BBC correspondent describes neighborhood reform meeting

<p style="text-align: justify;">The BBC’s Cuba correspondent reported about a neighborhood meeting in Havana, called to discuss the outlines of economic reform in the run-up to the 6th Communist Party Congress in April. Read More

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Alicia Alonso celebrates her ninety years at Institute of Higher Arts

<p style="text-align: justify;">December 16, 2010. In their auditorium, students and professors of the Institute of Higher Arts (ISA) paid on Wednesday a moving and sincere tribute to prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, on the occasion of her 90th birthday.During the homage, Alicia received a pair of ballet shoes sculpted in chocolate.The artistic gala included the presentations of Victor Díaz music students, who interpreted Nocturne in C minor Op. 48, No. 1, by Frederic Chopin; Lianne Vega,with compositions by Ernesto Lecuona; the quintet of trombones Brass Cuba; and musicians of the House of Improvisers from Güines. Read More

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Adverse weather and crew errors were the causes of plane crash in Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">Havana, Dec 16 (EFE) .- A high concentration of ice on the plane due to extreme weather conditions and the crew's errors were the causes for the plane crash with 68 deadly victims occurred in Cuba in November, official sources reported today. Read More

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Cuba's National Assembly discusses proposed economic changes (morning roundup)

<p style="text-align: justify;">Cuba's National Assembly began a two-day meeting on Wednesday -- its second and last session of the year -- to discuss proposed economic reforms and the national budget. The Castro government is organizing an overhaul of the Cuban economy and this will be the first time that the National Assembly discusses the proposed changes. Cuban authorities have outlined the goals of possible reforms in a document called "Guidelines for Economic and Social Policy," which will be discussed at the Communist Party congress in April. Read More

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Cuba beckons for students

<p style="text-align: justify;">Centre fundraising to take part in Operation Wallacea in Cuba. (w101208-11a)Published on Wed Dec 15 18:27:54 GMT 2010. Students from Worksop will be heading to Cuba next year to take part in a research project.The group of ten A level pupils from the Post 16 Centre will learn to scuba dive, search for manatees among the mangroves and have night visits to beaches to monitor turtle nests. Read More

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Cuba, Greece agree to restore cooperation

<p style="text-align: justify;">Last Updated(Beijing Time):2010-12-15 14:02. Greece agreed to restore cooperation with Cuba, following in the footsteps of some other European Union countries, a joint declaration said on Tuesday.The signing of the statement by Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Dagoberto Rodriguez with his visiting Greek counterpart Spyros Kouvelis marked the official resumption of economic cooperation between the two countries, Cuba's Foreign Ministry said. Read More

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Cuba claims it made economic strides in 2010

<p style="text-align: justify;">HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba achieved some of its economic goals in 2010, but will have to improve its performance if it wants to emerge from its chronic economic funk, a top government official said on Wednesday.Economic and Planning Minister Marino Murillo complained about a lack of discipline and other problems in the state-dominated economy in a speech to the Cuban parliament aired in part on national television. Read More

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Cuba parliament meets ahead of big party gathering

<p style="text-align: justify;">AP. By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press Paul Haven, Associated Press – Wed Dec 15. HAVANA – Cuba's parliament convened Wednesday to discuss the government's make-or-break plans to retool the island's economy. Read More

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No access to parliament sessions for foreign correspondents

<p style="text-align: justify;">For the first time in years, foreign correspondents are not allowed to see the sessions of the national parliament, foreign journalists in Havana say. Read More

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Economist predicts two tough years ahead

<p style="text-align: justify;">The benefits of Cuba’s economic reforms will begin to show in 2013, but Cubans should brace for two years of “affectations,” a veteran economist said in an interview with official newspaper Juventud Rebelde. Read More

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