Obama offers Cuba 'new beginning'

<p style="text-align: justify;">Agence France-Presse. May 17, 2011. President Barack Obama seized on an extraordinary overture from Cuba to propose talks aimed at breaking the half-century hostility born between Washington and Havana during the Cold War. He told a Summit of the Americas with Latin American leaders in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday. He told a Summit of the Americas with Latin American leaders in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday that he wanted to establish "a new beginning" with Cuba that would recognize past U.S. "errors," but require reciprocal gestures from the communist island. Read More

---

Cuba Wins Silver and Bronze Medals in Fifth NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.05.16 - 16:45:34 / radiorebelde.icrt.cu. HAVANA, Cuba. - The Cuban teams that are taking part in the fifth North, Central America and the Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) Beach Volleyball Circuit, won silver and bronze medals, in the phase held in Chiapas, Mexico. The Cuban duet Imara Estevez and Onayami Sinal had to do with the silver medal after the American duet Brook Sweat and Kristen Batt defeated them in two sets (21-19 and 21-18).&nbsp; Read More

---

Cuba further loosens regulation of private sector

<p style="text-align: justify;">Mon May 16, 9:57 pm ET. HAVANA (Reuters) – Communist-run Cuba has given all small businesses the authority to hire labor and will loosen other regulations governing private enterprise, the government said in a statement on Monday.The measure was the latest indication that President Raul Castro's government has decided to loosen its grip on economic sectors that include retail services, construction and transportation in favor of private business. Read More

---

Cuba mulls pardon for U.S. contractor in spy saga

<p style="text-align: justify;">4:13, May 17, 2011. In a high-profile spy saga between Washington and Havana, Cuba's supreme court said Monday it is assessing the appeal of convicted U.S. contractor Alan Gross, which could result in a pardon or release.Gross was found guilty in March of "spying and subversion" as well as "acts against the independence or territorial integrity of the state." He is serving a 15-year sentence at a Havana prison. Read More

---

Hasta Luego: Dominican University Students Arrive in Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">Local students first to visit country since travel ban eased. By Casey Cora. A group of students from Dominican University have departed for Cuba, among the first Americans to make the trip to the socialist country since President Barack Obama eased travel restrictions for educational trips earlier this year. The effort is led by Christina Perez, an associate professor of sociology, and Janice Monti, chair of the River Forest university's sociology and criminology department.Perez, Monti and communications professor Richard Calabrese will accompany 20 students on the three-week trip. Read More

---

Cuba says newly independent transportation workers joining pre-existing unions

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Associated Press, HAVANA — Independent Cuban transportation workers are joining unions as part of a sweeping economic overhaul that’s allowing increased private-sector activity.The official labor newspaper Trabajadores says workers including bicycle taxi operators, car washers and people who repair tires are joining existing syndicates. Read More

---

Oil Spill Panel's Chairman Says His Push for Cuba Talks Irked Obama Admin

<p style="text-align: justify;">By KATIE HOWELL of Greenwire. Published: May 16, 2011. The Obama administration is pushing back against plans by its oil spill commission co-chairman to spread his message about offshore drilling reforms to Cuba, the panel leader said today.William Reilly, the co-chairman of the presidential panel that made a series of recommendations earlier this year to improve offshore drilling safety and regulation after the BP PLC oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last summer, has already helped convinced Mexican drilling regulators to adopt U.S. regulatory structures. Read More

---

Reds put LHP Aroldis Chapman on disabled list with inflamed shoulder

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Joe Kay, The Associated Press – CINCINNATI — Left-hander Aroldis Chapman had an MRI exam on Monday that found inflammation in his pitching shoulder, sending the Cincinnati Reds reliever to the 15-day disabled list.The Reds think the problem contributed to his wildness in his last few appearances. Chapman walked 12 batters and retired only four in his last four outings. Twice, he left the game without getting anyone out. Read More

---

Manning goes to Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">As House of Representatives moves to sanction San Fernando East MP today. By Kim Boodram, Ria Taitt and Denyse Renne. May 15, 2011 at 11:42 PM ECT. FORMER prime minister Patrick Manning will be in Cuba while the House of Representatives decides his fate on a charge of contempt.The House will decide today what action, if any, should be taken against Manning, who was last Friday found to be guilty of contempt of the House based on statements he made about Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's funding for her private residence. Read More

---

Cuban dancers enchant in first U.S. trip

<p style="text-align: justify;">Published: Monday, May 16, 2011, 7:45 AM. Robert Johnson/The Star-Ledger. NEW YORK— Danza Contemporánea de Cuba seems sure to become one of those phenomena, like mojitos and cigars, for which the island nation is justly famous.Making a splash at the Joyce Theater on Tuesday, as part of this company’s first-ever tour to the United States, these dancers display a freshness and immediacy all their own.Their skill goes beyond the hard-earned technique that confers athletic power and versatility. These handsome movers know how to connect with an audience, and with one another. They have a warmth that puts them in the room with you. Read More

---