News

Thousands learn to read in Uruguay with Cuban method

Some 5,000 persons were taught to read and write in Uruguay between 2007 and 2009 thanks to the Cuban literacy program, reported Ulma Carneiro, an official from the Ministry of Social Development. It is estimated that 179,000 persons still don’t know how to read and write in that South American country.

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Accountability in Cuba

These mechanisms take the form of Report-back Assemblies (Asambleas de Rendición de Cuentas), biannual meetings in which local delegates (previously elected by community residents) meet with their constituencies. These neighborhood delegates report on policies implemented by the Municipal Assembly (city council) and steps being taken to resolve problems identified by the community. Alternately, residents can present new concerns to these representatives.

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Cuba’s Chapman a Reds Multi-Millionaire?

Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman is reportedly hours away from signing a $30 million dollar contract with the Cincinnati Reds in the US Major Leagues. In a report just published by Sports Illustrated online the lefthander is set to sign a five-year deal.

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Cuban Emigration to Ecuador Shoots Up

The entry into Ecuador of persons coming from Cuba has increased from 2,700 a year to more than 2,300 a month, according to IPS based on data cited by Spain’s El Mundo daily. According to the newspaper, the Cuban community has considerably grown in that South American country, especially in the cities of Quito and Guayaquil.

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Cuba Baseball Highlights in 2009

The curtain has already fallen on yet another scintillating calendar year of Cuban baseball-one of the most exciting dozen months of recent history. See Peter C. Bjarkman’s top highlights of Cuban baseball in 2009.

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Filmmaker Giusseppe Tornatore in Cuba

Tornatore has come to in Havana for the presentation of a few of his films. In a press conference Friday he said his work had prevented him from coming to Cuba until now. Nonetheless, this country sparked a great deal of curiosity in him and he feels completely privileged to be here.

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Spain Doesn’t See Cuba Priority

The European Union (EU) policy toward Cuba “is not a priority under our presidency,” affirmed Spanish President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. Spain holds the rotating chair of the 27-member EU for the next six months. Hopes had risen in recent months that the Spanish government would use that position to attempt to improve EU relations and cooperation with Cuba.

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US Offers Talks to Cuba on C.A. Games

US authorities are ready to talk with Cuba on the visas for the island’s participation in the next Central American and Caribbean Games, to be held in the Puerto Rican city of Mayagüez starting July 17, announced Puerto Rican Secretary of State Kenneth McClintock.

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Noel Arguelles Gets $7 Million plus

While the bidding war continues to try and sign Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman, a lesser known exile, Noel Arguelles, also a southpaw, has signed a five year major league contract with the Kansas City Royals for US $7 million, plus $2 million in further incentives. The Cuban press does not report on the island’s nationals who abandon their country’s amateur teams to play professional sports in foreign countries.

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