In the outskirts of Havana, Maria Elena Veiga lights a charcoal fire to cook dinner. She has no choice—blackouts have become a daily struggle, and gas is scarce. Across Cuba, millions are adjusting to life without reliable electricity.
Power outages in Cuba are no longer just an inconvenience—they define daily life. In towns far from the capital, electricity cuts stretch for over 20 hours, leaving residents to find alternatives just to cook a meal.
"We have opted to cook with charcoal," says Veiga, a 60-year-old housewife from San Nicolás de Bari, about 60 km from Havana. "Otherwise, we go through a lot of trouble just to eat."
The country's power grid is crumbling. Aging thermoelectric plants are failing, fuel shortages are widespread, and diesel generators meant to support the system are running dry. At the end of last year, a series of collapses left the entire nation of 10 million in darkness.
"The electricity is very bad. Sometimes we go the whole day without power," says 72-year-old Mirella Martínez, stirring a pot of beans over a charcoal stove.
The crisis has forced the government to take drastic steps—schools have closed for two days, and non-essential workers are being urged to stay home to cut energy use.
Officials blame the U.S. trade embargo, arguing that sanctions make it harder to import fuel and spare parts for the island’s outdated power plants. But for many Cubans, explanations offer little comfort. They just want to turn the lights back on.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 21st, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Marco Rubio says a Trump-Putin meeting hinges on resolving the Ukraine war.
China has voiced support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s direct negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, while U.S. allies reaffirmed their backing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukraine is ready to work quickly on a strong security and investment agreement with the U.S. after meeting with envoy Keith Kellogg.
n 2024, Russian courts imposed fines on Google LLC four times, totaling 15.1 million rubles ($172,300), according to the press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor).
11 countries pledged to fully enforce UN sanctions on North Korea after the first MSMT meeting. The group, formed after Russia’s veto, aims to track violations and enforcement. Nations reaffirmed their commitment to security while keeping the door open for dialogue.
Armenia remains hopeful that talks with Türkiye on reopening the border will yield positive results, with National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional peace and stability, as reported by Armenian media.
Boston, February 19, 2025 – In a powerful display of national pride and defiance, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Canada’s recent win in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final as a platform to send a clear message to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Estée Lauder and L’Oréal are facing challenges in the Chinese market as local beauty brands gain popularity. Rising competition, shifting consumer preferences, and economic factors have impacted sales, forcing global cosmetics giants to adapt their strategies.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
n 2024, Russian courts imposed fines on Google LLC four times, totaling 15.1 million rubles ($172,300), according to the press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor).
11 countries pledged to fully enforce UN sanctions on North Korea after the first MSMT meeting. The group, formed after Russia’s veto, aims to track violations and enforcement. Nations reaffirmed their commitment to security while keeping the door open for dialogue.
Boston, February 19, 2025 – In a powerful display of national pride and defiance, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Canada’s recent win in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final as a platform to send a clear message to U.S. President Donald Trump.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France may deploy forces to secure peace in Ukraine after a ceasefire, urging Europe to strengthen its defence amid shifting US-Russia relations.
n 2024, Russian courts imposed fines on Google LLC four times, totaling 15.1 million rubles ($172,300), according to the press service of the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor).
11 countries pledged to fully enforce UN sanctions on North Korea after the first MSMT meeting. The group, formed after Russia’s veto, aims to track violations and enforcement. Nations reaffirmed their commitment to security while keeping the door open for dialogue.
Armenia remains hopeful that talks with Türkiye on reopening the border will yield positive results, with National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan reaffirming the country’s commitment to regional peace and stability, as reported by Armenian media.
Boston, February 19, 2025 – In a powerful display of national pride and defiance, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used Canada’s recent win in the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final as a platform to send a clear message to U.S. President Donald Trump.
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