Factors largely outside of farmers’ control – from the increasingly unpredictable weather to growing costs of everything from fuel to loans – make the threat of losing the beloved family farm a constant worry

Cuban nationals are being offered contracts worth $2,000 (£1,600) a month and potential Russian citizenship for them and their families as part of a targeted campaign to recruit them to fight in Ukraine. Earlier this week, Cuba's Foreign Ministry announced it was working to "neutralise and dismantle" a human trafficking ring that is coercing its citizens into fighting for Moscow. "The Ministry of the Interior... is working on the neutralization and dismantling of a human trafficking network that operates from Russia to incorporate Cuban citizens living there, and even some from Cuba, into the military forces participating in war operations in Ukraine," the Cuban government statement said. Now, new details have emerged about a number of groups on social media offering help to get Cuban men recruited into the Russian army. The Moscow Times spoke to one woman who would help facilitate Cubans signing one-year contracts with the Russian army offering a monthly income of 204,000 roubles – and that even those without a passport could sign up with a letter confirming their immigration. “If you don’t have a passport, but you have a photo, then that’s already good. But even if you don’t have a photo, we can sign [a contract],” she told the outlet, saying that she had helped a number of Cubans reach the frontlines in Ukraine. In late May, a Russia newspaper in Ryazan city reported that several Cuban citizens had signed contracts with Russia's armed forces and had been shipped to Ukraine in return for Russian citizenship. The Moscow Times reported that social media posts suggest the woman they spoke to lives in or near Ryazan. Last year, Russia announced a plan to boost the size of its armed forces by more than 30 per cent to 1.5 million combat personnel, a lofty goal made harder by its heavy – but officially undisclosed – casualties in the war. President Vladimir Putin also signed an order reducing the minimum service for international military recruits from five years down to one year, with the chance at fast-track citizenship once their service was completed. Moscow has yet to respond to Cuba's accusations. Russia has strong ties to communist-run Havana and the Cuban Defence Ministry's statement is a rare rebuke given that Cuba has previously criticised Western nations over their support for Ukraine. The defense ministers of Cuba and Russia have discussed the development of joint "technical military" projects at a meeting in Moscow. But Cuba says it is "not part of the war in Ukraine," "[Cuba] is acting and will act energetically against anyone... who participates in any form of human trafficking for the purpose of recruitment of Cuban citizens as mercenaries to use arms against any country," the Defence Ministry said, adding that criminal proceedings had started against some of those involved. The Moscow Times also spoke to two Cuban men who said they were looking to serve Russia's military. “I know that they pay very well, and it’s a great way to make a lot of money quickly,” one of the men said. “They pay a lot, and I need the money. I’ll probably later stay in Russia,” the other added. Reuters contributed to this report

By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO Delta Air Lines on Thursday reported stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings, but trimmed its full-year

BEIJING/SHANGHAI U.S. automaker Tesla sold 74,073 China-made electric vehicles (EVs) in September, a 10.9% decrease from a year

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The series opener between the Miami Marlins and New York Mets was postponed Tuesday night because of unplayable field conditions caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia

The Swifties are a formidable bunch – just ask Matty Healy – and a recent fan interview has proven the point yet again, it seems. The Taylor Swift fan skived off work on the night of the pop star’s gig in Cincinnati this weekend, hoping nobody would recognise her when she was meant to be home “sick”. Inspired by Swift’s song “Anti-Hero”, the fan kept her identity secret by dressing up as one of the music video’s ghosts. Standing in a queue of thousands ahead of the grand opening of the Taylor Swift merchandise truck, which was selling $75 hoodies and $40 tank tops, the brave Swiftie even got in front of a camera, giving an interview to local news channel WKRC-TV Local 12. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter “There are two Swifties here who shall remain anonymous, who called in sick to work,” said the interviewer. “They travelled here from Louisville, so they’ve gotten quite a drive here. They’ve been here since about 2.45 in the morning.” Turning to the two people with blankets over their heads, and one wearing sunglasses over the top, the reporter asked: “Can you tell me what Taylor Swift means to you – she must mean a lot to you, because you’re here and you’ve called in sick.” One of the fans replied: “That is very true. I almost called my daughter’s middle name Taylor, so…” The fan said she wanted to buy a hoodie from the merch truck, and that she had tickets to see the pop star this weekend. She added that she was taking an 11-year-old little girl to the gig with her. “It’s her first time. I went to the show in Nashville, so it’s more for her.” Fortunately for the fans, the reporter was supportive of their disguise. “Your secret’s safe with me! I think it’s safe with everyone else here too.” The ghosts in “Anti-Hero” are a visual representation of the first verse of the song. “I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser,” she sings. “Midnights become my afternoons. When my depression works the graveyard shift, all of the people I’ve ghosted stand there in the room.” See their cameo in the music video here. The two real-life “Anti-Hero” ghosts quickly went viral after the exchange, with social media users finding the exchange hilarious. One person said: “Keep it weird, Louisville.” Another said: “I just know she gon f**k around and wear that same gray quarter zip to work one day and tell on herself.” Let’s just hope they never get found out. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

FC 24 Red Players are coming back during FC Pro Live allowing players to use an Evolutions consumable to turn a player into that iconic color.

Six people died after a boat carrying migrants sank in the English Channel, authorities say.

By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Internal Revenue Service on Tuesday said it would launch a free, government-provided direct tax

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The new charges accuse Democrat Bob Menendez of providing "sensitive" information to help Egypt.