Cuba News Headlines. Cuban Daily News

Cuba's National Peoples Power Assembly elected José Ramón Machado Ventura on Sunday as first vice president of the Cuban Council of State for the next five years.

Ricardo Alarcon, incumbent president of Cuba"s National Assembly of People"s Power, was reelected to his post Sunday during the opening of the assembly"s seventh legislature.

Raul Castro was chosen today to take over Cuba's presidency from his brother Fidel Castro.

Article 84 of the Constitution says legislators have to duty to legislate for the benefit of the people. They should be in contact with their voters, listen to their claims and criticism, and inform them of the State policy. One of the National Assemblys roles is to discuss and pass national economic and social development plans and the nations budget. The Parliament should also approve the guidelines for the national economy planning and management system. It also makes decisions on the countrys monetary and credit system and on the islands foreign and domestic policy. The National Assembly has the power to declare a state of war in case of a military aggression, and pass peace treaties. Legislators can also establish and modify the countrys political and administrative division.

"Cuba! A Voyage through This Island's Art and History, from 1868 to Today" runs until June 8, 2008.

Austin Peay State University's 13th annual Asanbe Symposium Thursday will feature two talks by Olga Connor, author of "Parabras De Mujer/Parables of Women."

A group of 40 young Uruguayans will travel to Cuba on February 29 to start studies in the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM).

The Vatican's No. 2 official unveiled a statue commemorating Pope John Paul II's historic trip to the island 10 years ago on Saturday, after hinting that Pope Benedict XVI may make a visit of his own.

Cuban-born Joan Boada. Initially trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba and a member of its Ballet Nacional, the handsome star joined SF Ballet in 1999. Boada is much acclaimed in other of Tomassons productions including "Basilio" (Don Quixote), "Romeo", "The Bluebird" (Sleeping Beauty), and "The Nutcracker Prince".