RELIGION BULLETIN-AMERICAS: Bishops Worried by Debt, Migration and Cuba

Foreign debt, migration problems and the situation in Cuba took up the bulk of the Interamerican Bishops' Meeting in Havana, while Parliament here was reforming the penal code, bringing in the death penalty for some drug offences.

RIGHTS-CUBA: Death Penalty for Aggravated Drug Trafficking

Cuba's government this week launched a frontal attack on crime, strengthening legislation and even announcing the death penalty for officials found guilty of drug trafficking.

RELIGION-CUBA: Conflict With US forms Backdrop to Bishops’ Meet

Conflict between Cuba and the United States will flavour the Interamerican Bishops Meeting, to be held from February 14 to 16 of this month here, commemorating the first anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to the island.

POLITICS: Row Over Money Threatens US-Cuba Phone Links

A legal battle in a U.S. courtroom over the use of funds belonging to Cuba could again disconnect phone links between millions of people united by family ties but separated by the 40 years conflict between the two countries.

EDUCATION-CUBA: Wage Raises to Stem Exodus of Professionals

A new wage raise for educators in Cuba, and plans for a similar measure in the health sector, are designed to stem the exodus of professionals to other areas of activity, a consequence of the country's eight-year economic crisis.

ECONOMY-CUBA: Nickel Production Up Despite Price Fall

Cuba will continue boosting the output of nickel this year, despite the fact prices for the mineral in international markets remain low because of the current financial crisis, government officials said here.

POLITICS-CUBA: Opposition Still Fragmented and Illegal

Four decades after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, the political opposition remains fragmented and dispersed in small organizations that the government describes as "tiny groups at the service of Washington".

CUBA-US: The Never-Ending Conflict, 40 Years On

Nearly four decades after the rupture of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States and 40 years after the triumph of the revolution led by Fidel Castro, analysts say neither government seems in a hurry to ease the tension that still runs high, even though the scenario and many of the actors have changed.

RELIGIOUS BULLETIN-CUBA: Church Adds To Debate With Call For Social Rights

The Catholic Church in Cuba concedes that "few countries of the world wholly respect human rights," says Cardinal Jaime Ortega, but still calls on Cuba to ask itself what it is doing "for the integral rights of the human being."

RIGHTS-CUBA: Dissident Demonstration Blocked by Castro Supporters

An attempt by dissident groups to call a demonstration in favour of human rights in Havana Thursday was blocked by crowds of pro-government youths who filled the park where the meeting was due to take place.

COMMODITIES: Oil, the Achilles’ Heel of Cuba’s Economy

Oil is still the Achilles' heel of the Cuban economy, which must channel fully half of its convertible hard currency into petroleum imports in order to meet an annual internal demand of 10 million tonnes.

CUBA: Planned Royal Visit Caps Year of Diplomatic Successes

The confirmation of a visit to Cuba by the king and queen of Spain caps a series of diplomatic successes for the Caribbean nation, starting in January with a five-day stay there by Pope John Paul.

DEVELOPMENT BULLETIN-CUBA: Facing Up To The Global Cultural Challenge

Cuba will probably never match the level of technology North America is able to deploy as it spreads its culture around the world, Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto admitted recently.

FINANCE-CUBA: The Euro, Potential Lifeline for Struggling Economy

The Euro, the European Union (EU)'s joint currency, has the potential to ease some of the pressure placed on Cuba by the U.S. embargo and boost its trade ties with Europe, according to various experts and officials.

CULTURE-CUBA: Facing up to The Global Challenge

Cuba will probably never match the level of technology North America is able to deploy as it spreads its culture around the world, Cuban Culture Minister Abel Prieto admitted recently.

TRADE-CUBA: Admission to ALADI Boosts Ties With Region

Cuba's admission to the Latin American Integration Association (Aladi) is one more step in the restoration of the Caribbean island's ties with Latin America, according to Cuban Foreign Ministry officials.

CUBA: Prostitution Re-emerges on Heels of Economic Crisis

The revolutionary authorities in Cuba used to dismiss prostitution as a social problem linked to capitalism and were proud to have eradicated it, but it is rearing its head once again as a result of a prolonged economic crisis.

MEDIA-CUBA: US Correspondents Waiting for a Thaw

The possibility of more U.S. print media, TV and radio stations setting up shop in Havana, where the CNN cable TV channel is the only U.S. media organ with a permanent correspondent, depends on a thaw in the icy relations between Cuba and Washington.

ECONOMY-CUBA: Burnt by Sun, Lashed by Wind, Swamped by Rain

The downpours that accompanied Hurricane Georges as it ripped through Cuba in late September ended a long drought in the Caribbean island, but the strong winds also left a trail of destroyed plantations.

CUBA: New Recruits in the Fight Against Crime

The Fidel Castro administration called the on the Revolutionary Defence Committees (CDR) to join the fight against crime - a relatively new consequence of the island's turmoil.

POLITICS-CUBA: Worried about Drugs

Cuba's fight against drug trafficking has become a national security issue given the island's closeness to the United States, the world's largest market for drugs.