Global Tensions Rise: Talks, Protests, and Crackdowns

Cuba expressed its willingness to engage in talks with the United States, according to a report from The Guardian, amid the island nation's deepening economic crisis. The announcement from Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel came after months of what the source described as threats from the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, in other international developments, Hong Kong authorities announced that media tycoon Jimmy Lai would be sentenced following his conviction in a national security trial, as reported by Al Jazeera. In the United States, Al Jazeera also reported that police arrested 12 anti-ICE protesters at Columbia University in New York. The demonstrators accused the university of cooperating with immigration enforcement agents.

According to Al Jazeera, Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Oman for talks with US officials. The meeting followed weeks of escalating tensions and fears of a military confrontation between the two countries.

The Cuban president's statement, as reported by The Guardian, indicated a shift in stance, potentially signaling a desire to ease tensions with Washington. The Guardian also noted that Díaz-Canel's statement came after a period of strained relations.

In Hong Kong, the judiciary announced the sentencing session for Jimmy Lai would take place on Monday morning, according to Al Jazeera. The media tycoon's conviction stemmed from a national security trial.

The protests at Columbia University, as reported by Al Jazeera, centered on the university's alleged cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrators demanded the campus be declared a sanctuary.