Capital, port, and economic heart of Cuba
The United States has indicted Raul Castro for murder and conspiring to kill U.S. nationals over the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes, as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to hold Cuban leaders to account. Cuban President Diaz-Canel dismisses the move as a political maneuver, while prosecutors say the case rests on decades of evidence and witness testimony.
Foreign tourism in Cuba has plunged as U.S. sanctions tighten and fuel shortages persist. Major hotel operators have withdrawn or reduced operations, leaving the island’s tourism sector in a deep downturn. Local workers fear job losses as chains reconfigure or exit management roles, intensifying economic strain amid power outages and limited supplies.
Havana residents have been living with piling garbage as fuel shortages and a crippled energy blockade hinder waste collection. The city has seen streets filled with trash, burning waste in some areas, and health officials warning of rising disease risk. Grassroots groups like El Batazo are organizing to sort and recycle waste, offering a glimmer of community resilience.
The USGS records a magnitude-6.1 quake off western Cuba at a shallow depth, with an epicenter west-northwest of Mantua. Shaking is felt as far as Florida and parts of Mexico; Cuba reports widespread blackouts and limited damage. No tsunami warnings have been issued.
The Cuba energy crisis has intensified amid rounds of U.S. sanctions targeting Cupet and the government. Shipments from Colombia and other allies have sought to ease shortages, but power outages and food shortages persist as Havana faces a growing economic squeeze.
Robb Report names Lilo in Carlsbad the best new restaurant of 2026, with California restaurants dominating the top 10. Other awards highlight hospitality and beverage programs across major cities, underscoring California’s strong showing in the national dining scene.
Cuba’s Communist Party has approved an emergency package of free‑market measures aimed at expanding private enterprise, attracting foreign investment, and reducing state control. The plan, presented as urgent to avert a deeper crisis, follows months of U.S. pressure and a worsening energy embargo. Details remain sparse as the National Assembly prepares to debate timing, implementation, and who benefits.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Helms-Burton does not shield Cuban state agencies from certain lawsuits, allowing Americans to sue entities profiting from confiscated Cuban assets. ExxonMobil is seeking compensation for properties confiscated after the Cuban revolution. The decision could impact U.S.-Cuba relations as the Trump administration applies pressure on Havana.
Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodríguez has stated the newly unveiled reforms are a matter of sovereignty and were not discussed in prior talks with the United States. He condemns a new package of unilateral U.S. measures and highlights Cuba’s ongoing economic changes, including expanded private enterprise and foreign investment, while urging international attention to the energy embargo.
Across the United States, citizens describe resilience and unity as they mark the 250th Independence anniversary. AP and other outlets capture personal takes on freedom, with Americans emphasising local moments over national politics amid gatherings, debates, and public events.
Since January, a U.S. oil blockade has cut most foreign fuel shipments to Cuba and has pushed the island into its worst energy and economic crisis in decades. Repeated nationwide blackouts have occurred, hospitals and transport are strained, tourism has collapsed and Havana has approved limited economic reforms while secret U.S. intelligence and diplomatic contacts continue.
BBC, Independent, Guardian views converge on a remake that trims padding and sharpens exploration, with improved combat, visuals and pacing. Some criticisms linger over tailing missions and Abstergo content.
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara has arrived in Miami after a five-year prison sentence in Cuba. The exile follows a U.S. parole grant and mounting diplomatic pressure. He is the cofounder of the San Isidro Movement, whose members have faced persistent repression in Cuba.
Cheetah cubs born at Whipsnade Zoo are now roaming a public paddock, testing their speed and playfully interacting with littermates. Conservationists say the cubs are vital for the endangered northern cheetah population, with only about 6,500 remaining. Cubs will be named by the Zoological Society of London as conservation work continues in Zambia.
Meliá has announced it is withdrawing from Cuba, effective Friday, citing significant operational, legal, economic and financial difficulties amid new US sanctions. The move follows sanctions targeting Cuba’s tourism ministry and GAESA, intensifying a pre-existing crisis in the island’s tourism sector.
Former CIA director Woolsey has died at his Washington home after a stroke, with his wife citing Havana syndrome as a factor in his declining health. He led the CIA from 1993 to 1995 amid post‑Cold War changes and the Aldrich Ames spy case.
The United States has begun distributing food and hygiene kits to vulnerable Cuban families via Catholic aid networks, as a $60 million shipment marks the first tranche of a planned $100 million program. The distribution faces distrust from Havana and Washington, amid long-standing political frictions and Cuba’s energy challenges.
AP, Independent and Al Jazeera report Cuba’s power grid has failed repeatedly, leaving major towns in darkness as the United States’ oil blockade compounds shortages. Outages disrupt transport, water, hospitals and daily life; Havana sees partial restorations while western Cuba remains offline. Authorities warn of continuing instability.
The United States has expanded sanctions on Cuba, targeting military entities and officials as part of a broad pressure campaign. Measures include designations of GAESA subsidiaries and MINFAR assets, freezing assets, and threatening further actions. Cuba faces intensified economic hardship amid fuel shortages and political tensions.
Cuba marks Fidel Castro’s centenary as the island endures its worst crisis in living memory, with power shortages, water scarcity, and sanctions shaping daily life. Raul Castro remains an influential figure as the regime faces mounting external pressure and internal hardship.