Press Briefing

• Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis triggered by U.S. sanctions and exacerbated by hurricanes and other natural disasters. • The crisis has disrupted critical infrastructure, including water, sanitation, and food production, leading to the postponement of over 100,000 surgeries. • This situation represents a humanitarian emergency as essential healthcare and basic services are failing across the country.

• UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed released a report detailing the impact of the UN development system's efforts through 2025. • Key achievements include providing food aid to 121 million people, measles vaccinations to 191 million children, and social protection to 84 million individuals. • The report highlights a significant long-term health impact, noting that 500 million additional people have accessed essential health services since 2018.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met to establish a new strategic roadmap focusing on trade, counter-terrorism, and technology. • The briefing also covers domestic concerns, including reports of multiple murders and planned violence in Telangana, as well as ongoing failures by the National Testing Agency (NTA). • In the opinion section, Surjit S Bhalla criticizes the BJP's economic management, arguing that political success in West Bengal may lead to dangerous complacency regarding necessary policy reforms.