Cuban ex-President Raul Castro indicted on charges including murder, conspiracy to kill US nationals

Former Cuban President Raúl Castro has been indicted in connection to his alleged role in the 1996 downing of two planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue.

The indictment, which a Florida grand jury returned in April, was unsealed Wednesday, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said during an announcement in Miami on Wednesday. It charges Castro with conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of aircraft and four separate counts of murder, Blanche revealed. 

The indictment stems from a February 1996 incident in which four Americans — Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales — were flying in civilian aircraft when Cuban military aircraft shot their planes down in international waters and killed them, the indictment alleges, according to Blanche. 

"They were unarmed civilians and were flying humanitarian missions for the rescue and protection of people fleeing oppression across the Florida Straits," Blanche said.

CUBA SAYS CIA CHIEF RATCLIFFE MET WITH OFFICIALS IN HAVANA AMID US TENSIONS

"As alleged in the indictment, Raúl Castro and five co-defendants participated in a conspiracy that ended with Cuban military aircraft firing missiles at those planes and killing four Americans," he continued. 

"Nations and their leaders cannot be permitted to target Americans. Kill them, and not face accountability," Blanche also said.

Joining Blanche in announcing the indictment were United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason A. Reding Quiñones, Deputy FBI Director Christopher Raia and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

The indictment comes amid rising tensions in the Caribbean and a series of comments from Trump and his surrogates hinting at a regime change in Cuba. 

Uthmeier also hinted at a leadership change Wednesday.

"There can be no future for a free Cuba so long as the Castros and their criminal gang of thugs remain in power," Uthmeier said, to thunderous applause from the Miami crowd. "We now have the leaders that will pursue that which is right and just," Uthmeier added, concluding with "get ready, there's more to come. God bless America and God bless the free state of Cuba."

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cuban-ex-president-raul-castro-indicted-charges-murder-conspiracy-kill-us-nationals

Megan Rapinoe’s woke fans reject her luxury World Cup hospitality ticket sales pitch: 'Shill'

Picking one of the most miserable figures in sports, Megan Rapinoe, to influence exclusive World Cup hospitality ticket sales might not have been the smartest business decision.

The 40-year-old Rapinoe is being roasted on Instagram by her own fans for a "paid partnership" Instagram post the retired soccer vet posted on Monday.

"With hospitality, you get a guaranteed ticket with premium seating," Rapinoe promised. "With hospitality, you get a ticket plus dedicated entry, unlimited food and drinks, and plenty of time before and after the match to enjoy it all."

Sounds amazing, right? A quick check of the World Cup Hospitality website shows a price of $6,050 for one person to attend the June 12 USA-Paraguay match in Los Angeles, if you want access to the Pitchside Lounge.

Rapinoe's fans aren't happy that their hero is taking a check from FIFA to promote such elitism.

NYC MAYORAL CANDIDATE MAMDANI CALLS WORLD CUP TICKETS 'ABSURD' AT '$6,000' FOR FINAL GAME AT METLIFE STADIUM

"Too bad only the 1% can afford it," one of her fans replied on Instagram.

"Sad you are doing this Megan. They have out priced all the fans," wrote another fan.

Single-seat tickets to the USA-Paraguay match are selling for just over $1,000. The wokes who hate capitalism see this charade as Meg selling out for a paycheck.

"Rapinoe a shill for FIFA, how the mighty have fallen," an angry fan replied to her video.

Does Rapinoe even have the influence to move World Cup tickets? Outside the announcement of her breakup with her girlfriend, Sue Bird, Rapinoe isn't moving the Google Trends needle this year. Nothing says lack of energy for love of sports like Rapinoe telling fans to get excited about men's soccer when this woman is off running a Substack where she's writing about slowing down in life and smelling roses.

Just three people have replied to the post. Even the wokest of the wokes are ignoring poor Megan.

She's not calling for cheaper tickets. She's not standing up against exorbitant ticket prices — even her enemy, President Trump, has called for lower World Cup prices. From an outsider looking in, it appears that Megan just wants to make money for Megan while ignoring the regular Americans she claims to fight for.

Perhaps Rapinoe was a fraud all along. It just took some people longer to figure it out than the rest of us.

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/megan-rapinoes-woke-fans-reject-luxury-world-cup-hospitality-ticket-sales-pitch-shill

Trump eyes new White House lawn project that could reshape presidential travel

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering installing a White House helipad for Marine One, the latest potential update to the executive mansion’s grounds. 

"President Trump has continued to make improvements at the White House and all around D.C. to benefit future presidents and Americans," White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital when asked about the reported consideration on Monday morning. 

The White House did not reveal additional details on the matter. 

The helipad would protect the South Lawn’s grass from the powerful engines of the newer helicopters used by the president, the Wall Street Journal first reported Monday. It is unclear who would fund building the possible addition.

GOLDEN EAGLES, LIONS AND A WINGED LADY LIBERTY TOP TRUMP'S PROPOSED 250-FOOT DC 'TRIUMPHAL ARCH' DESIGNS

Trump’s White House renovations and broader D.C. beautification push have drawn both praise from supporters and criticism from preservationists and political opponents.

TRUMP REVEALS FIRST PHOTOS AFTER LINCOLN BEDROOM'S RENOVATION IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Recently, Trump replaced the West Wing Colonnade with polished black granite flooring along the "Presidential Walk of Fame."

Trump's ongoing construction of the White House Ballroom has also returned to the spotlight after security concerns surrounding large presidential events intensified following the April shooting tied to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

A 250-foot triumphal arch is proposed to sit near the Lincoln Memorial at a roundabout between Memorial Bridge and Memorial Avenue near the Arlington Cemetery Metro Stop.

WHITE HOUSE MAKEOVERS HAVE LONG SPARKED CONTROVERSY, WELL BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S $200M BALLROOM

Last year, President Trump directed the addition of stone pavers to the Rose Garden lawn, a change designed to better accommodate press conferences and ceremonial events which is now dubbed the "Rose Garden Club."

Throughout its 223-year history, the iconic residence has seen numerous updates — both large and small — under nearly every administration, including the creation of the first Oval Office in 1909 under the Taft administration, and the addition of the East Wing under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's tenure.

source https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-eyes-new-white-house-lawn-project-could-reshape-presidential-travel

Michelle Obama warns liberals against pigeonholing Trump voters, says they didn't know what else to do

Former first lady Michelle Obama warned against lecturing voters who supported President Donald Trump during a podcast interview on Sunday, and described their support for the president as an "act" of not knowing what else to do.

Host of the "Talk Easy" podcast Sam Fragoso asked if her opinion of the country changed after Trump was elected in 2016 and again in 2024.

Obama said she obviously felt disappointed by it, but that the outcome had to do with people's pain and where they are in their lives. The former first lady said people struggling with healthcare as well as the high cost of living made them more susceptible to finding someone to blame.

FORMER DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CALLS OUT PARTY FOR ALIENATING VOTERS BY 'HECTORING AND LECTURING' THEM

"And that's true that anger, you know, I can't look some people in the face and tell them you have no right to be angry or to do something that maybe is against your own interest," she said. "That's what — that's human nature. Many of the people who voted for my husband twice — twice! And I know that that's how they feel. It's like, this isn't about anything other than just, we need something different."

Obama continued, "So, you can't just pigeonhole them and say you just don't care, and you're racist or whatever you're thinking. This is an act of 'I don't know what else to do.'"

"I just wish we had more leaders that were figuring out how to do more for the middle class, for the working folks, because those are the folks who are drowning in this economy," she added. "It's not me anymore, but I know those folks, and they're good people, and they don't have a way out and that makes for bad choices."

MICHELLE OBAMA TELLS COLBERT SHE FEELS 'LOST' ABOUT CURRENT WHITE HOUSE NORMS AND STANDARDS UNDER TRUMP

Earlier in the conversation, Obama said the U.S. hasn't "completed the assignment of actualizing this democracy." 

Obama said in April that America was going through its "janky" era.

"Well, that's the 2.0 of life and when we talk about, how do you feel about the country? You know, there are versions of the country that happen, right? And the new version doesn't make the old one bad. It's necessary for growth. And I think we're in just a janky version," Obama said during an interview on her "IMO" podcast.

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She said with each version of America, the country learned something about itself, before pointing to the ICE shootings in Minnesota and the community's response.

"But with each, you know, with each version, we learned something about ourselves as a country," Obama said. "And you know I'm, right now I'm kind of digging the way folks are beginning to respond, right? I mean, Minnesota, powerful stuff. I mean it was a powerful reminder of what a community of people can do and are willing to do to protect one another."

She argued that when the country isn't as "janky," it doesn't have to prove it.

source https://www.foxnews.com/media/michelle-obama-warns-liberals-against-pigeonholing-trump-voters-says-didnt-know-what-else-do

Frequent museum visits tied to reduced cellular aging, research finds

People who regularly visit museums or participate in creative activities may be aging more slowly on a biological level, according to a new study from the United Kingdom.

Researchers from University College London analyzed data from more than 3,500 adults and found that people who frequently engaged in arts and cultural activities showed signs of slower biological aging in several DNA-based measurements.

The findings were published in the journal Innovation in Aging.

CREATIVE HOBBIES KEEP THE BRAIN YOUNG, STUDY FINDS — HERE ARE THE BEST ONES TO PURSUE

The study examined activities including painting, photography, dancing, singing, visiting museums and attending cultural events or historic sites.

Researchers compared participation in those activities with "epigenetic clocks," scientific tools that examine chemical changes in DNA over time.

Adults who participated more often, and in a wider variety of activities, tended to show slower aging scores compared to people who rarely engaged in arts or cultural experiences.

ANTI-AGING BENEFITS LINKED TO ONE SURPRISING HEALTH HABIT

The association appeared even stronger among adults over age 40.

Researchers also noted that the effect sizes were comparable to those linked to physical activity, one of the most widely studied behaviors associated with healthy aging.

Jessica Mack, a health and wellness expert and founder of The Functional Consulting Group who was not involved in the study, said the findings reflect a growing understanding that health is influenced by more than exercise and nutrition alone.

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"Arts and cultural engagement may be associated with slower epigenetic aging, with effects comparable in some measures to physical activity," Mack told Fox News Digital.

She said activities such as visiting museums and engaging with music or art may help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation and increase social connection.

"These are not ‘extra’ lifestyle activities," Mack said. "They may be deeply connected to how the body manages inflammation, stress hormones, mood and overall resilience."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

Mack added that people experiencing stress, social isolation, retirement or caregiving responsibilities may especially benefit from meaningful cultural engagement.

Experts cautioned, however, that the study does not prove arts engagement directly slows aging.

"This is an observational study, not an experiment," Professor Steve Horvath of UCLA, a longevity researcher and pioneer in epigenetic aging research who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

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"So when researchers find that the people who go to museums have younger epigenetic age, we cannot tell whether the museum visits slowed their aging, or whether their slower aging is what allowed them to keep visiting museums," he said.

Horvath said both explanations may be true to some degree, though he described the research as "methodologically careful" and worthy of further study.

The findings remained consistent even after accounting for factors such as smoking, income, body weight and other lifestyle habits.

He added that regardless of whether arts engagement is directly slowing biological aging, staying socially and mentally active is still associated with healthier aging overall.

"The prescription is the same," he said. "Keep going."

source https://www.foxnews.com/health/frequent-museum-visits-tied-reduced-cellular-aging-research-finds

What to Know About Letlow And Fleming in the Louisiana Senate Race

He was defeated in the Republican primary in Louisiana on Saturday. Representative Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming are now in a runoff for the party’s nomination. May 17, 2026 at 11:55PM

Fleeing Wisconsin driver gets airborne and jumps car over another car during high-speed chase

Footage from a high-speed chase in Wisconsin earlier this month shows the fleeing driver going airborne and jumping his car over another. We're talking full 'Dukes of Hazzard' style.

It's one of the most insane dashcam videos you'll ever see. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office released the now-viral footage of the arrest, which took place on Saturday morning, May 9.

FOX 6 reports that the Wisconsin State Patrol stopped a car, then called for backup because of an active felony warrant. As a Fond du Lac County sheriff's deputy and another trooper arrived, the driver took off.

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A high-speed pursuit began and eventually came to an end when the driver lost control, went into a ditch, then up the embankment. This is where the car flies over another car.

The fleeing driver's car not only flew over the other car, it went all the way over the road and ended up in a field on the other side.

Remarkably, Dewayne Stokes, 44, identified by police as the driver, wasn’t ready to give up. He got out of the vehicle and had to be Tased before being taken into custody.

The pursuit had come to an end after four and a half miles, a tiny bit of which was covered through the air. Stokes was then taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

He was charged with seven counts, including first-degree reckless endangering safety and two counts of eluding an officer. His cash bond was set at $25,000, and he's due back in court on June 24, according to court documents.

Stokes was out on bond at the time of his car flight for operating a vehicle without the owner's consent, FOX 6 added. He had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court. He didn’t know it at the time, how could he have, but that decision was going to put him on a path to fly a car over another car.

Everything happens for a reason.

source https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-culture/fleeing-wisconsin-driver-gets-airborne-jumps-car-another-car-high-speed-chase