Private small and medium-sized businesses, legalized in 2021, have become vital for Cubans' survival, paying up to 10 times state salaries. However, the Communist Party remains ambivalent, creating a climate of legal uncertainty for entrepreneurs who are essential to the economy.
Beyond its widely reported economic woes, Cuba is experiencing a severe demographic crisis. A leading demographer estimates that nearly a quarter of the entire population has emigrated in just the last five to six years, representing a profound brain drain and a challenge to the nation's future stability.
While Britain excels in quantum research and software, its progress is hindered by a critical weakness: a lack of domestic infrastructure for specialized hardware. The country remains overly reliant on foreign providers for essential components like ultra-cold refrigerators and quantum chip packaging, creating a significant strategic vulnerability.
Unlike the AI industry, which requires massive capital investment, quantum computing allows Britain to compete effectively with larger economies like the U.S. This lower financial barrier to entry leverages Britain's strong research base, making it a uniquely competitive player in the emerging quantum sector.
A proposal to protect Pernambuco wood is controversial because the artisanal bow-making industry's impact is negligible. A single maker may use one tree's worth of wood over an entire career, often from old stock. The proposed ban targets a minor user and could harm sustainable cultivation efforts.