Author: Circles Robinson

Opposition Prepares Project against Travel Restrictions

The Foro Todos Cubanos (All Cubans Forum) opposition group began the collection of signatures to present a project to the National Assembly of People’s Power (parliament) that would repeal the restrictions in force regarding trips abroad, dissident Oswaldo Payá announced. In 2007 the Heredia Project was presented before the legislative body and until now has not had a response

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Cuba Makes ”Guayabera” Official Shirt

The Cuban Foreign Ministry made official the use of the guayabera shirt in formal activities since “it has been linked for a long time to the history of our country and is one of the most authentic and legitimate expressions of Cuban identity.” It is believed that this garment was created by Spanish emigrants in the early 18th century in the central Cuban region of Sancti Spíritus.

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Cuban Emigration to US Nosedives

The number of Cuban emigrants who arrived in the United States in the last 12 months dropped to close to 7,000, a much lower figure than the almost 20,000 in 2007, the Miami-based El Nuevo Herald reported. According to the source, the cause of the decrease could be, among others, the economic crisis in the U.S., the strengthening of controls in the Florida Straits and the border with Mexico, and the lifting of restrictions on travel to the island for the Cuban-American community.

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Ecuador: Air Force and Navy Reluctantly Backed President

Besides the hundreds of police who were rioting, Ecuador’s air force and navy were the biggest headaches for the government of Rafael Correa in the 11 hours that the president was held captive on Thursday, Sept. 30, IPS was told by civilian and military sources close to the action.

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Havana from the Hotel Deauville

If you prefer lavish hotels and being pampered by the service staff, I wouldn’t recommend you stay at Havana’s Hotel Deauville. But if your hope is to enjoy a spectacular view of Havana, then I don’t believe there’s a more appropriate place to accomplish that aim.

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Tropical Storm Otto No Threat to Cuba

Sub-Tropical Storm Otto was born north of the Dominican Republic on Thursday and poses no apparent threat to Cuba and its neighbors. According to the Cuban Meteorological Institute (INSMET) advisory at 6:00 EST, the storm will now head in a north-northeasterly direction into the open Atlantic.

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Cuba Makes Volleyball Final Four

Cuba’s men’s volleyball team has made it to the final four of the World Volleyball Championships being played in Italy after defeating Bulgaria in a hard fought five-set match on Wednesday (22-25, 25-23, 26-28, 30-28, 15-11).

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Sen. Dodd to Speak on Cuba-US Relations

US Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) will speak on his just concluded trip to Cuba at a press conference set for Wednesday at 3:00 p.m, stated his office in a press note. The main topic to be discussed is how “the United States and Cuba can improve bi-lateral relations.’’

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Cuba’s Transgenic Corn Debate Heats Up

The cultivation in several Cuban provinces of genetically modified maize, obtained by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, endangers biodiversity and contradicts the government’s own agricultural production plan, warns Cuban agro-ecologist Fernando Funes-Monzote.

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