The Cuban Council of State called general elections for October. A note published on Granma and Juventud Rebelde newspapers on Thursday reads that in conformity with the Cuban Constitution and the Electoral Law of 29 October 1992, the Council of State agreed  to call on the voters of the Republic »

Cuba’s daily Granma denounced the lack of action on the part of U.S. authorities in the face of death threats in Miami against Rene Gonzalez, one of the Five Cuban anti-terrorism fighters held in the U.S. since 1998.»

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) approved a request by the widow of former leader Yasser Arafat to exhume his remains after an investigation confirmed suspicions that Arafat may have been poisoned.»

China and Cuba on Thursday vowed to further strengthen the existing friendly relations and cooperation. A series of key economic agreements were signed during the Cuban leader Raul Castro’s ongoing visit to Beijing.»

The Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples has convened the 8th International Colloquium for the Freedom of the Five. The forum will be held from November 28th to December 1st in the eastern province of Holguin, its traditional venue.»

When a new hotel for the Ancon peninsula, in the southern Cuban village, was demanded, designers found the most Solomonic solution in transplanting a replica of Trinidad right in the very shores of the beach.»

Cuban President Raul Castro arrived in Beijing for a four-day official visit to China, his first after taking office in 2008.»

Cuba swept Brazil in three straight sets in the first day of the final stage of the 2012 FIVB Volleyball World League, underway in Sofia, Bulgaria. Sancti Spiritus Rolando Cepeda scored 12 points, second best in the national team.»

Significant advancements have been reported in the roadworks so far carried out in Sancti Spiritus, after the heavy rain period, with the support of construction workers from nearby provinces.»

Cuban Lawmakers will hold the first parliamentary session of 2012 on July 23, at Havana’s Convention Palace. The Cuban parliament holds two sessions a year.»