Thousands marched in Los Angeles, California on Sunday to demand the freedom of political prisoners and respect for human rights in Cuba, reported IPS. The protest was led by Cuban-born actor Andy Garcia and received support from Cuba by the famous blogger Yoani Sanchez.
Read MoreA lack of coordination between four different Cuban state offices is the main cause for the stagnation in pork production in Havana, stated members of the Small Farmers Association (ANAP). A front page article in Granma, the Communist Party daily stated on Monday, “The farmers criticized the ‘diabolic’ mechanisms that hold back production in the capital.”
Read MoreIn an effort to put a break on the increase in convenience marriages, a way used by many Cubans to emigrate, the government of Ecuador will now require a temporary visa for foreigners wanting to marry in this South American country. The announcement came from Eduardo Barrera, director of Foreign Immigration. The number of Cubans marrying Ecuadorians increased from 88 in 2007 to 1,542 in the first nine months of 2009. An estimated that 15 percent of those marriages were considered false, reported IPS.
Read MoreCuban health authorities announced over the weekend that a vaccination campaign against the A H1N1 flu virus will begin on April 1 and extend through April 20, reported IPS. The target group is approximately 10 percent of the total islands population of 11.2 million, zeroing in on those considered most vulnerable to the illness including pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses or immune system deficiencies, and the country’s health and education personnel.
Read MoreRepresentatives of the Cuban opposition welcomed with satisfaction the announcement that the U.S. government will revise the aid programs for the dissidence in Cuba based on the veto imposed by Senator John Kerry to the 40 million dollars to be given for this purpose, reported IPS quoting the Miami-based El Nuevo Herald. “There has not been a transparent administration of the immense amount of resources,” affirmed Manuel Cuesta Morúa, who on the other hand questioned the need for a foreign government to back the dissidence.
Read MoreThe European Union (EU) policy toward Cuba is “interventionist and discriminatory” and it should change it without expecting anything in return from the Raúl Castro government, to “return to the normal state in which we were in 1995,” diplomat Carlos Alzugaray affirmed to Spain’s RTVE. Alzugaray, who 15 years ago was the island’s ambassador before the European bloc, rejected the EU’s criticism of the death of oppositionist Orlando Zapata and assured that the Cuban authorities would not give in to hunger strikes.
Read MoreAriel Borrero hit a two-out, two-run single to break open a 3-3 tie in the top of the ninth to put Villa Clara in the drivers seat with a three game to two lead over Industriales as the teams head to Santa Clara for game six of the Cuban Baseball League championship series on Tuesday.
Read MoreIndustriales pounded out 20 hits on Saturday to breeze to a 11-1 win over Villa Clara to even their best-of-seven championship baseball series at two games each. Arley Sanchez pitched six shutout innings to get the win.
Read MoreCuban female cyclist Yumari Gonzalez won a silver medal in the Scratch event at the World Cycling Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. Meanwhile, in the 500-meter Time Trial, Cuba’s Lisandra Guerra qualified for the second round but was then eliminated and finished ninth.
Read MoreCuban folk singer Silvio Rodriguez presented his latest CD, “Segunda Cita” (Second date) on Friday at the Casa de las Americas cultural center in Havana. Rodriguez performed songs from the album with top musicians including Robertico Carcasses (piano), Feliciano Arango (stand up bass), Oliver Valdés (drums and percussion), Niurka Gonzalez (flute) y Haydée Milanés (chorus).
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