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Is Cuba breaking? Inside Havana's blackouts and hardship | Opinion

Is Cuba breaking? Inside Havana's blackouts and hardship | Opinion

Blackouts every night, $10 monthly wages and a request for money at nearly every turn. How Cubans are getting by, just barely.

Catholic Relief Services Channels U.S. Aid to Vulnerable Families in Cuba

Catholic Relief Services Channels U.S. Aid to Vulnerable Families in Cuba

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States, is collaborating with Caritas Cuba to channel U.S. humanitarian aid to vulnerable families in Cuba. A recent shipment, part of a $100 million aid package announced by Washington in May, arrived in Havana. This particular shipment included 700 food kits and 700 hygiene modules, destined for families in the Diocese of Pinar del Río. The aid prioritizes elderly individuals living alone, pregnant or breastfeeding women with identified risks, children under five in vulnerable situations, and people with disabilities or who are bedridden. Distribution is guided by principles of transparency, equity, and social justice, with Caritas volunteers identifying beneficiary families in advance. This initiative comes amidst a deep economic crisis in Cuba, exacerbated by the pandemic, national policies, and U.S. sanctions, leading to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.

Cuba denies involvement with island-bound fuel shipments seized by US

Cuba denies involvement with island-bound fuel shipments seized by US

By Ayose Naranjo HAVANA, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Cuba's top energy official denied any link between the nation's communist-run government and shipments of Cuba-bound biodiesel seized in September by US authorities, rejecting US claims that the island nation was involved in those deals.

As Cubans flee crisis, these nuns care for elders left behind

As Cubans flee crisis, these nuns care for elders left behind

More than 1.4 million Cubans have fled the island, leaving behind thousands of aging adults. Catholic nuns care for them in a daily struggle

Mexico City Government Utilizes Community Centers to Combat Inequality Through Free Classes

Mexico City Government Utilizes Community Centers to Combat Inequality Through Free Classes

In Mexico City's most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, the city government is implementing a strategy to address inequality by offering free classes through a network of 300 community centers. These centers provide a diverse range of activities, from boxing to job training, aiming to empower residents and improve their life prospects. Many individuals in these communities have come to view these centers as a 'second home,' indicating their significant role in daily life and community building. This initiative reflects a governmental belief that access to education and skill development, provided freely, can be a transformative force in mitigating socioeconomic disparities within the capital.

Haiti and OAS Discuss Environmental Project for Waste Management and Reforestation

Haiti and OAS Discuss Environmental Project for Waste Management and Reforestation

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé of Haiti met with Mark Lambrides, Director of the Sustainable Development Department of the Organization of American States (OAS), to discuss a new environmental initiative. The project, titled 'Clean, Safe and Resilient Territories,' aims to enhance waste management, promote community reforestation, and facilitate the professional integration of youth across five Haitian departments: Ouest, Artibonite, Nord, Nord-Est, and Centrale. A key component of this initiative is the training of at least 2,000 young leaders, who will be tasked with fostering environmental responsibility and social cohesion within their communities. The discussions also covered potential funding mechanisms and the development of a roadmap to launch the initial interventions, which will be coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment. This collaboration signifies a concerted effort to address pressing environmental and social challenges in Haiti through a structured, multi-faceted approach.

Civic Actions for Social Inclusion Highlighted for Broad Societal Benefits

Civic Actions for Social Inclusion Highlighted for Broad Societal Benefits

Civic actions aimed at social inclusion, such as the advocacy for curb cuts and the implementation of earned income tax credits, are being recognized for their widespread benefits beyond their initial target groups. The concept of 'targeted universalism' suggests that when improvements are made for those facing the most significant challenges, the entire community benefits. Examples include curb cuts, initially championed by the disability community, which now assist parents with strollers and travelers with luggage. Similarly, earned income tax credits, designed to support low to moderate-income working families, inject funds into local economies, benefiting businesses and providing resources for essential services like healthcare for all. The article also cites free, universal school meals and improved Black maternal health as initiatives that create positive ripple effects across society.

Palm Beach Post

Amendment 3 will hurt Florida's nonprofit community | Opinion

Amendment 3 will hurt Florida's nonprofit community | Opinion

If Amendment 3 passes, organizations like Arts Garage will face impossible choices — cut programs, cut staff, pass the cost on to the community.

Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce

Cubans turn to free community pharmacies as medicines grow scarce

In Havana, Laura Mendoza runs a project called “Medicine Is Not for Sale,” providing free medications to Cubans facing severe shortages

Oxfam Report Reveals Asian Governments Underfund Public Services, Exacerbating Inequality

Oxfam Report Reveals Asian Governments Underfund Public Services, Exacerbating Inequality

A new report by Oxfam highlights that Asian governments are significantly underfunding public services, leading to increased inequality across the region. The report, titled 'Rigged from Birth: How Inequality Steals Futures in Asia & Five Public Services,' examines spending on healthcare, education, social protection, care services, and digital access. It found that Asian governments spend an average of 9.4% of GDP on social protection, which is less than half the global average of 19.3%. Public education spending stands at 2.9% of GDP, falling below the international benchmark of 4-6%. In many debt-distressed economies in the region, governments allocate between seven and 25 times more to debt servicing than to social protection. This underfunding forces households to bear a substantial portion of costs, with nearly 38% of health costs paid out-of-pocket, almost double the average in OECD countries. The report cites examples like Bangladesh, where public healthcare spending is less than 1% of GDP, and hou...

Belarusian Government to Reclassify Chernobyl-Affected Lands, Ending 'Contaminated' Status for 177 Settlements

Belarusian Government to Reclassify Chernobyl-Affected Lands, Ending 'Contaminated' Status for 177 Settlements

The Belarusian government has announced that 177 cities, towns, and villages will lose their 'contaminated' area designation starting January 1, 2027. This decision will affect approximately 566,400 people who currently reside in territories impacted by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident. The reclassification follows studies conducted between 2021 and 2025, which, according to Belarus, showed a 'significant improvement in conditions within certain settlements located in radionuclide-contaminated areas.' This move comes after Belarusian leader Aleksandr Lukashenko questioned the designation in April 2025, stating, 'What have we been doing for 30 years if we have 900,000 people living in contaminated areas? The statistics need to be updated.' Currently, Belarusians living in these areas receive state benefits, including free meals for students, annual health resort trips for children, and increased childcare allowances for some new parents.