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.

Videos geolocated at universities in Tehran show students chanting “bi sharaf,” or “disgraceful” in Farsi, as clashes erupted against supporters of the government. The demonstrations mark a resurgence of unrest in Iran, coinciding with the 40-day mourning period for thousands killed during earlier protests in January, following Shiite tradition.

Local outlet Fars reported that what was planned as a “silent and peaceful sit-in” to remember the dead turned confrontational, with some students shouting slogans including “death to the dictator,” a reference to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Footage showed groups waving Iranian flags and holding memorial photographs facing masked crowds restrained by men in suits, illustrating the tension on campuses.

The current wave of protests traces back to December, when demonstrations began over financial hardship and quickly escalated into widespread anti-government unrest. Security forces responded with a violent crackdown, which Iranian authorities acknowledge killed more than 3,000 people, blaming the deaths on “terrorist acts” allegedly orchestrated by foreign enemies. Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based group, estimates that over 7,000 protesters were killed, though the true number may be higher.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that 32,000 people had died during the protests without citing sources, prompting Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to challenge critics on social media X to provide evidence disputing Tehran’s official figures.

The demonstrations are unfolding amid heightened regional tension as Iran engages in nuclear negotiations with the United States. U.S. military forces have increased their presence in the Middle East, including movements near Iran and the Strait of Gibraltar. Reuters reported U.S. aircraft at Lajes Air Base and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the area, while flight tracking data showed Bulgaria’s Sofia airport temporarily closed to civilian traffic in coordination with nearby U.S. military activity. Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the aircraft are part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance operations.

Global concerns have prompted travel advisories from several countries. Sweden, Serbia, and Australia have warned citizens to leave Iran or avoid traveling there. Serbia’s foreign ministry stated, “Due to the deteriorating security situation, citizens of the Republic of Serbia are not recommended to travel to Iran in the coming period.”

Trump also signaled the possibility of limited military action, stating on Friday that he was “considering” a strike if nuclear negotiations failed. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed the country’s stance of resisting external pressure during the ongoing talks.

As protests continue and the U.S. military posture intensifies, the situation in Iran remains volatile, with students and civilians again at the forefront of public dissent. Observers warn that both domestic unrest and international pressure could shape the trajectory of Iran’s internal politics and its diplomatic negotiations in the coming weeks.