BBC News Briefing

22 May, 2026

Roland Hughes

Hello. A growing war of words between the US and Cuba begs the question: what might happen next? Meanwhile, Canada faces the first significant test of its unity in decades, a record is broken on Everest - and if you're ready for a challenge, here's our quiz of the past week's news.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Havana accuses Rubio of 'lies' as he says Cuba is threat to US

Marco Rubio, in a blue suit, talks to reporters next to a plane while holding both hands out to his sides

Marco Rubio said the likelihood of a peaceful agreement with Cuba was "not high". Credit: Reuters

On Wednesday, the US indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro with murder. Now, in another escalation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Cuba of posing a "national security threat" to the US and being "one of the leading sponsors of terrorism in the entire region". Havana was quick to condemn the comments, calling them "lies". Where do things go from here? Speculation is rife that Cuba could be next on the US's regime-change list, White House reporter Bernd Debusmann Jr writes. He looks at three options - could the US look to seize Castro as they did Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro?

Read the latest

Inside Havana: Cubans are grappling with fuel shortages and blackouts as the US steps up pressure, the BBC's Will Grant reports.

World reaction: Russia and China have condemned the US indictment of Castro. Here's what they said.

Aerial assault: A deadly plane attack is at the centre of the indictment. What happened?

WORLD HEADLINES

A brown-haired woman in a suit jacket speaks into a microphone

Alberta to vote on whether to remain in Canada

A restive independence movement has been growing in the oil-rich province, and a petition was backed by 300,000 people.

The vote explained >

Floral tributes lie underneath three large images of men pinned to a gate

San Diego's Muslims reel from shooting

The attack on Monday sent shockwaves through the community, but also a jolt towards unity after tragedy.

Reaction from the scene >

A line of climbers along a steep glacier

Record numbers scale Everest from Nepal side

Good weather led to 274 people attempting the summit on Wednesday, after delays due to an ice blockage.

More on this record >

Two people hold Greenland red and white flags

Greenlanders protest Trump at new US consulate

"No means no": Hundreds gathered to protest against the president's ambition for greater influence over the island.

Get the latest >

Stephen Colbert and Sir Paul McCartney singing together

McCartney joins Colbert for The Late Show finale

Their performance of Hello, Goodbye, brought an end to 33 years o