 0.4% to 121.6 million but chief executive Luis Gallego said premium leisure bookings on North American routes are doing “very well”. BA and Iberia achieved operating margins of more than 15%, with IAG's overall margins "significantly better than those of our global competitors". This will start with a €500 million share buyback to be finished by the end of May. He added that the company's investment strategy shows “large-scale, climbing capital expenditure plans ahead, right out to the 2030s. While this supports badly-needed fleet renewal, it means that future cash generation and hence shareholder returns are likely to fall.”

The formal notification comes as the company announced that it would cut 6pc of its global workforce. “The Minister has received correspondence from eBay in relation to a restructuring process within the company,” said a spokesperson for the Minister for Enterprise. Any further queries should be directed to the company.”The Irish Independent has contacted eBay for clarification on its plans here. "We are taking steps to reinvest across our business and align our structure with our strategic priorities, which will affect certain roles across our workforce," an eBay company spokesperson said in a statement to Reuters. 70pc of the firm’s Irish staff work remotely.

Cole Palmer's girlfriend Olivia Holder looked incredible in a tiny bikini during a lavish getaway to Dubai on Friday. It is unknown how long the beautician and Cole have been dating, but she first shared photos to Instagram from Stamford Bridge in December. Cole Palmer's girlfriend Olivia Holder looked incredible in a tiny bikini during a lavish getaway to Dubai on FridayMeanwhile, Cole's Chelsea team-mates swatted aside Hull in their 4-0 FA Cup victory on Friday night, as the England star headed out to the middle east. He has endured a difficult campaign, suffering various injuries that have kept him out of action for the Stamford Bridge club. He starred in the Club World Cup final, scoring two goals and claiming an assist for Joao Pedro, as Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain to become world champions.

Liverpool done deal paves the way for Virgil van Dijk's best friend to join new clubOne of Virgil van Dijk's closest friends at Liverpool could finally leave the club in the summer after the Reds secured a replacementView 2 Images Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool buddy, Joe Gomez, may finally leave the club after new competition arrives in the summer (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)Virgil van Dijk may bid adieu to his close mate Joe Gomez in the summer following Liverpool's acquisition of a new centre-back last month. The seasoned defender has been earmarked for departure, with the Reds refusing to approve a sale unless a replacement was secured. ‌At the time, it was reported the Italian club were eager to recruit Gomez and submitted an offer to Liverpool. This will pave the way for Gomez to contemplate his future, with his contract expiring next year. His ability speaks for itself; he's the best at what he does, he's the best in the world and probably the best the club has ever had in that position."

'Crocs and pyjamas ban' at major airport sparks debate over flight dress codesA major airport sparked debate around airport dress codes when it announced it wanted to become the "world's first Crocs-free AND pyjama-free airport", and travellers have been left divided by the X postView 4 Images The post has sparked debate about airport clothing (Image: Getty)A major airport has ignited controversy over appropriate airport clothing with an X post declaring "We've had enough." Tampa International Airport took to X (formerly Twitter ) yesterday (February 26) with an announcement claiming it aspired to become the "world's first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport". ‌View 4 Images Tampa International Airport later revealed its post was 'lighthearted' (Image: Getty)Its statement explained: "Tampa International Airport regularly shares lighthearted, satirical social media content as part of our ongoing effort to engage with our followers. ‌British airlines and airports haven't yet introduced clothing regulations, apart from suggestions to dress comfortably, though certain airport lounges do have dress codes. Article continues belowWould you back dress codes at airports and on airplanes?

“I feel like I was born to play rugby. “But the first day that I ran again last September, in the IRFU’s indoor centre on the Sport Ireland campus, I bawled crying,” King revealed. Everyone made the day really special for me.” King famously signed a contract to play Sevens for Ireland before her Leaving Cert. That's why it's so important to create visibility and support in initiatives like Women in Sport Week. “Irish women’s rugby has come on in leaps and bounds in the past 10 years.

Video: Moment tram derails and crashes into building in Milan - leaving at least two dead and 40 injuredAt least two people have died and dozens have been injured after a tram derailed and crashed into a building in Milan. In the incident, which occurred at around 4pm local time on Friday afternoon, a number 9 tram was traveling along Vittorio Veneto street in Milan when it suddenly made a turn instead of going straight on the tracks. The tram derailed and crashed into a building, smashing the window of a restaurant and knocking down a traffic light. The tram crushed one person to death, who was reportedly trapped under the wheel of the tram. A tent has been set up by civil protection teams to assist the injured.

Michael Carrick believes Harry Maguire remains invaluable to Manchester United as he moves into the final months of his contract. Harry Maguire has started every game for United since Michael Carrick took charge of the side (Martin Rickett/PA)“Harry’s an impressive character,” Carrick said. I think, even while he’s been here, in the journey and the experiences that he’s had, certainly since he’s been here and with England as well, I think he’s shown exactly what he is. While Carrick said Mason Mount is “getting closer” after returning to training, there is still no timetable for De Ligt. Benjamin Sesko scored the only goal, the Slovenian’s sixth in his last seven games, but the summer signing is yet to start under Carrick.