More than 600,000 people in Cuba suffer from drinking water shortages

More than 600,000 people in Cuba are struggling to access clean drinking water. Authorities are accelerating repairs to the fragile water system to alleviate the crisis.

Cuban authorities said the current water supply problems were due to failures at water pumping stations due to technical defects and constant power outages.

Access to drinking water has been a problem on the island of Cuba for some time, forcing people to endure a hot and uncomfortable summer season.

“We have a serious water supply situation. I cannot name a specific district, the water shortage affects us all. I live near here and my case is also critical,” said Mario Mustelier, a resident of Havana.

“I have had difficult times here because this area only has water every four days. I had to go to one of my sons to bathe or eat because I live here alone,” said Laudelina Piero, another Havana resident.

Laudelina said that due to the water shortage, her sons are now using containers to store water and connecting them to the house pipes to provide some relief.

The island's old thermal power plants experienced fuel shortages and equipment failures, affecting both industry and the population and leading to power outages.

After the authorities repaired the water pumping system, an improvement in the water supply was already recorded in some districts of Havana.

“The problems seem to have been solved. The water supply is returning to normal,” said Havana resident Maria Teresa Batista.

In the meantime, water resource workers are busy repairing and installing new pipes and pumps to get the water supply system up and running again.

More than 600,000 people in Cuba suffer from drinking water shortages

An 80-year-old South Korean Miss Universe candidate has shown seniors a new way to realize their dreams and live a fulfilling life in old age, giving new hope and courage to the increasingly ageing population.

In a groundbreaking move, the Miss Universe pageant has lifted its age restrictions and focus on superficial beauty, opening the door to unprecedented contestant Choi Soon-hwa.

Beauty knows no age. That is the message of this year's Miss Universe pageant, which features the oldest contestant ever.

“After I saw that there is no age limit in the Miss Universe pageant, I said I would enter. Then my son said, 'Mom, are you going that far? OK, mom, do it if you want.' So I sent them photos yesterday and they said, 'Our mother is amazing, our grandmother is great.' So I'm very happy,” said Choi Soon-hwa.

After long being criticized for being out of step with the times, the organizers of the Miss Universe pageant this year have lifted many restrictions on age, marriageability and motherhood.

“As many restrictions such as the age limit have been lifted, more contestants will be able to take part in the competition this year and there will be stricter standards for women's beauty,” said Kim Sung-shin, a contestant in the Miss Universe pageant.

Organizer Yang Sun-mook, also CEO of DQ Communications, is working with beauty pageant organizers in South Korea to ensure the event represents the country's rapidly aging society.

“[South] “In Korea, the topic of age is very fashionable right now. You see it in advertisements, TV shows, fashion shows and even international beauty pageants,” Yang said.

As a mother and grandmother who is currently pursuing a modeling career and recently ran as a candidate for the National Assembly, Choi's action has sent a message to other seniors: Follow your dreams.

“Go with your talent wherever you find confidence, go out of your home wherever you want, and participate in social activities so that the senior society can be more active,” Choi said.

80-year-old Miss Universe contestant inspires seniors to pursue their dreams