International

Ukraine will install solar panels in schools and hospitals due to Russian attacks on power plants

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, ordered his ministers and competent authorities on Thursday to install “solar panels, smart panels and storage infrastructures” of energy in schools and hospitals as soon as possible in the face of the electricity generation deficit caused by Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants.

Zelenski also asked for the creation of fiscal conditions and benefits to facilitate the installation of “solar panels and batteries” by as many Ukrainians as possible, and commissioned the Government to develop a “state-wide” strategy for the development of renewable energies and the diversification of generation points.

In addition, the Ukrainian president ordered the installation of technologies conducive to energy savings in all public and official buildings.

Zelenski gave these orders in a meeting with the Prime Minister, Denís Shmigal; the head of Energy, Herman Galushchenko and the head of the hydrocarbon company Naftogaz, Oleksí Chernishov, in which the head of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mikola Oleshchuk, in charge of protecting the country from Russian air strikes, also participated.

The head of state of Ukraine announced these decisions in a message published on his social networks in which he summarized the content of the meeting, held after Russia launched last morning the seventh massive attack against the Ukrainian electricity system since March 22.

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Russian drones and missiles damaged electrical infrastructure in Kiev and three other Ukrainian regions. A thermal power plant of the private company DTEK that had already been affected by previous attacks suffered serious damage in the bombing.

“We repair what can be repaired, we build a complex protection system with engineering structures, means of electronic warfare and air defense systems,” Zelenski said about the measures taken by Ukraine to protect its plants from Russian attacks.

Ukraine works with its partners to receive additional air defense systems. Romania today announced its decision to send a Patriot missile system to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian authorities have been forced to introduce scheduled power cuts in the face of repeated Russian attacks on the electricity sector, and fear that the problem will worsen with the increase in demand with the arrival of low temperatures.

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Related Topics:Hospital Russian solar panels Ukraine

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International

Spain’s irregular migrant population rises to 840,000, study finds

The number of migrants living in Spain without legal residency status continues to rise and has reached 840,000 people, with 91% originating from the Americas, particularly Colombia, Peru and Honduras, according to a report by the Spanish think tank Funcas (Foundation of the Savings Banks).

An estimated 17.2% of the non-EU foreign population living in Spain is in an irregular administrative situation. The estimate is based on the gap between the number of foreign residents effectively living in Spain, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and those who hold a residence permit, benefit from international protection, or are in the process of obtaining it.

The data, as of January 1, 2025, point to a notable and sustained increase in irregular migration since 2017, when the estimated figure stood at around 107,000 people, representing 4.2% of the non-EU population residing in Spain.

By origin, migrants from the American continent stand out, totaling around 760,000 people, or 91% of all irregular migrants. Colombians account for nearly 290,000, followed by Peruvians with almost 110,000, and Hondurans with about 90,000. Migrants from Africa (50,000), Asia (15,000) and Europe (14,000) trail far behind.

The figures predate Spain’s latest immigration regulation reform, which came into force in May 2025 and introduces measures to ease access to legal status through residency ties. According to Funcas, the reform would, in principle, tend to reduce the number of migrants in an irregular situation.

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International

Historic snowstorm paralyzes Toronto after 60 centimeters of snow

Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the fourth most populous in North America, was largely paralyzed on Monday after a historic snowstorm dumped up to 60 centimeters of snow and sent temperatures plunging to -15 degrees Celsius, authorities said.

Late Sunday, as the scale of the snowfall became clear, city officials declared a climate emergency, triggering extraordinary measures including parking bans on several major streets to facilitate snow removal operations.

Toronto’s public transit authority reported that while some buses remain immobilized, subway and streetcar services are operating with relative normality, though localized disruptions may occur.

A similar situation is affecting the city’s commuter rail network, which remains operational but is experiencing significant delays on its main routes due to the severe weather conditions.

International

Venezuela frees at least 80 political prisoners, NGO says

At least 80 political prisoners were released on Sunday across Venezuela, human rights group Foro Penal reported, as the broader process of detainee releases continues at a slow pace under the interim government.

Foro Penal’s director, Alfredo Romero, wrote on social media platform X that verified releases took place nationwide and that the figure could rise as more confirmations are completed.

Attorney Gonzalo Himiob, also from Foro Penal, said the excarcelations occurred during the early hours of the day and emphasized that the number is not yet final pending further verification.

The releases are part of a series of steps announced by Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation on Jan. 3, 2026. Rodríguez has pledged a significant number of liberations but has been criticized by opposition groups and rights organizations for the slow and nontransparent nature of the process.

So far, the Venezuelan government reports that 626 detainees have been freed since December, though independent counts by human rights groups suggest the number of actual political prisoner releases is lower and that many remain behind bars.

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Families of those still detained have maintained vigils outside prisons, hopeful for further releases even as broader concerns about political imprisonment and due process persist.