Carter says he is not taking U.S. contractor home from Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Shasta Darlington, CNN. March 29, 2011 -- Updated 1558 GMT (2358 HKT) Havana, Cuba (CNN) -- Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter squashed speculation on Tuesday that he can sure the release of American contractor Alan Gross during Carter's trip to Cuba."We have spoken to some officials about Mr. Gross. But I am not here to take him out of the country," he told journalists, speaking in Spanish, when asked about the case.Carter was visiting the Belen Convent on the second day of his three-day private visit to talk about Cuba's economic reforms and bilateral relations. Read More

---

Pernod Ricard Loses Appeals Court Ruling in Bacardi ‘Havana Club Fight

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Susan Decker - Mar 29, 2011 9:55 AM GMT-0500. Pernod Ricard SA, the world’s second-biggest liquor maker, lost a U.S. court ruling in its decades-long battle with Bacardi Ltd. over the right to use the name Havana Club on rum in the American market.The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington ruled today that the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control was correct when it refused to let a Cuban state-owned group renew its U.S. trademark on the Havana Club name because of a 1998 law that barred renewal of certain Cuban trademarks. Read More

---

Cruise veteran to launch Tampa-Havana ferry

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Gay Nagle Myers. Here's an idea: Offer overnight sailings on a deluxe cruise ferry from Tampa to Havana as an alternative mode of transport for Cuban-Americans who are now crowding onto charter flights at three U.S. airports to visit their ancestral homeland.The concept is more than just a notion for longtime cruise executive Bruce Nierenberg, who plans to operate a cruise ferry service for Cuban-Americans from Florida ports to Havana once he receives the required U.S. Treasury Department approval.And once the floodgates open to allow travel to Cuba for all U.S. citizens, there will be no stopping the tourism surge, Nierenberg recently predicted. Read More

---

Carter arrives in Cuba, meets with Catholic primate

<p style="text-align: justify;">Published March 29, 2011. EFE. Havana –&nbsp; Jimmy Carter met here privately Monday with Cuba's Catholic primate, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, and with leaders of the Jewish community as the former U.S. president began a three-day private visit to the island.Neither Ortega nor Carter spoke to reporters after their one-hour talks at the Havana Archdiocese."Mr. Carter expressed to Cardinal Ortega his happiness over the process of dialogue Cuba's Church is pursuing with the government of President Raul Castro Ruz, one of whose results has been the release of more than 100 Cuban (political) prisoners," the archdiocese said later in a statement. Read More

---

Virginia seeking ag trade growth

<p style="text-align: justify;">From the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. Mar. 28, 2011 8:07am. • According to trade figures, Virginia agricultural and forestry exports totaled $2.24 billion in 2010, despite a worldwide recession and a drought that reduced yields for some of the state’s top crops.• Exports of some Virginia commodities increased last year, including pork, poultry, wood products and soybeans. But trade statistics show Virginia tobacco exports declined $273 million in 2010. Read More

---

Carter’s trip could improve U.S.-Cuba relationship

<p style="text-align: justify;">Carter last visited Cuba in 2002, and his scheduled trip this week comes at a conspicuous time. Two weeks ago, a Cuban court convicted and sentenced Alan Gross to 15 years in prison for “acts against the independence and territorial integrity of the state.” The Obama administration has been clear that improved relations hinge on the release of Gross. Read More

---

Cuba And The Pleasure Of Last Minute Vacations In Caribbean Islands

<p style="text-align: justify;">The pleasure of last minute vacations in Caribbean Islands can only be truly appreciated by those who're busy shoveling snow off their driveway in the freezing cold back home. It may be a pipe-dream for some to think about the warm beaches and brilliant weather in Cuba or the Bahamas or Jamaica. But as far as Canadians are concerned, it's not so hard to make it a reality.In fact, Canucks are the only ones truly able to enjoy and appreciate the fun and beauty of a Cuba holiday on a whim. Read More

---

International Humor Biennial Underway in Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">Por Jennifer Socorro Ramon. lunes, 28 de marzo de 2011. 17th International Biennial for Graphic Humor Art in San Antonio de los Baños28 de marzo de 2011, 13:14Artemisa,Cuba Mar 28 (Prensa Latina) Cartoonists and other artists from around the world are participating in the 17th International Biennial for Graphic Humor Art in San Antonio de los Baños. An opening parade on Sunday led people to the Parque del Humor where the Municipal Band played "La Engañadora" by Enrique Jarrin and "Rompiendo la Rutina" by Aniceto Diaz. Read More

---

Cuba to Host Latin American Festival on Open Source Software

<p style="text-align: justify;">CAMAGUEY, Cuba, Mar 28 (acn) The Latin American Festival of Open Source Software Installation (FLISOL 2011) will take place in the eastern Cuban province of Camaguey on April 9 focusing on the search for alternatives in the face of U.S. restrictions to prevent Cuba from accessing computer products.The vice manager of the National Software Company (DESOFT) in the province of Camaguey, Gustavo Sanchez, told ACN that this event will take place in that territory under the auspices of DESOFT and the Community Computers Clubs. Read More

---

Cuban Plant to Increase Production of Plastic Containers for Drugs

<p style="text-align: justify;">HAVANA, Cuba, Mar 28 (acn) In a Cuban government’s effort to improve health services, the production of plastic bottles for drugs of the island will see an increase by 20 million with the assembly of a new line in the Frask Plast plant, located to the west of Havana. Read More

---