Cuba

The Decree-Law 289, which will allow access to bank loans for private workers and those who practice other forms of non-state enterprises, comes into effect today.»

Cuba and Venezuela will close here on Monday the 12 Intergovernmental Commissions with the challenge of achieving more efficiency and effectiveness in projects approved for the two countries’ development.»

President of the Cuban Council of State and Ministers, Raul Castro Ruz, received a delegation of the Holy See presided over by doctor Alberto Gasbarri, in charge of organizing international pontifical tours.»

Cuba prioritizes foreign investments in tourism, oil, mining and energy, as part of the government”s efforts to update the country”s economic model, the weekly Opciones reported.»

The U.S. Congress rejected a legislative proposal that would allowed Cuba to purchase goods in that country.»

Debates at the Eighth Session of the Cuban People’s Power National Assembly summoned for December 23 will focus on economic and juridical matters. The Economic Plan and State Budget drafts for 2012 will be placed for consideration and approval to the deputies.»

Pope Benedict XVI confirmed that he is planning to visit Cuba and Mexico before Easter next year. The pontiff made the announcement as he celebrated mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of the most revered figures of Roman Catholicism in Mexico.»

The U.S. government has requested that the South District Court of Florida reject the collateral appeals for Ramón Labañino and Fernando González.»

The Second Secretary of Cuba´s Communist Party  Jose Ramon Machado Ventura received the Vice-President of Japan´s Communist Party Yasuo Ogata, who  is paying a visit to Cuba at the invitation of the Cuban political organization.»

Carlos Jaime Jimenez, a student of the Olga Alonso Pre-University Institute in the city of Fomento, Sancti Spiritus province, became on Wednesday the winner of First Prize at the 2011 Spanish American Spelling Contest.»