News

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, which causes AIDS) has had a greater effect on persons aged between 20 and 24 living in the metropolitan areas of the central and western regions since its appearance in Cuba in 1986, according to a research published by the Revista Cubana de Higiene y Epidemiología medical journal. The study says that the rest of the island’s regions could behave in the same manner due to “the risk sexual behaviours and the little habit of practicing safe sex existing among the Cuban population, influenced by beliefs and taboos.”

The Cuban and Venezuelan governments increased cooperation in the field of higher education through an agreement that incorporates the areas of postgraduate studies, trainees and advisors; research, development and innovation projects; and the multinational ALBA-Education entity.

Self-medication is a common practice for the majority of persons in Cuba for ailments such as headaches, colds and fever, according to a study by the Revista Cubana de Medicina General Integral medical journal. The survey, which included inhabitants from the island’s capital and provincial capital cities, detected that hypertension and non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines and psychoactive drugs are the most used in the island.

While the Senator is “hopeful that the Administration will take additional steps regarding our policy”, he clarified that with the US involved in two wars and its economy in trouble “it was rather unrealistic” to assume that Cuba would be a priority for the Administration.

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

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.

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.

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.

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).