Oil drilling off Cuba coast draws U.S. foes

<p style="text-align: justify;">Miami Herald. WASHINGTON — With Cuba poised to drill for oil off its coast as early as this spring, Florida lawmakers are renewing efforts to block it, citing fears about damage to the state's beaches in the event of a major oil spill. Read More

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Cuba's classic cars calling out for U.S. imports of much-needed parts

<p style="text-align: justify;">Jan 31, 2011. Aftermarket Business World. So tantalizingly close yet so far away, entry into the Republic of Cuba’s intriguing parts and repair marketplace remains out of reach for U.S.-based vendors. Although official relations between the two governments are still a frosty relic of the Cold War, efforts continue in the quest to drop the U.S.-imposed trade embargo and serve the service needs of Cuba’s famously creative shade-tree mechanics. Read More

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Defense focuses on key witness' trips to Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">The U.S. government paid nearly $80,000 to a confidential informant and main witness in the case against Luis Posada Carriles.EL PASO, Texas -- The unusual trips to Cuba of a key witness in the trial of Luis Posada Carriles began to emerge in court Friday as the defense questioned him for a fifth day.Jurors also heard testimony that the U.S. government spent nearly $80,000 on the witness, Hialeah exile Gilberto Abascal, after he agreed to testify against Posada. Read More

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Presidential order re-opens U.S.-Cuba religious exchanges

<p style="text-align: justify;">Date Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:48:04 -0800.UCC - Presidential order re-opens U.S.-Cuba religious exchanges.The CEO and executive director of faith-based humanitarian agency Church World Service (CWS) says the White House executive order this month to ease travel restrictions between the United States and Cuba for religious, educational and cultural exchanges signals "the beginning of a new era of relations between the U.S. and Cuba." Read More

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Yoani Sanchez, the Cuban blogger's strategy whereabouts

<p style="text-align: justify;">Tracey Eaton. Pulitzer Center, Havana. As one Cuban official sees it, she's the quarter-million dollar woman, a creation of foreign interests determined to topple the socialist government.Yoani Sanchez became an enemy of the state in Cuba soon after her meteoric rise as creator of the blog Generación Y. Read More

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Chavez Beats AT&T to Cuban Market Over Price Dispute

<p style="text-align: justify;">January 26, 2011, 1:09 PM EST. Jan. 26 (Bloomberg) -- A pricing dispute between the U.S. and Cuba may have cost American companies including AT&amp;T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc a foothold in the island’s recently opened telecommunications market. Read More

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In fields and city streets, Cuba embraces change

<p style="text-align: justify;">Tue Jan 25, 2:14 pm ET.ARANGO, Cuba (Reuters) – Across Cuba, new farmers are tilling fertile fields abandoned for decades and city streets are abuzz with market stalls as private businesses sow the seeds of what many hope will be an economic revival. Read More

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Cubans fast becoming the new stars in ballet

<p style="text-align: justify;">By SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS, AP Entertainment Writer. AP. In this undated publicity image released by the Boston Ballet, Cuban dancers Nelson Madrigal, left, and his wife Lorna Feijoo perform in "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts in Boston. (AP Photo/Boston Ballet,Angela Sterling) NEW YORK — Their technique is impeccable, their passion incomparable.With flare and unique style, Cuban dancers are climbing to stardom in American companies from American Ballet Theatre in New York to the Boston and the San Francisco Ballets, and are widely considered the new Russians of ballet. Read More

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TCU Jazz Visits Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">A report about the Texas Christian University Jazz Ensemble's performance at Havana International Jazz Festival. By Paul Cortese. In December, as most students and faculty were finishing up final exams and looking forward to Christmas and winter break, the Texas Christian University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Professor Curt Wilson, was traveling to Cuba to perform at the 26th Havana International Jazz Festival. Read More

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Creole Choir of Cuba, The Sage

<p style="text-align: justify;">Jan 21 2011. ALAN NICHOL has the latest news on the roots music scene in the region. Creole Choir of Cuba. THE area in and around the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico – a region well acquainted with extraordinary natural forces – provides much of the inspiration and musical climate for this week’s round-up. Read More

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