By DÁNICA COTO

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. government on Thursday announced an additional $6 million in aid for Cuba as the island’s crisis deepens and tensions escalate between the two countries, with Cuba’s president accusing the U.S. of an “energy blockade.”

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The aid is largely meant for those living in Cuba’s eastern region, which Hurricane Melissa slammed into late last year. The supplies include rice, beans, pasta, cans of tuna and solar lamps that will be delivered by the Catholic Church and Caritas, said U.S. Department of State Senior Official Jeremy Lewin.

He warned that officials with the U.S. embassy in Cuba will be out in the field “making sure that the regime does not take the assistance, divert it, try to politicize it.”

The U.S. previously sent $3 million in disaster relief to Cuban people affected by Melissa.

Lewin rejected that a halt in oil shipments from Venezuela — after the U.S. attacked the South American country and arrested its then leader — is responsible for the humanitarian situation in Cuba.

He said that for years, the island has “hoarded all of the resources for the few senile old men that run the country, for their henchmen, for the security apparatus” as he accused Cuba of “meddling abroad,” including “colonizing Venezuela.”

“So that’s what they’re spending their time and attention on,” said Lewin, who noted that his mother was born in Havana.

“Why can’t they get food? It’s not because we’re not letting illicit Venezuelan oil continue to make Raúl Castro rich,” he added, referring to the former Cuban president. “It’s because the government can’t put food on the shelves. They have billions of dollars, but they don’t use it to buy food for ordinary Cubans.”

Lewin spoke hours after Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel held a rare, invite-only press conference in which he fielded questions from a select group of reporters. The Associated Press was not invited.

Díaz-Canel said that there was a “psychological war” against Cuba as he described a recent threat by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba as “an energy blockade.”

He said such actions affect transportation, hospitals, schools, tourism and the production of food. In addition to severe blackouts, Cuban officials note that U.S. sanctions, which increased under Trump’s second term, cost the country more than $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025.

“I know we are going to live through difficult times. But we will overcome them together, with creative resilience,” Díaz-Canel said in a two-hour speech in which he answered questions from a handful of reporters.

He noted that Cuba has not received oil shipments since the U.S. began its “naval blockade” on Venezuela in December.

“Therefore, we have problems with fuel availability to guarantee not only electric generation, but also basic activities,” he said.

Díaz-Canel promised that in a week, he would share details regarding the island’s current situation and how the government will confront it.

“There’s a lot of fear,” he said. “I know people say, ‘Sacrifice, again?’ Well, if we don’t sacrifice, and if we don’t resist, what are we going to do? Are we going to give up?”

Lewin said that if the Cuban government comes to its senses and is willing to allow the U.S. to provide more support, that there might be more announcements.

“They should be focused on providing for their people, not making these blustery statements,” Lewin said. “He can talk a big game, but again, any government, its first responsibility is always to provide for its people.”

In his speech, Díaz-Canel said his government is open to dialogue with the United States under certain conditions, including respect for Cuba’s sovereignty and “without addressing sensitive issues that could be perceived as interference in our internal affairs.”

“Cubans do not hate the American people,” Díaz-Canel said. “We are not a threat to the United States.”

Follow AP’s Latin America coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

As if watching Sam Darnold try to win the Super Bowl on Sunday with the Seattle Seahawks isn’t hard enough, Vikings fans won’t get a reprieve if the New England Patriots win.

Donning championship caps at that point would be former Vikings Stefon Diggs and Garrett Bradbury (the latter of whom spoke of his desire to remain in Minnesota).

Darnold has caused plenty of second-guessing as he has quarterbacked Seattle to the verge of an NFL title. Sure, Diggs — with more time between and having definitely worn out his welcome in Minnesota — and Bradbury won’t bring the same kind of feelings as Darnold holding up a trophy at the end. Darnold’s success and J.J. McCarthy’s initial struggles is a fire still burning. (No one tell Vikings fans that Joshua Dobbs is also on New England’s roster).

If Darnold does win a Super Bowl on Sunday, he will go down as one of biggest “what-ifs” in Minnesota sports. Unfortunately, he joins a long line. There have been plenty of stars who couldn’t win in Minnesota, who left and became champions.

We wanted to take a look at some of the biggest stars who got their rings elsewhere. For the purposes of this exercise, anyone to win a championship in Minnesota doesn’t qualify. Thanks to the Twins and Lynx for helping pare down the list.

Without further ado (in no particular order):

Kevin Garnett

Is there any other to start us off? The “Big Ticket” was the ticket to many postseasons for the Wolves, pulling them out of their expansion-franchise woes. In 14 seasons in Minnesota, Garnett won an MVP, made 10 all-star teams and took the team to the playoffs in eight straight seasons. But a first-round loss followed in the first seven of those occasions. Finally, with resources put around Garnett such as Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, the Wolves made it to the Western Conference finals, only to lose in six games to Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers. Three years later, Garnett was traded to the Boston Celtics and won a championship in his first season after leaving Minnesota.

FILE — This is a June 17, 2008, file photo showing Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett, left, Ray Allen, center, and Paul Pierce celebrating in the locker room after winning the NBA basketball championship, with a 131-92 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, in Boston. The Big Three who led the Celtics to the NBA title in 2008 added a Big One when Rasheed Wallace signed as a sixth man. With the return of Kevin Garnett from knee surgery that weakened the Celtics in the playoffs, they’re poised for a serious run at another championship. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

Andrew Wiggins

Sorry, Wolves fans, but let’s keep the NBA train rolling. Wiggins was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers and acquired by Minnesota in a three-team deal. All the promise that Anthony Edwards seems to be fulfilling was once there with Wiggins, who won the Rookie of the Year award and was later an all-star. But team success didn’t follow. The Wolves made the playoffs once with Wiggins, a first-round exit in 2018. Not two years later, he was traded to Golden State and helped the Warriors win the championship in 2022.

Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics 103-90 in Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 16, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Kevin Love

We’re not picking at wounds, we promise. The trade that landed Wiggins in Minnesota sent Love to Cleveland. Two years later, Love was an NBA champion. The Wolves never made the playoffs in six seasons with Love, who was a three-time all-star in that timeframe.

Katie Smith

Let’s stick with basketball. There was a time the Lynx were, basically, an afterthought before becoming the most prolific championship team in Minnesota professional sports, winning four titles in seven seasons. Smith was the first star for the Lynx. In seven seasons, the Hall of Famer was named All-WNBA four times. She led the team to back-to-back Western Conference semifinals before being traded to Detroit, where she was a two-time champion.

David Ortiz

Another summertime team with championships in their history, the Twins have also had lean years, leading to a few more “what-ifs?” No one exemplifies that, and infuriates Twins fans more, than Ortiz. The gregarious Dominican had a promising start to his career with Minnesota but never blossomed until he signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent. The Twins made the playoffs one season with Ortiz, his last in 2002. In Boston, he finished out a Hall of Fame career with more than 500 home runs, 10 all-star games and three World Series championships.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, right, addresses the crowd alongside team owner John Henry, left, after the Red Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 5-2 in Game 6 of the American League baseball championship series on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, in Boston. The Red Sox advance to the World Series.(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Doug Mientkiewicz/A.J. Pierzynski

Mientkiewicz and Pierzynski (at least while he was in Minnesota) were fan favorites of the next iteration of successful Twins baseball. The group that included Corey Koskie, Christian Guzman, Jacque Jones, Torii Hunter, Johan Santana and Brad Radke would also fall short. Mientkiewicz played seven years in Minnesota and made the playoffs twice (including a trip to the American League Championship Series in 2002). Pierzynski was on that 2002 team and was on two playoff teams in six years. He went on to win the World Series in 2005 with the Chicago White Sox. Mientkiewicz was traded to Boston midway through the 2004 season and caught the last out for the World Series winners.

Brian Dozier/Eddie Rosario/Mitch Garver/Ryan Pressly

The next competitive Twins group also fell short, a big part of that record 18-game playoff losing streak. Dozier went on to win a title in 2019 with the Washington Nationals, Rosario followed with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, Pressly got his championship in 2022 with the Houston Astros, and Garver made it three in a row as the starting designated hitter for the 2023 Texas Rangers.

Washington Nationals player Javy Guerra and Brian Dozier and Anibal Sanchez celebrates the World Series baseball championship during a rally following the parade to celebrate the team’s World Series baseball championship over Houston Astros, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Dallas Stars

What’s worse than a former star going on to glory elsewhere? How about an entire team? The Minnesota North Stars had plenty of success, but their best finish was losing the Stanley Cup final in 1991. No need to rehash history, but they left Minnesota in 1991 to become the Dallas Stars. Six years later, with former North Stars such as Mike Modano and Derian Hatcher still on the roster, they won the Stanley Cup.

19 Jun 1999: The Dallas Stars pose for a team photo with the Stanely Cup trophy as they celebrate the win over the Buffalo Sabres at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. The Dallas Stars defeated the Sabres 2-1 in the third overtime. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport

Marian Gaborik

Minnesota’s new NHL team isn’t immune to seeing stars go win elsewhere. Gaborik, the original Wild star, had eight seasons in Minnesota and three playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2003. He later won a Stanley Cup in 2014 with the Los Angeles Kings.

Darcy Kuemper

Kuemper could hardly carve himself out a role in five seasons with the Wild. Three teams later, he helped the Colorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2022.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper lifts the Stanley Cup after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Brad Johnson

Finally, we wrap up with former Vikings that are trying to follow Darnold’s lead. Surprisingly, despite having success in a deep history with plenty of star power over the years, not many true “stars” have left Minnesota to win a Super Bowl. Even Johnson barely fits the bill. He started parts of three seasons for the Vikings and it was two teams after leaving before he finally reached the mountain top, quarterbacking the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the championship after the 2002 season. An honorable mention, former Viking Jeff Christy was Johnson’s center that season.

Gary Zimmerman/Matt Birk

Offensive linemen have had the most success as former Vikings. The Hall of Famer Zimmerman went on to win with the Denver Broncos in his final year after the 1997 season. Birk, the St. Paul native and Cretin-Derham Hall grad, also left on top, winning after the 2012 season with the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk, bottom, plays with his children on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome field after an NFL Super Bowl XLVII walkthrough on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, in New Orleans. The Ravens face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII on Sunday. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Percy Harvin

The 2013 Seattle Seahawks featured a few former Vikings, so perhaps it’s natural for Vikings fans to root against Seattle. Harvin had a kickoff return for a touchdown in the Super Bowl for the Seahawks, who also had Sidney Rice (he missed back half of season with knee injury), Tarvaris Jackson (backup quarterback to Russell Wilson) and linebacker Heath Farwell on the roster.

Seattle Seahawks’ Percy Harvin, left, celebrates with a teammate after the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Seahawks won 43-8. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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A man who allegedly brought a butcher knife to Cottage Grove Elementary School on Tuesday, causing the school to go into a brief lockdown, had four other large knives in his pickup, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in Washington County District Court.

Touyer Yang (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)

Touyer Yang, 46, of Cottage Grove, faces three felony charges in connection with the incident: possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, threats of violence and first-degree damage to property.

Yang, driving a black pickup, allegedly came to the school just before noon on Tuesday. Employees at the school said Yang was spotted “driving erratically around the parking lot,” according to the criminal complaint. After he exited his truck, which he left running, Yang “walked into the vestibule and had a knife in his hand,” the complaint states. “(He) was waving the knife around and yelling.”

An employee told investigators there were several children in the common area just beyond the doors where Yang was located. She brought five children into her classroom, and another employee took the rest of the children to another part of the building, according to the complaint.

“Several children saw (Yang) with the knife and were very afraid,” the complaint states.

Multiple marks were found on the doors and windows where Yang struck them with his knife; the cost of repairs will exceed $1,000, officials said.

Three other large knives were found in the driver’s door pocket of Yang’s truck, and a large kitchen knife was in the passenger’s door pocket, according to the complaint.

Yang’s eyes were bloodshot, watery and glossy, and an officer could smell a strong odor of consumed alcoholic beverage coming from him, the complaint states. He also was swaying, according to the complaint.

Yang later admitted several times to drinking and going to the school, the complaint states.

Yang is being held at the Washington County Jail in Stillwater.

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MILAN — Of all the elite players making up the U.S. women’s national team’s roster, coach John Wroblewski insisted the one he couldn’t do without at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games was Hayley Scamurra.

It’s a decision Wroblewski made upon taking over the team four years ago, and one immediately validated in the Americans’ 5-1 Olympic tournament-opening win over Czechia on Thursday.

United States’ Joy Dunne, right, celebrates after scoring her sides second goal during a preliminary round match of women’s ice hockey between United States and Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Scamurra — regarded as the team’s 13th “Jill-of-all-trades” forward — scored twice while logging just 6:45 minutes of ice time over 11 shifts.

“I was adamant with it. We weren’t going to Milan without her at the start of this quad. She carries so much spirit to your team,” Wroblewski said. “I’m not gonna speak for every other federation, but I just can’t image there’s anyone that works harder and wants it more than she does. It’s inspiring, frankly.”

The 31-year-old from Buffalo, New York, is the daughter of former NHL defenseman Peter Scamurra. And though she built a reputation of being a top defensive forward during her four-year college career at Northeastern, Scamurra went mostly overlooked by USA Hockey until making the national team in 2019.

And now she’s doubled her goal total in her second Olympic appearance after winning silver in 2022.

“I just do my best to bring that energy in every shift that I have. It feels a little extra special to be able to help on the scoreboard and physically, too,” Scamurra said before addressing her journey.

“Honestly I think it just shows it’s never too late to keep chasing your dreams,” she said. “So, I think, it just shows with hard work that anything is possible, for sure.”

Alex Carpenter had a goal and assist, and captain Hilary Knight and Joy Dunne also scored for the Americans, who improved to 8-0 against the Czechs in international play. Aerin Frankel, making her Olympic debut in net, stopped 13 shots.

Laila Edwards had an assist while becoming the first Black female to represent America in hockey at the Olympics.

Barbora Jurickova scored Czechia’s lone goal. She was set up on a breakaway as she exited the penalty box to cut the Americans’ lead to 3-1 midway through the second period. Klara Peslarova finished with 37 saves in an outing where Czechia was outshot, 31-9, through two periods.

The day’s only other scheduled Group A game between defending Olympic champion Canada and Finland was postponed to Feb. 12. The Finns’ roster was down to eight skaters and two goalies, with the remaining 13 players dealing with a stomach virus that hit the team on Tuesday.

The Americans were greeted by a loud cheer and a “U-S-A!” chant began at puck drop.

Among those on hand in a nearly packed 5,000-plus seat Rho Ice Hockey Arena, were U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived about 12 minutes in, and departed with just over six minutes remaining. The large delegation that included USA Hockey officials and a security detail, filled a section of seats directly behind the penalty box and immediately opposite the U.S. bench.

Carpenter opened the scoring with a power-play goal with 4:05 left in the first period. The tournament-favored Americans then blew the game open with three goals in the second period to build a 4-1 lead.

Scamurra’s first goal put the U.S. up 3-1 and came when she dug the puck out of a scrum to the right of the net, and got a low shot off to beat Peslarova through the legs. She then closed the scoring in the third period, by one-timing in a pass from Frost forward and former Gopher Kelly Pannek.

“Honestly, it’s inspiring,” Knight said of Scamurra. “You can put her anywhere. … I was hoping she’d get a third, to be honest.”

The Czechs are making their second Olympic appearance after debuting in 2022 and have quickly risen to become a power in the four years under coach Carla MacLeod. Czechia has won two bronze medals and finished fourth twice over the past four world championships.

MacLeod called the outing a foundation her players can build on.

“You’re not worried, sort of, about the outcome at this point. You’re just (thinking), ‘Are we generating chances? Are we playing our way? Are believing in what we’re doing?’ ” she said. ” And I saw all that. And for me, that’s a great thing for us as we continue to build and get better.”

Next up for the U.S. is facing Finland on Saturday, and the uncertainty of how many Finns will be healthy enough to play.

“I hope that they’re OK, let’s just leave it at that. That’s the most important part,” Wroblewski said.

Sweden 4, Germany 1

In an earlier Group B game, Lina Ljungblom scored twice in Sweden’s comeback victory. The win already puts the Swedes in the driver’s seat to win their pool and secure a better seeding for the quarterfinals.

Italy 4, France 1

Making its second appearance, Italy posted its first Olympic victory. France is making its Olympic debut. The game was the played at the main rink, the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, which faced scrutiny over construction delays.

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