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Cubans are increasingly turning to solar power to keep businesses operating and basic household appliances running during prolonged electricity cuts, as fuel shortages make diesel generators and other temporary solutions more difficult and costly to maintain.
In Havana, workers installed photovoltaic panels on the roof of a café on Wednesday (18 February). The business relies on digital screens and electronic ordering systems, which are vulnerable to outages. Owner Dariem Soto-Navarro said they initially depended on a portable generator, but diesel supplies became unreliable and expensive.
Solar installer Raydel Cano said demand has risen sharply as blackouts intensify and private businesses try to stay within government electricity consumption limits. He noted that both companies and households are increasingly installing panels to cope with outages and reduce grid dependence.
Across the city, solar panels are appearing in unexpected places, including on a hybrid rickshaw driven by Alejandro Arritola. After upgrading from an older model, he fitted a solar panel to the roof of his vehicle several months ago. The addition extends his driving range and reduces fuel use. During power cuts, he parks the rickshaw outside his home to recharge.
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For residents such as Roberto Sarriga, rooftop panels provide enough electricity to cover essential needs, including powering a television, maintaining internet access and charging mobile phones.
Cuba imports roughly two-thirds of the fuel it consumes, leaving it exposed to supply disruptions. The country has struggled with worsening power shortages and long queues at petrol stations, particularly as shipments from Venezuela — a key supplier — have faltered in recent months following U.S. measures affecting Venezuelan exports.
The fuel crisis adds to broader economic pressures on the island, where rolling blackouts, shortages of basic goods and stagnation have increasingly shaped daily life.
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An Austrian climber has been convicted of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died from hypothermia while climbing Austria’s highest p…
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 20th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
An Austrian climber has been convicted of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died from hypothermia while climbing Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, in January 2025.
Eric Dane, the actor best known for his roles in 'Grey’s Anatomy' and 'Euphoria', died on Thursday, at the age of 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed his death after what they described as a “courageous battle” with ALS.
Mexican authorities have uncovered a 22-metre tunnel used to siphon fuel from a state-owned pipeline, shedding light on the country’s long-running battle against a lucrative black-market trade often controlled by organised crime.
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Israel is preparing for the possibility of receiving a green light from the United States to launch strikes against Iran’s ballistic missile system, according to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN.
Aghdam’s Qarabag FK experienced a 6–1 defeat to England’s Newcastle United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie in Azerbaijan's capital Baku Wednesday evening (18 February).
Qarabağ FK are facing Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League play-off round on Wednesday evening in Baku, in what will be the first UEFA competition meeting between the two clubs.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s 'Board of Peace' will hold its first leaders’ meeting on Thursday (19 February) in Washington, D.C., launching an initiative aimed at stabilising Gaza and addressing global conflicts. It's drawn support from regional powers but refusals from several EU countries.
U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva ended after two days of negotiations that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as difficult, while signalling progress on the military track.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 20th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would order agencies to begin releasing files on extraterrestrial life and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), calling for more openness while criticising Barack Obama over his recent alien remarks.
An Austrian climber has been convicted of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died from hypothermia while climbing Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, in January 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to strike a deal within 10-15 days or face "really bad things," after Geneva talks this week ended without a breakthrough despite claims of progress. The comment comes amid a buildup of military from both sides in the region.
Mexican authorities have uncovered a 22-metre tunnel used to siphon fuel from a state-owned pipeline, shedding light on the country’s long-running battle against a lucrative black-market trade often controlled by organised crime.
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