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.
Read MoreCuban 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.
Read MoreA new gas-driven power generation plant will be installed in Cienfuegos, 230 kilometers southeast of the Cuban capital, by the Energas S.A. joint venture, with a capacity of 150 megawatts, reported IPS.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreTornatore 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreUS 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.
Read MoreWhile 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.
Read MoreMobile telephone service in Cuba closed 2009 with 600,000 clients (of the 11.2 million Cubans), said First Deputy Minister of Communications Ramón Linares Torres. Nonetheless, obtaining and using a cell phone is only in CUC, the island’s hard currency, not the regular pesos which Cubans earn for their salaries.
Read More