Venezuela Tops Medal Standings of ALBA Games Followed by Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.07.22 - 12:51:07 / radiorebelde.icrt.cu.HAVANA, CUBA.-&nbsp; Cuban athletes won 17 gold medals on Thursday during the fourth day of competitions of the Fourth Games of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas (ALBA Games), under way in several Venezuelan states, but still remained in the second spot of the medal standings of the multi-sport event attended by more than 2,000 athletes from 23 countries. Read More

---

Members of the “Venceremos" Brigade Describe Bush Plan as Fallacious

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.07.22 - 11:00:01 / radiorebelde.icrt.cu. Members of the “Venceremos" Brigade Describe Bush Plan as FallaciousPINAR DEL RIO, Cuba.- After seeing for themselves reflected in this city the principles of accessibility and universality of Cuban health services, the members of the Venceremos Brigade of solidarity with Cuba described as fallacious the pretension of the Bush Plan to change this service on the island. Read More

---

Chavez, Correa, Fidel and Raul Converse in Havana in a Fraternal Atmosphere

<p style="text-align: justify;">2011.07.22 - 10:44:33 / radiorebelde.icrt.cu. HAVANA, Cuba.- In his Twitter account @chavezcandaga, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who continues in Cuba his process of recovery, announced that he had had a fraternal meeting on Thursday afternoon with Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, who came to Havana to visit him, and with his hosts, Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro and President Raul Castro, according to a report by the Cubadebate Web site. Read More

---

Alicia Alonso explains to CNN why she doesn't come to Miami

<p style="text-align: justify;">July 22, 2011.The Director of the Ballet of Cuba, Alicia Alonso held an interview with CNN journalist Ismael Cala and said why she refused to travel to Miami. During the interview, Alicia Alonso spoke about the treatment of homosexuals in Cuba and that if dancers who leave the company are defectors or not.&nbsp; Read More

---

Cuba takes measures to relieve housing crisis

<p style="text-align: justify;">By Juan Carlos Salazar Jul 22, 2011, 12:31 GMT.&nbsp; Havana - Georgina Emma Brizuela, who lives in the Havana neighbourhood of San Miguel del Padron, decided two years ago to become the legal owner of her home. In July 2009, she embarked on a lengthy administrative battle, which the Cuban press describes as 'a real nightmare,' and is now about to throw in the towel.She took a lawyers, wrote several letters and had meetings with a string off officials but never managed to get through the bureaucracy. Read More

---

Cuban weather icon featured at seminar

<p style="text-align: justify;">By ANITA LEE. BILOXI -- Cuba’s chief meteorologist, an icon in his country, participated in a hurricane-preparedness conference Thursday with Harrison County officials at IP Casino Resort.Harrison County representatives visited Cuba in May to learn more about the country’s hurricane preparedness and emergency medical response. A contingent from Cuba came here to continue the conversation. Their visas were held up until the last minute.ose Rubiera, director of Cuba’s National Forecasting Center and meteorologist on national television there, told an audience of Coast emergency responders: “A hurricane doesn’t need a visa to come from Cuba. ... Borders are made by man.” Read More

---

US hopes Cuba will release jailed American

<p style="text-align: justify;">By PAUL HAVEN, Associated Press. HAVANA (AP) — A senior U.S. diplomat said Washington hopes an American government contractor imprisoned in Cuba will be released, even as the Maryland native was making a final appeal Friday to have his 15-year prison sentence be reduced or dismissed.Alan Gross has been held since his arrest in December 2009, accused of bringing satellite and other communication equipment into the country illegally. He has acknowledged he was working on a USAID-funded democracy program, but says he meant no harm to the government and was only trying to help the island's small Jewish community. Read More

---

The Long Distance Run-Around

<p style="text-align: justify;">Posted: 7/21/11 05:48 PM ET. Margarita Alarcon. Havana-based Media Analyst. A number of years ago I was having lunch in Havana with a group of friends one of whom is Puerto Rican and one could say a quasi member of my family. During the meal the Puerto Rican asked with certain stupefaction: "Is it really true that Florida controls US politics regarding Cuba?" One of the Cubans at the table pretty much guffawed and spat out: "Of course not! Read More

---

Scratch Cuba Off the Bucket List With These New Cuba Tours

<p style="text-align: justify;">By: Sue Brages. Published: July 21, 2011 at 10:26 am. While pending legislation that would allow open travel to Cuba works its way through Congress, travel companies are not waiting to launch tours. In 1999, President Clinton implemented People to People, an initiative that allows Americans to travel to Cuba, as long as they take part in cultural experiences, putting them in direct contact with the locals in the hope of learning more about the people and customs of the country. This was suspended by President Bush in 2004, and then reversed by President Obama. Read More

---

On a mission: Bring new skateboards to Cuba

<p style="text-align: justify;">By SARAH ELDER. U/Miami News Service. Daniel Abril likes the sound of the wheels rolling down the road then smacking onto the pavement after he jumps a curb. At 27, the avid skateboarder knows what it means to be passionate about the street sport.That’s why he had no problem giving his board away — in Cuba.“Cuba has zero skate shops,” said Abril, who was in Havana last year on a business trip with his 30-year-old brother, Joshua. They observed the patinetas — Spanish for skateboarders — riding makeshift boards held together with nails. Read More

---