Cuba

Tropical Storm Imelda brought heavy rains to the northern Caribbean, killing two in Cuba, forcing evacuations, school closures, and power outages in the Bahamas, while Bermuda braces for a double storm threat.

Cuba still largely without power after nationwide grid collapse

At sunrise, the island's grid operator UNE said it was generating only a trickle of electricity – around 225 MW, or less than 10% of total demand, enough to cover some vital services like hospitals, water supply and food production centers.

India Supports Cuba's Call to End Economic Embargo at UN Debate

India voiced its support for Cuba's resolution advocating for the end of the economic, commercial, and financial embargo. During a recent debate, First Secretary Sneha Dubey highlighted that India, as the world's largest democracy, upholds a strong commitment to multilateralism. She reaffirmed India's solidarity with the UN General Assembly, which clearly opposes domestic laws with extraterritorial effects. This stance underscores India's dedication to global cooperation and fairness in international relations.

Cuba suffers third major setback in restoring power to island, millions still in dark

Cuba's national electrical grid first crashed around midday on Friday after the island's largest power plant shut down. The grid collapsed again on Saturday morning, state-run media reported.

China to build spy base in Cuba, WSJ says; US and Cuba cast doubt on report

Such a spy installation would allow Beijing to gather electronic communications from the southeastern U.S., which houses many U.S. military bases, as well as monitor ship traffic, the newspaper reported, citing U.S. officials familiar with classified intelligence.

Cuba to send medics to Turkey, Syria to assist in earthquake relief

Earlier in the week, Syrian ambassador Ghassan Obeid told Cuban state-run media that 27 Cuban medics would be headed to Syria.

India, Cuba bonds to deepen as the two nations steer G20 & G77+China

Cuba has assumed the presidency of G77 for the first time. Havana is certain to seek New Delhi’s guidance for itself: therefore, the possibility of a quid pro quo exists on their respective back channels regarding the SCO and the G77, calling for greater engagement between Cuba and India this year

Cuba wins China debt relief, new funds

Cuba Economy Minister Alejandro Gil said the latter had also donated $100 million to help the country cope with basic goods shortages and an energy crisis worsened by Hurricane Ian, which decimated western Pinar del Rio province in late September.

Pakistan: Oldest prisoner freed from Guantanamo, back home

Saifullah Paracha was reunited with his family after more than 17 years in custody in the U.S. base in Cuba, the ministry added.

Cuba approves same-sex marriage in unusual referendum

The code would allow surrogate pregnancies, broader rights for grandparents in regard to grandchildren, protection of the elderly and measures against gender violence.

Cuba says US is acting immorally by keeping it on blacklist

The United States imposed an economic embargo on Cuba in 1960 following the revolution led by Fidel Castro and the nationalization of properties belonging to U.S. citizens and corporations.

Cuba confirms first monkeypox case in visitor from Italy

The patient remains in critical condition.

Firefighters, helicopters battle to contain Cuba fuel depot blaze

The fire at Matanzas depot, which started on August 5 after a lightning strike, has already destroyed four tanks and was threatening four more

Horrifying videos capture aftermath of Havana hotel blast that left 22 dead

A powerful explosion due to a suspected gas leak ripped through a luxury hotel in central Havana, Cuba, on Friday.

Cuban Migrants Arrive to U.S. in Record Numbers, on Foot, Not by Boat

Since October — the start of the federal government’s 2022 fiscal year — nearly 79,000 Cubans have arrived at the United States’ southern border, more than in the previous two years combined, according to Customs and Border Protection figures.

Cuba's Santeria priests warn of pandemics, offer hope of better times

Cubans have suffered food, medicine and other shortages due to an economic crisis caused by the pandemic, U.S. sanctions and the Communist-run government’s missteps. That led to unprecedented unrest in July and a crackdown on protesters that has left hundreds behind bars.

Havana Syndrome | Everything we know so far about the mysterious illness

Since 2016, American and Canadian diplomats, spies and embassy staff all over the world have been afflicted with a mysterious illness that some believe has sinister links to experimental Russian technology. Recently, US Vice President Kamala Harris delayed her trip to Hanoi, Vietnam, after reports of possible “acoustic incidents” there.

Cuba to recognize and regulate cryptocurrencies

The resolution says the Central Bank of Cuba can authorize the use of cryptocurrencies for reasons of socioeconomic interest but with the state assuring that their operations are controlled

‘Cubans deserve freedom’, Pitbull says in emotional message seeking world support for protesters

The streets of Havana have been dotted with demonstrators who decided to raise their voices against the food and medicine shortages, inflation, and the totalitarian communist rule in the island nation that proved inept at tackling the coronavirus crisis.

Modi’s foreign policy prescience with Cuba could help India's vaccine needs

As Cuba undergoes a leadership change, Narendra Modi’s decision to strengthen ties with Havana early into his prime ministership is likely to pay off

Castro confirms he is passing Cuban Communist Party leadership to new generation

In a speech opening the four day closed door event, excerpts of which were broadcast on state television, Castro, 89, said he had the satisfaction of handing over the leadership to a group of party loyalists that had decades of experience working their way up the ranks.

Cuba opens door to most small business initiatives

The measure, coming as the Caribbean island seeks to recover from an economic slump, will expand the field from 127 activities to more than 2,000.

Cuban dons full-body cardboard shield against coronavirus

The retired Cuban nurse salvaged the box from the pharmacy in her Palatino neighbourhood and cut armholes and a window for her face that she covered in clear plastic.

Cuba's ration book stages comeback due to coronavirus pandemic

The Communist-run island nation last month closed its borders to travelers, shuttered schools and ordered the use of face masks in a bid to contain the novel coronavirus, sending doctors and medical students to monitor the population.

India extends $75 mn line of credit for solar parks in Cuba

"Exim Bank has entered into an agreement dated July 16, 2019 with Banco Exterior De Cuba, for making available to the latter, Government of India supported Line of Credit (LoC) of USD 75 million for the purpose of financing installation of 75 MW Photovoltaic Solar Parks in the Republic of Cuba," it said.