标签: Cuba

古巴

  • Israeli forces attack Tel-al-Ahamar site in the Syrian province

    Israeli forces attack Tel-al-Ahamar site in the Syrian province

    Israeli military units have intensified operational activities in Syria’s Quneitra governorate, employing multiple combat tactics across various locations. Security sources confirm that military personnel stationed west of Tel al-Ahmar initiated gunfire operations utilizing both automatic weapons and medium-caliber artillery systems.

    The offensive actions coincided with aerial surveillance missions conducted by Israeli fighter jets over the contested region. While no civilian casualties resulted from these specific operations, the military presence has created substantial tension among local populations.

    In a separate incident preceding these events, occupation forces targeted civilian foragers in al-Ashah village. Eyewitnesses reported that women and children gathering wild mushrooms came under direct fire, though fortunately no physical injuries were documented during this confrontation.

    Additional military movements included coordinated ground patrols involving five armored vehicles along the strategic corridor connecting al-Ashah and al-Rafid settlements. Simultaneously, a secondary detachment comprising two military vehicles conducted unauthorized entries into multiple residential villages throughout the area.

    During these intrusive maneuvers, Israeli soldiers implemented restrictive measures including comprehensive searches of civilian pedestrians and established temporary roadblocks that impeded normal transit along several key thoroughfares. These developments represent an escalation in the ongoing Israeli military campaign within the Quneitra region, maintaining constant alert status among communities and raising serious concerns regarding compliance with international humanitarian standards.

  • Russia urges Japan to abandon hostile policy toward Moscow

    Russia urges Japan to abandon hostile policy toward Moscow

    The Russian Foreign Ministry has issued a formal declaration establishing concrete conditions for the restoration of diplomatic relations with Japan, emphasizing that Tokyo must demonstrate tangible steps away from its current hostile posture. Russian officials contend that Japan’s present foreign policy direction contradicts its national interests and undermines regional stability.

    Moscow’s statement specifically underscores the necessity for Japanese authorities to preserve what it describes as “the positive legacy of bilateral ties” developed over previous decades. The diplomatic communique suggests that current tensions stem directly from Japan’s adoption of what Russia characterizes as an antagonistic position toward Russian interests.

    This development follows high-level briefings where Russian officials conveyed their strategic approach to regional and international matters, including specific practical considerations regarding engagement with Japan. The diplomatic rift intensified significantly when Japan aligned with Western-imposed sanctions against Russia following the commencement of military operations in Ukraine in February 2022.

    The deterioration culminated on March 21, 2022, when Moscow formally suspended peace treaty negotiations and halted discussions concerning joint economic initiatives in the Southern Kuril Islands. Russian authorities attributed these decisions to Japan’s “unfriendly position” regarding the Ukraine conflict, marking a significant setback in Russo-Japanese relations that continues to impact Northeast Asian geopolitics.

  • Cuba to present present map for coral reef conservation

    Cuba to present present map for coral reef conservation

    In a landmark scientific achievement, Cuban researchers have developed a comprehensive national strategy for coral reef conservation following an unprecedented research initiative. The pioneering effort, which employed a unified methodology for the first time, yielded critical scientific data while highlighting the profound fragility and ecological value of these marine ecosystems.

    The research program reached a pivotal milestone with the 2023 Circumnavigation of Cuba expedition, a collaborative scientific mission involving both national and international institutions. This extensive marine survey provided the foundational data necessary for formulating evidence-based conservation policies.

    According to reports from Cubadebate, the completed study will be presented to Cuba’s Council of Ministers for official approval. The proposed framework advocates for a more responsible relationship with coral habitats, promoting informed decision-making and enhanced ecosystem management that actively engages local communities in conservation efforts.

    Dr. Patricia Gonzalez Diaz, lead researcher at the Center for Marine Research, provided essential leadership in developing this conservation strategy. Her work builds upon decades of dedicated research by numerous scientists and conservationists who have documented Cuba’s marine biodiversity.

    This conservation initiative aligns with Cuba’s State Plan for Confronting Climate Change (Tarea Vida), though officials acknowledge that implementation progress has been slower than initially anticipated.

    The protection of coral reefs remains critically important due to their multifaceted ecological services. These include coastal defense against marine erosion and extreme weather events, support for commercially valuable marine species through high biodiversity, and natural sand generation processes that sustain Cuba’s iconic beaches.

  • Urban agriculture: from skepticism to success

    Urban agriculture: from skepticism to success

    The Cuban province of Pinar del Río prepares to host national celebrations marking the 38th anniversary of the Urban, Suburban, and Family Agriculture Program this Saturday, an initiative originally championed by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz. What began as a controversial experiment has evolved into a transformative food security system that continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite significant challenges.

    At the organic garden known as La Erea, located along the banks of the Guamá River, agricultural specialist Dany Mena García exemplifies the program’s success. “Here, one crop is harvested and another is planted right behind it. We never have unplanted beds,” he explains, describing a operation that maintains productive green beds throughout all twelve months of the year.

    The program’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. Early skeptics questioned the logic of constructing urban garden beds while rural land remained underutilized. Initial harvests sometimes went to waste due to limited consumer demand. Yet persistence eventually transformed Cuban dietary habits, introducing chard, spinach, chives, carrots, beets, and approximately twenty other crops to complement the traditional limited vegetable selection.

    According to Lérida María Sánchez Díaz, head of the program at the Provincial Delegation of Agriculture in Vueltabajo, the initiative now encompasses 1,244 production structures across 1,278 hectares. These include organic farms, technified plots, intensive gardens, semi-protected gardens, and rustic greenhouses. The current production average stands at an impressive 10.2 kilograms per square meter, meeting projections established earlier this year.

    The program has demonstrated particular resilience in recovering from natural disasters. When Hurricane Ian devastated the region in 2022, destroying over 8,000 garden beds, the system rebounded within approximately one month with harvests of lettuce, chard, spinach, and chives already underway.

    International collaboration has played a crucial role in recent advancements. Miguel Espinosa Correa, administrator of the Ingeniería #1 organic garden, describes how solar panel irrigation systems donated through international projects have addressed electricity shortages. Additional support from United Nations, European Union, and Japanese Embassy initiatives has provided seeds, processing equipment, and transportation solutions for product distribution.

    Despite these achievements, challenges remain regarding organic matter availability and labor resources. However, increased operational autonomy has enabled producers to address issues directly—such as when Espinosa’s team purchased a replacement irrigation pump from local businesses rather than waiting years for bureaucratic solutions.

    With approximately 65,000 backyard gardens expected to join the provincial program by December’s end, and new ventures into dehydrated condiments and medicinal plants expanding product offerings, Cuba’s urban agriculture initiative continues to evolve beyond its original scope, driven by growing consumer demand and ongoing innovation.

  • Panama warns of surge in E-commerce scams

    Panama warns of surge in E-commerce scams

    Panama is confronting an escalating crisis of digital fraud with approximately 16 formal complaints registered daily, according to an investigative report by La Prensa. The phenomenon has become particularly pervasive across three key regions: Panama, Panama Oeste, and Chiriquí provinces.

    Behind these statistics lie countless narratives of financial deception—consumers purchasing goods that never materialize, transferring funds to nonexistent accounts, and encountering vanished promises after initial digital interactions. These incidents share a common element: the violation of trust in spaces previously perceived as secure for transactions.

    Analysis of seven-year trend data reveals a disturbing pattern of consistent growth in fraudulent activities, with a particularly sharp acceleration following the COVID-19 pandemic. The most dramatic surge occurred in 2020, when reported cases jumped to 3,586 amid health restrictions and increased reliance on informal digital payment systems.

    The situation intensified considerably in 2021, with complaints skyrocketing to 5,354—more than doubling the figures recorded just two years prior. This confirmed an aggressive expansion pattern primarily driven by e-commerce scams, fraudulent loan schemes, and deceptive promotional offers.

    While 2022 witnessed a marginal increase to 5,514 cases, and 2023 saw a slight reduction to 5,068 complaints, the overall numbers remain alarmingly elevated compared to historical norms. The data indicates that despite minor fluctuations, digital fraud has established itself at persistently high levels within Panama’s commercial ecosystem.

  • Vietnam-Cuba friendship year successfully concludes in Hanoi

    Vietnam-Cuba friendship year successfully concludes in Hanoi

    HANOI – Cuban Ambassador to Hanoi Rogelio Polanco has formally recognized a special publication commemorating six and a half decades of diplomatic ties between Cuba and Vietnam. The accolade was delivered during the official presentation of “Vietnam-Cuba: 65 Years of Brotherhood,” a special edition produced by El Mundo y Vietnam, a publication under the auspices of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Ambassador Polanco praised the publication as a commendable and significant contribution to the anniversary celebrations, explicitly thanking the editorial team for their demonstrated dedication and rigorous journalistic standards. He emphasized that the relevance of the contributing authors and the substantive content within the edition serve as a clear mirror reflecting the profound bonds cultivated between the two nations over decades.

    The diplomatic envoy further elaborated that the collected texts and messages provide more than a retrospective glance at a shared, pride-filled history. They also offer a comprehensive contemporary update on the excellent state of bilateral relations, showcasing the extensive diversity of exchanges spanning all sectors. Polanco articulated that these accounts reveal the deep and enduring impact this partnership has imprinted on the collective consciousness of both populations.

    Central to his address was the acknowledgment of the unique fraternity originally forged in the fires of revolutionary struggle by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro. The Ambassador affirmed that this bond, diligently nurtured by successive generations of leadership and citizens from both countries, remains not only pure and loyal but also stands as an exceptional paradigm of relations between political parties, sovereign states, and their peoples.

  • Russian army captures Sviato-Pokrovskoe in Donetsk region

    Russian army captures Sviato-Pokrovskoe in Donetsk region

    Russian military authorities have announced the seizure of Sviato-Pokrovskoe, a strategic settlement within the contested Donetsk People’s Republic, marking what they describe as a decisive operational achievement. The declaration was formally communicated through official channels on the Telegram messaging platform by representatives of the Southern troop grouping.

    In conjunction with this territorial gain, comprehensive casualty figures were released detailing substantial losses allegedly inflicted upon Ukrainian defense forces during the preceding 24-hour period. The military assessment indicates that combat operations across multiple strategic fronts resulted in significant personnel reductions, with estimates surpassing 215 soldiers within the Southern Group’s operational sphere alone.

    The documented attrition extended across all major combat zones with additional reports of approximately 445 casualties attributed to the Central Group’s operations, while Northern, Eastern, and Western groupings reported up to 265, 235, and 220 losses respectively. The Dnieper Group operations reportedly accounted for over 65 additional personnel reductions.

    Material losses attributed to Ukrainian forces included the destruction of three battle tanks and eighteen armored combat vehicles, among which was an American-manufactured M113 armored personnel carrier. The inventory of destroyed equipment further encompassed ninety-six military transport vehicles, eighteen artillery systems—including a sophisticated Paladin self-propelled howitzer—and two electronic warfare installations.

    Countermeasures against aerial threats resulted in the interception of six precision-guided munitions, one High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) projectile, and an unprecedented four hundred seventy-two unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, Russian forces reported the neutralization of seven ammunition storage facilities and thirteen logistical supply depots, significantly impairing Ukrainian operational capabilities.

  • Doctors in Brazil confirm Bolsonaro is fit for surgery

    Doctors in Brazil confirm Bolsonaro is fit for surgery

    Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has received medical clearance to undergo a surgical procedure following comprehensive diagnostic testing at a hospital in Brasília. The medical evaluation occurred after his transfer from Federal Police headquarters, where he has been detained since November 22nd while serving a 27-year sentence for attempted coup charges.

    Leading physicians Dr. Brasil Caiado and Dr. Claudio Birolini, who are overseeing the medical procedure, confirmed that Bolsonaro underwent extensive preoperative assessment including complete cardiological evaluation, comprehensive blood work, and coronary computed tomography angiography. The diagnostic results revealed minor fatty plaque deposits without significant arterial deterioration, while laboratory findings remained within normal clinical parameters.

    Cardiologist Caiado stated that the former president presents with clinical stability and meets all necessary criteria for surgery. “The patient has been thoroughly prepared with all requisite preoperative testing completed and demonstrates no cardiac contraindications for the procedure,” he affirmed during a medical briefing.

    Following the surgical intervention, the former Army captain will be transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit for approximately two hours of intensive monitoring before returning to his hospital room. The medical team emphasized that standard postoperative protocols will be implemented to ensure recovery.

    The development marks a significant medical milestone for the incarcerated former leader, whose legal team has previously raised concerns about his health status during ongoing judicial proceedings. Prison authorities have coordinated with medical staff to ensure appropriate security measures throughout the hospitalization period.

  • Ethiopia denies allegations of lack of support for refugees

    Ethiopia denies allegations of lack of support for refugees

    The Ethiopian government has issued a formal rebuttal to allegations circulating on social media regarding humanitarian conditions in the Tigray Region. In an official statement disseminated through the Ethiopian News Agency, the relevant Commission provided detailed evidence countering claims of neglected aid distribution at the Hitsats temporary shelter in the northwestern Asgede district.

    The Commission’s comprehensive report clarified that internally displaced persons (IDPs) at the facility have in fact received “full and uninterrupted humanitarian food assistance” throughout the past year. Officials emphasized that social media narratives suggesting otherwise are “inaccurate and do not reflect the reality on the ground,” asserting that food distribution operations have maintained continuity without interruption.

    Detailed statistics provided by the Commission demonstrate substantial aid delivery between September and December. Assistance reached 16,775 beneficiaries in September, expanding to 18,290 in October, before slightly decreasing to 17,813 in November and 14,413 in December. The four-month period saw a total of 14,413 displaced citizens receiving critical support at the Hitsats shelter, with additional recipients from neighboring facilities included in the overall figures.

    The scale of humanitarian provision included 11,406 quintals of essential food commodities, comprising wheat, sorghum, pulses, and cooking oil. The total value of this assistance exceeded 257 million Ethiopian birr, equivalent to approximately $1.65 million USD, representing a significant investment in addressing food security needs among displaced populations.

    The statement serves as both a public accountability measure and an effort to correct misinformation regarding humanitarian operations in post-conflict Tigray Region, where accurate information remains crucial for both domestic and international stakeholders.

  • Russia and DPRK implement comprehensive strategic partnership treaty

    Russia and DPRK implement comprehensive strategic partnership treaty

    In a significant diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has affirmed the successful implementation of a groundbreaking comprehensive strategic partnership treaty with North Korea, marking a new era in bilateral relations between the two nations. The Russian leader conveyed his sentiments through an official congratulatory telegram addressed to North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, emphasizing the treaty’s role in substantially expanding productive cooperation across multiple domains including political affairs, economic trade, and humanitarian initiatives.

    President Putin particularly highlighted the heroic contributions of Korean People’s Army personnel during the liberation of Russia’s Kursk region, characterizing their military participation and subsequent demining operations conducted by North Korean sappers on Russian territory as tangible evidence of the “unwavering friendship and brotherhood in combat” shared between Moscow and Pyongyang.

    The foundation of this strengthened alliance was formally established on June 19, 2024, during President Putin’s official state visit to Pyongyang, where both nations signed the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement. This new pact, which possesses an open-ended duration without expiration, effectively supersedes the previous bilateral agreement on friendship, good neighborliness, and cooperation that had been in effect since the year 2000.

    The upgraded treaty signifies a substantial deepening of diplomatic and military ties between Russia and North Korea, potentially altering regional security dynamics and representing a notable shift in the geopolitical landscape of Northeast Asia and beyond.