Energy & Power Crisis: Russia delivered humanitarian aid to Cuba amid the energy crunch, including food, flashlights, USB drives, and first-aid kits, as Havana struggles with shortages of medicines, fuel, and basic goods. Retail & Payments: In Santiago de Cuba’s “Aguilera Cultural Plaza,” self-employed vendors were fined for not accepting electronic transfers, highlighting the mismatch between forced digital collection and suppliers that still demand cash or foreign currency. Food & Fuel Access: A Havana resident paid $99 for an 8 kg gas cylinder via CubaMax after 20+ days of outages and gas shortages, underscoring how even money doesn’t guarantee supply. Local Industry & Jobs: Holguín’s wrapper processing unit marked 10 years, stressing efficiency and quality for exported tobacco. Agriculture & Community Services: Las Tunas reopened and inaugurated multiple social works tied to Fidel Castro’s centenary, including a hardware store, purified water point, carpentry workshop, and a renovated nursing home. Tech & Connectivity: China’s Qianfan is presented as a satellite internet option for Cuba, as the island’s connectivity remains constrained. Sanctions & Tourism: A report says U.S. sanctions have pushed Cuba’s tourism near zero, leaving hotels empty and workers jobless. Business Climate: Camagüey price-control inspections sparked backlash over hidden goods and limited availability of essentials like chicken and oil.