{"id":2281,"date":"2026-05-21T13:39:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usglobalnews.com\/2026\/05\/21\/first-thing-us-indicts-former-cuban-president-raul-castro-as-it-seeks-to-oust-regime\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T13:39:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:39:54","slug":"first-thing-us-indicts-former-cuban-president-raul-castro-as-it-seeks-to-oust-regime","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=2281","title":{"rendered":"First Thing: US indicts former Cuban president Ra\u00fal Castro as it seeks to oust regime"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"border-color:var(--article-border);background-color:var(--article-inner-background)\" class=\"dcr-wqti5a\">\n<div class=\"dcr-2zxs1v\">\n<div style=\"--grid-area:media\" data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tr9ye5\">\n<figure id=\"283178a6-8e30-4dda-b165-6379f336a924\" class=\"dcr-142siv7\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Castro, wearing military uniform, stands in front of a Cuban flag.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/9760f9dade46512972889809a66ebc356af9c30c\/250_0_2501_2000\/master\/2501.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"371.8512594962015\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><span class=\"dcr-v822l1\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-gup2gr\">\n<div class=\"dcr-fntg6k\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-1xgwz8b\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1os51wo\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Ra\u00fal Castro in Santiago, Cuba, on 1 January 2024.<\/span> Photograph: Ismael Francisco\/AP<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"283178a6-8e30-4dda-b165-6379f336a924\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-n4pnam\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1hdkqum\"><span class=\"dcr-hvsf4t\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Ra\u00fal Castro in Santiago, Cuba, on 1 January 2024.<\/span> Photograph: Ismael Francisco\/AP<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:border\" data-gu-name=\"border\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:headline\" data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-14emo0l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1aqe7zu\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-1k1a1x\">First Thing: US indicts former Cuban president Ra\u00fal Castro as it seeks to oust regime<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:standfirst\" data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1fnjjtg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-15in7js\">\n<p>Charges filed against Ra\u00fal Castro for allegedly shooting down planes in 1996. Plus, US employers spend more than $1.5bn a year to fight labor unions<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in standfirst link\">Don\u2019t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:body\" data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-kn9unn\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1a4fred\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-ydnaza\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-1c9t5u6\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Good morning.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">On Wednesday, the US <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/20\/cuba-raul-castro-indictment\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">issued a federal criminal indictment<\/a> against Ra\u00fal Castro, Cuba\u2019s former president, and five others, in a significant escalation of the Trump administration\u2019s campaign to oust the country\u2019s communist regime.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">The indictment, filed in US district court for the southern district of Florida, comes at a time of heightened tension between the US and Cuba. Donald Trump has threatened military action against the Cuban government, and an energy crisis created by a tight US oil embargo has caused rolling blackouts and prompted protests in the capital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Trump was asked by reporters on Wednesday if there could be an arrest similar to that of the ousted Venezuelan president Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in January. \u201cI don\u2019t want to say that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What are the details?<\/strong> Castro, 94, was charged with conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of destruction of aircraft related to an incident in 1996 \u2013 in which four men were killed by the Cuban military, when two small planes were shot down during a humanitarian mission in the Florida Straits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>How has Cuba reacted?<\/strong> Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel, the Cuban president, condemned the indictment as a political stunt that sought only to \u201cjustify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"israeli-security-minister-stirs-diplomatic-outrage-with-flotilla-activist-abuse-video\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Israeli security minister stirs diplomatic outrage with flotilla activist abuse video<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"e35893e0-6646-4609-93f4-b23c4f3b79df\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.YoutubeBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\">\n<div data-component=\"youtube-atom\" data-atom-id=\"153a513e-e184-459c-9437-725618a61a67\" data-video-id=\"yptx3K75epQ\" data-video-unique-id=\"yptx3K75epQ-6\">\n<div data-testid=\"youtube-sticky-yptx3K75epQ-6\" data-is-sticky=\"false\" class=\"dcr-0\">\n<div class=\"dcr-0\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1ykam5j\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"0\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-qih6yf\"><button data-testid=\"youtube-overlay-yptx3K75epQ-6\" aria-label=\"Play video: Israeli minister Ben-Gvir posts video taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists \u2013 video\" type=\"button\" class=\"dcr-rvfwnd\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Israeli minister Ben-Gvir posts video taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists \u2013 video\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b1fb2dfccd12236860e088f60ae3f8060a3e7bcc\/0_624_1202_676\/1202.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" height=\"259\" width=\"460\" class=\"dcr-1qi2at0\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1vthf9b\">\n<div class=\"dcr-e1ey7b\"><span class=\"dcr-bkmuqk\">1:03<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"play-icon dcr-hz5qc7\"><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1alawo7\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Israeli minister Ben-Gvir posts video taunting detained Gaza flotilla activists \u2013 video<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Israel\u2019s far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has sparked a diplomatic crisis by publishing footage of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/20\/israeli-security-minister-itamar-ben-gvir-stirs-diplomatic-outrage-with-flotilla-activist-abuse-video\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Israeli security forces abusing international activists<\/a> who were detained as they tried to sail to Gaza with aid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Three activists were taken to hospital as a result of Israeli violence, lawyers representing the group said. They were subsequently discharged. Dozens of others have suspected broken ribs, resulting in breathing problems. The rights group Adalah said there had been \u201cwidespread physical and psychological abuse by Israeli authorities\u201d.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What does the video show?<\/strong> Images of dozens of men and women kneeling in rows, with their foreheads to the ground and their hands zip-tied behind their back. Ben-Gvir posted it on his social media account. He appears waving an Israeli flag, mocking and taunting the detainees.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What are global leaders saying?<\/strong> The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, one of the country\u2019s staunchest allies, described Ben-Gvir\u2019s behaviour as \u201cdespicable\u201d and said the minister had \u201cbetrayed the dignity of his nation\u201d. Others criticizing the video were Italy, Spain, the European Council, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and others. The Spanish foreign minister called the treatment \u201cmonstrous, disgraceful and inhumane\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"us-employers-spend-more-than-15bn-a-year-to-fight-labor-unions\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>US employers spend more than $1.5bn a year to fight <\/strong><strong>labor<\/strong><strong> unions<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"f940cf1a-05e2-463c-8e1c-3493c693cbda\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Starbucks employees hold placards. One reads: \u2018baristas on strike\u2019\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f7a54c41cd9dd25922f5c85102f849191e80ee0d\/162_0_4001_3200\/master\/4001.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"355.91102224443887\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"f940cf1a-05e2-463c-8e1c-3493c693cbda\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Starbucks employees on strike as part of a nationwide push for improved wages and benefits, in Seattle, November 2025.<\/span> Photograph: David Ryder\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">US employers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/20\/how-much-companies-spend-fight-unions\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">spend more than $1.5bn a year<\/a> on labor union opposition efforts, according to a report published on Wednesday by the Economic Policy Institute.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\u201cThis is millions or even billions of dollars that\u2019s not going towards workers and investing into their workplace,\u201d said Margaret Poydock, a co-author of the report and a senior policy analyst at the EPI.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Where is the money going?<\/strong> Employers spent company money hiring consultants and law firms specializing in union avoidance and on legal counsel, representation and litigation services during union elections and organizing campaigns.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>What might be the impact?<\/strong> Poydock said the role of these union-avoidance law firms and consultants has, in part, contributed to the decline of unionization membership and density over several decades. Union density in the US is at 10%, compared with 20.3% in 1983. Despite this decline, Gallup polls report nearly 70% of Americans approve of labor unions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"dc9c240e-fd1c-43b7-9170-3698842b6cb5\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A health worker takes the temperature of a woman, as authorities and aid agencies intensify efforts to contain a new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b42f59a37c2ccc5e29dcd8c448498971aa59c9ec\/289_196_3790_3033\/master\/3790.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.11741424802113\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"dc9c240e-fd1c-43b7-9170-3698842b6cb5\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">A health worker takes the temperature of a woman amid an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<\/span> Photograph: Arlette Bashizi\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>An American doctor who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been flown to Germany for treatment,<\/strong> along with his wife and four children, as the World Health Organization warned of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/20\/ebola-outbreak-us-doctor-germany\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">\u201cscale and speed\u201d of the outbreak<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>Trump said on Wednesday he would speak to Taiwan\u2019s <\/strong><strong>president, <\/strong><strong>Lai Ching-te<\/strong><strong>,<\/strong> a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/21\/trump-taiwan-president-china-relations\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">break from diplomatic norms<\/a> for a US leader, which could roil US relations with China.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>A man in Tennessee, who was jailed for 37 days over a Facebook post<\/strong><strong>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/20\/settlement-man-jailed-charlie-kirk-post\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">has won <\/a><\/strong><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/20\/settlement-man-jailed-charlie-kirk-post\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">an $835,000 settlement<\/a>,<\/strong> after he posted about the assassination of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\"><strong>The US has ordered its Jerusalem embassy to press the Palestinian leadership into dropping <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/may\/20\/us-palestinian-authority-united-nations-vice-presidency\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a bid for a senior position<\/a> at the UN general assembly,<\/strong> anxious that the role could allow Palestinians to chair high-profile debates on the Middle East.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-spacex-reveals-plan-for-175tn-stock-market-debut-that-could-make-musk-a-trillionaire\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Stat of the day: SpaceX reveals plan for $1.75tn stock market debut that could make Musk a trillionaire<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"0d9f3d87-cae7-4223-9637-e37d81051b06\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Elon Musk, center, departs after a welcome ceremony with Trump and China\u2019s president, Xi Jinping, in Beijing this month.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/e3d549864dc92e85acf25e98253fac4034c32ece\/0_0_5538_3692\/master\/5538.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.66666666666663\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"0d9f3d87-cae7-4223-9637-e37d81051b06\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Elon Musk, center, departs after a welcome ceremony with Trump and China\u2019s president, Xi Jinping, in Beijing this month.<\/span> Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">SpaceX has announced plans to list on the US stock market, disclosing its investor prospectus and financials. Elon Musk\u2019s rocket and satellite operations company will go publicon the Nasdaq at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/science\/2026\/may\/20\/spacex-finances-stock-market-debut\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">valuation of about $1.75tn<\/a>. It could move Musk closer to becoming a trillionaire, from his current net worth of $807.7bn, according to Forbes.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-filter-the-seven-best-non-toxic-cooking-pans-in-the-us-tested-in-a-food-lab\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>The Filter: The seven best non-toxic cooking pans in the US, tested in a food lab<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"351d3add-05a5-41a4-9667-511b00f5d0f6\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Image of various pans\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/5b3047306f44a2c66f2316e64edf6f70a6072e5c\/1_0_790_632\/master\/790.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"351d3add-05a5-41a4-9667-511b00f5d0f6\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">The Filter tried 13 non-toxic pans to learn which cook the best, testing for protein sear, heating rate, egg stickiness and heat retention.<\/span> Composite: Guardian Composite\/Smithey\/Lodge Cast Iron\/Caraway\/Our Place<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">At Drexel University\u2019s Food Lab, 13 of the top non-toxic pans were tested to learn which cook the best, including buzzy brands such as Our Place and Caraway. Here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/thefilter-us\/2026\/feb\/21\/best-non-toxic-pans\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">top picks<\/a> from this Filter US article published in February.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-only-female-yakuza\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: The rise and fall of the only female yakuza<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"a37def71-d4e5-4889-86a0-ab047e56a895\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mako Nishimura in Japan in October 2025.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/a3f5a29b0ef2595a1f1c3e5cf53b99e4621ddd4a\/665_0_3335_2668\/master\/3335.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-6\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"a37def71-d4e5-4889-86a0-ab047e56a895\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Mako Nishimura in Japan in October 2025.<\/span> Photograph: Shoko Takayasu\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Mako Nishimura fought her way into the Japanese underworld, but drug addiction and the slow demise of organized crime gangs almost destroyed her. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/news\/2026\/may\/21\/the-devils-child-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-only-female-yakuza\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">For the long read<\/a>, Sean Williams writes about Nishimura, probably the only woman ever to have been a full-fledged yakuza.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-the-20-year-old-climate-activist-taking-on-trump-and-the-fossil-fuel-industry\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Climate check: The 20-year-old climate activist taking on Trump and the fossil fuel industry<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"744cd051-f78e-4880-bf7a-2ca9af9922e8\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Eva Lighthiser in Paradise Valley. It is snowy.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/066b65e911df067324490928410f30bcbb5a949e\/255_0_2250_1800\/master\/2250.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-7\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"744cd051-f78e-4880-bf7a-2ca9af9922e8\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Eva Lighthiser in Paradise Valley.<\/span> Photograph: Will Warasila\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Young Americans, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/ng-interactive\/2026\/may\/20\/eva-lighthiser-trump-climate\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Eva Lighthiser in Montana<\/a>, are suing the president for violating rights, with executive orders that fuel the climate crisis. If Lighthiser\u2019s lawsuit is successful, it would force the government to \u201cacknowledge the fact that they are doing active harm to young people in this country\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-queer-art-bowler-hats-and-an-annie-hall-script-inside-diane-keatons-archive-as-treasures-go-on-sale\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Last Thing: Queer art, bowler hats and an Annie Hall script \u2013 inside Diane Keaton\u2019s archive as treasures go on sale<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"98486f90-5bd4-474c-a6fd-b965ea6a306a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t8m8f2\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Diane Keaton flanked Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty in Reds, 1981.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/db107451b05b1667ca2b43ef0e448134fd8e9d4f\/114_3_1916_1533\/master\/1916.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.0464509394572\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-evn1e9\"><a href=\"#img-8\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-13fd1ms\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"98486f90-5bd4-474c-a6fd-b965ea6a306a\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-4tmywn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-194i6pr\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-fd61eq\"><span class=\"dcr-1inf02i\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1qvd3m6\">Diane Keaton (center) flanked Jack Nicholson (left) and Warren Beatty in Reds, 1981.<\/span> Photograph: Paramount\/RGR\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">Four auctions of items belonging to the actor Diane Keaton, who died in October, reveal some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2026\/may\/19\/diane-keaton-archive-exhibition\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">treasures she collected<\/a>. Each sale focuses on a distinct aspect of Keaton\u2019s identity, including her sartorial inclinations and photographic works.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"5ec21464-a69c-41d8-be72-dcb5106c6abe\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-173mewl\">\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\" class=\"dcr-1vu3ut5\">\n<div class=\"dcr-p9o6z7\">Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"get-in-touch\" class=\"dcr-12ibh7f\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-130mj7b\">If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-qxqnsy\"><span class=\"dcr-1rq3vad\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1dzx48f\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-1rrvs2w\">\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/guardian-us-briefing\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">First Thing newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-hj8byr\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-1gwziyt\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-nu129i\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=US%20indicts%20former%20Cuban%20president%20Ra%C3%BAl%20Castro%20as%20it%20seeks%20to%20oust%20regime%20%7C%20First%20Thing&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/may\/21\/first-thing-us-indicts-former-cuban-president-raul-castro-as-it-seeks-to-oust-regime?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-125qj9d\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-zhx6xs\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Fmay%2F21%2Ffirst-thing-us-indicts-former-cuban-president-raul-castro-as-it-seeks-to-oust-regime&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/may\/21\/first-thing-us-indicts-former-cuban-president-raul-castro-as-it-seeks-to-oust-regime\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-14rjinq\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"--grid-area:right-column\" data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1h2hraq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-tn16h9\">\n<section class=\"dcr-1hko8ef\"><\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ra\u00fal Castro in Santiago, Cuba, on 1 January 2024. Photograph: Ismael Francisco\/AP View image in fullscreen Ra\u00fal Castro<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2281","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2281"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2281\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2281"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2281"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2281"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}