Students stage a sit-in at Havana University as Cuba’s energy crisis slashes classes

HAVANA (AP) — An impromptu sit-in protest at the steps of Havana University on Monday drew a small group of students concerned about their education amid an energy crisis worsened by aU.S. oil blockade of the island,which has reduced classes and is paralyzing the country.

Cuba Students Protest

Power outages and transportation shutdowns have forced the university to reduce the number of classes or hold them online, though many students are also struggling with slow and unreliable internet.

"We aren't martyrs for any side; we are university students. So, none of us intended to be here, but there has been no other way," said one of protesters, who didn't want to be identified by name due to fear of government reprisals.

The First Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Modesto Ricardo Gómez, stepped out to speak to the students. He acknowledged the financial difficulties affecting higher education, and said they have been made worse by the current standoff with the Trump administration.

"Today we have been tremendously affected by the criminal and genocidal blockade of the United States government, which, without a thought for the people or our youth, is truly massacring an entire society," Gomez said.

On the main streets of Havana, many people had to walk to work or go shopping Monday. Gasoline is rationed to 20 liters per car, and getting a fill-up involvesan elaborate appointment processthat can take weeks.

During a summit in Florida with conservative Latin American and Caribbean leaders Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. will turn its attention to Cuba after the war with Iran and suggested his administration would cut a deal with Havana underscoring Washington's increasingly aggressive stance against the island's communist leadership.

"Great change will soon be coming to Cuba," Trump said at the summit.

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Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Saturday described the summit as "small, reactionary and neocolonial."

Trump also said there are high-level talks happening between Cuba and the U.S. government.

The Cuban government hasn't confirmed that meetings are happening.

The gathering in Florida, which the White House called the"Shield of the Americas"summit, came just two months after Trump ordered an audacious U.S. military operation to captureVenezuela's then-president, Nicolás Maduro,ending Venezuela's shipment of oil to Cuba.

Following the capture of Maduro, Trump signed an executive order that would impose a tariff on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, a move that further crippled the island plagued by a deepening energy crisis.

Since then, no oil shipment has arrived in Cuba, which only produces one-third of its own energy needs.

Follow AP's Latin America coverage athttps://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

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March 10, 2026

Students stage a sit-in at Havana University as Cuba’s energy crisis slashes classes

HAVANA (AP) — An impromptu sit-in protest at the steps of Havana University on Monday drew a small group of students conc...

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March Madness bid stealers: Power 5 teams that can steal NCAA Tournament bids

'Tis the season forNCAA tournamentbubble teams.

With the2025-26 men's college basketballregular season in the books, its time now to look to the conference tournaments. In the 68-team field for March Madness, only 31 conference tournament champions can earn auto berths into the NCAA tournament.

REQUIRED READING:March Madness favorites: Ranking top 20 teams based on odds

While some teams on the bubble can secure their bids for the Big Dance by winning their respective conferences, there are not enough of those for each of them all to qualify.

Then there are teams that are not even in the conversation for the NCAA tournament that are potentially in line to steal a bid completely by winning their conference tournaments.

Here's a look at four teams that potentially steal bids from teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble by winning their conference tournaments in the Power Five:

Florida State(17-14, 10-8 ACC)

Florida State has quietlybeen one of the hottest teams in college basketball overthe last couple of months. Following a loss to SMU on Jan. 24, the Seminoles were sitting at a season-worst four games below .500 at 8-12 and just 1-6 in ACC play.

Since that point, FSU has won nine of its 11 games, including three three-game winning streaks in that span. The team has found its footing under first-year coach Luke Loucks, who is following in the footsteps of legendary coach Leonard Hamilton.

Of course, the Seminoles will have their work cut out for themselvesto win the conference tournament. FSU earned the No. 8 seed for the tournament and will take on No. 9 California on Wednesday, March 11. If it wins that, it will face No. 1 Duke on Thursday, March 12.

No. 4 North Carolina could potentially await the Seminoles in the semifinals, while No. 3 Miami and No. 2 Virginia are the two teams favored to get in from the other side of the bracket into the championship game.

REQUIRED READING:March Madness bracketology: Latest NCAA tournament bubble predictions

Oklahoma (17-14, 7-11 SEC)

ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardimoved Oklahoma to his "next four teams out"on Sunday, March 8. That's quite a rise for a program that looked poised to fire coach Porter Moser on Feb. 4, when theSoonerssat at 1-9 in conference play amid a nine-game losing skid.

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However, Oklahoma closed out the season with six wins in its final eight games, including a four-game winning streak to close out the regular season. The Sooners have found their footing and could make some noise in the SEC Tournament.

For Oklahoma, a couple of wins in the conference tournament could position it to make the NCAA Tournament — but winning it all would guarantee entry. As the No. 11 seed, the Sooners open the tournament against No. 14 South Carolina.

If they beat the Gamecocks, they play No. 6 Texas A&M and, assuming a win vs. the Aggies, No. 3 Arkansas in the quarterfinals. No. 2 Alabama could await them in the semifinals, if they make it that far. That would likely be enough to get into the NCAA Tournament, but a win against Florida in the championship game would not only lock up a spot, but also help in seeding.

REQUIRED READING:March Madness teams rising, falling in NCAA Tournament bracket predictions

Cincinnati(17-14, 9-9 Big 12)

Following a regular season finale loss to TCU on Saturday, March 7, Cincinnati is in the first four teams out according toUSA TODAY Sports' latest bracketology.However, the Bearcats have shown throughout the regular season they can hang with the best teams in the Big 12 and are a threat to go on a run.

Cincinnati has wins over then-No. 2 Iowa State and then No. 2 Arizona on its resume. Baba Miller ― an FSU transfer ― has lived up to the potential he had coming out of Spain, before having to sit out his freshman season by theNCAA for receiving improper benefits.

The Bearcats will open the Big 12 Tournament against No. 16 Utah on Tuesday, March 10, and must face No. 8 UCF if it advances. No. 1 Arizona would await Cincinnati in the quarterfinals if it were to win that one.

According to KenPom,the Bearcats have the 12th-best defense in the country this season. If it can hold up in the Big 12 Tournament, Cincinnati has a real chance to make a deep run.

Marquette (12-19, 7-13 Big East)

Marquette is the biggest reach on this list, as the Golden Eagles have underperformed all season. But could Saturday's 68-62 upset victory over No. 4 UConn could be a sign of things to come?

The victory denied the Huskies the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, but also set up a potential rematch in the second round, if the Golden Eagles can defeat No. 10 seed Xavier in the first round on Wednesday, March 11 to kick off the tournament.

A team seven games below .500 has likely shown us what its true colors are already. But all you need to do in March Madness is get hot at the right time and win games when they count the most.

It helps that Nigel James Jr. has seemed to play his basketball at the right time. He has averaged 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists over his last six games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Power 5 conference teams that can steal NCAA Tournament bids

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March 10, 2026

March Madness bid stealers: Power 5 teams that can steal NCAA Tournament bids

'Tis the season forNCAA tournamentbubble teams. With the2025-26 men's college basketballregular season...

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Corey Feldman alleges he was snubbed from Oscars Rob Reiner tribute

Corey Feldmanis responding to fan outrage, alleging he was left out of a tribute toRob Reinerat the upcomingAcademy Awards.

The actor, 54, said in aMarch 6 post on Xthat he was "not invited" to Sunday's Oscars ceremony to honor Reiner, who directed him in the 1986 film "Stand By Me."The Daily Mailpreviously reported that Feldman was not asked to participate in a planned tribute to Reiner at the ceremony scheduled for March 15.

Feldman, though, tried to tamp down fan outrage over his alleged lack of an invitation.

"I understand many believe [it's] due 2 being outspoken about the abuse I suffered as a child & the campaign 2 silence me," Feldman wrote in an all-caps X post. "However, this [isn't] about me! [It's] not my moment @ all! [It's] about the tragic loss of [our] friend Rob Reiner & his memory."

Feldman also asked his fans to "please take down any petitions" pushing for him to be invited to the Oscars, adding, "They [don't] need me there." He also said that he will "honor Rob my own way."

USA TODAY has reached out to the Academy for comment.

Feldman starred as Teddy in Reiner's classic coming-of-age movie "Stand By Me" oppositeWil Wheaton,Jerry O'ConnellandRiver Phoenix.

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Conan O'Brienbreaks silence on Rob Reiner's killing after his holiday party

Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner attends SiriusXM Presents Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend Live With The Cast Of "Spinal Tap 2" at SiriusXM Studios on Sept. 4, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> From left: C. J. Vanston, Harry Shearer, Valerie Franco, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fran Drescher and Rob Reiner attend the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner attends the premiere of "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on Sept. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner attends the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 dinner in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner attend the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 LA Dinner at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles on March 22, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner speaks onstage at the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner attends the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner and Kathy Bates attend the screening of "Misery" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Aaron Sorkin, Rob Reiner and TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz attend the screening of "The American President" during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner and Sally Struthers speak onstage during the 75th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Jan. 15, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner attend the 46th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Dec. 3, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Director Rob Reiner attends the photocall of "This Is Spinal Tap" during the 75th annual Cannes film festival at Majestic Beach on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner attends The Paley Honors: A Special Tribute To Television's Comedy Legends at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on Nov. 21, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner and Larry David attend the Los Angeles premiere of Neon's "The Biggest Little Farm" at the Landmark Theater on May 7, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Rob Reiner attends the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> From left: Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, and Rob Reiner attend the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre on April 27, 2019, in New York City.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Special Guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony: Billy Crystal at the 2019 10th Annual TCM Classic Film Festival on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Special guests Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner attend the Hand and Footprint Ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on April 12, 2019, in Hollywood, California.

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Rob Reiner found dead at 78. See photos from his Hollywood career.

Rob Reiner speaks onstage at Collider's Directors On Directing Panel during 2025 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2025.

Over the years, Feldman has spoken out about alleged sexual abuse in Hollywood, including claiming in a 2025 documentary that his late "Lost Boys" co-star Corey Haim molested him on the set of the 1987 film. He has also alleged he was abused by other men in the business.

Reiner wasfound dead alongside his wife, Michele Singer, in December. Theirson, Nick Reiner, has been chargedwith their murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

Jerry O'Connellbreaks down in emotional tribute to Rob Reiner

The Academy has not confirmed any details about a possible tribute to Reiner, the director of acclaimed films including "When Harry Met Sally…" and "The Princess Bride," at Sunday's Oscars.

Reiner has been honored at several other awards shows over the past several months, including January's Golden Globes.Host Nikki Glaser ended the eveningby donning a "This Is Spinal Tap" hat and referencing a line from Reiner's 1984 comedy.

Chelsea Handler also honored Reinerwhile hosting January's Critics' Choice Awards, praising the late filmmaker as the "nicest guy in Hollywood."

Contributing: Anna Kaufman

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Corey Feldman alleges Oscars snubbed him from Rob Reiner tribute

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March 10, 2026

Corey Feldman alleges he was snubbed from Oscars Rob Reiner tribute

Corey Feldmanis responding to fan outrage, alleging he was left out of a tribute toRob Reinerat the upcomingAcademy Award...

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Iranian operative convicted in 2024 plot to kill President Trump

A federal jury has convicted an Iranian operative of taking part in a 2024 terrorism attempt andplot to assassinatePresidentDonald Trump, well before the war in Iran.

Asif Merchant, a Pakistani national also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was found guilty of murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.

Merchant, 47, was trained by Iran's global terrorist force, theIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which he admitted at trial dispatched him to the United States to steal documents and arrange for political assassinations. According to a Justice Department complaintfiled in 2024, Merchant told a source the targets would be people hurting Pakistan and the Muslim world, "not normal people."

However, the plot was foiled by law enforcement before any attack could be carried out.

A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY.

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See inside White House and Mar-a-Lago as US leaders monitor attack on Iran

A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound,following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026. Khameneiwas killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY.

"Iran's terrorist regime sent Asif Merchant here to sow mayhem and murder," saidJoseph Nocella Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in a U.S. Justice Departmentnews release.  "Thanks to the vigilance of our law enforcement partners, his scheme ended in failure. Today, with Merchant's conviction, that failure is complete."

In a statement released at the time, then-FBI Director Christopher Wraycalled the plot"straight out of the Iranian playbook."

Merchant, who faces up to life in prison, came to the U.S. in April 2024 and met two months later in New York with undercover law enforcement officers posing as hitmen. He was arrested before leaving the country in July 2024.

"This man landed on American soil hoping to killPresident Trump," said U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "Instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement."

As set forth in trial exhibits and testimony, including the defendant's own testimony, Merchant began working for the Revolutionary Guard Corp in Pakistan in late 2022 or early 2023, receiving training in tradecraft, including countersurveillance. Later in 2023, he was sent to the U.S. to seek out potential corps recruits.

Merchant said he knew the corps was a designated terrorist organization and repeatedly traveled to Iran to meet with his corps handler. In 2024, court documents said, he was sent back to the U.S. with a new mission – to recruit people to steal documents and arrange for the murder of one of three specified U.S. government officials and politicians.

Merchant then contacted Nadeem Ali, a New York acquaintance he thought could help with the scheme, according to the documents. Instead, Ali reported Merchant to law enforcement and became a confidential source. Nadeem Ali is a pseudonym and not the man's real name.

Merchant laid out the plot to Ali in person in June 2024, the documents continued, saying he had an opportunity for Ali while making a "finger gun" gesture with his hand, signifying a murder. The victims would be "targeted here" in the U.S., he said while asking Ali to arrange meetings with people he could hire to carry out the plot.

At that meeting, the documents said, Merchant used a napkin and other objects to depict various assassination scenarios, quizzing Ali on how a target might be killed in each. He said the murder would take place after he left the U.S. and that he would communicate with Ali from overseas using code words.

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Merchant told Ali his contact back home had ordered him to "finalize" the plan and then leave the U.S., the documents said. He later testified that that contact was his Revolutionary Guard Corps handler.

In June, the documents said, Merchant met with the purported hitmen in New York, saying he sought several services, including document theft, arranging protests at political rallies and assassination of a "political person." He said they would receive instructions as to the target after he had left the country.

Around the same time, according to the documents, Merchant conducted internet searches for political rally locations and reported back to his handler about security protocols at the events.

On June 21, 2024, Merchant met with the undercover officers in New York and paid them $5,000 obtained with help from a person overseas as an advance payment for the assassination.

As detailed in the documents, once Merchant handed over the money, one of the officers said: "Now we're bonded."

When Merchant responded yes, the officer added: "Now we know we're going forward. We're doing this."

"Yes, absolutely," Merchant responded.

Merchant made flight arrangements and planned to depart the U.S. on July 12, 2024. He was arrested before he could leave the country.

"This was not the first attempt by Iran to harm out citizens on U.S. soil," said FBI DirectorKash Patel. "The other efforts also failed. Let this verdict serve as a reminder that the FBI is committed to detecting such threats and preventing acts of violence."

The verdict comes as federal counterterrorism agencies remainon high alertfor potential retaliatory attacks on American soil following strikes on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces and the assassination of the nation's supreme leader,Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has already launchedretaliatory strikeson U.S. military bases across the Middle East, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowing "bloodshed and revenge."

The regime has a decades-long history of terrorist plots on U.S. soil and against Americans overseas, including schemes targeting Iranian dissidents and former Trump National Security AdviserJohn Bolton.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Iranian operative convicted in 2024 plot to kill President Trump

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March 10, 2026

Iranian operative convicted in 2024 plot to kill President Trump

A federal jury has convicted an Iranian operative of taking part in a 2024 terrorism attempt andplot to assassinatePresid...

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