HAVANA, CUBA is in many ways, “stuck in time” because of U.S. sanctions (Shutterstock).

Former Cuban President Raul Castro could be the subject of an indictment which could lead to a military attack by the United States against Cuba.

The Associated Press is reporting that the indictment is tied to the 1996 shootdown of four planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue while Castro was defense minister.

Three persons “familiar with the matter” told the AP about the alleged plan. To proceed, the federal government would have to get an indictment against Castro by the Justice Department.

Tensions between the U.S. and Cuba are high in the wake of an economic blockade of fuel shipments to the island, which has cut fuel and increased electrical blackouts.

The AP has reported that the U.S. Attorney in Florida is seeking to build legal cases against leading Cuban officials.

Mistrial in Weinstein rape trial

A mistrial of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein in the alleged rape of an aspiring actress in a hotel room in 2013 has been declared by the trial judge.

MISTRIAL in Weinstein rape trial (Shutterstock).

According to The New York Times, Justice Curtis Farber of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan (New York) declared the mistrial after the jury in the case in which Weinstein is accused of raping Jessica Mann deadlocked.

The prosecutor now is faced with a decision of seeking to try Weinstein for a fourth time in connection with alleged sexual assaults.

He was convicted in another trial for another alleged sexual assault against Miriam Haley.

Starbucks plans 300 layoffs

Three hundred Starbucks employees will be laid off across the nation, the company revealed on Friday.

United Press International reports that this action follows the dismissal of 61 corporate employees less than a week previous.

“Leaders have taken a hard look at their respective functions to further sharpen focus, prioritize work, reduce complexity, and lower costs,” a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement.

In a wave of layoffs in 2025, the company held a “reduction in force” of over 1,000 employees including over 600 in the company’s headquarters in Seattle, according to UPI. A later cutback in October 2025 slashed 975 from the payroll

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Overall, Starbucks has roughly 19,000 retail workers in the U.S.

Weather: Warming up a bit

If you like a warmer May, the weatherperson is cooperating. The forecast for our West Orange County cities is for a gradual trend up the thermometer. Saturday should have morning clouds and afternoon sun. The high is expected to reach 70 with a low of 58. Sunday should be partly cloudy with temps of 72 (60). Monday is most sunny with temperatures of 78 (58) and peaking on Tuesday at 81 (59) but partly cloudy.

Great Thoughts:

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. A man who never reads lives only one.”
– George R. R. Martin

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”
— C.S. Lewis

“Books are mirrors; you can only see in them what you already have inside you.”
– Virginia Woolf