Azerbaijan held nationwide commemorations on Thursday to mourn the hundreds of civilians killed in February 1992 in the town of Khojaly during the Karabakh conflict with Armenia. President Ilham Aliyev led the ceremonies, inaugurating a new Khojaly Genocide Memorial Complex in Baku to honor the victims of what he described as “the greatest tragedy for the Azerbaijani people.”

Thousands of people gathered at the Khojaly Massacre Memorial in Baku for the National Day of Remembrance. A minute of silence was observed across the country as citizens paid tribute to those who lost their lives over 30 years ago.

Azerbaijani authorities state that 613 civilians, including women and children, were killed when Armenian forces, with the support of the former Soviet Union’s 366th Guards Motor Rifle Regiment, attacked Khojaly. Dozens more were reported missing or injured during the assault, which occurred amid the war between ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia and Azerbaijani troops over the Karabakh region and surrounding areas.

Human Rights Watch conducted its own investigation into the incident, attributing direct responsibility for the civilian deaths to Karabakh Armenian forces. Armenia has repeatedly denied the accusations, arguing that the reported death toll was exaggerated and that casualties resulted from fighting between the two sides.

Despite differing accounts, the Khojaly tragedy remains a deeply significant event in Azerbaijan’s collective memory. Commemorations continue to emphasize the human cost of the conflict and the impact on generations of Azerbaijanis.

This year’s ceremonies took place against the backdrop of a peace and reconciliation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Both nations have pledged to work toward a more stable and peaceful future following decades of conflict and suffering on both sides.

President Aliyev emphasized the importance of remembering the past while looking forward. The newly inaugurated memorial complex aims to provide a permanent site for reflection, ensuring that the victims of Khojaly are remembered by future generations.

The National Day of Remembrance has become a focal point for public reflection and national unity, drawing participants from across Azerbaijan. Observers note that the ceremonies serve both to honor the victims and to reinforce awareness of the historical and ongoing challenges in the Karabakh region.

Over 30 years after the massacre, Khojaly continues to hold a central place in Azerbaijani history. Thursday’s events highlighted the nation’s efforts to commemorate the past while supporting dialogue and cooperation with Armenia to foster lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

Cuban border guards shot and killed four people aboard a Florida-registered speedboat on Wednesday after the vessel allegedly failed to stop in Cuban territorial waters and opened fire on a patrol boat, authorities in Havana said.

In a statement, the Cuban Ministry of Interior said the boat was detected about one nautical mile from Falcones Cay in Villa Clara province. A patrol unit was dispatched to identify the vessel and its occupants. Officials said the speedboat refused to comply with orders and that gunfire broke out during the encounter.

According to the ministry, six other passengers were injured in the exchange. The commander of the Cuban patrol boat, which carried five crew members, was also wounded. Authorities said all injured individuals were taken to safety and received medical treatment.

Cuba’s government later stated that the 10 people on board were armed Cuban nationals residing in the United States who were attempting to enter the island to carry out what it described as terrorist acts. Officials added that most of the passengers had a history of criminal and violent activity.

Two of the passengers were identified as Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez, both of whom Cuban authorities say are wanted in connection with activities linked to terrorism. The government said it obtained details about those on board through questioning of detainees after the confrontation.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against threats by land, sea or air.

In Washington, Marco Rubio said US officials were gathering information to determine whether the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. Speaking at the airport in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, where he was attending a regional summit with Caribbean leaders, Rubio said the United States would independently verify the facts.

He emphasised that the incident was not a US government operation and declined to speculate about the ownership of the boat or the intentions of those on board. Rubio said US authorities would establish what happened before deciding on any response.

The clash comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Havana. Donald Trump recently imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, citing its support for Venezuela’s former president, Nicolás Maduro. The measures have cut off oil and financial flows from Venezuela to Cuba.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has rejected US pressure, insisting that any dialogue must respect Cuba’s sovereignty. Cuban officials have criticised the oil restrictions, saying they are harming the island’s economy and public services.

The investigation into Wednesday’s shooting remains ongoing.

Rescuers in California have recovered the body of the ninth and final person missing in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the local sheriff’s office confirmed.

The avalanche struck Castle Peak, near the Lake Tahoe area, on Tuesday, catching a group of 15 skiers, including four guides and 11 paying clients. Out of the group, six people survived, making the incident one of the deadliest avalanches in recent US history.

“Nine individuals who lost their lives in the Castle Peak avalanche on 17 February have been safely recovered from the mountain,” the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

Sheriff Shannan Moon expressed condolences to the victims’ families, stating, “There are no words that truly capture the significance of this loss and our hearts mourn alongside the families of those affected by this catastrophic event.”

Officials had warned on Thursday that search operations would extend into the weekend due to inclement weather and challenging conditions. Heavy snowfall, white-out visibility, and the ongoing threat of further slides complicated recovery efforts, forcing rescue teams to proceed cautiously.

The six survivors, including five clients and one guide, were able to call for help soon after the avalanche occurred. However, the combination of poor visibility and hazardous terrain delayed rescue teams for several hours.

Late on Thursday, families of six victims released a statement identifying them as women described as “mothers, wives and friends, all of whom connected through the love of the outdoors.” They were remembered as “passionate, skilled skiers who cherished time together in the mountains,” though families acknowledged that many questions about the tragedy remain unanswered.

The Sierra Nevada region had been under avalanche warnings at the time of the incident, with authorities urging caution for all backcountry skiers. Rescue teams from local and state agencies worked through dangerous conditions to locate and recover the missing.

Officials emphasized the importance of safety and preparedness in avalanche-prone areas, noting that even experienced skiers can face life-threatening risks when conditions deteriorate rapidly. The Castle Peak tragedy has prompted renewed discussions about avalanche awareness and emergency response in high-risk recreational areas.

Rescue crews are continuing to monitor the area for further hazards, while local authorities and outdoor groups are offering support to families and friends affected by the loss. The community has expressed solidarity with the victims and survivors, highlighting the shared impact of the avalanche on those who enjoy winter sports in the Lake Tahoe region.