Travel Diva: You can visit Cuba this summer -- legally

<p style="text-align: justify;">The door to Cuba has been slammed shut so long, it's hard to recognize it opening. But it is.American tour companies this summer should be able to legally offer "people-to-people" cultural trips to Cuba to anyone. Due to a slight easing in U.S. travel restrictions that have been in place for 48 years, these trips will showcase culture and interactions with Cuban artists and citizens.The main question people ask about Cuba, Popper says, " 'Is it OK to walk around?' Yes, of course." Read More

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Official confirms refinery project

<p style="text-align: justify;">The Cuban-Venezuelan project of building a new refinery in the northern port city of Matanzas is alive, an official with the state oil company said on state TV Friday.Rafael Tenreyro, head of exploration at CubaPetróleo, did not provide any dates or other details.The construction cost of a 150,000 bpd refinery in Cuba is likely to exceed $4 billion.Russian oil company Lukoil is reportedly interested in investing in Cuba’s downstream sector; Matanzas could refine heavy crude Lukoil produces in Venezuela’s Orinoco basin. Also, Cuba itself might become a producer of offshore oil, which could be refined at Matanzas. Read More

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Cuba opening win at China int'l women' s volleyball tournament

<p style="text-align: justify;">14:00, May 29, 2011. Cuba beat the Netherlands in straight sets on Saturday for its opening victory at the 2011 China international women' s volleyball tournament.Allegne Yanelis Santos had 13 kills and five aces to lead the Cuban team to the 25-17, 25-19 and 26-24 victory in 66 minutes.Going down tamely in the first two sets, the Dutch women put up some real resistance in the third, overcoming a 17-10 deficit to level it at 23-all. Read More

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Cuba claims opening win at China int'l women' s volleyball tournament

<p style="text-align: justify;">English.news.cn&nbsp;&nbsp; 2011-05-28 19:59:03. ZHOUSHAN, China, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Cuba beat the Netherlands in straight sets here on Saturday for its opening victory at the 2011 China international women' s volleyball tournament.Allegne Yanelis Santos had 13 kills and five aces to lead the Cuban team to the 25-17, 25-19 and 26-24 victory in 66 minutes. Read More

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Cuba Stumbled at World Volleyball League Opening

<p style="text-align: justify;">By: Martin Hacthoun. 09:16Seoul, May 28 (Prensa Latina) South Korea defeated Cuba in a spectacular game 3-0 in the opening day of the World Volleyball League 2011, in the city of Swon of 11 million inhabitants, 44 kilometers (27.5 miles) south of the capital. Playing in Group D, the young Cuban team that had finished second in last year's World Championship, fell 20-25, 27-29, 18-25 in a match in which none of its figures, including their captain and leading player Wilfredo Leon contributed much to the victory. Read More

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Cuba and Uruguay Strengthen Biotechnological Cooperation

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.05.28 - 13:52:05 / radiorebelde.icrt.cu. Havana, Cuba.- Cuban and Uruguayan centers dedicated to the development of health biotechnology in the two nations signed various agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in this field.The accords were signed by the Center of Molecular Immunology and the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, of Cuba, with the University of the Republic, and the Pasteur and Clemente Estable institutes, of Uruguay. Read More

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Free Lancing Cuba Goes on Easing

<p style="text-align: justify;">Recent agreements by the Cuban Council of Ministers continue facilitating the process of broadening self-employment and making it more flexible. According to Granma newspaper, as the number of self-employed workers increases in Cuba and experiences in this sector are analyzed, it is necessary to continue adopting and implementing new measures to achieve a better organization, eliminate deficiencies and unnecessary restrictions and any trend affecting the people, and to encourage the hiring of labor. Read More

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Canadian resort developer raising funds

<p style="text-align: justify;">Vancouver-based resort builder Leisure Canada announced a rights offering to existing shareholders, aiming to raise $5 million (Canadian) in working capital.Holders of common shares in Leisure Canada as of June 9 will have the right to subscribe for up to 41.5 million shares at a discount price of 12 cents a share, representing some 25 percent of outstanding common shares.The company is planning to build a hotel in Havana and a golf resort at Jibacoa, half-way between Havana and Varadero. Read More

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Ballet hopes for US-Cuba reconcile

<p style="text-align: justify;">THE Cuban National Ballet heads to the United States this week for a monthlong tour that director and ballet legend Alicia Alonso hopes will bring happiness to US-Cuba relations that have been unhappy for half a century. The tour is the latest in a series of cultural exchanges that began after US President Barack Obama took office as the ideological foes seek common ground they have been unable to find politically since Cuba's 1959 revolution. Read More

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Cuba: Economic Boom in Tobacco and Tourism

<p style="text-align: justify;">By: Glenda Pardo.14:26Havana, May 28 (Prensa Latina) The Cuban tourist industry today has a strong link with its gastronomy, especially to meet the needs of demanding tourists, experts on tourism issues said during a a workshop meeting for a monthly analysis.Known as "Bayamanaco Balcony" (aboriginal name) or "Balcon del Habano", every month a group of tourism experts have a meeting to discuss the most important trends, especially taking into account higher-income travelers and the link to cigars. Read More

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