GUEST COLUMN: US trade embargo still punishing Cuba, but life there goes on - The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com

GUEST COLUMN: US trade embargo still punishing Cuba, but life there goes on The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com Americans are otherwise subject to $7,500 fine if they dare to be “tourists.” Our government cites human rights abuses as the reason this ... Venezuela provides a connection via underwater cable. No American businesses, banks, or products of any kind ...

via tourism in Venezuela - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGu9OF3gR_rTrkyI9rcxE2PzVuNqw&url=http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/12/guest_column_us_trade_embargo.html

Andres Oppenheimer: Kerry's unfinished Latin American agenda - Bradenton Herald

Bradenton Herald

Andres Oppenheimer: Kerry's unfinished Latin American agenda Bradenton Herald WASHINGTON -- When I asked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry why the Obama administration has paid so little attention to Latin America, he disputed the premise of the question, while admitting that the biggest U.S. initiative in the region -- a ... Kerry's unfinished Latin American agenda

via Latin america - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEx91A-pwwxkcwrThQ_rI7kkBiJxw&url=http://www.bradenton.com/2013/12/13/4885544/andres-oppenheimer-kerrys-unfinished.html

Cuba reforms seen as changing ideals - Yahoo!7 News

Havana Times

Cuba reforms seen as changing ideals Yahoo!7 News But as more and more islanders go into business for themselves under President Raul Castro's economic reforms, the ethos of capitalism is increasingly seeping into Cuban daily life, often in stark conflict with fundamental tenets of the Cuban Revolution. Cuba: Police Videos, Corruption and Us

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHMHVTYlTIUTYKs8ZwR59leOVgnIg&url=http://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/cuba-reforms-seen-changing-ideals-030102916.html

What to Make of the Cuba Handshake - Huffington Post

What to Make of the Cuba Handshake Huffington Post The reality is that there are much more important developments in the U.S.-Cuba relationship, and strong potential for principled engagement to further benefit the Cuban people and America's national interest. As for the current situation, David Adams ...

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEaytjXJF8Rd_pwbsRbGgA7MpQTLQ&url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jake-colvin/what-to-make-of-the-cuba-_b_4428187.html

Latin America readies for Peppa Pig goods - Kidscreen

Latin America readies for Peppa Pig goods Kidscreen eOne's popular Peppa Pig brand is gaining traction in the Latin American market, with a large range of merchandising deals in the works and additional seasons of the preschool series set to air on regional broadcaster Discovery Kids. The show first ... E-One Re-ups With Discovery Kids on 'Peppa Pig' For Latin America

via Latin america - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFucGXhH2hnFacVSVt_e2HNfPVDnQ&url=http://kidscreen.com/2013/12/12/latin-america-readies-for-peppa-pig-goods/

Jacob Zuma gradece apoyo de Cuba tras pérdida del líder Nelson Mandela

El presidente Jacob Zuma agradeció hoy el apoyo de Cuba en los tiempos de luto que vive Sudáfrica, debido al deceso hace una semana en Johannesburgo del líder sudafricano Nelson Mandela. En su residencia Mahlamba Ndlopfu, de Pretoria, Zuma sostuvo este jueves una reunión de consulta con el presidente cubano, Raúl Castro, quien viajó a este país para asistir a las ceremonias funerales en honor a Madiba.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/jacob-zuma-gradece-apoyo-de-cuba-tras-perdida-del-lider-nelson-mandela/

Presidente Raúl Castro rinde homenaje a Nelson Mandela

El presidente de Cuba, Raúl Castro, rindió tributo este jueves en Pretoria al fallecido líder sudafricano Nelson Mandela, ante su féretro expuesto en el edificio ejecutivo de Union Buildings, reporta PL. Durante una ceremonia en Soweto el martes último, el mandatario cubano destacó que el exjefe de Estado sudafricano fue un ejemplo de integridad y perseverancia en la lucha por reducir la pobreza en el mundo. Raúl Castro fue uno de los principales oradores que participaron ese día en el funeral y homenaje a Mandela organizado por el gobierno y familiares en el Estadio FNB.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/presidente-raul-castro-rinde-homenaje-a-nelson-mandela/

Diputado mexicano se desnuda en protesta por aprobación de la Reforma Energética (+ Video)

Pasaban de las 03:00 de la madrugada y transcurría la discusión en lo particular, cuando el diputado del PRD Antonio García Conejo, medio hermano de Silvano Aureoles Conejo -coordinador de la bancada perredista- subió a la tribuna improvisada en el salón acondicionado como sede alterna para presentar una reserva a un artículo transitorio de la reforma.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/diputado-mexicano-se-desnuda-en-protesta-por-aprobacion-de-la-reforma-energetica-video/

Se fotografía en tutú para que sonría su esposa enferma (+ Fotos y Video)

Cuando supo que a su esposa le habían diagnosticado cáncer de mama, el estadounidense Bob Carey tuvo una reacción poco habitual: se puso un tutú y se propuso la misión de hacer reír a su mujer durante la quimioterapia. A Linda le diagnosticaron cáncer de mama en 2003, poco después de que la pareja se mudara del estado de Arizona a Nueva York. Fue entonces cuando el hombre empezó a viajar por el mundo vestido con un tutú rosa para poner una sonrisa en la cara de su esposa.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/fotorreportajes/2013/12/12/se-fotografia-en-tutu-para-que-sonria-su-esposa-enferma/

Column: Obama's gesture trumps Putin's money in Cuba - The Macomb Daily

Column: Obama's gesture trumps Putin's money in Cuba The Macomb Daily The mountain of Soviet-era debt is gone, and Russia is promising help with restructuring Cuba's $6 billion in obligations to the Paris club of creditor nations. For a country that earns hard-currency revenue of only about $18 billion a year, much of it ...

via tourism in cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNE9W82TDycKjKhE0d9MahGW0reK7w&url=http://www.macombdaily.com/opinion/20131212/column-obamas-gesture-trumps-putins-money-in-cuba

Nuestro Cine: Cuarón's Debut

via The Latin Americanist http://ourlatinamerica.blogspot.com/2013/12/nuestro-cine-cuarons-debut.html

House Hearing Misses the Mark on Asylum Claims

The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Thursday about whether or not abuse of the asylum system is “overwhelming our borders.” What the committee ended up focusing on, however, was the alleged abuse of the credible fear screening process, a preliminary step in the application process for some asylum seekers. Although credible fear is different [...]



via Immigration Impact http://immigrationimpact.com/2013/12/12/house-hearing-misses-the-mark-on-asylum-claims/

Raul Castro paid his respects today before the casket of Nelson Mandela

via Cuba Journal http://cubajournal.blogspot.com/2013/12/raul-castro-paid-his-respects-today.html

Elian Gonzalez speaks out at Ecuador's World Festival of Youth and Students

via Cuba Journal http://cubajournal.blogspot.com/2013/12/elian-gonzalez-speaks-out-at-ecuadors.html

Cuba: The Meaning of Human Rights - Scoop.co.nz (press release)

Cuba: The Meaning of Human Rights Scoop.co.nz (press release) January 1959 with the triumph of the Cuban Revolution that human rights got a real meaning for Cuba and its people. For the first time in history, Cuba achieved true independence, which enabled its people to exercise its right to self-determination and ...

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Spotlight On Colombia: Investors See Opportunities In Oil And Gas Exploration - TheStreet.com

Spotlight On Colombia: Investors See Opportunities In Oil And Gas Exploration TheStreet.com Colombia, it must be said, has not always enjoyed a good reputation as a destination for foreign investment or tourism, due to decades of civil unrest from whose dark shadow it has struggled to escape. However, the South American ... While Colombia ...

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Aprobada en México definitivamente la polémica Reforma Energética

El Congreso de México ha aprobado la reforma energética que abre el sector de la energía a la inversión privada. Los diputados han avalado el proyecto en sus términos generales y particulares. El documento tiene que ser ratificado por al menos 17 de los 32 los estados del país porque incluye cambios a tres artículos de la Constitución, informa 'La Cronica'. Posteriormente el presidente Enrique Peña Nieto firmará el documento final.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/aprobada-en-mexico-definitivamente-la-polemica-reforma-energetica/

Drones matan “accidentalmente” a 15 personas en Yemen

Quince personas que se dirigían a una boda en Yemen han muerto en un ataque aéreo con 'drones'. De acuerdo con medios locales, un avión no tripulado atacó a los civiles que asistían a una fiesta al confundirlos con un convoy de Al Qaeda. "El ataque aéreo no alcanzó su objetivo e impactó contra un grupo de civiles que iban a una boda. Diez personas murieron en el acto y otras cinco que resultaron heridas murieron después de ser ingresadas en el hospital", reveló un funcionario de seguridad yemení citado por Reuters.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/drones-matan-accidentalmente-a-15-personas-en-yemen/

Putin: “Rusia no aspira a ser una superpotencia ni a enseñar a otros cómo vivir”

Rusia no busca desempeñar un papel de hegemonía regional o mundial, pero defenderá sus valores e intereses fundamentales, declaró el presidente de Rusia, Vladímir Putin, en su mensaje anual a la Asamblea. "Siempre hemos estado orgullosos de nuestro país, pero no aspiramos al título de superpotencia, que se entiende como la pretensión de hegemonía global o regional. No incidimos en los intereses de nadie, no nos imponemos, ni pretendemos dar lecciones a nadie sobre cómo deberían vivir", agregó el presidente de Rusia.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/putin-rusia-no-aspira-a-ser-una-superpotencia-ni-a-ensenar-a-otros-como-vivir/

General que abrió cárcel de Guantánamo dice que debe ser cerrada

El general estadounidense que abrió el centro de detención en la base de Guantánamo, en Cuba, ha reconocido este jueves que fue un error y debería cerrarse porque "da validez a todas las percepciones negativas de Estados Unidos". "En retrospectiva, la estrategia de detención e interrogatorio en su conjunto fue equivocada", ha señalado el general del cuerpo de marines Michael Lehnert en una columna de opinión publicada en el 'Detroit Free Press'.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/general-que-abrio-carcel-de-guantanamo-dice-que-debe-ser-cerrada/

Humberto Solás: cine y vida en un documental

El cineasta cubano Humberto Solás, una de las figuras más reconocidas en el audiovisual latinoamericano, recibe en el 35 Festival de Cine de La Habana, un nuevo tributo, con el estreno de un documental realizado por su discípulo Carlos Barba. Ya se había anunciado a mediados de 2012 que el joven realizador se dio a la tarea de recopilar entrevistas y material inédito, para recrear la obra del autor de Lucía y El siglo de las luces. Ahora su búsqueda se materializa en un lagometraje de más de cien minutos.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/humberto-solas-cine-y-vida-en-un-documental/

Aventuras literarias: el estilo de Pablo

Aun sin haber sido terminada, esta novela, si breve, constituye una obra de valor para las letras cubanas y universales. Una novela que no tuvo final debido, justamente, al final que tuvo su autor: un final heroico, no al uso de la historiografía decadente, sino auténticamente glorioso; no en el espacio de lo ficcionado como Hiliodomiro, sino en un plano ¿tristemente? real. Acaso un día, como su personaje, se anime Pablo a contarle a alguien sus aventuras. Mientras, algo es seguro: ha sido un soldado nunca tan poco desconocido.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/opinion/2013/12/12/aventuras-literarias-y-el-estilo-desconocido-de-pablo/

E-One Re-ups With Discovery Kids on 'Peppa Pig' For Latin America - Variety

E-One Re-ups With Discovery Kids on 'Peppa Pig' For Latin America Variety MADRID – Underscoring the vitality of the brand, plus perceived merchandising opportunities in Latin America's burgeoning pre-school market, Entertainment One (eOne) has re-upped with Discovery Kids for Latin America rights to seasons three to six of ... Latin America readies for Peppa Pig goods

via Latin america - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFQAGT9w6dHfqEk5qq1bW5rJvk9wg&url=http://variety.com/2013/tv/international/e-one-re-ups-with-discovery-kids-on-peppa-pig-for-latin-america-1200948043/

Column: Obama's gesture trumps Putin's money in Cuba - The Morning Sun

Column: Obama's gesture trumps Putin's money in Cuba The Morning Sun The mountain of Soviet-era debt is gone, and Russia is promising help with restructuring Cuba's $6 billion in obligations to the Paris club of creditor nations. For a country that earns hard-currency revenue of only about $18 billion a year, much of it ...

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Elian Gonzalez criticizes US policies against Cuba - KSLA-TV

Elian Gonzalez criticizes US policies against Cuba KSLA-TV (CNN) - It's been 14 years since Elian Gonzalez's name first made headlines around the world. When he was a 6-year-old boy, Gonzalez miraculously survived a shipwreck leaving Cuba only to find himself in the middle of a bitter international custody battle.

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Peru's tourism industry boosted by Pacific Alliance - Peru this Week

Peru's tourism industry boosted by Pacific Alliance Peru this Week 12, that she had received offers of investments that are very important to the tourism sector. The minister is currently taking part in a road show in Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. “Many investors have come up to us and they have agreed negotiation ...

via tourism in mexico - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEJDTN6jh2fuK4UgCOaKdK0bg9chw&url=http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-perus-tourism-industry-boosted-by-pacific-alliance-101718

The Massachusetts Exchange Isn’t Working Either

With three weeks left in the year, not one of the thousands of Massachusetts residents who need to enroll in new health insurance plans by Jan. 1 has been able to do so through the state insurance marketplace that was revamped to comply with the national Affordable Care Act. About 126,000 people enrolled in health […]



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/the-massachusetts-exchange-isnt-working-either/

La urgencia de una disciplina urbana y territorial

los Lineamientos aprobados en el 6to Congreso del Partido le asignan al Sistema de la Planificación Física la misión de elevar la calidad y la jerarquía de los planes generales de ordenamiento territorial y urbano a nivel nacional, provincial y municipal, su integración con las proyecciones a mediano y largo plazo de la economía y con el plan de inversiones, tomando en consideración los riesgos sísmicos y otros desastres naturales. Garantizar la profundidad, agilidad y plazos de respuesta en los procesos obligados de consulta, rescatando la disciplina territorial y urbana. Sobre ello se habló el miércoles en la Mesa Redonda. Cubadebate les ofrece una amplia versión de los explicado en el programa radiotelevisivo por directivos del Instituto de Planificación Física.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/especiales/2013/12/12/la-urgencia-de-una-disciplina-urbana-y-territorial/

Study: The Chronically Ill Under ObamaCare Will Still Be Underinsured

Chronically ill individuals who are enrolled in less generous plans (e.g., Bronze or Silver) are likely to reach their OOP maximum each year. Most of these individuals will have OOP maxes well above the definition for underinsurance. For instance, a man earning $23,000 (just over 200% of poverty) will have a reduced OOP max of […]



via John Goodman's Health Policy Blog http://healthblog.ncpa.org/study-the-chronically-ill-under-obamacare-will-still-be-underinsured/

Delegation from Latin America pays work visit to Nizhny Novgorod - Pravda

Delegation from Latin America pays work visit to Nizhny Novgorod Pravda A Latin American delegation paid a visit to the Nizhny Novgorod region to establish partnerships and build economic ties. The Nizhny Novgorod region is a promising investment destination. The industrially developed region actively establishes contacts ...

via Latin america - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEuiB6L2YIi0V3RzxdKkfUajUSK4g&url=http://english.pravda.ru/news/business/12-12-2013/126373-nizhny_novgorod_latin_america-0/

Clash of the consoles

It's the battle of the tech titans. No, not Apple vs. Samsung. Microsoft is going head-to-head with Sony as both release their next-gen gaming platform. So far Xbox One is trailing behind the PS4.



via CNN.com - Latin America http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/12/business/can-sony-beat-microsoft-console/index.html

Honduran president confirmed in post

Juan Orlando Hernandez is officially declared president-elect of Honduras despite calls for an annulment by losing candidate Xiomara Castro.



via BBC News - Latin America & Caribbean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25346676#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

Convocan a XI Concurso Internacional de Ensayo Pensar a Contracorriente

Con el propósito de reconocer y difundir el pensamiento crítico sobre los problemas y desafíos del mundo contemporáneo desde perspectivas de amplio sentido anticolonial, antimperialista y emancipador, el Ministerio de Cultura de Cuba, el Instituto Cubano del Libro y la Editorial de Ciencias Sociales convocan a la XI edición del Concurso Internacional de Ensayo Pensar a Contracorriente.



via Cubadebate http://www.cubadebate.cu/noticias/2013/12/12/convocan-a-xi-concurso-internacional-de-ensayo-pensar-a-contracorriente/

VIDEO: Obama shakes hands with Cuba's Raul Castro at Mandela memorial - TheDay.com

KENS 5 TV

VIDEO: Obama shakes hands with Cuba's Raul Castro at Mandela memorial TheDay.com JOHANNESBURG — President Barack Obama shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro Tuesday at a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, a simple gesture that stoked talk of a possible rapprochement between the leaders of two Cold War foes. Cuba, US must follow Mandela, de Klerk example Obama shakes hands with Cuba's Raul Castro Obama shakes hand of Cuba's Raul Castro at Mandela memorial

via cuba - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNGEzexmtNnNvCFxRdnZxrbJyVz0tQ&url=http://www.theday.com/article/20131210/NWS14/131219986/VIDEO:-Obama-shakes-hands-with-Cuba%27s-Raul-Castro-at-Mandela-memorial

New York City police investigate death of diplomat's son

New York City police are investigating the death of a Mexican diplomat's 4-month-old son who was taken to a hospital with bruises on his body, authorities said Wednesday.



via CNN.com - Latin America http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/justice/mexican-diplomat-sons-suspicious-death/index.html

Peru nabs scam suspect on FBI most wanted list

Police in Peru say they nabbed one of the world's top scam artists on Wednesday when they arrested a securities broker whose alleged crimes earned him a spot on the FBI's most wanted list.



via CNN.com - Latin America http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/world/americas/peru-bartoli-fbi-most-wanted-arrest/index.html

Pope: Time's Person of the Year

Time named Pope Francis its person of the year Wednesday after nine months of a papacy that has brought accolades from reformers, raised fears among conservatives, and drawn widespread adulation from people around the world for his man-of-the-people ways.



via CNN.com - Latin America http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/11/living/time-person-of-the-year/index.html

The all-time World Cup finals league table

Compare countries' performances at World Cup finals tournaments since 1930



via BBC News - Latin America & Caribbean http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-25233859#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa