Coast Guard repatriates 15 Cubans, 82 Haitians

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel. 4:52 p.m. EDT, July 4, 2011. MIAMI. Fifteen Cubans and 82 Haitians intercepted at sea by U.S. Coast Guard officials were returned to their respective countries on Monday. The crew of the Coast Guard cutter Kodiak Island repatriated 15 Cuban migrants to Bahia de Cabañas on Monday after interdicting them at sea in three separate incidents since Thursday. Read More

---

Taiwan defeat Cuba to win first World Port title

<p style="text-align: justify;">BRINGING IT HOME:Lin Chen-hua was credited with the win against Cuba for his three innings of hitless relief, highlighted by a clutch inning-ending strikeout in the 11thBy Paul Huang&nbsp; /&nbsp; Contributing Reporter. Baseball fans wave the national flag as they cheer for Taiwan at the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on Sunday.Photo: CNA Read More

---

Cuban rafters rescued by cruise ship remain in Coast Guard custody

<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /> By Philippe Buteau. Sun Sentinel. Contrary to earlier reports, the seven Cuban rafters rescued by a cruise ship on Friday have not been sent back to Cuba, a U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman said on Sunday. The Cuban rafters remain in Coast Guard custody, according to Sabrina Elgammal, the Coast Guard spokeswoman. Read More

---

Fidel Castro wishes Chavez well in 1st essay in a month

<p style="text-align: justify;">By PETER ORSI. Associated Press. HAVANA -- Fidel Castro ended a more than monthlong silence to laud President Hugo Chavez's recovery from surgery in Cuba, saying he was confident the Venezuelan leader will win his battle against cancer. In an essay published late Sunday, Castro said his country has a "close and indestructible friendship" with Chavez. "Let's give him the strongest support and confidence," the former Cuban leader wrote. Read More

---

Raptors pitchers play far from native Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">Roy Burton. OGDEN -- For two Ogden Raptors pitchers from Cuba, beisbol is a ticket to the American dream. For Raydel Sanchez, it was also the ticket to his dream of America. While pitching for Team Cuba in an international tournament in Edmonton, Canada, in 2008, Sanchez walked away from the team to a waiting car and defected from his birth country, eventually making his way to his brother in Miami. Read More

---

Cuba in Toughest Pool of Volleyball World League Quarter-finals

<p style="text-align: justify;">By: Estela McCollin. Havana, Jul 4 (Prensa Latina) Cuba hoping to improve last year's 4th place, together with Brazil, Russia and the US, make up Pool F, the toughest in the quarter-finals of the 22nd Men's Volleyball World League slated for July 6-8 in Gdansk-Sopot, Poland. Argentina, Italy, Bulgaria and Poland are in Pool E. Both groups will play a round-Robin and the two top teams will qualify for crossed semifinals Saturday and the winners will go for the crown Sunday at the Ergo Arena. Read More

---

CARICOM Wraps 32nd Summit

<p style="text-align: justify;">By: Estela McCollin. Basseterre, Jul 4 (Prensa Latina) The Caribbean Community wraps today its 32nd Summit following intense dialogues to reinforce the block effectiveness. All 15 members, associates and guests exchanged views on the progress in cooperation, integration, security, health, and the infant population, among other, and will map strategies to help improve general living standards.Majority support on the agenda went to relief supplies to Haiti and St. Lucia, both dealing with aftermaths of the Jan. 2011 massive earthquake and Hurricane Thomas last October. Read More

---

U.S. loosens travel to Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">Havana— Washington has begun issuing travel licenses that promise to bring thousands more U.S. visitors each year on legal trips to Cuba, just 90 miles off Florida but off-limits to most Americans.Nine tour operators have been granted licenses to run people-to-people exchanges since May, said a U.S. Treasury Department representative who was not authorized to be quoted by name on the matter.The representative declined to comment Friday on how many applications have been filed, were rejected or are still under consideration Read More

---

Colloquium on Risk Assessment in Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">By: Ileana Ferrer Fonte. Havana, Jul 4 (Prensa Latina) The 3rd International Colloquium on Assessments of Hazard, Vulnerability and Risks for Disasters Reduction will be run in this capital Jul 6-8. International expects to the forum will exchange experiences on the issue, emphasizing in small island states and coastal ecosystems to face the effects of climate change.Cuban experts will present experiences as of the erosion of the island's beaches, mangrove swamps as a protection against natural disasters. Read More

---

George McGovern leaving Cuba without seeing Castro

<p style="text-align: justify;">The Associated Press. Posted: 07/04/2011 11:32:00 AM PDT. HAVANA—Former Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern is heading back to the United States without having seen Fidel Castro, whom he considers an old friend. McGovern says he is leaving for the airport to catch an afternoon flight and it looks like no meeting is in the cards. Read More

---