American imprisoned in Cuba appeals to Obama - USA TODAY

American imprisoned in Cuba appeals to Obama USA TODAY An American man imprisoned in Cuba for four years is appealing to President Obama for help. "It is clear to me, Mr. President, that only with your personal involvement can my release be secured," prisoner Alan Gross wrote in a letter made public. "I ...

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHVips5BseeeC0exln6Qg0hm9nJvw&url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/12/03/obama-cuba-alan-gross-letter-from-prison/3850469/

Where is U.S. Cuba policy going? - People's World

Where is U.S. Cuba policy going? People's World Speaking to an event organized by the anti-Castro Cuban-American Foundation in Miami on Nov. 9, President Obama got the attention of both supporters and opponents of U.S. Cuba policy by saying: "[W]e've started to see changes in [Cuba]. Now, I think ...

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFZFrooTQEZmbbTF8HmLP-wusLDgg&url=http://peoplesworld.org/where-is-u-s-cuba-policy-going/

Venezuela's musical visionary

Music not drugsThe man who changed the lives of three million children



via BBC News - Latin America & Caribbean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25201492#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Colombian farmers stage protest

Thousands of small-scale Colombian farmers march in Bogota to demand the government comply with agreements to ease economic pressures on them.



via BBC News - Latin America & Caribbean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25210762#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis - The Nation.

The Nation.

Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis The Nation. The reason the banks are afraid is the US sanctions policy and Cuba's listing on the global terrorism list. So the irrational US policy has come full circle: Obama's policy of expanding and normalizing purposeful travel to Cuba is prevented by Obama's ... Wickham: Obama thaws US-Cuba relations

via Travel Cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHVa7zSyu3LjHkywUwjQEv8Msar-Q&url=http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis

Phoenix moving to boost trade, tourism with Mexico - Arizona Daily Sun

WBUR

Phoenix moving to boost trade, tourism with Mexico Arizona Daily Sun The Arizona city is moving forward with a plan to spend $150,000 to $200,000 per year to hire a private consultant to represent its interests in Mexico City. Phoenix officials say their move should send a message that Arizona's largest city is both ... Phoenix to open trade office in Mexico Signs Point To Thawing Arizona-Mexico Tensions

via tourism in mexico - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGTDe9nPRxECf4uvp_mU-Q5YgwmAA&url=http://azdailysun.com/news/state-and-regional/phoenix-moving-to-boost-trade-tourism-with-mexico/article_962715ef-bb2a-59f8-8a20-4b316bec5cbf.html

Cuba participará en la Serie del Caribe

Cuba recibió la aprobación del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos para regresar a la Serie del Caribe de béisbol, último obstáculo que enfrentaba para volver a jugar en el torneo que dominó hace seis décadas. La próxima edición del campeonato caribeño se realizará del 1 al 7 de febrero del 2014 en el estadio Nueva Esparta de Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Además de Cuba, participarán México, República Dominicana, Puerto Rico y Venezuela.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/cuba-participara-en-la-serie-del-caribe/

Maduro destaca vía Twitter trascendencia de la CELAC

El presidente de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, destacó este martes el alcance de la Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños (Celac), en ocasión de conmemorarse el segundo aniversario de su primera cumbre. A través de la red social twitter, el mandatario recordó que en ocasión de la cita que sesionó en esta capital "Venezuela fue centro de la unión bolivariana", con representantes de 33 países de América.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/maduro-destaca-via-twitter-trascendencia-de-la-celac/

La formación de profesores en la Mesa Redonda

La situación actual de la formación de profesores en el país y la prioridad que tiene en nuestro sistema educacional serán analizados, el miércoles 4 y jueves 5 de diciembre, en Mesas Redondas con la participación de directivos del Ministerio de Educación. El primer día se dedicará a la exposición de los panelistas sobre el tema y el jueves se responderán opiniones e interrogantes de la población.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/la-formacion-de-profesores-en-la-mesa-redonda/

Latin America Internet use on the rise, but progress remains slow - UPI.com

Latin America Internet use on the rise, but progress remains slow UPI.com 3 (UPI) -- Despite patchy starts, Internet use is growing in Latin American countries, thanks largely to the spread of Internet Exchange Points that make communication faster and cheaper, a new report said. Commodity exports have fueled economies in ... New Study Reveals How Internet Exchange Points Spur Internet Growth in Latin ...

via Latin america - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGwSAwWtYl-MAWcjT7L8TNRBuUV3A&url=http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/12/03/Latin-America-Internet-use-on-the-rise-but-progress-remains-slow/UPI-50011386107683/?spt%3Drln%26or%3D3

Coffee shops, farmers and a banker team up to save Latin American coffee - Public Radio International

Public Radio International

Coffee shops, farmers and a banker team up to save Latin American coffee Public Radio International He's turned his attention to Central American coffee farmers battling leaf rust. Foote isn't your typical banker. When we met in his office in Cambridge, Mass., he wanted to play me a popular Latin American folk song about coffee on his guitar. Foote ...

via Latin america - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNF-uDECkRuaeT0kgAH7yjbHx92MPw&url=http://www.pri.org/stories/2013-12-03/coffee-shops-farmers-and-banker-team-save-latin-american-coffee

Venture Partners Mexico Announces Second Round of Investment

(Press Release) Venture Partners Mexico, as lead investor and hand in hand with Capital Invest…



via Latin American Private Equity and Venture Capital Association » Latest Industry News http://lavca.org/2013/12/03/venture-partners-mexico-announces-second-round-of-investment/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=venture-partners-mexico-announces-second-round-of-investment

Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis - The Nation.

Ending the Cuba Travel Crisis The Nation. There is an opportunity for President Barack Obama to begin rolling back our Cuba sanctions policy by finding a bank willing to do business with Cuba so that hundreds of thousands of Cubans can spend the holidays with their families. The main reason ...

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHVa7zSyu3LjHkywUwjQEv8Msar-Q&url=http://www.thenation.com/article/177436/ending-cuba-travel-crisis

Richard Nixon toasts the US favorite "democrat" in Havana

via Cuba Journal http://cubajournal.blogspot.com/2013/12/richard-nixon-toasts-us-favorite.html

‘Fast 4 Families’ Moves to Next Phase as New Fasters Take the Mantle

On the National Mall today, the four core fasters leading the “Fast 4 Families” ordained new fasters and ended their 22-day, water-only fast. Members of Congress, the faith community and civil and immigrant rights groups turned out to witness the four fasters passing the baton over to others who will continue the fast until House [...]



via Immigration Impact http://immigrationimpact.com/2013/12/03/fast-4-families-moves-to-next-phase-as-new-fasters-take-the-mantle/

Ex-contractor jailed in Cuba: 'Abandoned' by US - UPI.com

Ex-contractor jailed in Cuba: 'Abandoned' by US UPI.com 3 (UPI) -- Ex-U.S. contractor Alan Gross on the fourth anniversary of his Cuba captivity appealed to President Obama to intercede in his case, saying he feels "abandoned." The 64-year-old Maryland native, detained at Havana's Jose Marti International ...

via Cuba Obama - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNG4CVpOPYGbG0WwsSNuZB5Xe2LX6g&url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/12/03/Ex-contractor-jailed-in-Cuba-Abandoned-by-US/UPI-27831386055800/?spt%3Drln%26or%3D1

Brazil grounds to miss Fifa deadline

Three World Cup stadiums are set to miss Fifa's completion deadline of 31 December, the governing body announces.



via BBC News - Latin America & Caribbean http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25208432

Who Loses the Most Under ObamaCare?

Chris Conover writes about …the 3.8 million Americans that the RAND Corporation estimates will become newly uninsured as a result of this law. 2.5 million of these currently have employer-based coverage and another 1.3 million have non-group coverage. While there arguably are tens of millions of other losers created by this ill-conceived law, these 3.8 [...]



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/who-loses-the-most-under-obamacare/

Murió Tulio Raggi, pionero del cine de animados en Cuba

Tulio Raggi González, destacado director y guionista del cine de animación, murió en la mañana de este martes en La Habana, según informaron a Cubadebate amigos y familiares cercanos. Raggi, pionero del género en Cuba, fue el autor de obras como El negrito cimarrón (1975), El primer paso de papá (1977) o Las orejas de Canela (1985), obras consideradas clásicos de la animación cubana.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/murio-tulio-raggi-pionero-del-cine-de-animados-en-cuba/

Rusia vigilará los misiles estadounidenses

El ejército de Rusia reforzará la vigilancia de los misiles balísticos de Estados Unidos. Un equipo militar de Moscú comparará las informaciones al respecto ofrecidas por Washington con los datos telemétricos reales. Está previsto que el sistema llamado 'Príznak' (literalmente, 'Señal') empiece a funcionar dentro de dos años, en diciembre de 2015, según filtra el diario ruso 'Izvestia'.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/rusia-vigilara-los-misiles-estadounidenses/

Surcoreano escribe carta abierta a Obama sobre políticas migratorias

El joven ciudadano americano Ju Hong, surcoreano de nacimiento, interrumpió hace una semana al presidente Barack Obama en medio de su discurso sobre reformas migratorias integrales. Esta semana el mismo joven publicó en una columna del diario online Huffington Post una carta abierta al presidente estadounidense, donde explica con mayor detenimiento las razones de su crítica a su administración y política migratoria.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/surcoreano-escribe-carta-abierta-a-obama-sobre-politicas-migratorias/

Se acercan a la identificación de los culpables en la muerte de Arafat

Las personas detrás de la muerte del antiguo líder palestino Yasir Arafat serán identificadas muy pronto, según declaró este martes un investigador palestino, a casi una década de iniciar sus pesquisas. La sospechas partieron de un laboratorio forense suizo que informó en noviembre presencia de cantidades inusuales de un isótopo radiactivo mortal, polonio, en los restos óseos de Arafat.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/se-acercan-a-la-identificacion-de-los-culpables-en-la-muerte-de-arafat/

Las fotos que no puede dejar de ver

¿Conoce usted la última foto tomada a Steve Jobs, el Titanic y a Hitler? ¿Ha visto el rostro del hombre más alto de la historia y el de la barba más larga? Si la respuesta es no, vea el siguiente reportaje preparado por el equipo de Cubadebate para sus lectores, en el cual aparecen imágenes invalorables sobre varios acontecimientos políticos, sociales, culturales y deportivos de las últimas décadas.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/fotorreportajes/2013/12/03/las-fotos-que-no-puede-dejar-de-ver/

Brazil indigenous leader murdered

A Brazilian indigenous leader who starred in the land struggle film Birdwatchers has been murdered during a row with other tribe members.



via BBC News - Latin America & Caribbean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25208806#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Phoenix moving to boost trade, tourism with Mexico - Ventura County Star

WBUR

Phoenix moving to boost trade, tourism with Mexico Ventura County Star PHOENIX — PHOENIX (AP) - Phoenix plans to establish a trade and tourism presence in Mexico City. The Arizona city is moving forward with a plan to spend $150,000 to $200,000 per year to hire a private consultant to represent its interests in Mexico City. Phoenix to open trade office in Mexico Signs Point To Thawing Arizona-Mexico Tensions

via tourism in mexico - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEud_AaZkxXXvqU1CpuNtVaP7-8cg&url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/dec/03/phoenix-moving-to-boost-trade-tourism-with/

Who’s Signing Up in the Exchanges?

The early signs are not good. Insurers privately admit that enrollment thus far is too low and the mix skews toward high-cost beneficiaries whose premiums won’t cover their care. The enrollment figures from the first month comport with no known industry standard, and only about a third of applicants qualified for subsidies. This suggests they’re [...]



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/whos-signing-up-in-the-exchanges/

World's most corrupt nation is...

Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia are seen as the most corrupt nations in the world, according to Transparency International's latest survey, released Tuesday.



via CNN.com - Latin America http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/03/business/corruption-transparency-index/index.html

Obama thaws relations between U.S. and Cuba - Coshocton Tribune

Obama thaws relations between U.S. and Cuba Coshocton Tribune In little noticed speeches given last month, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry cryptically acknowledged the need for a new approach to Cuba, a country the U.S. has — literally and figuratively — waged war with for over a half-century.

via Cuba Obama - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHXBvaClY64BrewYz_zh3rFB5bf7A&url=http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20131203/OPINION04/312030009/Obama-thaws-relations-between-U-S-Cuba

Alan Gross, Jailed in Cuba, Appeals to Obama To Intervene For His Release - JP Updates

Alan Gross, Jailed in Cuba, Appeals to Obama To Intervene For His Release JP Updates On the fourth anniversary of his imprisonment in Cuba, former U.S. government contractor Alan Gross said he fears his country has “abandoned” him and appealed to President Obama to personally intervene in his case, The Washington Post reports.

via Cuba Obama - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFzgfRAnTy0gqUXJTGTpw6kZgrwhw&url=http://jpupdates.com/2013/12/02/alan-gross-jailed-cuba-appeals-obama-intervene-release/

Wickham: Obama thaws US-Cuba relations - USA TODAY

Wickham: Obama thaws US-Cuba relations USA TODAY While, understandably, a lot of news media attention in recent days has focused on the U.S.-led talks to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, the Obama administration appears to be laying the groundwork for another diplomatic breakthrough.

via Cuba Obama - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFsmOJybJOemkZ-B_v7chUjApYIxg&url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/12/02/cuba-obama-alan-gross-iran-column/3796439/

Obama thaws relations between U.S. and Cuba - Coshocton Tribune

Obama thaws relations between U.S. and Cuba Coshocton Tribune In little noticed speeches given last month, President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry cryptically acknowledged the need for a new approach to Cuba, a country the U.S. has — literally and figuratively — waged war with for over a half-century. Unionpay in Cuba: China Steps on the Toes of the US Embargo

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHXBvaClY64BrewYz_zh3rFB5bf7A&url=http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20131203/OPINION04/312030009/Obama-thaws-relations-between-U-S-Cuba

Can We Pay for Value, Not Quantity?

Paying Physicians: By 2017, physicians will be rewarded or penalized on the basis of the relative calculated value of the care they provide to Medicare beneficiaries. But is this a good idea? …[T]he practical reality is that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), despite heroic efforts, cannot accurately measure any physician’s overall value, [...]



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/can-we-pay-for-value-not-quantity/

Obama thaws relations between US and Cuba - Lancaster Eagle Gazette

Obama thaws relations between US and Cuba Lancaster Eagle Gazette In January, Cuba ended a decades-old requirement that its citizens needed to obtain a government-issued exit permit before they could travel abroad. In July, the Obama administration increased from six months to five years the duration of visas granted ... Unionpay in Cuba: China Steps on the Toes of the US Embargo

via Travel Cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGd6sOHRYoXfQ8KuUVOw_4GrwVNEQ&url=http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20131203/OPINION04/312030008/Obama-thaws-relations-between-U-S-Cuba

Headlines

Paying ‘til it hurts: a single ER stitch costs $500. Another glitch: the federal government can’t complete the backend on Medicaid enrollments. The worst of both worlds: the front-end of HealthCare.gov gets fixed, and a flood of applications comes in, before the back-end enrollment issues are corrected.



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/headlines/

A 64-Year-Old American Jailed In Cuba Is A Huge Obstacle To Any ... - Business Insider

Business Insider

A 64-Year-Old American Jailed In Cuba Is A Huge Obstacle To Any ... Business Insider "It is gravely disappointing, especially in light of its (Cuba's) professed goal of providing Cubans with Internet access, that the Cuban government has not allowed Mr. Gross to return to his family, where he belongs." Gross was arrested in Havana on ...

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEx8wZ0XdZF4iTLxTCxNSkROXqlCA&url=http://www.businessinsider.com/cuba-is-jailing-a-64-year-old-american-who-was-trying-to-give-jewish-groups-internet-access-2013-12

Bolivia lanzará este mes su primer satélite de comunicaciones

El presidente de Bolivia, Evo Morales, mostró este lunes su alegría por el lanzamiento el próximo 20 de diciembre, del primer satélite de comunicaciones boliviano, y anunció que ya sueña con construir otro para la prospección de recursos naturales. El satélite será puesto en órbita desde China, en presencia del gobernante y de una delegación de ministros.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/bolivia-lanzara-este-mes-su-primer-satelite-de-comunicaciones/

Salud: La más noble y humana profesión

Una marcada vocación de servicio a la humanidad es el sentimiento que mueve a quienes se dedican a la noble profesión de trabajadores del sector de la medicina. En distintas especialidades: médicos, enfermeros, laboratoristas, técnicos…, son imprescindibles en la sociedad para dotarla de bienestar y felicidad. Los encargados de restablecer y preservar el más preciado tesoro que posee el hombre: la salud, tienen el privilegio y el compromiso de estar más cerca del ser humano.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/fotorreportajes/2013/12/03/salud-la-mas-noble-y-humana-profesion/

EEUU lanza en paracaídas a 2000 ratones en la Isla de Guam para “controlar” serpientes

Guam, la isla en el Pacífico ocupada desde 1898 por los EEUU, ha sido bombardeada el domingo por 2000 ratones en paracaídas para controlar la proliferación de serpientes arbóreas, anunció NBC News. De acuerdo con el Ejército de los EEUU que intervino la isla durante la Guerra Hispano-norteamericana, estas serpientes venenosas son "una especie invasora que ha devastado las poblaciones de animales nativos".



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/eeuu-lanza-paracaidas-2000-ratones-en-la-isla-de-guam-para-controlar-serpientes/

Dos bailarines cubanos entre los mejores del 2013

Los primeros bailarines cubanos Anette Delgado y Dani Hernández han sido seleccionados por la prestigiosa revista británica Dance Europa para integrar la lista de los mejores bailarines del año a nivel mundial. La publicación especializada, una de las más importantes de Europa, reconoce así las interpretaciones de la pareja de algunos de los clásicos de la tradición, asumidos junto al Ballet Nacional de Cuba.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/dos-bailarines-cubanos-entre-los-mejores-del-2013/

Más de 800 personas evacuadas durante intensas lluvias en La Habana

En la capital de Cuba fueron evacuadas más de 800 personas ante las intensas lluvias ocurridas durante los últimos días, como parte de los esfuerzos para salvaguardar las vidas humanas frente a incidencias meteorológicas o de cualquier otro tipo. Mientras, la cantidad de edificaciones afectadas ascendió a 26 derrumbes totales y 201 parciales.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/mas-de-800-personas-evacuadas-durante-intensas-lluvias-en-la-habana/

Las FARC-EP presenta diez propuestas mínimas contra las drogas

Las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP) y el gobierno de ese país sudamericano prosiguen este martes en La Habana con el punto de la agenda de los diálogos de paz relacionado con el problema de las drogas ilícitas. El jefe de la delegación guerrillera, Iván Márquez, dio a conocer a la prensa un documento con diez propuestas mínimas para resolver este problema en el campo colombiano.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/las-farc-ep-presenta-diez-propuestas-minimas-contra-las-drogas/

¿Cristiano y Messi se pelean a golpes?

La empresa norteamericana EA Sports ha lanzado un video a Youtube, perteneciente su videojuego FIFA 14, en el que simula una pelea entre los dos mejores jugadores de fútbol del mundo, Leo Messi y Cristiano Ronaldo. Todo parece indicar que esto forma parte de una campaña publicitaria previa al Balón de Oro.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/03/cristiano-y-messi-se-pelean-a-golpes/

Breaking … Hackers: There Never Was Any Security Built Into ObamaCare Exchanges

It could take a year to secure the risk of “high exposures” of personal information on the federal Obamacare online exchange, a cybersecurity expert told CNBC on Monday. “When you develop a website, you develop it with security in mind. And it doesn’t appear to have happened this time,” said David Kennedy, a so-called “white [...]



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/breaking-hackers-there-never-was-any-security-built-into-obamacare-exchanges/

Headlines I Wish I Hadn’t Seen

P4P in Canada results in little or no improvement. Obama Justice Department takes poor black kids to court. Fewer than 1,000 Spanish speaking Californians have enrolled in ObamaCare IRS audits cancer patient who is ObamaCare critic.



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/headlines-i-wish-i-hadnt-seen-201/

Pearson Acquires Brazilian Education Provider Grupo Multi for £440m (em português)

(Press Release) Pearson PLC (LSE: PSON) has agreed to acquire Grupo Multi, a provider of…



via Latin American Private Equity and Venture Capital Association » Latest Industry News http://lavca.org/2013/12/03/pearson-acquires-brazilian-education-provider-grupo-multi-em-portugues/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pearson-acquires-brazilian-education-provider-grupo-multi-em-portugues

Cuba's Insensitive Fathers - Havana Times

Havana Times

Cuba's Insensitive Fathers Havana Times HAVANA TIMES — Being a mother has been the greatest, most beautiful experience of my life. I feel proud of the sacrifices – both joyful and sad – that I've had to make over these past 12 years, trying to give my Carlos Adriel the best, shield him from ...

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEr-9SjooR_pPLHj86IEiEjdvjTgw&url=http://www.havanatimes.org/?p%3D100397

A willing U.S. covert agent in Cuba appeals to Barack Obama

via Cuba Journal http://cubajournal.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-willing-us-covert-agent-in-cuba.html

The Melting Pot

People who live in San Francisco or Fairfax County, Virginia, or Gunnison, Colorado, are enjoying some of the best life expectancies in the world. In some U.S. counties, however, life expectancies are on par with countries in North Africa and Southeast Asia. University of Washington study via Timothy Taylor.



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-melting-pot/

Brazil's economy shrinks by 0.5%

Brazil's economy falls into contraction in the third quarter, with output shrinking by more than analysts had forecast, according to official state figures.



via BBC News - Latin America & Caribbean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25200934#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

American prisoner in Cuba pleads for help

Former U.S. subcontractor Alan Gross' made a plea to President Barack Obama in a letter on the fourth anniversary of Gross' imprisonment in a small military prison cell in Cuba.



via CNN.com - Latin America http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/03/world/americas/cuba-alan-gross/index.html