A federal grand jury today indicted Cuba’s former president Raúl Castro on an undisclosed charge, the first U.S. indictment of a former head of state in decades. The action follows intensified scrutiny of Cuba’s political legacy and signals a hardened U.S. stance toward former regime officials, potentially reshaping diplomatic engagement with Havana.

In Kentucky, Rep. Thomas Massie stumbled in a primary defeat handed by a President‑Trump‑chosen challenger, then toasted his loss with a glass of bourbon, a gesture that underscored his stubborn independence amid party pressure. The episode illustrates the growing rift between Trump‑aligned candidates and traditional GOP lawmakers.

Harvard College faculty voted to cap A‑grade awards, lowering the percentage from 35% last year to 20% for the 2024‑25 cycle. The change aims to preserve academic rigor as the institution faces criticism over grade inflation and a shifting student body that demands tighter standards.

Meanwhile, Sweden ordered four new frigates from a defense contractor, a move that bolsters its naval capabilities amid rising regional tensions. The procurement, valued at roughly $3.2 billion, reflects Stockholm’s commitment to modernizing its fleet as geopolitical pressures mount.