Cuban Artists Participated in Annual Africa Festival in Germany

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.06.07 - 13:13:42 / radiorebelde.icrt.cu. HAVANA, CUBA.- The 23rd African Festival concluded in Wuerzburg, in the German region of Bavaria, with the presence of several Cuban artists resident in Europe and also of singer-songwriter Raul Paz, who offered a concert on Saturday that was broadcast live by the Internet website of the French-German television channel ARTE.This year, the Africa Festival, which has been taking place for 22 years and has become Europe’s biggest festival for African music and culture, was dedicated to the islands of the Caribbean and the influence of African culture on them. Read More

---

Cuba: Honey Bearing Flora in Biosphere Reserve

<p style="text-align: justify;">Cuban scientists have extended their research to the abundant and diverse honey bearing flora of the Guanahacabibes peninsula with varieties favored in conservation projects of this Biosphere Reserve.Specialists of the Casa de la Miel, which is unique in Cuba, lead these studies in a region noted for its rich honey tradition that goes back to colonial times.The region also known as El Cabo (the Cape) has over a hundred honey bearing species that are free of contamination due to their location in a maximum preservation zone, Lazaro Marquez, director of the Guanahacabibes National Park, told Prensa Latina. Read More

---

Piñón on Energy: Only one more piece is missing

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Jorge R. Piñón. Over the last few months, we have seen a number of Congressional initiatives in Washington to restrict international oil companies from conducting exploration and production activities in Cuba’s Gulf of Mexico waters. These proposed laws question the experience in deepwater drilling of the international oil companies working in Cuba, the standards and regulations under which they will operate, the technology and quality of the drilling equipment to be used, and the lack of a bilateral disaster preparedness and coordination agreement in the event of an oil spill. Read More

---

China, Cuba agree on refinery project, new loans

<p style="text-align: justify;">In a major endorsement for Cuba’s economic reform project, the man expected to become China’s president in 2013 witnessed the signing of 13 agreements in Havana that include the billion-dollar expansion of a refinery, the extension of fresh loans, and an agreement to set a five-year cooperation plan.In a meeting with Raúl Castro — the culmination of his two-day visit — Vice President Xi Jinping said that China intends to increase its “practical cooperation.” Read More

---

Cuban to Declare New Protected Areas in Central Region

<p style="text-align: justify;">CIENFUEGOS, CUBA.- The Cuban Council of Ministers proposed the National System of Protected Areas to include in them the highest peak in the central region of Cuba, Pico San Juan, which is located in the Guamuhaya Mountains. A specialist from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) in the central province of Cienfuegos, Julia Coba Mir, explained that the peak, 1,140 meters above sea level,shelters important species of the Cuban flora and fauna.&nbsp; Read More

---

Chinese vice president meets former Cuban leader Fidel Castro

<p style="text-align: justify;">HAVANA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met former Cuban leader Fidel Castro here Monday. "You are the founder of Cuba's revolutionary and socialist cause and are dearly loved by the Cuban people and respected by the Chinese people," Xi told 85-year-old Castro.In the past over half a century under Castro's leadership, the Cuban people have firmly safeguarded their sovereignty and security, actively fought for a favorable external environment, made every effort to promote economic and social development, and thus have achieved hard-won success in nation building, Xi said. Read More

---

Cuba sentences 2nd Chilean businessman to 15 years

<p style="text-align: justify;">2nd Chilean businessman sentenced in absentia; 15 years as part of Cuban corruption case. On Monday June 6, 2011, 9:35 pm EDT. HAVANA (AP) -- A Cuban court sentenced a second Chilean businessman to prison for corruption following a trial in absentia, authorities announced Monday. Read More

---

US women leaders meet Raul Castro's daughter

<p style="text-align: justify;">PETER ORSI, Associated. Published 04:01 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2011. HAVANA (AP) — A group of U.S. women leaders met with Cuban President Raul Castro's daughter Monday for an exchange on topics including gender, reproductive health and gay rights.The delegation, which arrived in Havana on Sunday, includes Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile and former U.S. Rep. Jane Harman, a California Democrat who resigned in February and now heads the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Read More

---

Cuba-bound flight stops in Halifax for unruly passenger

<p style="text-align: justify;">A Cuba-bound flight was waylaid in Halifax because of an unruly passenger Monday around lunchtime.RCMP officers were called to the Halifax Stanfield International Airport at about 12:15 p.m.&nbsp; at a pilot’s request. The pilot of a Thomas Cook flight from London, England to Varadero, Cuba made a request to land because of an unruly passenger. Read More

---

National Ballet of Cuba Returns to Orange County's Segerstrom Center June 15 - 19

<p style="text-align: justify;">06.06.2011– COSTA MESA, CA – In its two previous visits to Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the incredible dancers of the National Ballet of Cuba have enchanted audiences with their engaging artistry and charm. This dazzling company from Havana returns to Segerstrom Center June 15 – 19 with The Magic of Dance, a special collection of excerpts from classical ballet works of the 19th century including Swan Lake, Giselle, Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker and Gottschalk Symphony. Read More

---