News Archives - Page 1206 of 1382

Church Rejects Insults Over Mediation

The Cuban Catholic Church rejected the insults contained in an open letter to Pope Benedict XVI, which questions its role in the release of the island’s political prisoners after the negotiation with the Cuban government, according to a press note released in this capital. The Church’s action, notes the text, “has not relied, nor will it ever rely, on political tendencies, or on those of the government or those opposed to them, but rather on its pastoral mission.”

Fidel Castro Feels Optimistic

The former Cuban president affirmed that he feels “optimistic on rational and solid bases,” despite the natural disasters caused by human action, in his latest Reflection, published by the island’s state-run press. Castro considered that “the solution is at the reach of many persons if we are able to get the truth to enough persons among the thousands of millions who inhabit the planet.”

Travel Agency Readies for Cuba Boom

Claiming to be the “largest travel service provider to Cuba,” Marazul Charters is gearing up for a possible boom in travel to the Caribbean island if rumors that President Obama will allow greater access to some US citizens prove true.

Film on Transsexual Premiered in Cuba

Cuban filmmaker Marylin Solaya premiered in the Cuban capital’s Charles Chaplin theatre the documentary En el cuerpo equivocado (In the Wrong Body), which tells the story of Mavi Susel, the first transsexual who underwent a sex change operation in the island in 1988, reported IPS. In the coming days HT will present a review of the documentary.

Youth a Majority in Lands Handed Over

More than 50 per cent of the persons who have received lands in usufruct, according to Law 259 of 2008, are young, Pedro Olivera, director of the National Land Control Center, said. According to the source, out of the 1,007,112 hectares handed over until now, only 46 per cent are producing due to a “lack of resources and work means and the drought that has hit the country.”

New Independent Magazine Circulates

A group of Cuban bloggers and intellectuals, headed by dissident photographer and writer Orlando Luis Pardo, released a new cultural magazine called Voces, which has begun circulating in pdf format on the web and through email.

Hip-Hop 2010 Symposium kicks off

The Hip-Hop 2010 International Symposium will begin today in the Cuban capital with the participation of artists from Mexico, Haiti and the United States, the local press reported. The event, during which workshops, concerts and lectures will be given, is sponsored by the Cuban Rap Agency, the Institute of Music and the Hermanos Saíz Association.

American Ballet Theatre to Cuba

The U.S. American Ballet Theatre will perform in Cuba next November 3 and 4 to pay tribute to prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, founder of the National Ballet of Cuba, affirmed Rachel Moore, director of the company, which hasn’t danced in the island since 1960.

F. Castro Meets with Medical Brigade

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro met with the Cuban medical brigade that carried out a wide-ranging psychosocial and clinical-genetic study in Bolivia. “What is most important is the example set for the young people who, together with you, have begun to carry out this task among its people and in other countries,” said the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, who gave the members of the contingent a copy of his book “Por todos los caminos de la Sierra: La victoria estratégica.”

Housing Needs Met by 2020

The Cuban government hopes to meet around 90 per cent of the housing needs of the population by 2020 and thus fulfill the Millennium Goals established by the UN, the local press reported. For this the authorities have proposed a construction plan of 60,000 new homes a year starting 2011, especially based on the so-called self construction effort.