Cuba

Cuban people will be able to receive subsidies from the government as from 15 January to purchase building materials and pay for labor to start, repair or rehabilitate housing, according to a publication of the Official Gazette on Wednesday.»

Cuba confirmed on Tuesday that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Cuba on March 26 to 28.  The Pope will arrive in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba and he will be welcomed by Cuban President Raul Castro, informed the National Television News.»

Cuba registered an infant mortality rate of 4.9 per 1000 live births in 2011, holding alongside Canada the lowest rate in the Americas. An article published by Granma today also appointed the eastern Cuban province of Las Tunas with the lowest mortality rate of the island, with 3.5 per 1000 live births.»

Without the Cuban Revolution there would not probably be any current process of Latin American rapprochement in favor of the peoples, said President Daniel Ortega in a message for the 53 anniversary of the triumph of that emancipatory exploit.»

The Cuban Revolution of 1959 was the world´s most comprehensive because it had repercussions in the political, economic, social, and cultural fields, said Father Miguel d’Escoto.»

The progress in a strategic work model for disaster management is the main result of Cuba’s scientific collaboration with Central American nations, said doctor Fernando Guasch Hechavarria in this city on Thursday.»

Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa, reiterated his strong condemnation of the US blockade against Cuba, which he described as an attack against Inter American rights and the human rights of Cubans. This blockade has nothing to do with the process of changes that the Cuban people are experiencing, he affirmed.»

According to a report presented by Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero to the Cuban Parliament, the leisure industry also showed a rise in income and noted that Canada will reach new heights with one million tourists from that country expected to arrive in the island before the year ends.»

Ricardo Cabrisas, vice president of the Cuban Council of Ministers, arrived in Beijing on Sunday heading the island’s delegation to the 24th session of the Cuba-China Intergovernmental Commission for Trade-Economic Relations.»

Cuba will close the year 2011 with a 2.7% increase in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) “slightly below the planned 3%”, announced the Minister of Economy and Planning, Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez.  »