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Russia Points Finger at U.S. as Cuba’s Fuel Crisis Escalates

Tricycle cabs wait for their turn to pick up clients as Cubans brace for fuel scarcity measures in Havana. Cuba is grappling with a severe fuel shortage that has disrupted transportation, strained public services, and forced the government to tighten rationing measures. The Kremlin has described the situation as “critical,” arguing that U.S. sanctions are largely to blame for the island’s deepening energy emergency. Russian officials claim Washington’s long‑standing restrictions are designed to “suffocate” Cuba by limiting its access to fuel imports and financial channels. Moscow says it remains in close contact with Havana and is exploring ways to support its ally as the crisis intensifies. Meanwhile, Cuban authorities warn that the coming weeks may bring further disruptions as supplies continue to dwindle.

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Markets Surge on Positive U.S. Retail Data


The stock markets opened with a bang today as both the TSX and the S&P 500 reached record highs, buoyed by encouraging U.S. retail data.

The S&P 500 climbed by 1.2%, closing at 5,308.15, while the TSX Composite Index rose by 41.42 points to settle at 22,284.76. This surge was driven by strong performances in the technology and utility sectors, reflecting investor optimism following a favorable U.S. retail sales report.

The U.S. retail data showed a robust increase in consumer spending, which has been a key indicator of economic health. This positive sentiment was further bolstered by lower-than-expected inflation figures, providing a double dose of good news for the markets.

Kathrin Forrest, an equity investment specialist at Capital Group, noted, "It’s been a really constructive day for equities, certainly in North America. The technology sector, in particular, ended the week with a strong rally, led by semiconductor companies".

As investors continue to digest these positive economic indicators, the outlook for the markets remains optimistic. The combination of strong retail sales and manageable inflation suggests a resilient economy, which is likely to keep the markets buoyant in the near term.


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