diff --git "a/Cuba/2017/news_2017_11.json" "b/Cuba/2017/news_2017_11.json" new file mode 100644--- /dev/null +++ "b/Cuba/2017/news_2017_11.json" @@ -0,0 +1,4608 @@ +{ + "title": "News for Cuba from 2017-11-01 to 2017-11-30", + "totalResults": 100, + "headlines": [ + "Writing Antiracism in Cuba: An Author\u2019s Response - African American Intellectual History Society", + "Nestl\u00e9 invests in new factory in Cuba - Nestl\u00e9 Global", + "Commerce and travel to Cuba under new restrictions - The Christian Science Monitor", + "Cuba: Job sector, a tool of repression as perceived critics face jobless life - Amnesty International", + "Trump\u2019s New Cuba Sanctions Miss Their Mark - Americas Quarterly", + "Inside \u2018Paladares,\u2019 a Revealing Look at Cuba\u2019s Underground Restaurant Culture - Eater", + "Inside Cuba\u2019s National Ballet School - National Geographic", + "Alaska Airlines will discontinue flying to Havana, Cuba - Nov 14, 2017 - Alaska Airlines", + "The Harvard Cubans premiere shares untold story of U.S.-Cuba relations with Harvard twist - Harvard Gazette", + "Selling more than cigars: Race, class and labor in Cuba - Ark Republic", + "Seeing socialist Cuba with a critical eye - People's World", + "Fact Sheet: Health Care and Medicine in Cuba - 1997-2001.state.gov", + "Cuba\u2019s electric future: Lessons learned and pathways forward - Environmental Defense Fund", + "Opinion | Trump Is Returning Cuba Policy to the Cold War (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "This is Cuba\u2019s Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify \u2014 all without the internet - Vox", + "Article 2017: Cuban Immigrants in the United States - migrationpolicy.org", + "US implements tighter sanctions on Cuba - CNN", + "Raceless Nationalism in Revolutionary Cuba: Rethinking Racial Politics - African American Intellectual History Society", + "Centering the Voices of Black Activists in Post-Revolutionary Cuba - African American Intellectual History Society", + "Contesting the Myth of (Revolutionary) Racial Harmony - African American Intellectual History Society", + "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Review: Netflix Presents an Enthrallingly Intimate Look at 50 Years of Life in Cuba - IndieWire", + "Passport to Cuba: The surprising connection between Cleveland and Cuba, and why it matters - Fresh Water Cleveland", + "Cuba attack mystery may be Cold War flashback, officials say - Politico", + "Rhetoric and Reality During Cuba\u2019s Antiracism Campaign - African American Intellectual History Society", + "Stetson\u2019s Cuba Forum to Explore \u2018Prospects for Democracy in Cuba\u2019 - Stetson University", + "Trump Administration Defends Cuba Embargo at U.N., Reversing Obama (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "Cuban Dissident: A Free Cuba \u2018Is Not Far Away\u2019 - Stetson University", + "Cuba contingent hopes to further partnership between U.S., Cuban churches - United Church of Christ", + "Trump\u2019s new Cuba travel restrictions are now in effect - Fast Company", + "U.S. Bans Americans From Staying In More Than 80 Cuban Hotels : The Two-Way - NPR", + "White House implements new Cuba policy restricting travel and trade - The Washington Post", + "Can Cuba preserve ecosystems while profiting from tourism? - PBS", + "What Trump\u2019s Cuba crackdown will look like - Miami Herald", + "Cubans Are Starting Small Businesses, but the U.S. Is Hurting Them - otherwords.org", + "Alaska Airlines To Discontinue Flights To Cuba - Northwest News Network", + "What Life Is Like for a Castro-Hating Dissident Living in Cuba - VICE", + "Trump Tightens Cuba Embargo, Restricting Access to Hotels and Businesses (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - NPR", + "Fatal shark attack reported in Cuba - trackingsharks.com", + "Caterpillar distributor is first U.S. company to get green light to set up shop in Cuba\u2019s Mariel zone - Miami Herald", + "Trump tightens limits on personal travel, business ties to Cuba - The Hill", + "Thomas Pratt photographs youth and music in Santiago de Cuba - It's Nice That", + "U.S. publishes long list of places in Cuba off limits to Americans - Travel Weekly", + "Trump cracks down on U.S. business and travel to Cuba. Here\u2019s what\u2019s changing - USA Today", + "Houston Music Highlight \u2013 Im\u00e1genes de Cuba - Houston Public Media", + "The Protest Art of Cuba Finds an Unlikely Champion (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "Rubio, Diaz-Balart accuse bureaucrats of undermining Trump's hard-line Cuba policy - Politico", + "\"Work\" in Cuba Means Working for the State - Havana Times", + "The Future of Infrastructure in Cuba - The Borgen Project", + "Cuba Marks First Anniversary of the Death of Fidel Castro - VOA - Voice of America English News", + "Cuba: Agroecology and Socio-Ecological Resilience - Slow Food", + "While Clinching Deals With Communist China, Trump Cracks Down on Trade and Travel to Cuba - Foreign Policy in Focus", + "Review: Filmmaker forges bond over decades in documentary 'Cuba and the Cameraman' - Los Angeles Times", + "Filmmaker Who Documented Cuba for 45 Years Reflects on Nation\u2019s Rocky Journey - Time Magazine", + "Projects Working to Increase Water Supply in Cuba - The Borgen Project", + "These Slogan Tees Are Creating a Dialogue Around Fashion in Cuba - Vogue", + "New Cuba policy will restrict travel for Americans - abcnews.com", + "Alaska Air will end Cuba flights, citing slowdown in passengers and Trump\u2019s new rules - The Seattle Times", + "Travel Industry Is Optimistic About Adapting to New Cuba Restrictions - Travel Market Report", + "With Local Polls, Cuba Starts Process to End Castro Era - VOA - Voice of America English News", + "Armando Hart, Castro loyalist during Cuban revolution, dies at 87 - The Washington Post", + "Caterpillar dealer to open shop in Cuba special development zone - Reuters", + "Uzbekistan incident raises suspicions of Russian involvement in Cuba attacks - CBS News", + "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 a stark depiction of life under dictatorship - The Michigan Daily", + "Cutting Regime Profit Must Follow Trump\u2019s Firm First Step on Cuba - The Heritage Foundation", + "When You Might Not Be Libre To Drink a Cuba Libre in Cuba - Export Law Blog", + "Review: \u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Lavishes Love on a Country \u2026 and Castro (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "55 years later: Lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis - American University", + "How Trump is reshaping US policy on Cuba - The Hill", + "Walker Evans\u2019s Cuba, via Ernest Hemingway - The New York Times", + "FAQ: How Trump\u2019s Policy Affects Americans Looking to Travel to Cuba - Cigar Aficionado", + "10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC - Eater New York", + "Walker Art Center show presents Cuba as the land of disenchantment - Star Tribune", + "Documenting the Colors and Complexities of \u201890s Cuba - VICE", + "Yuli Gurriel\u2019s Suspension May Be Forgotten, but Cuba\u2019s Complicated Asian Racism Persists - psmag.com", + "US Blockade on Cuba, Mistake or Wise Move? - Havana Times", + "Inside the Biggest Show of Contemporary Cuban Art Ever - artsy.net", + "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Documentary Captures Castro Era, Evolution of Video - Variety", + "In Paris: Elliot Erwitt on shooting Cuba - British Journal of Photography", + "Meet Clandestina, the Cuban brand speaking to a new generation - The Guardian", + "Kathy Castor blasts Donald Trump\u2019s new Cuban travel restrictions - Florida Politics", + "Four Decades of Footage Capture a Changing Cuba - Jewish Journal", + "US toughens terms for Americans traveling to Cuba - dw.com", + "Cold War Soviet technology studied in Cuba attacks - Politico", + "Religious harmony in Cuba - Al Jazeera", + "Gloria Estefan left Cuba as a young child, but the island defines her, and her music - The Washington Post", + "Havana meets Kingston! - Pan African Music", + "\u2018The Highlight Of My Career\u2019: Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - WAMU", + "Cuba and North Korea Strengthen Close Ties - Havana Times", + "Armando Hart, Who Revolutionized Cuban Schools, Dies at 87 (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "Callejon de Hamel in Havana - Atlas Obscura", + "Mark Cuban to Draymond Green: We own equity, not people - ESPN", + "Cuban Minister rejects US sonic attack claims - CNN", + "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - WBGO Jazz", + "Uncensored: Cuban Artists Lead AQ\u2019s Top 5 Art Activists - Americas Quarterly", + "Under Trump's New Rules, American Travelers To Cuba Must Be Accompanied And Surveilled For Compliance - Cuba Journal", + "Cuba\u2019s Legislature Should Session Year Round - Havana Times", + "News - Massachusetts National Guard MPs deploy to Cuba - DVIDS", + "Rare look at Fidel Castro and life in Cuba over 45 years - CBS News", + "US votes against UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba - KTVU" + ], + "articles": [ + { + "title": "Writing Antiracism in Cuba: An Author\u2019s Response - African American Intellectual History Society", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Writing Antiracism in Cuba: An Author\u2019s Response - African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMieEFVX3lxTE5PNXo0UlNtVzFPaUlJaGhnTzQ5SWFkaTEzOEpOTUpZWm5qUURNMTJXUzY2UWJGZ1pWUDFYX0hJdXc1Ul8wSXhBSVB4d0g3dGktcW1xUXNwejlUaEVIbEUwZjFsdFNZbVRqbkxzV3lGNGZfOERKY3A1VQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.aaihs.org/writing-antiracism-in-cuba-an-authors-response/", + "id": "CBMieEFVX3lxTE5PNXo0UlNtVzFPaUlJaGhnTzQ5SWFkaTEzOEpOTUpZWm5qUURNMTJXUzY2UWJGZ1pWUDFYX0hJdXc1Ul8wSXhBSVB4d0g3dGktcW1xUXNwejlUaEVIbEUwZjFsdFNZbVRqbkxzV3lGNGZfOERKY3A1VQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sat, 11 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 11, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 5, + 315, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Writing Antiracism in Cuba: An Author\u2019s Response  African American Intellectual History Society", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Writing Antiracism in Cuba: An Author\u2019s Response  African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.aaihs.org", + "title": "African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Writing Antiracism in Cuba: An Author's Response\nauthor: Devyn Spence Benson\nurl: https://www.aaihs.org/writing-antiracism-in-cuba-an-authors-response/\nhostname: aaihs.org\ndescription: This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s Antiracism in Cuba. I still remember the first paper I wrote examining blackness in Cuba in my history PhD program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. We had read Daisy Rubiera\u2019s Reyita: The Life of a Black Cub\nsitename: AAIHS\ndate: 2017-11-11\ncategories: ['Activism, African diaspora, Black history, Black Identity, Black Internationalism, Black Protest, Caribbean, Civil Rights Movement, Featured Books, Race, Race Consciousness, Racism, Resistance, #AntiracismInCuba, Cuba']\ntags: ['#AAIHSRoundtable', 'Activism', 'African Diaspora', 'archives', 'art', 'black feminism', 'black intellectual history', 'black internationalism', 'black lives matter', 'black nationalism', 'black politics', 'Black Power', 'black protest', 'Black radicalism', 'black radical tradition', 'Black women', 'Brazil', 'capitalism', 'carceral state', 'Caribbean', 'civil rights', 'Civil Rights Movement', 'education', 'Gender', 'Haiti', 'Jim Crow', 'literature', 'mass incarceration', 'music', 'Pan-Africanism', 'police brutality', 'police violence', 'Politics', 'race', 'Racial Violence', 'racism', 'religion', 'Resistance', 'sexuality', 'slavery', 'slave trade', 'South', 'teaching', 'W.E.B. Du Bois', 'white supremacy']\n---\n# Writing Antiracism in Cuba: An Author\u2019s Response\n\n*This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s *Antiracism in Cuba.\n\nI still remember the first paper I wrote examining blackness in Cuba in my history PhD program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. We had read Daisy Rubiera\u2019s *Reyita: The Life of a Black Cuban Woman in the Twentieth Century* that week for seminar. I was awed, inspired, and fascinated by the stories Rubiera\u2019s mother, Reyita, told about having bad hair, marrying a white man to improve her children\u2019s life chances, and living during the dynamic revolutionary years of 1960s Cuba. In many ways, Reyita\u2019s narrative mirrored stories my parents, US Blacks, told me growing up about brown bag tests, hot combs, Jim Crow segregation, and participating in the turbulent 1960s Civil Rights Movement in Charlotte, North Carolina.\n\nThat essay eventually led me to a dissertation project on the 1959 anti-discrimination campaign in Cuba and my first visit to Havana in the summer of 2003. I wanted to see for myself how blackness and race converged and diverged between Cuba and the United States. Still in a process of recovery from the dramatic economic collapse of the 1990s after losing its chief trading partner, the USSR, Cuba was a tough place to live and visit as a person of African descent in 2003. Brown skin and curly hair assured that you would be barred from entering tourist hotels, assumed to be a prostitute, and asked for your identification card by the many police who roamed Havana protecting the newest crop of white tourists from Black and brown Cubans\u2014or anyone who looked \u201cCuban.\u201d As I watched and listened, I wondered how anti-Black racism could be so persistent in a place that had not only undergone a radical revolution, but a revolution that was known throughout the world as being antiracist, egalitarian, and a challenger of injustice in Latin America and Africa. How did the same revolution that inspired Nelson Mandela to call Fidel Castro one of his closest friends also bar young Black women from entering hotels because they were thought to be prostitutes? And what does the persistence of racism despite revolutionary social reforms in Cuba teach us about blackness, whiteness, Cubanidad, and the very idea of revolution then and now?\n\nThese were the questions that motivated me to write *Antiracism in Cuba: The Unfinished Revolution*. Relying on Cuban and US archival sources, newspapers, visual materials, and over twenty oral histories, I found that the answers to my questions lay in the contradictory nature of white-led antiracist movements. In telling this story, many themes came to light that the participants in this roundtable have so clearly examined.\n\nAs Yesenia Barragan notes, *Antiracism in Cuba* fits into the scholarship about myths of racial harmony in Latin America. In trying to understand how Cuba\u2019s national ideology of racelessness\u2013epitomized in the quotation \u201cwe aren\u2019t white, we aren\u2019t black, we are all Cuban\u201d\u2013both allowed for and hindered certain types of antiracism in the 1959 revolutionary moment, I probed how long-held national narratives sometimes impede future progress. Aisha Finch draws attention to the ways Cuba\u2019s anti-discrimination campaign not only had to address Black demands, but also white fears and reminds us that the 1959 revolution that we now take for granted as a historical fact was a \u201cunwieldy, cumbersome, and often incomplete institution that had to be made and lived.\u201d And, Melina Pappademos eloquently highlights the chapters in the book that show how the United States and Cuba both tried to use each other\u2019s racial politics against the other in the tense Cold War/Civil Rights period. By drawing attention to the book\u2019s focus on the persistence of Black Cuban political activism despite government censure, racial politics that crossed the 1959 divide, and how *Antiracism in Cuba* speaks to contemporary social movements, Nancy Mirabal and Sandy Placido also showcased aspects of the book that I had hoped readers would find valuable.\n\nI especially want to thank the reviewers for their tough questions. They each pointed out moments when I left things out or where they wanted additional information: What about gender? Did a \u201cdifferent (possibly woman-centered?) Black, intersectional politics exist?\u201d What did these same challenges to racism look like in Afro-Cuban music, dance, spiritual practices, comedy, or other cultural productions? \u201cIs [there] still time to make change, or have the missed opportunities, silencing, and unwillingness to combat racism become a defining factor of the Cuban Revolution?\u201d I began to address some of these themes in the Epilogue to *Antiracism in Cuba*, but, in reality, many of these questions deserve their own book, one that I am currently writing.\n\nMy new book project, *Black Consciousness in Cuba: The Untold Revolution, 1968-1978, *seeks to fill a gap in the current literature about race in Cuba that follows the familiar arc from slavery to freedom, through activism in the republic (1902-1958), to the 1959 revolutionary Cuba period and then jumps to the present-day via the challenges and openings following the 1990s economic crisis. Even *Antiracism in Cuba* uses this same chronology! In this narrative, most historians agree that after the early 1960s it became taboo to talk about continued racism\u2014the project of revolutionary nationalism required unity and thus conversations about racism that could divide the nation had to be avoided. Only when racism seemed to \u201creturn\u201d after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989 and Cuba\u2019s dramatic economic collapse did public debates reemerge. Yet, in jumping from 1961 to 1989, this familiar history of race in Cuba leaves much untold. For example, after the official closure of the anti-discrimination campaign in 1961, what happened to the decades-long tradition of Black activism that had existed previously? What strategies did Black and *mulato* intellectuals, especially Afro-Cubana women, use to challenge racism in the late 1960s and 1970s? In what ways did their efforts mirror Cuba\u2019s internationalist framework, especially through relationships with Caribbean activists and artists?\n\nTo answers these questions, I am building a new archive that looks different from the newspapers, government speeches, and political manifestos used primarily in my first book and written predominantly by men. Many of the activists and intellectuals who remained in Cuba and continued to fight against racism in the late 1960s and 1970s were women who did so through artistic and cultural productions. Building on historian Alejandro de la Fuente\u2019s work on Grupo Antillano\u2014a late 1970s artistic movement that saw the inspiration for Cuban art in the Caribbean and Africa rather than in Europe\u2014and Elizabeth Schwall\u2019s research on Afro-Cuban dancers in the Conjunto Folkl\u00f3rico, the archive for this project includes materials such as poems by Nancy Morej\u00f3n and Georgina Herrera, documentaries and films by Sara G\u00f3mez, and short stories and plays by In\u00e9s Mar\u00eda Martiatu Terry. I also plan to conduct oral histories with Black and *mulato* Cubans who were members of small home study groups that met privately in this period to discuss the writings of Caribbean Black consciousness thinkers, debate how those ideas might fit into a Cuban revolutionary context, and experiment with ways to include trans-Caribbean concepts in their films, art, and poetry. My forthcoming article in *Cuban Studies 46,* \u201cSara G\u00f3mez: Afro-Cubana Activism After 1961\u201d (January 2018), is a part of this new research and highlights the previously under-examined documentaries of the first Black woman filmmaker in Cuba\u2019s state sponsored film industry as a way of talking about Black women\u2019s continued political activism after the closure of the early anti-discrimination campaign.\n\nMy new book project continues to delve into Black political activism in Cuba, but rather than focus on connections with the United States or Africa, it does so through an exploration of Caribbean Black consciousness in Cuba. I focus on a cadre of Afro-Cuban activists and intellectuals who proposed radical strategies for eradicating racism as part of their collaborations with Caribbean thinkers. For example, Clara Morera, a young artist who joined a Caribbean-inspired art collective named Grupo Antillano (Antillian Group) in the 1970s, remembers that the meetings between Afro-Cuban intellectuals and Aim\u00e9 C\u00e9saire generated new forms of Black activism on the island. \u201cWhen C\u00e9saire came, they began to form a movement, [those who read] Fanon, the [US] Black Panthers [on the island], and the [Cuban] intellectuals . . . the intellectuals they stopped straightening their hair, [instead] wearing Afros and Black pride (*orgullo negro*) really began.\u201d That Morera links Afro-Cubans\u2019 1960s development of \u201cBlack pride\u201d to C\u00e9saire\u2019s visit to Havana in 1968 makes sense because the transnational movement of ideas among Cuba, the Caribbean, and the rest of the diaspora (before and after 1959) forged Black consciousness in Cuba in this period.\n\nWe know that the Cuban Revolution profoundly shaped social and political movements throughout Latin America and the Caribbean after 1959. But, we know less about the ways that Cubans of African descent influenced\u2014and were influenced by\u2014the work of Black intellectuals in the circum-Caribbean region during this era of revolutionary ferment. My new project hopes to answer some of the reviewers\u2019 insightful questions by closing the gap between present-day Black political activism in Cuba and the 1960s. The defining legacy of the Cuban revolution is not its failures, but the continued resistance of all Cubans to make the revolution a reality. Many of the Afro-Cubana women poets, filmmakers, and artists who were the protagonists in 1960s Black consciousness movements paved the way for the explosion of debates about racism in the 1990s. By shifting conversations about blackness and discrimination in Cuba from the political to the cultural sphere, these brave women kept the fires of black political activism hot throughout the 1960s and 1970s so that they could converge into the new political/cultural movement of today.\n\nCopyright \u00a9 AAIHS. May not be reprinted without permission." + }, + { + "title": "Nestl\u00e9 invests in new factory in Cuba - Nestl\u00e9 Global", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Nestl\u00e9 invests in new factory in Cuba - Nestl\u00e9 Global" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMid0FVX3lxTE1ja2NRWjI3cUFwWEo0RU9idExtRzlfVG1CY180eGFNSGJBVGQzamJjYWdXcFNiRXd6dlFINWxVaS1QYlY2UFhNbXZhcHNNOWJGY0h6Z1QxcVZ2bXR2WUVHczN6STBCTTQ2dlFUMTdMTjFiRTUtMXM0?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.eater.com/2017/11/28/16552884/paladares-cuban-cookbook-plantain-chips-recipe", + "id": "CBMid0FVX3lxTE1ja2NRWjI3cUFwWEo0RU9idExtRzlfVG1CY180eGFNSGJBVGQzamJjYWdXcFNiRXd6dlFINWxVaS1QYlY2UFhNbXZhcHNNOWJGY0h6Z1QxcVZ2bXR2WUVHczN6STBCTTQ2dlFUMTdMTjFiRTUtMXM0", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 29, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 333, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Nestl\u00e9 invests in new factory in Cuba  Nestl\u00e9 Global", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Nestl\u00e9 invests in new factory in Cuba  Nestl\u00e9 Global" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nestle.com", + "title": "Nestl\u00e9 Global" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Inside Cuba\u2019s Underground Restaurant Culture\nauthor: Patty Diez\nurl: https://www.eater.com/2017/11/28/16552884/paladares-cuban-cookbook-plantain-chips-recipe\nhostname: eater.com\ndescription: A preview of \u2018Paladeres: Recipes Inspired by the Private Restaurants of Cuba\u2019\nsitename: Eater\ndate: 2017-11-28\ncategories: ['Cuba']\ntags: ['eater,pagetype:feature,books,cuba,cookbooks-eater-at-home,featured-stories']\n---\nMenus at Cuban restaurants can elicit an eye roll or two if they don\u2019t list black beans, fried plantains, *mojo*, or ropa vieja among the offerings. These are the dishes that defined a lot of revolution-era cooking in Cuba, and certainly Cuban cooking pre-1959. They\u2019re the dishes Cuban exiles took with them to Miami, to Madrid, and to all of the other corners and pockets of the world they fled to when Castro\u2019s communism took hold.\n\n# Inside \u2018Paladares,\u2019 a Revealing Look at Cuba\u2019s Underground Restaurant Culture\n\nPlus, a recipe for Cuban flan\n\nIf you buy something from a link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.\n\nBut for those who stayed on the island, a need developed for a new cuisine \u2014 what some called \u201csurvival fare.\u201d Invested cooks made do with the meager ingredients the government rationed out, and Cubans eventually started to serve this cuisine at *paladares*, small, private restaurants that popped up inside homes in Havana, Cienfuegos, Camaguey, and other cities across the country.\n\nAnya von Bremzen and Megan Fawn Schlow\u2019s new book, *Paladares: Recipes Inspired by the Private Restaurants of Cuba* holds a spotlight over these restaurants, and shares their stories of conception and the recipes that have earned them their following.\n\nCuban paladares began in 1993, when the government legalized a number of self-employment occupations, including those in hospitality. Rules applied, of course: There can be a maximum of 12 seats per paladar, and a minimum of two employees, both of which must be family members of the homeowner.\n\nThe 14 paladares that Von Bremzen features in her book cover a range, from traditional home dining room spaces to more modern mini restaurants, from those owned by locals to a few run by expats. Each paladar owner has faced, and for the foreseeable future will continue to face, ongoing issues including lack of access to ingredients \u2014 a limitation that causes frustration but encourages ingenuity.\n\nThe menus at paladares are continually in flux, with owners unable to grow attached to an ingredient that could disappear within hours. \u201cBasics\u201d like butter, milk, and eggs are sometimes gone before they even hit the shelves. So a lot of Cubans, especially those who own a paladar, rely on an ever-thriving black market.\n\nFor Niuska Miniet, owner of paladar Decamer\u00f3n in Havana, the market came to her. \u201cThe ingredients found me,\u201d she tells von Bremzen. \u201cWhen word got out we had a restaurant, strangers came knocking on our door selling anything from lobster to chicken to floor mops. They sold to survive; I bought to survive.\u201d\n\nAccording to von Bremzen, Pilar Fernandez, a Spanish expat, would laugh anytime a Spanish chef raved about her trendy \u201cmarket cuisine,\u201d when she was struggling every morning to write the menu for her Havana-based paladar Casa Pilar. (The reason many paladares rely on chalkboard signs is so they can easily make changes to their menus.) \u201cThey [visiting Spanish chefs] have no idea what it\u2019s like having nothing but sporadic market cuisine,\u201d says Fernandez.\n\nVon Bremzen features novel dishes created by cooks out of necessity, but also pays homage to classic Cuban recipes. One for *mariquitas* \u2014 thinly sliced, deep-fried plantain chips \u2014 is based on the recipe served at O\u2019Reilly 304 and El Del Frente (sister paladares located on Havana\u2019s O\u2019Reilly Street) in lieu of bread. The *dulces* chapter of *Paladares* features all the best-known desserts: *pastelitos de guayaba y queso* (guava and cream cheese pastries), *tres leches*, *arroz con leche*, and *natilla* \u2014 a milk and egg custard often topped with cinnamon.\n\nBut there is no dessert more synonymous with Cuba than **flan**. In *Paladares*, the would-be intimidating dessert is given a straightforward recipe; the only real trick to a perfect flan is keeping a watchful eye over the caramel.\n\n*Paladares* is an immersive history lesson in the birth of an underground subculture that eventually went mainstream out of necessity. It\u2019s also a beautiful telling of the Cuban spirit, one that is dedicated to catching up with the rest of the world while still committed to its roots.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s a strange and unique place, our Cuba,\u201d says paladar owner Alexis Alvarez Armas. \u201cAn island where nothing is possible and everything is possible, too.\u201d\n\n*Patty Diez is Eater\u2019s editorial coordinator.**Editor: Daniela Galarza*" + }, + { + "title": "Commerce and travel to Cuba under new restrictions - The Christian Science Monitor", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Commerce and travel to Cuba under new restrictions - The Christian Science Monitor" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.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?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nestle.com/media/news/nestle-investment-new-factory-cuba", + "id": "CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQb0VyN20xN3UzWTIzaDV3S2dMaWxMRzNUc252Z1Fhc2dZdEh5WnFuaUl6eHZvZTVxcEpza3dwUnEwQ21rQTFoc01QMG9SSGdQb3BMemc1eUh5S2RIVHJVUlgwd3U4UTNSdkFJQk1HVG9RaEFSV3B3MVRxcWpFblNBYVdSZkJFYm5kNVJIRVpCUFFPLTZKSEE2dV9Oa0dLY01RV2w5eHFwSTbSAcIBQVVfeXFMTUFqcjNtenljT0ZQZ3liWTdVV2ZPQzMybGVwY1NLcTFLYmp5YkFDdFVlbWMyOUt2OFhDOV90TUJTYUVtWU9ibE4xRnd5WXNDeFFHdDFfMkhsOWNwNU9VbHNmeWplZkl5Zl9xTU9DSl9Rc19CdmZkVXlSdzRORFc5dmlHWGVYc1NNTHdIb0EwQlNYR2h5LW9fWUE1WlRzLVNaejQ5bFdhNjNJRVliaHU4ZVpzVEdVT2k4aVI4YU9wbk1wLWc", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 9, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 313, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Commerce and travel to Cuba under new restrictions  The Christian Science Monitor", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Commerce and travel to Cuba under new restrictions  The Christian Science Monitor" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.csmonitor.com", + "title": "The Christian Science Monitor" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Cuba: Job sector, a tool of repression as perceived critics face jobless life - Amnesty International", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba: Job sector, a tool of repression as perceived critics face jobless life - Amnesty International" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwwFBVV95cUxQbV9HTUlteFpkWjhSbEVtYk40dWctOUw2SC1McndqNUc0SzlCVHhCcHczWkNtZVQzTzZ2NTVhQ2J0TUQ3WHpoUS1xU0xMMlBmZWc2OGlHYktic3Fma2wyUTBycmRDR243SVE4ZnlNOEcyRkNiLW4xb2VZdWVISFVXTWVSSjJOZ0lxRTVkWGdLeVdDYXdlMjJlQ0plSjg3bXBQdVJURjItR2tGcXlJdDBrYlpZaFlqWXpDOXp5NVNjM0xtS2s?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.aaihs.org/contesting-the-myth-of-revolutionary-racial-harmony/", + "id": "CBMiwwFBVV95cUxQbV9HTUlteFpkWjhSbEVtYk40dWctOUw2SC1McndqNUc0SzlCVHhCcHczWkNtZVQzTzZ2NTVhQ2J0TUQ3WHpoUS1xU0xMMlBmZWc2OGlHYktic3Fma2wyUTBycmRDR243SVE4ZnlNOEcyRkNiLW4xb2VZdWVISFVXTWVSSjJOZ0lxRTVkWGdLeVdDYXdlMjJlQ0plSjg3bXBQdVJURjItR2tGcXlJdDBrYlpZaFlqWXpDOXp5NVNjM0xtS2s", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 16 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 16, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 320, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuba: Job sector, a tool of repression as perceived critics face jobless life  Amnesty International", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba: Job sector, a tool of repression as perceived critics face jobless life  Amnesty International" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.amnesty.org", + "title": "Amnesty International" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Contesting the Myth of (Revolutionary) Racial Harmony\nauthor: Yesenia Barragan\nurl: https://www.aaihs.org/contesting-the-myth-of-revolutionary-racial-harmony/\nhostname: aaihs.org\ndescription: This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson's Antiracism in Cuba. Just three months after revolutionary forces successfully ousted Cuban dictator Fulgencio Bautista on January 1, 1959, the new revolutionary government of Cuba under Fidel Castro made a spectacular annou\nsitename: AAIHS\ndate: 2017-11-08\ncategories: ['African diaspora, Black Internationalism, Black Political Thought, Black Protest, Caribbean, Latin America, Memory, Roundtables, #AntiracismInCuba, Afro-Cubans, Cuba, race']\ntags: ['#AAIHSRoundtable', 'Activism', 'African Diaspora', 'archives', 'art', 'black feminism', 'black intellectual history', 'black internationalism', 'black lives matter', 'black nationalism', 'black politics', 'Black Power', 'black protest', 'Black radicalism', 'black radical tradition', 'Black women', 'Brazil', 'capitalism', 'carceral state', 'Caribbean', 'civil rights', 'Civil Rights Movement', 'education', 'Gender', 'Haiti', 'Jim Crow', 'literature', 'mass incarceration', 'music', 'Pan-Africanism', 'police brutality', 'police violence', 'Politics', 'race', 'Racial Violence', 'racism', 'religion', 'Resistance', 'sexuality', 'slavery', 'slave trade', 'South', 'teaching', 'W.E.B. Du Bois', 'white supremacy']\n---\n# Contesting the Myth of (Revolutionary) Racial Harmony\n\n*This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s *Antiracism in Cuba.\n\nJust three months after revolutionary forces successfully ousted Cuban dictator Fulgencio Bautista on January 1, 1959, the new revolutionary government of Cuba under Fidel Castro made a spectacular announcement: the island would embark upon a public, government-backed anti-discrimination campaign. During these early years of the Cuban Revolution, privately-run and racially segregated beaches, social clubs, workers\u2019 unions, and schools became integrated, while greater economic, social, and educational opportunities arose for Cuba\u2019s marginalized classes of African descent. As various scholars of politics in revolutionary Cuba have demonstrated, this campaign radically changed the everyday lives and opportunities of people of African descent on the island.\n\nYet, as Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s brilliant and recently published book, *Antiracism in Cuba: The Unfinished Revolution*, reveals, the story of antiracism in early revolutionary Cuba is not that simple. A critical examination of the thorny and complicated politics of antiracism in Cuba during the first years of the Revolution (1959-1961), Benson\u2019s monograph upends the long accepted notion that the revolutionary government was \u201cmostly successful\u201d in eradicating discrimination. In fact, as Benson argues, \u201cracism and antiracism coexisted and developed alongside each other in revolutionary Cuba\u201d\u2014and, as she expertly shows, the revolutionary government\u2019s commitment to raceless nationalism effectively silenced genuine antiracist transformations and political activism on the island. Even more, Benson shows how revolutionary officials perpetuated \u201cracist narratives and images that devalued blackness\u201d through an analysis of revolutionary press and print media.\n\nAs *Antiracism in Cuba *documents, Afro-Cubans (some of whom were forced into U.S. exile, not just in southern Florida\u2014where they faced racist white Cuban exiles\u2014but also New York City) worked tirelessly to foment an antiracist \u201crevolution inside of the revolution\u201d through words and action. Indeed, in this sense, Benson\u2019s book is part of a growing group of scholarly works critically reexamining the many \u201crevolutions\u201d within the Cuban Revolution. Reading Michelle Chase\u2019s recently published *Revolution within the Revolution: Women and Gender Politics in Cuba, 1952-1962*, for example, would work well alongside Benson\u2019s *Antiracism in Cuba *to grasp the multifaceted gendered and racialized struggles of marginalized Cubans as they reconfigured their lives during these tumultuous years.\n\nBut in this review, I am not going to focus on Benson\u2019s contributions to the historiography of the Cuban Revolution; rather, I want to impress upon readers why Benson\u2019s book matters for scholars of race and Blackness in the Americas\u2014particularly those interested in charting the formation and transformation of the tenuous myth of \u201cracial harmony\u201d that emerged at the end of colonial rule in nineteenth century Latin America and the Caribbean. By \u201cracial harmony,\u201d I mean the politics of a strategic and intentional silencing of race within a larger project of national unity.\n\nIn response to political pressure and racial justice activism of Afro-Cuban groups, Fidel Castro announced the government\u2019s national anti-discrimination campaign on March 22, 1959. Over time, segregated beaches, schools, work centers, and social clubs were integrated\u2014including Black social clubs that had historically served the real needs of Afro-Cubans of means. These Black clubs were targeted and eventually shut down, revealing the limits of the revolutionary government\u2019s antiracist vision. Crucially, as Benson finds, Castro claimed that the revolutionary government\u2019s anti-discrimination campaign sought to accomplish the unfulfilled late nineteenth century project of building a \u201craceless and unified Cuba.\u201d Forged during the Wars of Independence against Spain, this idea of \u201cracelessness\u201d in Cuba found its most powerful champion in the Cuban national hero Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ed who wielded a politics of raceless nationalism against Spain\u2019s colonial forces (for more, see Ada Ferrer\u2019s *Insurgent Cuba: Race, Nation, and Revolution, 1868-1898*). The popular late nineteenth century rhetoric of \u201cnot black, not white, only Cuban\u201d served to buttress national unity against Spain, but ultimately failed to address the continued reality of racism and anti-Blackness faced by Cubans of African descent in the long aftermath of the war. The government-backed massacre of Afro-Cuban members of the Independent Party of Color in 1912 proved the deadly limitations of this raceless politics in the republic.\n\nThese ghosts of failed racial reckonings were summoned and appropriated by Cuba\u2019s revolutionary leaders in 1959. Throughout *Antiracism in Cuba*, Benson repeatedly shows how the new revolutionary government \u201cmobilized the legacies of Mart\u00ed and [Antonio] Maceo [the famed Afro-Cuban Independence fighter] to construct the revolution as the fulfillment of an interrupted historical legacy.\u201d In the Cuban communist party newspaper, *Noticias de Hoy*, for example, political cartoons and drawings sought to link Mart\u00ed and Maceo with the young revolutionary leadership\u2019s projects of raceless nationalism. \u201cThe significance of Mart\u00ed and Maceo for so many Cubans,\u201d Benson writes, \u201cand the legacy of racial harmony coming out of independence struggles meant that leaders on the island and in exile had to engage with these ideas in defining revolution.\u201d\n\nWe should thus place Benson\u2019s work within a larger historical scholarship of \u201cracial harmony\u201d in nineteenth and twentieth-century Latin America. As Marixa Lasso reveals in *Myths of Harmony: Race and Republicanism during the Age of Revolution, Colombia, 1795-1831*, Colombia was one of the first republics to elaborate a nationalist rhetoric of racial harmony\u2014a version of raceless nationalism\u2014during the early nineteenth century Wars of Independence against Spain. When the Spanish Cortes in the early 1810s argued against citizenship rights to *pardos *(people of African descent) because it could potentially create a Haitian Revolution in Colombia, Colombian patriots mobilized the notion of a racially harmonious society. In the immediate Wars of Independence, Colombian patriots linked racial equality to patriot nationalism in opposition to Spain who denied *pardo* citizenship rights.\n\nHowever, Lasso demonstrates that while this myth of harmony provided Colombians of African descent with the tools and political language to air grievances against both the Spanish and fellow patriots, the denunciation of racial discrimination became an unpatriotic and rebellious act\u2014not entirely unlike that of late nineteenth century Cuba or 1959 revolutionary Cuba as documented by Benson. In early nineteenth century Colombia, the dangerous charge of fomenting \u201crace war\u201d denied the legitimacy of real racial grievances elevated by Afro-Colombian patriots. In some ways similar to the early nineteenth century Colombian case, some Afro-Cubans who were critical of the revolutionary government\u2019s racial politics were decried as racist, divisive, and even counterrevolutionary.\n\nJuan Ren\u00e9 Betancourt, a longtime Black activist who was forced into exile to the United States in 1961, was among such \u201cdivisive\u201d Afro-Cuban figures that Benson profiles. Joining other Afro-Cubans in protest, Betancourt criticized the revolutionary government\u2019s decision to close historically Black social clubs on the island\u2014no doubt a bold act in the face of revolutionary colorblind racist policies. Eventually, the revolutionary leadership banned Betancourt\u2019s book *El Negro* on the grounds that it was racist. Betancourt is one of many critical Black Cuban voices that Benson importantly brings to the forefront of this study.\n\nIn the conclusion of *Antiracism in Cuba*, Benson highlights another critical Afro-Cuban voice, the documentary Afro-Cubana filmmaker Sara G\u00f3mez, who \u201ccarved out [space] for continued debates about racial equality\u201d while both supporting and challenging the revolutionary government. Benson highlights the \u201cseemingly large role black and *mulata *women artists\u201d like Gom\u00e9z played in revolutionary Cuba and writes that additional research on the subject is needed. Given the predominance of Afro-Cuban male voices in *Antiracism in Cuba*, the example of G\u00f3mez and other Afro-Cubana activists appears to gesture to a different (possibly woman-centered?) Black, intersectional politics. For now, however, Benson has provided an indispensible foundational study that will set the agenda for future scholars of race, racism, and Black Studies in Cuba and the Americas.\n\nExcellent article. I am still trying to understand the durability and insidious construct of race. We must engage it in all its complexity in order to move past it." + }, + { + "title": "Trump\u2019s New Cuba Sanctions Miss Their Mark - Americas Quarterly", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump\u2019s New Cuba Sanctions Miss Their Mark - Americas Quarterly" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFBVV95cUxPSzhWeHJqanlxVEdZRUo4ZEZZT3lPVm0wUk91UFFXajNFekRCZkFJaklwUXhUV25LSDBMb0htSHBuQXlqaU0za0l6TVV6UU0tWlRfZFZMQklGM19ydmU5M1FKLTlDU3p3Vnc5UV9JSThWcFZUeTFKdk9iRmtRSTZDMjVRSFBodlU?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2017/1109/Commerce-and-travel-to-Cuba-under-new-restrictions", + "id": "CBMihwFBVV95cUxPSzhWeHJqanlxVEdZRUo4ZEZZT3lPVm0wUk91UFFXajNFekRCZkFJaklwUXhUV25LSDBMb0htSHBuQXlqaU0za0l6TVV6UU0tWlRfZFZMQklGM19ydmU5M1FKLTlDU3p3Vnc5UV9JSThWcFZUeTFKdk9iRmtRSTZDMjVRSFBodlU", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 9, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 313, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Trump\u2019s New Cuba Sanctions Miss Their Mark  Americas Quarterly", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump\u2019s New Cuba Sanctions Miss Their Mark  Americas Quarterly" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://americasquarterly.org", + "title": "Americas Quarterly" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Commerce and travel to Cuba under new restrictions\nauthor: The Christian Science Monitor\nurl: https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2017/1109/Commerce-and-travel-to-Cuba-under-new-restrictions\nhostname: csmonitor.com\ndescription: The Trump administration announced new restrictions for US citizens who wish to travel to Cuba and blacklisted a number of Cuban companies with ties to the military. Short of cutting off relations, the new restrictions hope to end the flow of US money to the Cuban military.\nsitename: The Christian Science Monitor\ndate: 2017-11-09\ncategories: ['Foreign Policy']\n---\n# Commerce and travel to Cuba under new restrictions\n\nLoading...\n\n| Washington\n\nAmericans seeking to visit Cuba must navigate a complicated maze of travel, commerce, and financial restrictions unveiled Wednesday by the Trump administration, part of a new policy to further isolate the island's communist government.\n\nNow off-limits to US citizens are dozens of Cuban hotels, shops, tour companies, and other businesses included on a lengthy American blacklist of entities that have links to Cuba's military, intelligence, or security services. And most Americans will once again be required to travel as part of heavily regulated, organized tour groups run by US companies, rather than voyaging to Cuba on their own.\n\nThe stricter rules mark a return to the tougher US stance toward Cuba that existed before former President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro restored diplomatic relations in 2015. They come as President Trump tries to show he's taking action to prevent US dollars from helping prop up the Cuban government.\n\n\"These measures confirm there is a serious reversal in bilateral relations which has occurred as a result of the decisions taken by the government of President Donald Trump,\" said Josefina Vidal, the top Cuban diplomat for North America.\n\nStill, the policy is only a partial rollback of Obama's changes. Cruise ship visits and direct commercial flights between the countries will still be permitted. Embassies in Washington and Havana stay open.\n\nThe rules are designed to steer US economic activity away from Cuba's military, intelligence and security services, which dominate much of the economy through state-controlled corporations. The goal is to encourage financial support for Cuba's growing private sector, said senior Trump administration officials, who briefed reporters on a conference call on condition they not be quoted by name.\n\nTo that end, the Treasury Department said it is expanding and simplifying a license that allows some US exports to Cuba despite the embargo. They include tools and equipment to build or renovate privately owned buildings.\n\n\"We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people,\" Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.\n\nMr. Trump announced his new policy in June during a speech in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood, the cradle of Cuban-American resistance to Castro's government. The administration took several months to finalize the details of the new rules, which will take effect Thursday.\n\nThe new policy maintains several categories of travel to Cuba that are permitted despite the embargo, which carries on decades after the Cold War's end. Americans can still travel on educational and \"people to people\" trips as well as visits designed to support the Cuban people by patronizing privately owned small businesses that have popped up across the island in recent years.\n\nBut those traveling to support Cuba's people must have a daylong schedule of activities designed to expose them to Cubans and steer dollars toward citizens, such as renting rooms in private homes. Those on organized, \"people to people\" or educational visits must be accompanied by a representative of the US-based group organizing the trip.\n\nMs. Vidal, the Cuban diplomat who was the public face of Cuba's opening with the United States during the Obama administration, said the policy would harm Cuba's economy, American citizens, and US businesses. The rules were also quickly denounced by travel groups and proponents of closer US ties to the island.\n\n\"Cuba is still open for business,\" said Charel van Dam of the Cuba Travel Network. \"It is still possible for people to travel, but I think these announcements will serve mainly as something to scare off people who want to visit.\"\n\nSen. Patrick Leahy, (D) of Vermont, a vocal advocate of improved US-Cuban relations, noted the announcement came as Trump was in China pushing more US business engagement with another communist-run country. \"The hypocrisy of the White House ideologues is glaring,\" Senator Leahy said.\n\nThe rules come amid deep strains in the US-Cuba relationship stemming from invisible, unexplained attacks that have harmed more than two dozen US government personnel in Havana since 2016. The attacks led the Trump administration to order most of its diplomats to leave Cuba in September and issue a sweeping travel warning urging Americans to stay away.\n\nOfficials insisted that the new, tougher rules had no connection to the attacks. The US first complained to Cuba's government about the attacks in February, four months before Trump announced his broader policy intentions.\n\nSome exceptions will accommodate Americans who already plan to visit Cuba. Those who booked \"people to people\" trips before Trump's June announcement will be exempt, along with Americans who organized education trips before the rules start on Thursday. Business deals already reached with entities on the prohibited list will be allowed to proceed.\n\nIt's unclear how aggressively the US will police the new rules. Officials said they would use information obtained from several US agencies to catch violators, who could be subject to penalties and criminal prosecution.\n\nThe blacklist bars business with the large military-run corporations that dominate the Cuban economy. These include GAESA and CIMEX, holding companies that control most retail business on the island; Gaviota, the largest tourism company; and Habaguanex, which runs Old Havana.\n\nIt also targets a new cargo port and special trade zone outside the city of Mariel that has been the focus of Cuba's efforts to draw foreign investment in manufacturing and distribution.\n\nBlacklisted hotels include the Manzana Kempinski, which opened with great fanfare this year as Cuba's first to meet the international five-star standard.\n\nThe overall impact on American business with Cuba will likely be limited. Trade is sparse. Many American travelers already stay at hotels not on the no-go list, and the company that imports most American food products to Cuba is similarly unaffected.\n\nBringing home limited quantities of rum and Cuban cigars is still allowed, officials said.\n\n*This story was reported by The Associated Press. *" + }, + { + "title": "Inside \u2018Paladares,\u2019 a Revealing Look at Cuba\u2019s Underground Restaurant Culture - Eater", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Inside \u2018Paladares,\u2019 a Revealing Look at Cuba\u2019s Underground Restaurant Culture - Eater" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxObkNRMEVRWEVaTmZBRXdQNVNQSU9lUDBMdXJNbUJ0YnZwRnhsdnUyeW9tWDIzX2xrd3F4MDZQdThtRC1CNXFtQ2tOZ2NaZzNSM1gtSkh5OHVfcC1UcXBXXzBIdUwxSVV2OEJ0R3BmMmZNNjhsczRUYmNLVEFEel9KMFVUN3lrMmtkUFdMSzNteEtqQQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://americasquarterly.org/article/trumps-new-cuba-sanctions-miss-their-mark/", + "id": "CBMikgFBVV95cUxObkNRMEVRWEVaTmZBRXdQNVNQSU9lUDBMdXJNbUJ0YnZwRnhsdnUyeW9tWDIzX2xrd3F4MDZQdThtRC1CNXFtQ2tOZ2NaZzNSM1gtSkh5OHVfcC1UcXBXXzBIdUwxSVV2OEJ0R3BmMmZNNjhsczRUYmNLVEFEel9KMFVUN3lrMmtkUFdMSzNteEtqQQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 28 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 28, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 332, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Inside \u2018Paladares,\u2019 a Revealing Look at Cuba\u2019s Underground Restaurant Culture  Eater", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Inside \u2018Paladares,\u2019 a Revealing Look at Cuba\u2019s Underground Restaurant Culture  Eater" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.eater.com", + "title": "Eater" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Inside Cuba\u2019s National Ballet School - National Geographic", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Inside Cuba\u2019s National Ballet School - National Geographic" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxQT1lKdHF2alhZVF9iRXAwTHExLXEtcmpNdm1tVlI4dGo0ODkteFF0dWxVdXJha2F2cnlHOUN3a3dMZFp1OWZ0RlNFVFBTU25oS2ZSRFhkVUJVR3FuXzZJSmtwT1BPRnJFdnF2bzI3OW1uMWFBaTJZbXJhS1czMlVhdHAwZHp1RHVMa0ZMLTVWQ0tUMHdIdDJRMU9sQkZ0bGI1alRSZEN5RQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/11/cuba-job-sector-a-tool-of-repression-as-perceived-critics-face-jobless-life-2/", + "id": "CBMipwFBVV95cUxQT1lKdHF2alhZVF9iRXAwTHExLXEtcmpNdm1tVlI4dGo0ODkteFF0dWxVdXJha2F2cnlHOUN3a3dMZFp1OWZ0RlNFVFBTU25oS2ZSRFhkVUJVR3FuXzZJSmtwT1BPRnJFdnF2bzI3OW1uMWFBaTJZbXJhS1czMlVhdHAwZHp1RHVMa0ZMLTVWQ0tUMHdIdDJRMU9sQkZ0bGI1alRSZEN5RQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 13, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 317, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Inside Cuba\u2019s National Ballet School  National Geographic", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Inside Cuba\u2019s National Ballet School  National Geographic" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nationalgeographic.com", + "title": "National Geographic" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Alaska Airlines will discontinue flying to Havana, Cuba - Nov 14, 2017 - Alaska Airlines", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Alaska Airlines will discontinue flying to Havana, Cuba - Nov 14, 2017 - Alaska Airlines" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxQUGprdFlzaXM4YmZNSXEydm82dEFGMUpBUVJneExpdGs0b0k1TnA5N3ROT05GR2NfTUFuUG15OXFLU2ptS3BNOS04S1JOQWFCZ1ZnY3lleWVNX3hIbmJNa2lpaHVKVnFEbzBOSkhaOGJFNC14Q0ZaQVVCc241czNvSWlPWUw4eWszZ0J3aTl3cVk4VmNrMEE?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/cuban-national-ballet-school-photos-your-shot-dance", + "id": "CBMilgFBVV95cUxQUGprdFlzaXM4YmZNSXEydm82dEFGMUpBUVJneExpdGs0b0k1TnA5N3ROT05GR2NfTUFuUG15OXFLU2ptS3BNOS04S1JOQWFCZ1ZnY3lleWVNX3hIbmJNa2lpaHVKVnFEbzBOSkhaOGJFNC14Q0ZaQVVCc241czNvSWlPWUw4eWszZ0J3aTl3cVk4VmNrMEE", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 14 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 14, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 318, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Alaska Airlines will discontinue flying to Havana, Cuba - Nov 14, 2017  Alaska Airlines", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Alaska Airlines will discontinue flying to Havana, Cuba - Nov 14, 2017  Alaska Airlines" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://news.alaskaair.com", + "title": "Alaska Airlines" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Inside Cuba\u2019s National Ballet School\nauthor: Rachel Brown\nurl: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/cuban-national-ballet-school-photos-your-shot-dance\nhostname: nationalgeographic.com\ndescription: Photographer Santiago Barreiro shares intimate glimpses behind the scenes at the world\u2019s largest ballet school.\nsitename: National Geographic\ndate: 2017-11-13\ncategories: ['Adventure']\n---\n# Inside Cuba\u2019s National Ballet School\n\nPhotographer Santiago Barreiro shares intimate glimpses behind the scenes at the world\u2019s largest ballet school.\n\nWhen the housing rental company he was working for asked him to take pictures for their website, Santiago Barreiro dutifully set off, armed with a one-megapixel camera and no photographic training.\n\nTwelve years later, he\u2019s a professional photographer\u2014and member of the National Geographic Your Shot community\u2014who has shot some of the best dancers in the world.\n\n\u201cI never danced,\u201d he laughs. \u201cBut a few years ago, I started orienting my photography towards dance, as a kind of identity. It fascinates me.\u201d\n\nA native of Uruguay, Barreiro quit the website gig to learn his trade in Montevideo. He was eventually invited to photograph his country's national ballet company at the direction of celebrated Argentine dancer Julio Bocca, an experience that let him pursue more creative personal projects\u2014like the one that brought him to Cuba's National Ballet School. (Here are 13 pictures of the Cuba you haven't seen.)\n\nOne of the premier ballet institutions in the world, the school traces its roots to a company founded in the 1940s by internationally-acclaimed prima ballerina Alicia Alonso. After the 1959 end of Fidel Castro\u2019s revolution, which emphasized popular access to the arts, government support helped reinvent the school as one of the finest in the world\u2014and the largest, with over 3,000 students. (Alonso, who is still involved in the company, gave her last public performance in 1995 at the tender age of 74.)\n\nIt\u2019s a well-guarded bastion of cultural and national pride; Barreiro spent almost a year securing permission to photograph inside.\n\n\u201cCubans seem very liberal and communist, but for this kind of thing, they\u2019re very strict,\u201d he says. (Learn how renewed American tourism might change Cuba.)\n\nThe school's students go on to be some of the top ballet dancers in the world, valued for their rigorous training and the uniquely Cuban style that combines European and American forms with Afro-Cuban influences. But \u201cI\u2019m a little tired of photographing performances,\u201d Barreiro admits cheerfully. \u201cI\u2019m more interested in the day to day, how they live, the human part.\u201d\n\nSuch candid details arise throughout his work: Young students lunch on marble floors with dancers\u2019 casual flexibility, or peer through a window to catch a glimpse of their friends rehearsing. (See how Cuba's young artists are embracing a new world.)\n\nIt\u2019s through these individual moments that Barreiro accumulated a sense of ballet\u2019s national importance.\n\n\u201cCubans are very proud of their dancers,\u201d he says. \u201cUnfortunately, even today in the world we keep seeing people who view dancers as something lesser, people who think male dancers are feminized or gay\u2014very backward thinking. In Cuba, it\u2019s the opposite: the dancer is a star, the pride of their family. The male dancer is very respected, never considered feminized because of ballet. This is fantastic to me.\u201d (Here are 13 pictures of the Cuba you haven't seen.)\n\nMatters of national pride aside, dancers are also great socioeconomic levelers. In a country where the average salary is $20 a day, a successful dancer\u2019s income\u2014and enormous social capital\u2014can catapult entire families into a better life.\n\nA life that might even play out beyond Cuba\u2019s infamously rigid borders.\n\n\u201cOf course, when they\u2019re small, students have the dream of going,\u201d says Barreiro. \u201cBut I think when they get older, they begin to commit to the history of their country, the culture. Not everybody wants to leave. It\u2019s fifty-fifty.\u201d Although some dancers defect to other countries while touring internationally with the national company, others can receive permission to accept positions elsewhere. A goal of the revolution, after all, was to promote Cuban culture on the world stage. (These intimate pictures show Cuba through the eyes of its youth.)\n\nBarreiro spent 12 days shooting this project. Although he's moved on, \u201cwhat didn't end [in Cuba] is my commitment to dance,\u201d he says. \u201cThe great photo of my life is going to be one that shows I\u2019m really trying to investigate it\u2014to tell something new about dance.\u201d" + }, + { + "title": "The Harvard Cubans premiere shares untold story of U.S.-Cuba relations with Harvard twist - Harvard Gazette", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "The Harvard Cubans premiere shares untold story of U.S.-Cuba relations with Harvard twist - Harvard Gazette" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1AFBVV95cUxNcnVuWHo0aDgza05DbDlaOW9mOVhxc3ZSUnRrUDdGTlFsa005cTBBZldrOHpENi1wYmZ4SGxLckhmRFdseFFuM2V3cmpPZU9iaS1sX0pRcUZBUTJhWWl2YVhXd01wSHlFSlNBcFRoOFdpSzI2NmRJQ0QzeF9mdlNTN3Z5ZFYyXy1hOXNpdlhJWFBEMTY0Q1ltZlR4NjE2OUxsdUoyZzJZdl9OdXk2VkZuenU2TnhtS3p0N3FvNEVYaEVNMHYyMXMweVlMTXhmbWFXY2hjbA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://news.alaskaair.com/newsroom/alaska-airlines-will-discontinue-flying-to-havana-cuba/", + "id": "CBMi1AFBVV95cUxNcnVuWHo0aDgza05DbDlaOW9mOVhxc3ZSUnRrUDdGTlFsa005cTBBZldrOHpENi1wYmZ4SGxLckhmRFdseFFuM2V3cmpPZU9iaS1sX0pRcUZBUTJhWWl2YVhXd01wSHlFSlNBcFRoOFdpSzI2NmRJQ0QzeF9mdlNTN3Z5ZFYyXy1hOXNpdlhJWFBEMTY0Q1ltZlR4NjE2OUxsdUoyZzJZdl9OdXk2VkZuenU2TnhtS3p0N3FvNEVYaEVNMHYyMXMweVlMTXhmbWFXY2hjbA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 03 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 3, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 307, + 0 + ], + "summary": "The Harvard Cubans premiere shares untold story of U.S.-Cuba relations with Harvard twist  Harvard Gazette", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "The Harvard Cubans premiere shares untold story of U.S.-Cuba relations with Harvard twist  Harvard Gazette" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://news.harvard.edu", + "title": "Harvard Gazette" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Alaska Airlines will discontinue flying to Havana, Cuba - Nov 14, 2017\nurl: https://news.alaskaair.com/newsroom/alaska-airlines-will-discontinue-flying-to-havana-cuba/\nhostname: alaskaair.com\ndescription: Alaska Airlines announced today that it will end a daily flight between Los Angeles and Havana, Cuba. The last flight is planned for Jan. 22. The airline will redeploy aircraft used to serve...\nsitename: Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air\ndate: 2022-07-20\n---\n# Alaska Airlines will discontinue flying to Havana, Cuba\n\nShare\n\nAlaska Airlines announced today that it will end a daily flight between Los Angeles and Havana, Cuba. The last flight is planned for Jan. 22. The airline will redeploy aircraft used to serve...\n\nSEATTLE, Nov. 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ \u2014 Alaska Airlines announced today that it will end a daily flight between Los Angeles and Havana, Cuba. The last flight is planned for Jan. 22. The airline will redeploy aircraft used to serve Havana to markets with higher demand.\n\n\"Travel is about making connections, and we were honored to have played a role in helping people make personal connections by traveling between the U.S. and Cuba,\" said Andrew Harrison, chief commercial officer for Alaska Airlines. \"We continually evaluate every route we fly to ensure we have the right number of seats to match the number of people who want to go there.\"\n\nAbout 80 percent of Alaska\u2019s flyers to Havana visited under a U.S. allowance for individual \"people-to-people\" educational travel. Changes to U.S. policy last week eliminated that allowance. Given the changes in Cuba travel policies, the airline will redeploy these resources to other markets the airline serves where demand continues to be strong.\n\nAlaska started the Los Angeles\u2013Havana flight on Jan. 5, 2017.\n\nAlaska has launched 44 routes this year, which continue to develop according to forecasts. The company anticipates it will grow about 7.2 percent this year. As the airline looks ahead to 2018, its planning for nearly 8 percent network growth by adding capacity in primarily existing markets. Redeploying aircraft and crews will help the airline support the growth.\n\nAlaska guests who have travel booked to Havana after Jan. 22 will be rebooked on another airline at no additional cost or offered a full refund.\n\nAlaska Airlines, together with Virgin America and its regional partners, flies 40 million guests a year to more than 115 destinations with an average of 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada and Costa Rica. With Alaska and Alaska Global Partners__,__ guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines ranked \"Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Traditional Carriers in North America\" in the J.D. Power North America Satisfaction Study for 10 consecutive years from 2008 to 2017. Learn more about Alaska\u2019s award-winning service at newsroom.alaskaair.com and blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).\n\n\nSOURCE Alaska Airlines" + }, + { + "title": "Selling more than cigars: Race, class and labor in Cuba - Ark Republic", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Selling more than cigars: Race, class and labor in Cuba - Ark Republic" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWkFVX3lxTE1RN2RFYjBGWTB0bVZYMC0xem9KeHlpWFAxNjRlYWoycXo5TkV2ZExGSVgybmtObXJVTVpsQ1A2MkpubG1fVVFjSGRudEF1WGtnUy1yc3NMQVNhQQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/newsplus/the-harvard-cubans-premiere-shares-untold-story-of-us-cuba-relations-with-a-harvard-twist/", + "id": "CBMiWkFVX3lxTE1RN2RFYjBGWTB0bVZYMC0xem9KeHlpWFAxNjRlYWoycXo5TkV2ZExGSVgybmtObXJVTVpsQ1A2MkpubG1fVVFjSGRudEF1WGtnUy1yc3NMQVNhQQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 26, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 6, + 330, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Selling more than cigars: Race, class and labor in Cuba  Ark Republic", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Selling more than cigars: Race, class and labor in Cuba  Ark Republic" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.arkrepublic.com", + "title": "Ark Republic" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: The Harvard Cubans premiere shares untold story of U.S.-Cuba relations with Harvard twist\nauthor: Julia Grace Cohn\nurl: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/newsplus/the-harvard-cubans-premiere-shares-untold-story-of-us-cuba-relations-with-a-harvard-twist/\nhostname: harvard.edu\ndescription: The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) hosted the world premiere of the documentary \u201cLos Cubanos de Harvard\u201d (The Harvard Cubans) last Monday, Oct. 23, during the inaugural Worldwide\u2026\nsitename: Harvard Gazette\ndate: 2017-11-29\ncategories: ['News+']\n---\n# The Harvard Cubans premiere shares untold story of U.S.-Cuba relations with Harvard twist\n\nThe David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) hosted the world premiere of the documentary \u201c*Los Cubanos de Harvard\u201d *(The Harvard Cubans) last Monday, Oct. 23, during the inaugural Worldwide Week at Harvard (Oct. 22\u201328, 2017)*. *The 72-minute film was directed by Cuban journalist Danny Gonz\u00e1lez Lucena and produced by the Cuba Studies Program at DRCLAS. \u201cThe Harvard Cubans\u201d tells the story of a group of nearly 1,300 Cuban schoolteachers who attended Harvard Summer School in 1900, an expedition that is considered to be the most significant instance of people-to-people exchange between Cuba and the United States to date.\n\nThe evening began with an introduction to the film by Jorge I. Dom\u00ednguez, Antonio Madero Professor for the Study of Mexico and Co-Chair of the Cuba Studies Program at DRCLAS. Dom\u00ednguez is interviewed extensively in the documentary, as is his Co-Chair of the Cuba Studies Program, Alejandro de la Fuente, Robert Woods Bliss Professor of Latin American History and Economics. Other key figures interviewed in the documentary include Cuban historian Dr. Marial Iglesias Utset, and the Cuban poet and essayist Victor Fowler, who co-wrote the script for the documentary with Gonz\u00e1lez Lucena and was a visiting scholar at Harvard in 2015\u201316. Following the screening, DRCLAS Associate Director Erin Goodman, moderated a lively discussion between Gonz\u00e1lez Lucena and Iglesias Utset, who is currently a Visiting Research Scholar at the Afro-Latin American Research Institute at the Hutchins Center at Harvard.\n\nThe film project is inextricably linked to Harvard history, and many individuals across the university participated in the production. As Gonz\u00e1lez Lucena expressed in the Q&A, \u201cThe Harvard Cubans\u201d greatly benefited from the involvement of Harvard faculty members and administrators, as well as bibliographic assistance from Iglesias Utset and Lynn Shirey, Librarian for Latin America, Spain and Portugal.\n\nThe 1,273 Cuban teachers who participated in the expedition hailed from all over the island and comprised half of all public school teachers in the country. The primary sources on the expedition, as analyzed in the documentary, reflect a substantial positive impact on both individual teachers who spent their summer at Harvard and the schools, school systems, and communities to which they returned.\u201dThe Harvard Cubans\u201d*, *however, argues that the impact of the expedition did not end with these teachers and the communities they served; rather, surprising revelations from Gonz\u00e1lez Lucena\u2019s research for the documentary include implications for attitudes towards race, gender, and class in Cuban and U.S. society as a result of the exchange.\n\nThe historical film also stimulates discussion about the current state of U.S.-Cuba relations. In the cultural arena, Gonz\u00e1lez Lucena expressed the desire that scholars and artists continue to explore exchange between the two countries, including the ways in which U.S. popular culture influenced Cuban society.\n\nThe documentary will also be screened at Florida International University in Miami on Nov. 6.\n\nTo learn more about the documentary, see the DRCLAS website and this more in-depth premiere write-up." + }, + { + "title": "Seeing socialist Cuba with a critical eye - People's World", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Seeing socialist Cuba with a critical eye - People's World" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihgFBVV95cUxNQUZuTUlSclFvTWxrck5aNlJxUkp4UlJkbEE5d0NtMG1XV1lENGhtdHNJeFNINVk4bEtkM2R1dW1HZ3ZkSVBaZzYzTnFaWEdqUl9uMWtnY1FmbnlGWng2QU5zMDRnMkJHVDBPNnlxNWNHNndwaVpLM3N1M0JoSlBwM21TTEFoQQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.arkrepublic.com/2017/11/26/post-2/", + "id": "CBMihgFBVV95cUxNQUZuTUlSclFvTWxrck5aNlJxUkp4UlJkbEE5d0NtMG1XV1lENGhtdHNJeFNINVk4bEtkM2R1dW1HZ3ZkSVBaZzYzTnFaWEdqUl9uMWtnY1FmbnlGWng2QU5zMDRnMkJHVDBPNnlxNWNHNndwaVpLM3N1M0JoSlBwM21TTEFoQQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 16 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 16, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 320, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Seeing socialist Cuba with a critical eye  People's World", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Seeing socialist Cuba with a critical eye  People's World" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.peoplesworld.org", + "title": "People's World" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Fact Sheet: Health Care and Medicine in Cuba - 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CNN", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US implements tighter sanctions on Cuba - CNN" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicEFVX3lxTFBramVPMDZDNGdmbVFVY0FaRG8zTU5qZnV4NWRGX2N0V1BrWkhJMlFrM0RHRjYxcjkyZ2tjd3NmX2ZwR2g3RG9GM0lwWUZxUXhFdWdiZk95a2VkbDVreWVBQzFrbklzd2tjb29RNzVYVlA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/11/16/16658322/cuba-paquete-internet-netflix", + "id": "CBMicEFVX3lxTFBramVPMDZDNGdmbVFVY0FaRG8zTU5qZnV4NWRGX2N0V1BrWkhJMlFrM0RHRjYxcjkyZ2tjd3NmX2ZwR2g3RG9GM0lwWUZxUXhFdWdiZk95a2VkbDVreWVBQzFrbklzd2tjb29RNzVYVlA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "US implements tighter sanctions on Cuba  CNN", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US implements tighter sanctions on Cuba  CNN" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.cnn.com", + "title": "CNN" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: This is Cuba\u2019s Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify \u2014 all without the internet\nauthor: Johnny Harris\nurl: https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/11/16/16658322/cuba-paquete-internet-netflix\nhostname: vox.com\ndescription: How media smugglers get Taylor Swift, Game of Thrones, and the New York Times to Cubans every week.\nsitename: Vox\ndate: 2017-11-16\ncategories: ['Video']\ntags: ['vox,pagetype:feature,business-and-finance,cuba,culture,media,money,movies,politics,technology,videos,world-politics,contenttype:video']\n---\nIn Cuba, there is barely any internet. Anything but the state-run TV channels is prohibited. Publications are limited to the state-approved newspapers and magazines. This is the law. But in typical Cuban fashion, the law doesn\u2019t stop a vast underground system of entertainment and news media distributors and consumers.\n\n# This is Cuba\u2019s Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify \u2014 all without the internet\n\nHow media smugglers get Taylor Swift, Game of Thrones, and the New York Times to Cubans every week.\n\n\u201cEl Paquete Semanal\u201d (the Weekly Package) is a weekly trove of digital content \u2014everything from American movies to PDFs of Spanish newspapers \u2014 that is gathered, organized, and transferred by a human web of runners and dealers to the entire country. It is a prodigious and profitable operation.\n\nI went behind the scenes in Havana to film how El Paquete works. Check out the video above to see how Cubans bypass censorship to access the media we take for granted.\n\nThere are two Paquete kingpins in Havana: Dany and Ali. They compete to develop the best collection of weekly digital content in the fastest turnaround time possible for their subscribers. It\u2019s a competitive market playing out in the shadows of a tightly controlled communist economy.\n\nPaquete subscribers pay between $1 and $3 per week to receive the collection of media. It\u2019s either delivered to their home or transferred at a pickup station, usually in the back of a cellphone repair shop, a natural cover for this type of operation.\n\nDany relies on data traffickers to deliver the files, but said he didn\u2019t know how those sources obtained the content in the first place. I gathered that most of it is being digitized via illegal satellites that are hidden in water tanks on rooftops. It\u2019s unclear how they get ahold of the content sourced from the internet (digital news publications, YouTube videos, and pirated movies, for example).\n\nOnly 5 percent of Cubans **can access** the uncensored World Wide Web, and when they do, the connection is horrendously slow. It\u2019s not the type of connection that would support downloading hundreds of gigs of content every week. Instead, some speculate that content is physically brought onto the island by incomers from Miami.\n\nI sat down with Dany in his pink-walled apartment in Havana. While I expected a moblike character to be at the root of this extensive black market of pirated media, I found a 26-year-old guy who looked more like a stoned surf bum than the conductor of a giant black market operation.\n\nDany\u2019s office shows off a lot more brawn than he does. It\u2019s a simple room with two gigantic computers, their innards visible, tricked-out lights arbitrarily flickering. Hard drives are littered around the room, stacked and labeled. Two large screens are full of Windows file directories, and in the corner of one of the screens is a live feed from Telemundo, a popular Spanish-language station, with the words \u201cGrabando\u201d (recording) in the corner.\n\n\u201cEverybody has their responsibility,\u201d Dany told me. \u201cEveryone gathers a certain type of content, and they bring it to me. I organize it, edit it, and get it ready for distribution. And then we send it through our messengers.\u201d\n\nThis is hard work. \u201cA lot of the time is spent finding and embedding subtitles,\u201d he laments. Much of the content is pirated from American TV and movies. He and his team have to scour the internet for any existing subtitle files.\n\nThe government hasn\u2019t tried to stamp out El Paquete, and Dany works to keep it that way. \u201cWe don\u2019t put anything in that is anti-revolutionary, subversive, obscene, or pornographic. We want it to stay about entertainment and education,\u201d he says, and I catch a glimpse of the shrewd business behind the baby face and board shorts.\n\n## It might as well be Netflix\n\nA look into an edition of El Paquete reveals a vast array of content ranging from movies that are in US theaters right now to iPhone applications. Havana-based artist Junior showed me around. He\u2019s a pensive and gentle 34-year-old who is remarkably talented, judging by the stunning art pieces that hang from the wall. Junior paints and tattoos full time, but he used to be a Paquete dealer. He\u2019s now just a consumer. He takes me through the 934GB of data he has recently transferred from his provider.\n\nI\u2019m immediately struck by how polished the Paquete system is. As Junior files through the meticulously organized files, I realize it mirrors the consumption of a typical internet user. He opens the movie folder, and we browse through dozens of movies, many still in US theaters. All of them come in HD and with subtitles and poster art as the thumbnail of the file. The videos are high-quality with accurate subtitles. I have to remind myself that we are not browsing Netflix, but instead looking at an offline computer that is displaying content that has physically traveled to get here. The methods couldn\u2019t be more different, but the result is strangely similar.\n\nHe moves on to TV shows. \u201cSo do you think they have \u2014\u201d I start, but Junior interrupts me. \u201cThey have everything,\u201d he says emphatically. Sure enough, the show I was thinking of, *Suits*, was there, with the latest episodes ready to watch.\n\nWe continue to browse and look into some of the more routine but most interesting parts of El Paquete: There are folders dedicated to antivirus software that can be updated weekly to the latest versions. \u201cBut there\u2019s no internet, so there can\u2019t be viruses,\u201d I say. \u201cMost of this stuff has touched the internet in some way. This software protects against anything that has snuck its way on into the content,\u201d Junior says.\n\nJunior clicks over to the \u201cApps\u201d folder and shows me a smorgasbord of iOS and Android apps. Many are gaming apps with updates that can be loaded in every week. But there is another called \u201cA la mesa,\u201d a Yelp-type app that helps connect clients to restaurants in Cuba using maps, reviews, and in-app menus. Then there\u2019s the PDF folder, which holds newspapers, magazines, and screenshot material from dozens of online publications, everything from tech news to sports. It\u2019s the internet in a box.\n\nIn addition to the subscription fees, revenue for El Paquete comes from a classifieds section called \u201cRevolico.\u201d Within El Paquete, you click a file that opens Revolico in your browser. But it\u2019s an offline version that runs from a file structure on your local computer. There, you can click around as if you were browsing Craigslist, looking at thousands of listings of everything from house rentals to big-screen TVs to car tires.\n\nSellers pay to list their items, and you can get a premium listing if you pay more. Revolico is the cash cow of El Paquete. It also happens to be one of the first semblances of an advertising market for Cubans who have lived in a world of central planning and price control.\n\nThe depth and breadth of El Paquete is astounding, so much so that I, an American who lives and works on the uncensored internet, feel a twinge of envy that I don\u2019t have El Paquete delivered to my house every week for $2.\n\nI asked Dany if he is afraid the internet will wipe out his operation, and without missing a beat, he replied, \u201cNah. We offer a product that is like one giant webpage where you can see all the content you want for a very low price. The internet might take over some clients, but we offer something different and very effective.\u201d\n\n\u201cSpeed is key to beating the competition,\u201d he said. When asked how quickly he can get a movie or TV show after it airs in the US he says, \u201cThe next day.\u201d Last year, Dany started sending a hard drive on a plane to the far corners of the island.\n\nAfter spending a week in Cuba, it was refreshing to talk to someone with the appetite to grow an enterprise. Most people I spoke to in Cuba work for the state and have zero incentive to deliver anything above the bare minimum. They get paid the same either way. Even the private restaurants lack the fervor of a competitive business, since the economic environment they work in is still completely controlled even if they themselves are private.\n\nBut in Dany\u2019s office, I felt the thrill of cunning innovation and strategy at work. I got the sense that something big is happening. And indeed, I wasn\u2019t just standing in some dingy apartment, but rather in what may be largest media distribution company in the history of Cuba." + }, + { + "title": "Raceless Nationalism in Revolutionary Cuba: Rethinking Racial Politics - African American Intellectual History Society", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Raceless Nationalism in Revolutionary Cuba: Rethinking Racial Politics - African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxOUU1yZThnTW91VHdhWEhkRk1ieFRIQ0FoemVET0lLbGE1UHdtd3poZm91dmNteURxbUFLTTFrcDM1NFdCRm51eFdpU3N2UGtNTnJ6Q1QyZ3FmYVVMWW4zVGpsSXZfS2xIbkV6a0hjZG1KN3NTNTF4OHZoM0x5MXhsMEZtVkRFNE11aWloQ3REaWFZQU9tTnBn?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/08/politics/us-cuba-sanctions-trump", + "id": "CBMilwFBVV95cUxOUU1yZThnTW91VHdhWEhkRk1ieFRIQ0FoemVET0lLbGE1UHdtd3poZm91dmNteURxbUFLTTFrcDM1NFdCRm51eFdpU3N2UGtNTnJ6Q1QyZ3FmYVVMWW4zVGpsSXZfS2xIbkV6a0hjZG1KN3NTNTF4OHZoM0x5MXhsMEZtVkRFNE11aWloQ3REaWFZQU9tTnBn", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 6, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 310, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Raceless Nationalism in Revolutionary Cuba: Rethinking Racial Politics  African American Intellectual History Society", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Raceless Nationalism in Revolutionary Cuba: Rethinking Racial Politics  African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.aaihs.org", + "title": "African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: US implements tighter sanctions on Cuba | CNN Politics\nauthor: Laura Koran; Patrick Oppmann\nurl: https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/08/politics/us-cuba-sanctions-trump\nhostname: cnn.com\ndescription: The US government announced additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Cuba Wednesday, following up on an announcement by President Donald Trump earlier this year.\nsitename: CNN\ndate: 2017-11-08\ncategories: ['politics']\ntags: ['caribbean, cuba, embargoes and sanctions, international relations, international relations and national security, latin america, north america, united states, donald trump, government and public administration, government bodies and offices, intelligence services, national security, political figures - us', 'caribbean, cuba, embargoes and sanctions, international relations, international relations and national security, latin america, north america, united states, donald trump, government and public administration, government bodies and offices, intelligence services, national security, political figures - us']\n---\n### Story highlights\n\nIn June, President Trump announced he would be rolling back some of the changes made by President Obama\n\n\"We have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military,\" Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said\n\nThe US government announced additional sanctions and travel restrictions on Cuba Wednesday, following up on an announcement by President Donald Trump earlier this year.\n\nAmong the specific changes outlined by the Treasury Department are restrictions on travel to Cuba for educational or cultural exchange groups, which will now be permitted only for sponsored groups in the United States, and with the participation of representatives from those groups.\n\nIndividuals traveling for so called \u201cpeople-to-people\u201d outreach will no longer be able to visit the country, except where travel arrangements have already been made, or in cases where these individuals are accompanied by permitted, US-based sponsors, a senior administration official explained to reporters on a conference call.\n\n\u201cWe have strengthened our Cuba policies to channel economic activity away from the Cuban military and to encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people,\u201d Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.\n\nThe State Department has also published a list of 180 entities including hotels, stores, rum makers, marinas and a economic development zone at the Port of Mariel, which are believed to financially benefit the Cuban military, intelligence and security services and which US citizens will no longer be permitted to frequent.\n\n\u201cChanneling economic activity away from entities controlled by the Cuban military will encourage the government to move towards greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people,\u201d another senior administration official on the call asserted.\n\nAt a news conference Wednesday night, Cuban officials blasted the new regulations and said the measures would not succeed in pressuring the island\u2019s government to make concessions sought by the US.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s sanction Cuba, let\u2019s impose new measures on Cuba to provoke changes in Cuba. Has it happened in the past? Never ever,\u201d said the Cuban foreign ministry\u2019s director general for US affairs Josefina Vidal. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t worked, it doesn\u2019t work, it won\u2019t work.\u201d\n\nThe US officials did not go into detail about how the list was compiled. The Four Points by Sheraton Havana, owned by the US company Starwood, is notably absent from the list, even while the Cuban holding company operating the hotel is on the list.\n\nAsked why the hotel was left off, the first official said, simply, \u201cwe assess how listing hotels would affect the Cuban people and whether doing so advances the interests of the United States. In coordination with (the Treasury Department\u2019s Office of Foreign Asset Control), we determined it wouldn\u2019t fall into it.\u201d\n\nA fact sheet released by the Treasury Department noted that, \u201cRenting a room in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eating at privately owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and shopping at privately owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropistas) are examples of authorized activities.\u201d\n\n\u201cHowever,\u201d it went on to say, \u201cin order to meet the requirement of a full-time schedule, a traveler must engage in additional authorized support for the Cuban people activities.\u201d\n\nIn a statement, the group Engage Cuba \u2013 which advocates for an end to the US embargo on Cuba \u2013 said the regulations \u201ccreate a more convoluted, confusing and counterproductive approach to Cuba policy.\u201d\n\nIn June, Trump announced he would be rolling back some of the changes made by his predecessor, Barack Obama, who sought in his second term to restore diplomatic relations with the island nation.\n\nThe changes take effect Thursday.\n\nCNN\u2019s Maegan Vazquez contributed reporting" + }, + { + "title": "Centering the Voices of Black Activists in Post-Revolutionary Cuba - African American Intellectual History Society", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Centering the Voices of Black Activists in Post-Revolutionary Cuba - African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxOSmFVb3VyY2V6V3lIamJONkNmRk1pMmE0M0xmTHB0ZmlXUUt2dC15MWtXRDQ5d1JocFR1djg4cjNYV0R4aHU0WVFKTnBFTW5TRVhpVzF1dnYxZ1F2N1duSDdtdkxkbnFBRVJEOFFjeUw3QWJvYV9LX2xiXzcyamVlWDBkdXoxOGdvSVV2UWc1dHlSejg?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.aaihs.org/raceless-nationalism-in-revolutionary-cuba-rethinking-racial-politics/", + "id": "CBMikwFBVV95cUxOSmFVb3VyY2V6V3lIamJONkNmRk1pMmE0M0xmTHB0ZmlXUUt2dC15MWtXRDQ5d1JocFR1djg4cjNYV0R4aHU0WVFKTnBFTW5TRVhpVzF1dnYxZ1F2N1duSDdtdkxkbnFBRVJEOFFjeUw3QWJvYV9LX2xiXzcyamVlWDBkdXoxOGdvSVV2UWc1dHlSejg", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 9, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 313, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Centering the Voices of Black Activists in Post-Revolutionary Cuba  African American Intellectual History Society", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Centering the Voices of Black Activists in Post-Revolutionary Cuba  African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.aaihs.org", + "title": "African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Raceless Nationalism in Revolutionary Cuba: Rethinking Racial Politics\nauthor: Aisha Finch\nurl: https://www.aaihs.org/raceless-nationalism-in-revolutionary-cuba-rethinking-racial-politics/\nhostname: aaihs.org\ndescription: This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson's Antiracism In Cuba. Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s Antiracism in Cuba is a pioneering piece of research that opens up the path for a new and vibrant field within Cuban Studies. In this book, Benson offers a thoughtful and rigoro\nsitename: AAIHS\ndate: 2017-11-06\ncategories: ['African diaspora, Black Internationalism, Caribbean, Meaning of freedom, Race, Race Consciousness, Resistance, Roundtables, #AntiracismInCuba, Cuba, Politics']\ntags: ['#AAIHSRoundtable', 'Activism', 'African Diaspora', 'archives', 'art', 'black feminism', 'black intellectual history', 'black internationalism', 'black lives matter', 'black nationalism', 'black politics', 'Black Power', 'black protest', 'Black radicalism', 'black radical tradition', 'Black women', 'Brazil', 'capitalism', 'carceral state', 'Caribbean', 'civil rights', 'Civil Rights Movement', 'education', 'Gender', 'Haiti', 'Jim Crow', 'literature', 'mass incarceration', 'music', 'Pan-Africanism', 'police brutality', 'police violence', 'Politics', 'race', 'Racial Violence', 'racism', 'religion', 'Resistance', 'sexuality', 'slavery', 'slave trade', 'South', 'teaching', 'W.E.B. Du Bois', 'white supremacy']\n---\n# Raceless Nationalism in Revolutionary Cuba: Rethinking Racial Politics\n\n*This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s *Antiracism In Cuba.\n\nDevyn Spence Benson\u2019s *Antiracism in Cuba* is a pioneering piece of research that opens up the path for a new and vibrant field within Cuban Studies. In this book, Benson offers a thoughtful and rigorous treatment of the antiracist imaginary that at times guided and eluded the Cuban state during the early years of the Revolution. While the idea that there is \u201cstill racism in Cuba\u201d is now presupposed for most scholars based in the US, it is not often that we find treatments of race that effectively capture the nuances, complexities, and contradictions of Cuba\u2019s contemporary racial politics. Benson skillfully illuminates the entanglements of race and nation in her work, adding nuance and detail to a history that refuses to be easily bifurcated into \u201cblackness\u201d and \u201cCubanidad.\u201d Instead, she draws attention to the intricate skein of relationships, negotiations, and calculations that Black Cubans deployed before and during the revolutionary years to reshape the island\u2019s racial landscape.\n\nBenson examines these complicated relationships in part through an elaboration of the term \u201craceless nationalism.\u201d Though the ideas that undergird raceless nationalism are not new in and of themselves, Benson breaks new ground in the way she imagines and deploys the discursive possibilities of this term. In Benson\u2019s text, \u201craceless nationalism\u201d captures a range of beliefs, practices, and ideologies that created a larger set of racial logics in revolutionary Cuba. Benson offers a rare glimpse into a young revolutionary government as it struggled to define and navigate this discourse of racelessness. In so doing, she shows what is easy to claim, but hard to demonstrate: that the Cuban nation (or any nation) was hardly a free-standing or \u201calways already\u201d category, but rather an unwieldy, cumbersome, and often incomplete institution that had to be made and lived. Benson beautifully captures the fraught nature of this process, allowing insight into the consolidation of a national identity whose parameters have fascinated scholars for more than four decades. We come away from the text with a deep appreciation for the sometimes clumsy, often dizzying process of transforming a radical idea into a national reality, and gain much insight into the ways that social movements have become institutionalized in different contexts around the world. Perhaps most of all, we get a clear sense of how different historical actors were constrained and empowered by the possibilities of the historical moment.\n\nBenson\u2019s discussion of state-produced antiracist measures, what she calls \u201cantiracism from above,\u201d highlights the manner in which the revolutionary state sought to manage the messiness of race and to discipline the radical possibilities of racelessness the Revolution opened up. In the midst of this upheaval, Benson shows that the revolutionary state had to strategically manage white fears\u2014very old white fears\u2014that came with black inclusion. Most importantly, the state had to skillfully choreograph a political culture that extended citizenship rights to Black Cubans (at least nominally) without alienating their white constituents. Benson\u2019s project thus highlights a previously unseen dimension of the early Revolutionary years: that managing white anxieties became a central preoccupation for the revolutionary government, and the revolutionary state\u2019s ability to navigate these racial landmines shaped its evolving struggle for legitimacy. It is fascinating to think about the deeply ironic parallels between this nation-building process in Cuba and the manner in which US social movements from the 1960s and \u201870s were converted into serviceable discourses such as \u201cdiversity\u201d and \u201cmulticulturalism\u201d in a neoliberal moment.\n\nBenson also uncovers a range of different voices, heretofore unheard, of Black Cubans who experienced the project of revolution in a variety of ways. This is particularly important because according to the popular imagination, unlike other parts of the Americas, Cuba never experienced a black political movement in the 1960s. Benson\u2019s work disrupts this narrative and fills a substantial gap in the historiography about Black political activism during this period. Her book presents everyday Black Cubans who struggled to make meaning of, and place pressure on, the promises of equality that saturated the revolutionary landscape. Even more importantly, she demonstrates how Black Cubans called upon their own historical knowledge and experience to assimilate the new (or resurrected) rhetoric around racelessness. In spite of the destruction of some of the oldest and most respected black institutions on the island, Black Cubans mobilized familiar strategies to extract resources, create professional openings, and redefine the possibilities of citizenship. What becomes clear is that Black equality had to be *placed* on the revolutionary agenda, and state officials were moved to the left, so to speak, by the outspoken radicalism of black activists. Contrary to other texts about this period, Benson shines light on the autonomous black organizing that took place in Cuba during the 1960s, allowing insight to a quandary that has haunted Latin America for centuries: how to integrate radical black political projects into a national narrative of multiracial harmony, or in this case, racelessness.\n\nAs a historian of nineteenth-century Cuba, I was particularly struck by the deep historicity of Benson\u2019s research, and the skillful ways in which she delineates this project of racelessness as both a continuation of and a departure from the ideological work of earlier periods. She shows unequivocally that this revolutionary movement did not emerge in a vacuum, but rather relied on and revealed much of the same racial logic that defined Cuba for over a century before the rise of the 26th July Movement, or M-26-7. Throughout the text, Benson demonstrates that Fidel Castro and other members of the revolutionary leadership fashioned themselves as the political descendants of Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ed and invested significant energy into crafting the Revolution as the unfinished project of independence. Benson provocatively suggests that the new government\u2019s efforts to position itself as the heir of independence were central to its struggles for legitimacy, both at home and abroad. This represents an intriguing and savvy historical maneuver\u2014casting Cuban history itself as incomplete, its most cherished dream unfulfilled, until M-26-7 took power. Clearly, the young revolutionary government mobilized a very particular version of history to construct the political present.\n\nThis book raises several important questions for me that can hopefully open the doors for further conversation. The first is about the history of slavery and how it figured into Cuba\u2019s emerging national identity. In several places Benson discusses the best-known slave rebellions of the nineteenth century, arguing that these insurgencies \u201ccreated lasting anxieties about black-led politics that reappeared throughout the early republic and post-1959 any time Afro-Cubans pressed too strongly for racial equality.\u201d This is an excellent observation, but it is also true that the Revolution appropriated the history of slave rebellions as part of a national imaginary seeking to fashion itself as antiracist and anticolonial. There is a fascinating tension here: on the one hand, scholars like Juan Ren\u00e9 Bentancourt and Walterio Carbonell held up figures like Jos\u00e9 Aponte, whose radical black politics sat uncomfortably within a revolutionary discourse premised on racelessness. On the other hand, Fidel was well known for making speeches that praised slave rebellions as quintessential examples of revolutionary struggle, and the government helped to build several iconic memorials, such as the one commemorating the Triunvirato rebellion of 1843. I\u2019m interested in how this rhetoric spoke to Black Cubans who were looking for visibility and vocality during the revolutionary project. This celebration of slave-rebellion-as-national-history is rare in Latin America, and therefore constitutes a substantial intellectual intervention. Was this an easy case of appropriation, or something more complicated? What did this holding up of slave rebellions\u2014rebellions that were still very much alive in the memory of most Black Cubans\u2014mean for their interest in and commitment to the revolutionary government? How do these moments align with the image of Carbonell holding up the Apontes of Cuban history, and essentially being punished for it?\n\nI would also be interested to know how gender figures into Benson\u2019s arguments. Gender structures and hierarchies are always crucial to any revolution struggle and central to the process of nation-building. This is perhaps best seen in Che\u2019s theory of \u201cthe new man,\u201d which became one of the defining ideologies of the Revolution. Che\u2019s \u201cnew man\u201d was indeed a radical subject, but he was also implicitly white, male, and heterosexual. Benson mentions the actions and investments of Black women at several points in the text, but I wanted to know more about how their stories changed the overall narrative. How would an intersectional analysis shift the ways in which we understand the racial dimensions of the Revolution? Did women see their struggles as linked to those of Blacks as a group, or vice-versa? How were the Revolution\u2019s ideas about marriage, family, and sexuality received within Black communities? In other words, how did gender impact the ways in which Black Cubans responded to the post-1959 revolutionary struggle?\n\nMy final question is about Cuba\u2019s relationship to anti-colonial movements on the African continent. In 1975 Cuba launched Operation Carlota in support of Angola\u2019s anticolonial struggle against Portugal. However, Cuba had developed informal ties with the Angolan liberation movement long before that time, with Che solidifying a formal alliance with the MPLA in 1965. How did this support for Angola and other African anticolonial movements make its way into Cuba\u2019s internationalist rhetoric during these early years? How did Black Cubans interpret this rhetoric? Did the revolution\u2019s support of African liberation movements increase its legitimacy in the eyes of Black Cubans? Were black activists attracted to this aspect of Cuba\u2019s foreign policy, or somehow involved in helping to shape it? I offer these questions as food for thought, inspired by a bold, exciting, and groundbreaking book.\n\nCopyright \u00a9 AAIHS. May not be reprinted without permission." + }, + { + "title": "Contesting the Myth of (Revolutionary) Racial Harmony - African American Intellectual History Society", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Contesting the Myth of (Revolutionary) Racial Harmony - African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTE5lYXUxc2dVcHNrZVUtcHEzWVVSd0JoYWRaZXB5VFlOal83TjN5Zm84TkROYWl5NjRPTFJDek5TQkRIb04wbmpBRm1IVmM1d0VndEszNE1oMlFibnMyemlTMEJwaDg0cUhBNDFGcF9DX0xHSURqUTZaSmxNUWItem8?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.aaihs.org/centering-the-voices-of-black-activists-in-post-revolutionary-cuba/", + "id": "CBMif0FVX3lxTE5lYXUxc2dVcHNrZVUtcHEzWVVSd0JoYWRaZXB5VFlOal83TjN5Zm84TkROYWl5NjRPTFJDek5TQkRIb04wbmpBRm1IVmM1d0VndEszNE1oMlFibnMyemlTMEJwaDg0cUhBNDFGcF9DX0xHSURqUTZaSmxNUWItem8", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Contesting the Myth of (Revolutionary) Racial Harmony  African American Intellectual History Society", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Contesting the Myth of (Revolutionary) Racial Harmony  African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.aaihs.org", + "title": "African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Centering the Voices of Black Activists in Post-Revolutionary Cuba\nauthor: Melina Pappademos\nurl: https://www.aaihs.org/centering-the-voices-of-black-activists-in-post-revolutionary-cuba/\nhostname: aaihs.org\ndescription: This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson's Antiracism in Cuba. There are few in the United States who on hearing the word \u201cCuba\u201d do not immediately picture young fatigue-clad guerrillas high in the island\u2019s majestic Sierra Maestra mountain range, marching single-fil\nsitename: AAIHS\ndate: 2017-11-09\ncategories: ['Activism, Black Protest, Book Review, Latin America, Race, Race Consciousness, Racism, Resistance, #AAIHSRoundtable, #AntiracismInCuba, Afro-Cubans, Cuba']\ntags: ['#AAIHSRoundtable', 'Activism', 'African Diaspora', 'archives', 'art', 'black feminism', 'black intellectual history', 'black internationalism', 'black lives matter', 'black nationalism', 'black politics', 'Black Power', 'black protest', 'Black radicalism', 'black radical tradition', 'Black women', 'Brazil', 'capitalism', 'carceral state', 'Caribbean', 'civil rights', 'Civil Rights Movement', 'education', 'Gender', 'Haiti', 'Jim Crow', 'literature', 'mass incarceration', 'music', 'Pan-Africanism', 'police brutality', 'police violence', 'Politics', 'race', 'Racial Violence', 'racism', 'religion', 'Resistance', 'sexuality', 'slavery', 'slave trade', 'South', 'teaching', 'W.E.B. Du Bois', 'white supremacy']\n---\n# Centering the Voices of Black Activists in Post-Revolutionary Cuba\n\n*This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s *Antiracism in Cuba.\n\nThere are few in the United States who on hearing the word \u201cCuba\u201d do not immediately picture young fatigue-clad guerrillas high in the island\u2019s majestic Sierra Maestra mountain range, marching single-file along a path cleared by their arms as they push away dense tropical foliage. Fidel Castro, arguably the most iconic figure of twentieth-century revolutions, often comes to mind as well: the bearded rebel leader and revolutionary man of the people who erected a socialist bastion in the United States\u2019 own backyard. Cuba\u2019s David to our North American Goliath.\n\nA much smaller group of US leftists, rightists, journalists, academic researchers, and well-informed laypersons knows that after Cuban and United States diplomatic ties and economic investments were severed in the Revolution\u2019s early years, the moral legitimacy and economic efficacy of Cuba\u2019s socialist system\u2014understood as diametrically opposed to the ideals and goals of capitalism in the US\u2014were judged by a self-serving standard. That is, the successes and failures of the Revolution\u2019s healthcare, education and literacy, transportation, social equity, conservation, pharmaceuticals, and housing programs have been commandeered by both Right and Left to explain an inexorably bifurcated world order.\n\nFewer still are aware that historically, since the early twentieth century, in Cuba and the United States the comparative socioeconomic status of the African descended often has serviced this raging ideological war over which nation better respects humanity and has the greatest potential to ensure human rights, dignity, and social equality for all citizens. Historian Devyn Spence Benson weaves her way through this minefield of appropriated racial meanings, strategies, and exclusions in her carefully researched book, *Antiracism in Cuba: The Unfinished Revolution*.\n\nThis book, which focuses on post-revolutionary Cuba\u2019s campaign to end discrimination, is among very few book-length studies that probe the logics of Black Cubans\u2019 socioeconomic status, the humanity (or lack thereof) accorded them, their strategies to mitigate racial inequality, and the meaning assigned to blackness in Cuba after 1959. In doing so, Benson\u2019s book makes an excellent contribution to ongoing scholarly debates on racism, nationalism, and anti-racist movements in modern times\u2014debates that often are clustered around Cuba\u2019s late nineteenth and early twentieth-century period and even draw wholesale on the Revolution\u2019s promise of social justice. She recovers Blacks\u2019 ongoing struggle for full citizenship as well as the historical meaning of blackness in the latter half of twentieth-century Cuba. Though spatial limitations preclude a full discussion here of this rich work, I will point to some of its many strengths and strong contributions toward a more nuanced, theoretically engaged narrative of Cuba\u2019s racial past.\n\nArmed with extensive archival documents, printed primary-source periodicals, oral interviews, and personal papers, Benson lends a refreshingly sophisticated approach to the study of race and revolution. One central concern is tracing the social hierarchies and entrenched racism of prerevolutionary Cuba that survived after 1959, despite a vociferously proclaimed revolutionary social justice agenda. As Benson convincingly shows, officials juxtaposed Cuba\u2019s egalitarian agenda to the pervasive in humanity and anti-Black racism of North America. For example, Fidel issued a 1960 invitation to North Americans (especially Blacks) to visit Cuba and experience the \u201cfull citizenship,\u201d that was, he suggested, unattainable in the US. Further, she documents young Cuban anti-imperialist protesters who denounced KKK activism in the US, suggesting that there \u201cdemokkkracy\u201d was a hypocricy. She also reminds the reader that in 1960, Cuban protesters responded to the violence perpetrated against young Civil Rights activists who had sat in at a Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. Cubans picketed downtown Havana\u2019s Woolworth, in solidarity, carrying signs that read, \u201cWoolworth Denies Rights to Blacks.\u201d\n\nBenson\u2019s clear definitions of forms of Black Cuban activism, such as \u201cintegrationist\u201d or \u201c*negrista*\u201d (racial consciousness) help readers unfamiliar with social contexts outside the United States. She uses these concepts to frame a larger discussion of how, when, and if government officials interpreted integrationist organizations and *negrista* public intellectuals (such as Walterio Carbonell and Juan Ren\u00e9 Betancourt) as opposed to the Revolution. Here is where Benson demonstrates her even-handed treatment of the Revolution\u2019s paradoxes and evokes empathy in the reader for all historical actors: Black Cuban activists, revolutionary concerns over social justice as well as the government\u2019s ineffectual, politic nods to racial justice.\n\nAnother of the book\u2019s strengths is its century-long historicization of Cuban tropes of blackness\u2013from nineteenth-century anticolonial social discourses to the mid-twentieth century as social relations were recast in the image of revolution. For much of this period, Blacks were integral to the concept of a multi-racial Cuban national community\u2014their presence was central to support a nationalist narrative of egalitarian inclusion, despite their daily experiences with inequality. As historian Ada Ferrer has argued, during colonialism the *imagined* Cuban national community included Black people, yet rejected as unpatriotic their demands for the rights of full citizenship. Benson shows that revolutionary doctrine notwithstanding, Black Cubans experienced similar marginalization after 1959. In fact, in both historical contexts, asserting Black consciousness and/or demanding Black empowerment often were equated with the nation\u2019s *undoing*.\n\nThe 1961 Literacy Campaign (*Campa\u00f1a Nacional de Alfabetizaci\u00f3n*) is a worthy touchstone of the author\u2019s argument. The campaign to end illiteracy mobilized an estimated 142,000 Cuban \u201cteachers\u201d across the island. The *Brigadistas\u2013*as these teachers, students, and volunteers were known\u2013traveled to rural and depressed areas of the island to provide literacy instruction to more than 700,000 people. They improved the national literacy rate, raising it from 60 to 73 percent to a whopping 96 percent by the campaign\u2019s end. Benson argues that Fidel Castro and others suggested that because large numbers of Blacks benefited from the campaign, the Revolution had dealt a blow to Cuban racism. That is, officials argued that rather than advocate for Black rights, Cuba\u2019s socialist revolution would end discrimination by providing equal economic and employment opportunities to all.\n\nBenson bolsters her discussion when she unpacks revolutionary constructions of blackness following the murder of Literacy Campaign teacher Conrado Ben\u00edtez by CIA-sponsored counterrevolutionaries. She posits that news of his violent death was co-opted by officials as a metaphor North American aggression leveled against the Cuban national family. Further, as Benson suggests, officials pledged that anti-Black violence would be curtailed by the strength of Cuba\u2019s *raceless* nation unified against external capitalist interests, rather than via Black activism. Indeed, just as the grateful, subservient Black, nationalist patriot was popularly idealized during the nineteenth-century anticolonial wars, in death the young Ben\u00edtez is martyred first and foremost on behalf of the nation. As were other twentieth-century Black activists publicly lauded for their service to the national community, honor stemmed from his selfless service to the Cuban Revolution.\n\nThe author also successfully probes the relationship between Black activism and the social policies adopted by the Revolution. Using a multi-layered analytical framework, Benson shows that it is possible to generate a nuanced set of arguments about racial politics in Cuba and abroad. She recounts strategies deployed by the Revolution to both delegitimize Washington and capitalism and buttress its own claim to popular representation of women, workers, youth, and Blacks in nationalist development. In fact, when I cracked the spine on this brave study I immediately understood that the book\u2019s central concern is to recover the experiences and narratives of the African descended, allowing them to drive the story line.\n\nReturning to the opening of my commentary, Black detractors of the Revolution (usually expats or self-exiled Cubans living abroad, such as Carlos Moore) claim that the island\u2019s socialist regime has denied rather than supported Blacks\u2019 struggles for socioeconomic justice. They suggest that more than gains for Blacks Cuba has been a country of repression, government-sponsored racism, and socioeconomic inequality. By extension, they suggest, leftist movements everywhere threaten Black economic stability as well as human rights. The author balances so polarizing a narrative by calling to our attention that even as Cuban officials signaled to Jim Crow segregation and anti-Black violence to propagandize Cuban socialism, Black Cubans as a whole did experience tangible change in healthcare benefits, education, professional opportunities, and access to the public spaces (parks, restaurants, businesses, etc.) that were segregated before 1959. The Revolution, in other words, has shown support for Black people and all vulnerable populations in Cuba and has practiced government policies that run in stark contrast to the abuses of capitalism.\n\nUltimately, this highly recommended book commits fully to Black Cubans\u2019 consciousness, activism, and socioeconomic status. Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s well-conceived arguments and fascinating stories enable scholars and laypersons alike to better understand how and why exploiting Black activism and experiences for ideological purposes in Cuba, the United States, or anywhere runs counter to human rights and mitigates the strength of social justice work, including anti-racist campaigns.\n\nCopyright \u00a9 AAIHS. May not be reprinted without permission.\nYour review of \u201cAntiracism In Cuba \u201c, really stimulated my interest to read the book. I placed an order on Amazon and should have it in my hands in two days. Thank you for your review.\n\nAlso, I am seeking a starting point for the historical relationship between Dominican Republic and Hati. I would appreciate any book referrals you may have." + }, + { + "title": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Review: Netflix Presents an Enthrallingly Intimate Look at 50 Years of Life in Cuba - IndieWire", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Review: Netflix Presents an Enthrallingly Intimate Look at 50 Years of Life in Cuba - IndieWire" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxPUzlNalJERGoteEt1bUFhZW44VEpnWWtOOEhFRWZaMmZEWUxFb3dCMjZCdjZTRGNCUFFmZHI2UEFiWWlWVThjNzJKSkI5MDZRZkV3S0tZMXFxWUFTSWNQTl9PR3VvbnNZQ05jQ2MtNzhWa3hweGdUeTJrRksycDB1c3FDZlVDOXVEWGc0c2tDSGNCcnpxTFAtbmhlXzRRcWNvbkZJQ1dn?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/12/cuba-attacks-cold-war-technology-244787", + "id": "CBMipgFBVV95cUxPUzlNalJERGoteEt1bUFhZW44VEpnWWtOOEhFRWZaMmZEWUxFb3dCMjZCdjZTRGNCUFFmZHI2UEFiWWlWVThjNzJKSkI5MDZRZkV3S0tZMXFxWUFTSWNQTl9PR3VvbnNZQ05jQ2MtNzhWa3hweGdUeTJrRksycDB1c3FDZlVDOXVEWGc0c2tDSGNCcnpxTFAtbmhlXzRRcWNvbkZJQ1dn", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 22 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 22, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 326, + 0 + ], + "summary": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Review: Netflix Presents an Enthrallingly Intimate Look at 50 Years of Life in Cuba  IndieWire", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Review: Netflix Presents an Enthrallingly Intimate Look at 50 Years of Life in Cuba  IndieWire" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.indiewire.com", + "title": "IndieWire" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Passport to Cuba: The surprising connection between Cleveland and Cuba, and why it matters - Fresh Water Cleveland", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Passport to Cuba: The surprising connection between Cleveland and Cuba, and why it matters - Fresh Water Cleveland" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicEFVX3lxTE51WnRxbEVoeEFvZ3VDb1NTNHFtNlZqQjhGNi1OX1NjbUNmTGNpY01DWXFTcTFpNThNWVNWVnNYRUVlOFk0czRxOFdXRjNIdFIxNW9sU3M1UkVLTDVHUk9CLUhMS2tSU1FwYi1sdHJmUG0?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www2.stetson.edu/today/2017/11/cuban-dissident-a-free-cuba-is-not-far-away/", + "id": "CBMicEFVX3lxTE51WnRxbEVoeEFvZ3VDb1NTNHFtNlZqQjhGNi1OX1NjbUNmTGNpY01DWXFTcTFpNThNWVNWVnNYRUVlOFk0czRxOFdXRjNIdFIxNW9sU3M1UkVLTDVHUk9CLUhMS2tSU1FwYi1sdHJmUG0", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 30 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 30, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 334, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Passport to Cuba: The surprising connection between Cleveland and Cuba, and why it matters  Fresh Water Cleveland", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Passport to Cuba: The surprising connection between Cleveland and Cuba, and why it matters  Fresh Water Cleveland" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.freshwatercleveland.com", + "title": "Fresh Water Cleveland" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Cuba attack mystery may be Cold War flashback, officials say - Politico", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba attack mystery may be Cold War flashback, officials say - Politico" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxOX2lRQzZha3cyeGhCOXg2N3hmRE5aU3BzQkFxVlJEeE5wSGR6QjVkeXUtOE1hWUlyT2I1OU91VGdqWlVxZWhHR3ZwSVp3YlBZNnRfQXNoTmJscTFWNTlqRzgyMkNsckFmSW9EbVN6VGRJdzJlbHpBNjd0TEx4R3NmakNhNjhRM0V3?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/cuba-and-the-cameraman-review-jon-alpert-netflix-1201900078/", + "id": "CBMiiAFBVV95cUxOX2lRQzZha3cyeGhCOXg2N3hmRE5aU3BzQkFxVlJEeE5wSGR6QjVkeXUtOE1hWUlyT2I1OU91VGdqWlVxZWhHR3ZwSVp3YlBZNnRfQXNoTmJscTFWNTlqRzgyMkNsckFmSW9EbVN6VGRJdzJlbHpBNjd0TEx4R3NmakNhNjhRM0V3", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sun, 12 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 12, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 6, + 316, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuba attack mystery may be Cold War flashback, officials say  Politico", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba attack mystery may be Cold War flashback, officials say  Politico" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.politico.com", + "title": "Politico" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: \u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Review: Netflix Presents an Enthrallingly Intimate Look at 50 Years of Life in Cuba\nauthor: David Ehrlich\nurl: https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/cuba-and-the-cameraman-review-jon-alpert-netflix-1201900078/\nhostname: indiewire.com\ndescription: With a perspective on par with Michael Apted\u2019s \u201c7 Up\u201d series, Jon Alpert looks at Castro\u2019s policies through the circumstances of his people.\nsitename: IndieWire\ndate: 2017-11-22\n---\nBy providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.\n\nWhen Americans think of Cuba, we tend to think of a place, and not a people. The same was true of East Germany, it\u2019s still true of North Korea, and it will always be true of countries that are defined by their inaccessibility. Borders are blinding, and islands are isolated by more than just water. Only 105 miles separate Havana from Key West, but you can\u2019t see anything on the horizon when you stand at the bottom tip of the United States and stare into the ocean.\n\nFilmmaker Jon Alpert has spent his entire adult life trying to bring those two worlds closer together, and his simple but enthralling new documentary culls from almost 50 years\u2019 worth of footage from his trips to the land of Fidel. Alpert has two Oscars to his name (both for Best Documentary Short), but most of his work in Cuba has been for archival purposes, and so \u201cCuba and the Cameraman,\u201d while essentially a greatest hits collection for Alpert\u2019s career, never feels recycled. It also never feels Frankensteined together.\n\nOn the contrary, the film\u2019s lifeblood can be found in its connective tissue, as Alpert continually revisits the same memorable assortment of Cuban peasants and city folk. Offering a sense of perspective on par with Michael Apted\u2019s \u201c7 Up\u201d series (and dwarfing \u201cBoyhood\u201d), his magnum opus invites viewers to evaluate Castro\u2019s policies through the circumstances of his people, as opposed to the other way around. This humanistic approach can be quaint, and sometimes even troublingly sympathetic towards a dictator guilty of severe human rights violations, but the sheer breadth of Alpert\u2019s sustained efforts provide a virtually unprecedented degree of ground-level insight into life in Cuba. Not even a trip down to Havana would necessarily offer the kind of context that can be seen through the lens of Alpert\u2019s camera.\n\n\u201cCuba and the Cameraman\u201d begins just before dawn on the morning of November 26, 2016, as Havana wakes up to a world without Fidel Castro for the first time since 1961. The streets are empty, as though the entire city has been raptured. A few hours later, thousands upon thousands of citizens gather in the center of town in order to grieve together. \u201cYo soy Fidel,\u201d one of them tells Alpert, devastated and proud. From there, the film jumps back to the early \u201970s and launches into a chronological (and singularly personal) analysis of the relationship between Castro\u2019s policies and Cuba\u2019s people, each part of which has been inextricable from the other.\n\nAlpert is a major character in his own story from the very beginning, a casually courageous fool who will follow his curiosity wherever it takes him. Affable to the extreme and dangerously absent of an agenda, he (and his seldom-seen wife) were among the first American video reporters to go down to Cuba, and almost certainly the *friendliest*. Alpert\u2019s giddy voice mediates everything we see, and some of the footage in the first section of the film suggests that we\u2019re in for an insufferable travelogue.\n\nAnd then Alpert befriends Fidel Castro, a mutual curiosity bringing the two men together (the cigar-chomping revolutionary is so intrigued by Alpert\u2019s decision to push around his recording equipment in a baby carriage that he goes out of his way to chat up the American). This unlikely acquaintanceship results in a rare and exclusive interview, and then leads to Alpert being the only American journalist aboard Castro\u2019s plane when the dictator flies to New York for his October 1979 speech at the United Nations.\n\nThe candid footage that Alpert captured from this trip is truly incredible. Castro has never been so life-sized before, the myth reduced to a man as he tells jokes, shows Alpert his crummy sleeping quarters, and pulls open his shirt to reveal some taut flesh instead of a bulletproof vest. Castro, whose barrel-chested charisma (and simmering revolutionary fervor) can still be felt through the screen, even remembers to ask after Alpert\u2019s infant daughter. It\u2019s easy to appreciate how anyone in Alpert\u2019s position would be awed by this attention, and why the first half of this film seems so high on the Cuban way of life. Back then, it seemed like Castro was implementing the same social reforms that they were fighting for in New York! At one point, Castro even writes Alpert\u2019s daughter an excuse note for missing school. Her teacher must have been very impressed.\n\nThe Cuban people sure seemed happy and carefree, especially the three brothers who Alpert visited on every one of his trips. Poor farmers on the outskirts of town, these men \u2014 each of them with strong bodies and toothless grins \u2014 live off the land and want for nothing. Well, sure, running water and electricity might be nice, but you can\u2019t have it all. Alas, every subsequent visit is a little more sobering than the last. The brothers are always there, but their lives begin to unravel. The oxen die. Neighbors steal their crops. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the drying flow of money from the Communist regime in East Germany begins to take its toll. Some of Alpert\u2019s other characters are jailed; some flee to Florida. By 2000, former engineers are selling trinkets in the market and pissing in the street.\n\nAlpert remains buoyant even when things go bad. He doesn\u2019t look away from the hardships that are visited upon the Cuban people, but he\u2019s so unfailingly *nice *\u2014 so afraid to offend anyone, or push them to an unpleasant place \u2014 that it starts to feel like we\u2019re only seeing what his subjects went out of their way to volunteer to him. The whole thing is strangely apolitical for a film that\u2019s very much about the profound impact of Cuban laws on Cuban lives. If only Alpert had been a bit less genial, if only he had dug a little deeper \u2014 if only he had either taken himself out of the equation, or gone the other way and been much more introspective about his complicated feelings about Castro \u2014 then \u201cCuba and the Cameraman\u201d could have been more than just a window into a foreign world. But windows are important; without them, we\u2019d never be able to see through our walls. And this is as clear and wide a window as you\u2019re ever likely to find.\n\n*\u201cCuba and the Cameraman\u201d will be available to stream on Netflix starting on November 24.*\n\n**Sign Up: **Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.\n\nBy providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply." + }, + { + "title": "Rhetoric and Reality During Cuba\u2019s Antiracism Campaign - African American Intellectual History Society", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Rhetoric and Reality During Cuba\u2019s Antiracism Campaign - African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxPeU11NEZzNjFvQUx2Q1BYR2FnX0kyQXFJSFpwR3lJbnYwX2hsaThlcElQeDRlZjNIWllKWHJOQVFNVGswU0dSOGxueDNPYmpJcmN4TXlxcUZVMDV2WlhtYzlfODlpc1ZRRkI2N2xwQmtCaXNwZHFySXAxdndTeXhBa3dR?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article182406136.html", + "id": "CBMiggFBVV95cUxPeU11NEZzNjFvQUx2Q1BYR2FnX0kyQXFJSFpwR3lJbnYwX2hsaThlcElQeDRlZjNIWllKWHJOQVFNVGswU0dSOGxueDNPYmpJcmN4TXlxcUZVMDV2WlhtYzlfODlpc1ZRRkI2N2xwQmtCaXNwZHFySXAxdndTeXhBa3dR", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 07 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 7, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 311, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Rhetoric and Reality During Cuba\u2019s Antiracism Campaign  African American Intellectual History Society", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Rhetoric and Reality During Cuba\u2019s Antiracism Campaign  African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.aaihs.org", + "title": "African American Intellectual History Society" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Stetson\u2019s Cuba Forum to Explore \u2018Prospects for Democracy in Cuba\u2019 - Stetson University", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Stetson\u2019s Cuba Forum to Explore \u2018Prospects for Democracy in Cuba\u2019 - Stetson University" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxQYkhMR2x4TjBjQ0lPQXdEeVdybGhpOXZoekJnaGFRaUREMUNfNUVJQU5wNTNHdUFpRU5fUHdQNTF1XzJ4X3pwU1ItUXF6VU1hN2JwQ0J6bVNQLWFWeXMwWDRUV0I1NFJHSms5bUNwMW4xandLNG5uMmJmRUZzUXNjN2ZzejZ6YWtva3NMclQ2bEdGQWxwQVh0cHpZVXdZbjVvMDZDTnB3?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/clecuba113017.aspx", + "id": "CBMipgFBVV95cUxQYkhMR2x4TjBjQ0lPQXdEeVdybGhpOXZoekJnaGFRaUREMUNfNUVJQU5wNTNHdUFpRU5fUHdQNTF1XzJ4X3pwU1ItUXF6VU1hN2JwQ0J6bVNQLWFWeXMwWDRUV0I1NFJHSms5bUNwMW4xandLNG5uMmJmRUZzUXNjN2ZzejZ6YWtva3NMclQ2bEdGQWxwQVh0cHpZVXdZbjVvMDZDTnB3", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sun, 05 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 5, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 6, + 309, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Stetson\u2019s Cuba Forum to Explore \u2018Prospects for Democracy in Cuba\u2019  Stetson University", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Stetson\u2019s Cuba Forum to Explore \u2018Prospects for Democracy in Cuba\u2019  Stetson University" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www2.stetson.edu", + "title": "Stetson University" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Passport to Cuba: The surprising connection between Cleveland and Cuba, and why it matters\nauthor: Jen Jones Donatelli\nurl: https://www.freshwatercleveland.com/features/clecuba113017.aspx\nhostname: freshwatercleveland.com\ndescription: Despite worsening relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Cleveland and Havana continue a spirited dialogue of cultural and idea exchange.\nsitename: FreshWater Media, LLC\ndate: 2017-11-30\n---\nIn early October, Cleveland became the first northern port city to sign a memo of understanding with Cuba\u2019s maritime administration\u2014effectively paving the way for future trade possibilities. NPR\u2019s \u201cAll Things Considered\u201d called the move an \u201ceconomic olive branch\u201d amid rising diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Cuba, and should the current trade embargo be lifted, Cleveland would likely be in pole position to conduct business with the island nation.\n\nThe agreement makes a fitting cap for what has been a year of rich synergy between Cleveland and Cuba across the spectrum\u2014from art to entrepreneurship to architecture to dance. Much of the exchange took place under the umbrella of Cleveland Foundation\u2019s Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition, an international artist residency program that brought Cuban artists and creatives to work with Verb Ballets, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Print Room, and the Collective Arts Network (CAN) Journal among others.\n\nNovember marked the culmination of Creative Fusion with a trio of exhibitions: \u201cThe Art of Exchange: Contemporary Cuban Art in Cleveland\u201d (November 2-December 15) at Cleveland Institute of Art; \u201cCuba Now: A Pop-Up Exhibition\u201d (November 10-25) at Cleveland Print Room; and \u201cThrough the Lens: Rediscovering Cuba\u201d (November 3-January 2) at the Trudy Wiesenberger Gallery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s pretty incredible to have three significant exhibitions at one time in a city like Cleveland,\u201d says Lillian Kuri, Vice President of Strategic Grantmaking, Arts & Urban Design Initiatives for Cleveland Foundation. \u201cThey represent the deep connections that have been built between Cuba and Cleveland, showcasing work from a robust exchange of ideas and artists. We\u2019ve been told that nowhere else in the United States has there been this kind of exchange with this many significant artists.\u201d\n\nTo Cuba Now co-founder Nick York sees efforts like Creative Fusion as a necessary bridge until positive relations between the U.S. and Cuba resume. \u201cThings like Creative Fusion are exactly what we should be doing [in the interim],\u201d says York. \u201cArt transcends politics and allows people to exchange ideas and build personal relationships. The Cleveland Foundation and Cleveland Leadership Center are continuing to engage despite a challenging political situation, which is a testament to them.\u201d\n\n**Uncovering the real Cuba**\n\nAs a Cuban-born Cleveland resident of 18 years, Augusto Bordelois is someone who understands both places very well\u2014to the point where he cringes every time he sees stereotypical representations of Cuba. \u201cThe old colonial building, the vintage American car, the guy with the cigar...those are the things you see all the time, but that\u2019s not what Cuban culture is all about,\u201d says Bordelois. \u201cI go every two years and every time I can hardly recognize the country [because] it is changing so much.\u201d\n\nA renowned painter who specializes in \u201cCaribbean magical realism,\u201d Bordelois says he finds initiatives like Creative Fusion refreshing and much-needed. \u201cThese exchanges are bringing fresh new artists creating fresh new art that is much more relevant to what is happening in Cuba right now,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a different exposure to what Cuba is really all about.\u201d\n\nAugusto Bordelois\n\nWhile the synergies between Cleveland and Cuba seem to have hit a fever pitch in recent years, Bordelois says he\u2019s seen the relationship developing for at least 15 years. \u201cIt started with the Cleveland Museum of Art bringing in Cuban artists to design floats for Parade the Circle,\u201d recalls Bordelois. \u201cLittle by little, organizations such as the Cleveland Foundation and Cleveland Institute of Art have started to bring more artists from Cuba.\u201d\n\nThough Bordelois was not part of the Creative Fusion exhibitions, he currently has an exhibition at the Artists Archives of the Western Reserve. Titled \u201cVisual Emotions: The Way I Remember You,\u201d the show is a retrospective of Bordelois\u2019 work and is his inaugural solo show as an Archived Artist. In conjunction, art and travel writer Irene Shaland gave a talk entitled \u201cCuba: The Land, the People, The Arts \u2013 60 Years after Castro\u2019s Revolution.\u201d\n\nBordelois is also coming off a successful display at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gallery at Cleveland Hopkins Airport. From September 15-October 31, \u201cKaleidoscope\u201d gave airport visitors a window into Bordelois\u2019 Cuban upbringing and formative moments as an artist. \u201cI have never gotten so much Facebook feedback as I did from those who saw my work in the airport,\u201d says Bordelois, who estimates that his artwork was exposed to as many as 40,000 people traveling through Hopkins.\n\n**That was then\u2026this is To Cuba Now**\n\nYork also has a unique perspective on Cuba, having co-founded To Cuba Now two years ago \u201cshortly after [Barack] Obama made the announcement that we would start normalized relations.\u201d His business partner is Jorge Delgado, a former director of international relations for the Cleveland Foundation with strong family ties in Cuba. Their aim is to provide advising and immersion tours for businesses, cultural institutions, and universities interested in exploring opportunities in Cuba.\n\n\u201cWhen we formed the company, it wasn't to be a travel agency, but rather a business advisory company that could help develop long-term relationships and start the process of engagement,\u201d explains York, a Cleveland resident of 20 years. \u201cIf you don't understand the culture in Cuba\u2014its history, its enjoyment of art, music, and dance\u2014you won't be able to fully connect in Cuba. [We sought to foster] that cultural component and understanding both on the U.S. and Cuba sides.\u201d\n\nOver the two-year period, York says that To Cuba Now led at least 20 trips to Cuba for both local and national organizations. Each itinerary was highly customized\u2014for instance, the Cleveland Foundation\u2019s tour included a presentation on the master plan for Havana and a trip to Malpaso Dance Company, while the Cleveland Leadership Center undertook a social work project and visited the University of Havana for a \u201cFuture of Cuba\u201d discussion.\n\nJanuary Creative Fusion group at FAC\n\nYork and Delgado were also able to help kickstart potential deal negotiations for companies like Sherwin-Williams and Sunoco, but now he\u2019s unsure of what will transpire under the current administration.\n\n\u201cPeople are pulling back and saying, \u2018Let\u2019s wait and see what happens on the political and diplomatic front,'\u201d says York. \u201cHowever, policy changes have not precluded people from engaging in Cuba and doing cultural exchange programs. Often, those can be key drivers to more engagement overall and can be great stepping stones [to better overall relations].\u201d\n\n**Design in motion**\n\nKent State University\u2019s Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (CUDC) is living proof that such exchange programs can have real, tangible impact. For the last two years, its International Design Exchange (INDEX) graduate studio has focused on urban regeneration strategies for both Cleveland and Havana, drafting design proposals and being mentored by Cuban architects Sofia M\u00e1rquez Aguiar and Ernesto Jim\u00e9nez.\n\n\u201cWe focus on geographic areas by doing background research and site analysis, working on understanding the needs for that community, [and identifying] opportunities for redevelopment or ways to improve the physical environment,\u201d says David Jurca, CUDC's associate director.\n\nThis year, the INDEX students centered their efforts on Cleveland\u2019s Glenville neighborhood and Havana\u2019s Vedado neighborhood (home to F\u00e1brica De Arte Cubano (FAC), or \u201cCuban Art Factory\u201d). Jurca and his team chose Glenville primarily due to its involvement in the FRONT Triennial as home to the PNC Glenville Arts Campus.\n\n\u201c\n\nOn a much smaller scale, that site seemed like an interesting complement to the FAC as a cultural arts and design hub located within a neighborhood that could spur equitable reinvestment in the surrounding area,\u201d shares Jurca.Jurca has made two trips to Cuba this year\u2014once in January as part of the Cleveland Foundation cohort, and again on spring break with his graduate students. Not only were the students able to view their chosen site (the El Fanguito slums on the outskirts of Vedado), but they also participated in a two-day workshop in which they received feedback and critique on their design proposal from local architecture and design students.\n\n\u201cIt was eye-opening for them to compare their expectations of the site to the actual lived experience,\u201d says Jurca. \u201cThe quality of the space and the architecture was very different than they had perceived through photographs and maps. The experience was very valuable in highlighting the need for on-the-ground experience of a place.\u201d\n\nEl Fanguito\n\nWhen the group returned in April, they worked to \u201cidentify some of the ideas generated for Havana that have transferability to Cleveland,\u201d according to Jurca. One major takeaway was the resourcefulness exhibited by the people of Cuba\u2014specifically those living in El Fanguito who make \u201cimprovised housing\u201d from scrap metal and wood.\n\n\u201cIn the U.S., we aren\u2019t as limited in our materials and sourcing of fabrication,\u201d says Jurca. \u201cWe can definitely benefit from that mindset of creative design with constraints.\u201d\n\nUsing that inspiration as a jumping-off point, the group organized a workshop on KSU\u2019s main campus to build furniture for Glenville\u2019s public spaces using salvaged wood palettes. They also solicited suggestions at a Gathering Glenville event in July, at which neighborhood residents requested more outdoor seating, benches, and picnic platforms. From there, they generated a prototype for a picnic platform to be built along E. 105th Street on the Glenville Arts Campus.\n\n\"One of our goals was to encourage exploration on E. 105th between University Circle and the Cultural Gardens,\" explains Jurca. \u201cThe Glenville Arts Campus is almost like a lilypad between cultural venues centered in University Circle and the Glenville Neighborhood, which is an interesting correlation to Havana because FAC is in many ways a lilypad between Old Havana and the more tourist-oriented locations.\u201d\n\nJurca hopes the picnic platform will act as \u201cbreadcrumbs\u201d to facilitate that exploration. The team recently sent out files to have CNC cutting done for modular benches (aka \u201csuper seats\u201d) that can combine together in different configurations. The project is set to wrap in December, which will also mark the release of the INDEX Studio Report.\n\n\u201cBased on the ideas we generated, the report will be provided to our partners on the ground, and we can use it to continue conversations with officials and local residents,\u201d says Jurca.\n\n**The beauty of exchange**\n\nThe fruits of CUDC\u2019s labor can also be viewed at the current \u201cThe Art of Exchange: Contempory Cuban Art in Cleveland\u201d exhibition at CIA\u2019s Reinberger Gallery. One of the pieces on display is an old piano that visiting Cuban artist Aguiar repurposed into a bar and tabletop for a CUDC event held at the former Winnie\u2019s Nursery in May.\n\n\u201cIt was one of the first pieces we secured, and a symbol of a project Sofia did while in residence [with CUDC],\u201d says Nichole Woods, Reinberger Gallery acting director.\n\nPiano FuerteThe piano is just one of numerous works that represent the collaborations that took place in Cleveland between local and visiting artists. Cases in point: jewelry created by Cuban designer and CIA artist-in-residence Yasniel Valdes with CIA professor Matthew Hollern over a period of three months, and a trio of photolithographic prints created by Cuban printmaker Sandra Ramos alongside CIA master printer Karen Beckwith.\n\n\u201cGiven that there is a lot of renewed interest in Cuban art and exhibitions, we really thought this could be an amazing opportunity to display the entirety or extent that the [Creative Fusion] project encapsulated,\u201d says Woods. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just that CIA hosted an artist from Cuba, but more about all of the amazing exchanges that happened between other host institutions and their artists.\u201d\n\nThe exhibition features works from 13 artists in total, many of which display the resourcefulness that inspired Jurca and his students.\n\n\u201cThat theme rings true for a lot of the work,\u201d says Woods, citing Valdes in particular. \u201cIn Cuba, [Valdes] was using silver, but gemstones and precious stones were not widely available, so he innovated by using cut fabrics to invent his own gemstone. If he didn\u2019t have a certain type of sandpaper, he would use the grit of a stone to sand edges. It\u2019s not just about making do with what you have, but making something extraordinary out of it.\u201d\n\nWoods believes that, on a larger scale, such resourcefulness is what unites Cleveland and Cuba, and what drives the potential for their respective resurgences.\n\n\u201cThere are so many similarities\u2014we\u2019re both cities by a body of water: the island by the sea, the city by the lake,\u201d says Woods. \u201cCleveland has a history of being a city that was once very prosperous, but had a fall that led to a lot of abandoned properties and rampant poverty. People are turning to creative solutions to solve these problems and looking to places like Cuba where people are constantly doing that in order to make a better life.\u201d" + }, + { + "title": "Trump Administration Defends Cuba Embargo at U.N., Reversing Obama (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump Administration Defends Cuba Embargo at U.N., Reversing Obama (Published 2017) - The New York Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTFBRZDE1Y0c1MEdqcXVzTzlCM1c0bVVpSmJLYkRvUXl0YnVWNDFhS1RYeVI1aEp0NUd0MlhUQWZCN2FWY0M2VHVUZ0J0LWZINzllNEY1QXEySGVNYUM1UmFzQVJJcUN1bkFCMEtPUWFLUmlCV3dwWWRJR0tWU0NjZw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www2.stetson.edu/today/2017/11/stetsons-cuba-forum-to-explores-prospects-for-democracy-in-cuba/", + "id": "CBMifkFVX3lxTFBRZDE1Y0c1MEdqcXVzTzlCM1c0bVVpSmJLYkRvUXl0YnVWNDFhS1RYeVI1aEp0NUd0MlhUQWZCN2FWY0M2VHVUZ0J0LWZINzllNEY1QXEySGVNYUM1UmFzQVJJcUN1bkFCMEtPUWFLUmlCV3dwWWRJR0tWU0NjZw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 1, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 305, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Trump Administration Defends Cuba Embargo at U.N., Reversing Obama (Published 2017)  The New York Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump Administration Defends Cuba Embargo at U.N., Reversing Obama (Published 2017)  The New York Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nytimes.com", + "title": "The New York Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Cuban Dissident: A Free Cuba \u2018Is Not Far Away\u2019 - Stetson University", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuban Dissident: A Free Cuba \u2018Is Not Far Away\u2019 - Stetson University" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxNQ2hyWDluWDIxazM5SC10WTREZExkSGtBM1RNeHFPbm9lSzRJMFpPSXJiT0pqSExMNzlyUGUtMEFiOUdveGpfbDlZVnBhT0t1RmtVSkZ1RnVjR0tOWFRfTFIxVzZqdnBmbE5UMWVYVks1ajI0aTRrbjdGd21reUdidURNZU1BMm5hNjRr?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.aaihs.org/rhetoric-and-reality-during-cubas-antiracism-campaign/", + "id": "CBMiiwFBVV95cUxNQ2hyWDluWDIxazM5SC10WTREZExkSGtBM1RNeHFPbm9lSzRJMFpPSXJiT0pqSExMNzlyUGUtMEFiOUdveGpfbDlZVnBhT0t1RmtVSkZ1RnVjR0tOWFRfTFIxVzZqdnBmbE5UMWVYVks1ajI0aTRrbjdGd21reUdidURNZU1BMm5hNjRr", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 17 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 17, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 321, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuban Dissident: A Free Cuba \u2018Is Not Far Away\u2019  Stetson University", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuban Dissident: A Free Cuba \u2018Is Not Far Away\u2019  Stetson University" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www2.stetson.edu", + "title": "Stetson University" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Rhetoric and Reality During Cuba\u2019s Antiracism Campaign\nauthor: Sandy Placido\nurl: https://www.aaihs.org/rhetoric-and-reality-during-cubas-antiracism-campaign/\nhostname: aaihs.org\ndescription: This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s Antiracism In Cuba. In July 1960, thousands of people from all over Cuba and the world traveled to the island\u2019s Sierra Maestra mountain range to commemorate the revolutionary actions of the 26th of July Movement.[1. The\nsitename: AAIHS\ndate: 2017-11-07\ncategories: ['Black history, Black Identity, Black Internationalism, Black Protest, Race, Racism, Resistance, Roundtables, #AAIHSRoundtable, #AntiracismInCuba, Cuba']\ntags: ['#AAIHSRoundtable', 'Activism', 'African Diaspora', 'archives', 'art', 'black feminism', 'black intellectual history', 'black internationalism', 'black lives matter', 'black nationalism', 'black politics', 'Black Power', 'black protest', 'Black radicalism', 'black radical tradition', 'Black women', 'Brazil', 'capitalism', 'carceral state', 'Caribbean', 'civil rights', 'Civil Rights Movement', 'education', 'Gender', 'Haiti', 'Jim Crow', 'literature', 'mass incarceration', 'music', 'Pan-Africanism', 'police brutality', 'police violence', 'Politics', 'race', 'Racial Violence', 'racism', 'religion', 'Resistance', 'sexuality', 'slavery', 'slave trade', 'South', 'teaching', 'W.E.B. Du Bois', 'white supremacy']\n---\n# Rhetoric and Reality During Cuba\u2019s Antiracism Campaign\n\n*This post is part of our online roundtable on Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s *Antiracism In Cuba.\n\nIn July 1960, thousands of people from all over Cuba and the world traveled to the island\u2019s Sierra Maestra mountain range to commemorate the revolutionary actions of the 26th of July Movement.1 In addition to celebrating the group that had overthrown Fulgencio Batista, this international gathering was an opportunity for Fidel Castro\u2019s young government to show off its accomplishments. Prominent African American and Puerto Rican leaders such as Ana Livia Cordero, Juan Antonio Corretjer, Harold Cruse, Jos\u00e9 Luis Gonz\u00e1lez, LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, Juan Mari Bras, Julian Mayfield, and Robert Williams, were exposed to\u2014and inspired by\u2014the state\u2019s rhetoric on a variety of issues, including antiracism. The Cuban state and many of the people who visited the island that summer were interested in developing and deepening strategic alliances that would undermine the United States\u2019 imperialism.\n\nHowever, less than a week before this celebration of the revolution, an Afro-Cuban journalist named Reynaldo Pe\u00f1alver published an article in a Havana newspaper that described a much less joyful reality that Cubans of color encountered on a daily basis. As documented in Devyn Spence Benson\u2019s book, *Antiracism in Cuba: The Unfinished Revolution*, Pe\u00f1alver and his Black comrades were denied service at a public eatery, a practice representative of the informal race-based segregation that existed throughout the island at the time. Pe\u00f1alver reminded the establishment\u2019s owners of the government\u2019s campaign to do away with such discrimination, and he promptly reported the incident. Stories in the press describing racist encounters spiked during the first nine months of 1960, after the Cuban government had begun marketing the island as a destination where African Americans could receive \u201cfirst class treatment\u2014as a first class citizen\u201d (154) in an effort to increase tourism. Benson successfully demonstrates how Afro-Cubans used \u201cstate rhetoric to demand additional reforms\u201d by publicizing their exclusion from the spaces enthusiastically advertised to African American visitors.\n\nPe\u00f1alver\u2019s story is one of many in Benson\u2019s book that depicts the tension between \u201cAfro-Cuban expectations and state rhetoric\u201d (2) in the years following the revolution. Castro announced the beginning of Cuba\u2019s antiracism campaign in March of 1959, and by 1961, he had declared it a success. Benson\u2019s book is a nuanced exploration of the ways that racism continued to permeate Cuban society despite the state\u2019s ambitious efforts to eliminate discrimination, and she also documents on-the-ground struggles of Afro-Cubans who worked to uphold the revolution\u2019s promises. Benson identifies continuities between how people of color were represented and treated before and after the revolution, providing examples of the ways that various governments reproduced discourse and imagery that portrayed Blacks as loyal, grateful, and passive.\n\nBenson insightfully contextualizes and analyzes these racist practices, reaching back to Cuba\u2019s nineteenth century independence wars to demonstrate the longstanding power of the ideology of a \u201craceless and unified Cuba\u201d (2), promoted by leaders such as Jose Mart\u00ed. This ideology was so powerful that many Cubans, including some Afro-Cubans, interpreted the Partido Independiente de Color (Independent Party of Color) as a threat to unity, and in 1912, the army killed over two thousand people affiliated with the party. This state-sponsored massacre was a grim reminder for generations of Afro-Cubans negotiating how, or even whether, to organize around their black identity.\n\nBenson discusses the variety of organizing strategies that Afro-Cubans pursued in the decades preceding and following the revolution. Some chose to work from within the Cuban Communist Party, a party founded in 1925 that boasted a large number of members of color and included antiracism on its agenda. However, the party\u2019s focus on the unity between workers sidelined the issue of racial inequality. Other activists made gains working within Afro-Cuban social clubs. However, one of the paradoxes of the post-1959 antiracism campaign was the closure of these powerful organizations, based on the revolutionary state\u2019s belief that they were no longer necessary. Benson also considers the defiant speeches and writings of activist-intellectuals such as Juan Ren\u00e9 Betancourt, Walterio Carbonell, and Carlos Moore, who challenged raceless ideologies and \u201cpromoted *negrismo* (a Cuban version of Black consciousness)\u201d (75). These activists faced exile and censorship because they were considered counterrevolutionary. Amidst this repression, Benson discusses the ways that Castro continued to push the idea of Cuba as a racial paradise, at one point claiming that \u201ceveryone live[d] together without problems\u201d (154).\n\nBy late 1960, as the United States became more critical of Castro\u2019s government, Benson argues that Cuban citizens muted their local, public conversations about discrimination, focusing instead on the failures of United States democracy and the global systems of racism and imperialism. When comparing the island to the United States, Cuban leaders and the general public made reference to material improvements in the lives of Afro-Cubans, including the racial integration of private schools and beaches, as well as increased employment, health, and housing opportunities. Benson acknowledges that by the 1980s, these advancements were impressive when analyzed alongside the experiences of Black people in the United States and Brazil. Still, she concludes that the government\u2019s top-down ideologies and proclamations during its antiracism campaign \u201cfailed to dismantle racial prejudices\u201d (247).\n\nIn the book\u2019s epilogue, Benson offers the stories of Afro-Cubans, especially women and artists, who continued to find ways and spaces to challenge racial discrimination after the end of the government\u2019s campaign in 1961. She discusses *P.M.*, a 1961 documentary about nightlife in Havana that was banned because Afro-Cubans in the film did not \u201cfit into the parameters of appropriate revolutionary blackness\u201d (232). Benson especially highlights the work of the Afro-Cuban filmmaker Sara G\u00f3mez, who worked on several documentaries between 1964 and 1969 that focused on everyday Black life, and featured critiques of the government.\n\nIndeed, it was presumptuous for Castro to say that Cuba achieved racial harmony in under two years, overcoming hurdles that were the result of a system of global racial capitalism hundreds of years old. Benson\u2019s book provides an excellent historical foundation for a deeper investigation into the ways that Afro-Cubans expressed opinions that would have challenged the state after 1961. Benson describes the efforts of intellectuals, writers, and filmmakers; however, an analysis of music and performers such as Celia Cruz, Graciela, and La Lupe offers an opening to consider the creative ways that the Afro-Cuban experience was documented and validated in both public and private. Afro-Cuban spiritual practices and embodied practices such as dancing and joke-telling would be other arenas within which to discern Afro-Cuban political activity.\n\nRacist acts occurred outside the state\u2019s purview, but so did many of the ways that Afro-Cubans responded to that racism. Sara G\u00f3mez captured this sentiment in an assertion she made in her film, *En la otra isla* (*On the Other Island*): \u201cThe Revolution can\u2019t do everything for you. You have to make it, the Revolution, yourself\u201d (238). Benson\u2019s book is a reminder to acknowledge Afro-Cubans as vital participants in the ongoing Cuban revolution. They made and make complex, daily calculations about how to navigate and claim their space, intersectionality, and rights within an island and a world that continues to systematically silence, exploit, and punish Black people.\n\n- The 26\nthof July Movement, led by Fidel Castro, was the group that attempted to topple the dictator Fulgencio Batista on July 26, 1953, eventually succeeding on January 1, 1959. \u21a9" + }, + { + "title": "Cuba contingent hopes to further partnership between U.S., Cuban churches - United Church of Christ", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba contingent hopes to further partnership between U.S., Cuban churches - United Church of Christ" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQUnZZejFNcnJ2ZGhhZXdmQ0FiYlQ1c1RqRW5GTXhaZ3pXcVFvRkhyWThlQnNYel9oTnZ6QmpjSmhhYW05UU84dDVMTm5ySlhjczY2TzVzRlZBZmZFLWczU0tiRV9Fc0hOb1QxeV9LSWt6blVKWmROOGFCTWk0d0s0N21lTnNmYzlBSUxOV1o5SzlNTkUzcmMycnhuRFVqTEpVaG9pMktCcHA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/01/world/americas/cuba-un-us-embargo.html", + "id": "CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQUnZZejFNcnJ2ZGhhZXdmQ0FiYlQ1c1RqRW5GTXhaZ3pXcVFvRkhyWThlQnNYel9oTnZ6QmpjSmhhYW05UU84dDVMTm5ySlhjczY2TzVzRlZBZmZFLWczU0tiRV9Fc0hOb1QxeV9LSWt6blVKWmROOGFCTWk0d0s0N21lTnNmYzlBSUxOV1o5SzlNTkUzcmMycnhuRFVqTEpVaG9pMktCcHA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 13, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 317, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuba contingent hopes to further partnership between U.S., Cuban churches  United Church of Christ", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba contingent hopes to further partnership between U.S., Cuban churches  United Church of Christ" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.ucc.org", + "title": "United Church of Christ" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Trump\u2019s new Cuba travel restrictions are now in effect - 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But once they land on the island, they'll need to avoid more than 80 hotels and dozens of other companies that the U.S. says are tied to Cuba's military, intelligence or security services.\n\nThe State Department issued a Cuba Restricted List on Wednesday, placing dozens of hotels off-limits to American visitors. (See the full rundown at the end of this post.)\n\nOther blacklisted enterprises range from the rum companies Ron Caney and Ron Varadero to the newly opened Manzana de Gomez luxury shopping mall. A number of shops, marinas and beverage companies are also included in the ban.\n\nAs member station WLRN reports, \"The days of Americans legally staying at Ernest Hemingway's Old Havana haunt, the Hotel Ambos Mundos, or making purchases at Havana's only luxury shopping arcade, will be over.\"\n\nThe new restrictions give detail to a presidential memorandum that President Trump signed in June, in which he pledged to stiffen U.S. policies toward Cuba that had been relaxed by the Obama administration.\n\nIn addition to the State Department, the Treasury and Commerce departments also published new restrictions.\n\nReporting on the changes, NPR's Michele Kelemen tells our Newscast unit:\n\n\"Travelers will have to go through organizations that are approved by the US government to promote people to people ties. One such group, Cuba Educational Travel, calls this a Cold War policy that is out of touch, but adds there are still many ways for Americans to visit Cuba, now that there are commercial flights, cruise ships, Marriott hotels and Airbnb.\"\n\nFor U.S. citizens who plan to visit Cuba, Michele adds, \"officials say if you are already booked on a trip, you can go ahead.\"\n\nTwo tourist agencies \u2014 Crucero del Sol and Gaviota Tours \u2014 are on the State Department's list of businesses and other entities that the U.S. says \"disproportionately benefit\" Cuba's security and military services \"at the expense of the Cuban people or private enterprise in Cuba.\"\n\nCuba is currently in its high season for tourists. Its ministry of tourism says that as of Nov. 6, the island had already equaled the 4 million visitors it received in all of last year. Noting that the mark was reached despite \"campaigns to deter international visitors\" as well as Hurricane Irma, the ministry says that \"several key resorts\" reopened on Nov. 1, according to Granma, Cuba's official press outlet.\n\nAt least two of those reopened resorts \u2014 Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda and Cayo Coco \u2014 appear on the U.S. list, which runs to more than eight pages.\n\nHere's the list of Cuban hotels and subsidiaries to avoid, per the State Department's new rules. (You can see the full list, including government agencies and enterprises, in the Federal Register.)\n\n**Hotels in Havana and Old Havana**\n\nAparthotel Montehabana (Habaguanex)\n\nGran Hotel Manzana Kempinski (Gaviota)\n\nH10 Habana Panorama (Gaviota)\n\nHostal Valencia (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Ambos Mundos (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Armadores de Santander (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Beltr\u00e1n de Santa Cruz (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Conde de Villanueva (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel del Tejadillo (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel el Bosque (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel el Comendador (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel el Mes\u00f3n de la Flota (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Florida (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Habana 612 (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Kohly (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Los Frailes (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Marqu\u00e9s de Prado Ameno (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Palacio del Marqu\u00e9s de San Felipe y Santiago de Bejucal (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Palacio O'Farrill (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Park View (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Raquel (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel San Miguel (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Tel\u00e9grafo (Habaguanex)\n\nHotel Terral (Habaguanex)\n\nMemories Miramar Havana (Gaviota)\n\nMemories Miramar Montehabana (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Santiago de Cuba **\n\nVilla Gaviota Santiago (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Varadero **\n\nBlau Marina Varadero Resort (Gaviota)\n\nGrand Memories Varadero (Gaviota)\n\nIberostar Laguna Azul (Gaviota)\n\nIberostar Playa Alameda (Gaviota)\n\nMeli\u00e1 Marina Varadero (Gaviota)\n\nMeli\u00e1 Peninsula Varadero (Gaviota)\n\nMemories Varadero (Gaviota)\n\nNaviti Varadero (Gaviota)\n\nOcean Varadero El Patriarca (Gaviota)\n\nOcean Vista Azul (Gaviota)\n\nParadisus Princesa del Mar (Gaviota)\n\nParadisus Varadero (Gaviota)\n\nSol Sirenas Coral (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Pinar del Rio **\n\nHotel Villa Maria La Gorda y Centro Internacional de Buceo (Gaviota)\n\nHotel Villa Cabo de San Antonio (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Baracoa **\n\nHostal 1511 (Gaviota)\n\nHostal La Habanera (Gaviota)\n\nHostal La Rusa (Gaviota)\n\nHostal Rio Miel (Gaviota)\n\nHotel El Castillo (Gaviota)\n\nHotel Porto Santo (Gaviota)\n\nVilla Maguana (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Cayos de Villa Clara**\n\nHotel Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda (Gaviota)\n\nDhawa Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda (Gaviota)\n\nHotel Playa Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda (Gaviota)\n\nIberostar Ensenachos (Gaviota)\n\nMeli\u00e1 Buenavista (Gaviota)\n\nMeli\u00e1 Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda (Gaviota)\n\nOcean Casa del Mar (Gaviota)\n\nMemories Flamenco (Gaviota)\n\nMeli\u00e1 Las Dunas (Gaviota)\n\nMemories Azul (Gaviota)\n\nMemories Para\u00edso (Gaviota)\n\nRoyalton Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda (Gaviota)\n\n7 Sol Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda (Gaviota)\n\nVilla Las Brujas (Gaviota)\n\nWarwick Cayo Santa Mar\u00eda (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Holgu\u00edn**\n\nBlau Costa Verde Beach & Resort (Gaviota)\n\nHotel Playa Costa Verde (Gaviota)\n\nHotel Playa Pesquero (Gaviota)\n\nMemories Holgu\u00edn (Gaviota)\n\nParadisus R\u00edo de Oro Resort & Spa (Gaviota)\n\nPlaya Costa Verde (Gaviota)\n\nPlaya Pesquero Premium Service (Gaviota)\n\nSol Rio de Luna y Mares (Gaviota)\n\nVilla Cayo Naranjo (Gaviota)\n\nVilla Cayo Saetia (Gaviota)\n\nVilla Pinares de Mayari (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Jardines del Rey**\n\nHotel Playa Coco Plus (Gaviota)\n\nIberostar Playa Pilar (Gaviota)\n\nMeli\u00e1 Jardines del Rey (Gaviota)\n\nMemories Caribe (Gaviota)\n\nPestana Cayo Coco (Gaviota)\n\n**Hotels in Topes de Collantes**\n\nHostal Los Helechos (Gaviota)\n\nLos Helechos (Gaviota)\n\nVilla Caburni (Gaviota)\n\n**Stores in Old Havana**\n\nCasa del Abanico (Habaguanex)\n\nColecci\u00f3n Habana (Habaguanex)\n\nFlorer\u00eda Jard\u00edn Wagner (Habaguanex)\n\nJoyer\u00eda Coral Negro (CIMEX) \u2013 and locations throughout Cuba\n\nLa Casa del Regalo (Habaguanex)\n\nSan Ignacio 415 (Habaguanex)\n\nSoldadito de Plomo (Habaguanex)\n\nTienda El Navegante (Habaguanex)\n\nTienda Mu\u00f1ecos de Leyenda (Habaguanex)\n\nTienda Museo El Reloj Cuervo y Sobrinos (Habaguanex)" + }, + { + "title": "Can Cuba preserve ecosystems while profiting from tourism? 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By developing the island's ecotourism, scientists hope to stimulate the economy without jeopardizing Cuba's exquisite coral reefs and wild species. Science correspondent Miles O\u2019Brien reports.\nsitename: PBS News\ndate: 2017-11-08\ncategories: ['PBS News Hour']\ntags: ['basic research, cuba, ecotourism, environmentalism, the leading edge']\n---\nBy \u2014 Miles O'Brien Miles O'Brien Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/can-cuba-preserve-ecosystems-while-profiting-from-tourism Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Audio Watch Part 1 Why Cuba is home to a bounty of rare species As Cuba tries to open up its economy and lure western investment through tourism, environmentalists are working to prove that protection of the environment can also be a profitable pursuit. By developing the island's ecotourism, scientists hope to stimulate the economy without jeopardizing Cuba's exquisite coral reefs and wild species. Science correspondent Miles O\u2019Brien reports. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Judy Woodruff: While the Trump administration is imposing new restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba, the island nation is working to lure more tourism and economic development by showcasing its environment and biodiversity.The catch is that, if this ecotourism development goes too fast or too far, Cuba could jeopardize the very species and environment that makes it so distinct.Miles O'Brien reports from Cuba for our weekly segment the Leading Edge. Miles O'Brien: This breeding facility for endangered Cuban crocodiles was a revolutionary idea, in more ways than one.Cuban President Fidel Castro ordered it built only three months after he seized power. It may seem like an odd priority for a young communist revolutionary, but it offered an early inkling that Castro would be an ardent lifelong environmentalist, able to dictate terms of preservation.Etiam P\u00e9rez Fleitas is a researcher here. Etiam P\u00e9rez Fleitas: (Through interpreter) Having nearly 4,500 animals in captivity helps us to learn many things about the species that we can then use to manage them in the wild. Miles O'Brien: In addition to the scientific mission, it has also become a big magnet for tourism, making it the picture postcard vision of how to save the nation's natural resources while still attracting the sort of resources Cubans can take to the bank. Etiam P\u00e9rez Fleitas: (Through interpreter) The tourism dollars it generates go back into funding the park rangers, the overall protection of the wild areas that surround us, and helping us gain a greater understanding of the species. Miles O'Brien: The idea that the ecology and the economy don't have to be at odds drew researchers from Cuba, Europe and North America to this scientific conference in Havana this summer.Many of the exhibits and papers I saw as I walked through were trying to prove protection of the environment is a profitable pursuit.Luis Famada is director of Manglar Vivo, the Living Mangroves project. Luis David Almeida Famada: (Through interpreter) We are collecting information that helps translate the true cost of savings that can be found by preserving our natural ecosystems, rather than developing them. We are proving that mangroves work better than seawalls, and that is important information that any future development project needs to understand. Miles O'Brien: American Marine biologist David Guggenheim was here giving a talk. David Guggenheim: And that's where you are trying to keep that money in the community. Miles O'Brien: He is the founder of Ocean Doctor, a D.C.-based nonprofit focused on protecting Cuba's exquisite coral reefs. David Guggenheim: At this point, there's a great deal of fear about the impacts of tourism. But our message is that tourism has to be part of the solution, and the question is, how do you do that sustainably? Miles O'Brien: He and many others here believe the answer lies in Costa Rica. Woman: I have come to Costa Rica to explore. Miles O'Brien: A nation that set aside more than a quarter of its territory and made that wild beauty its appeal. It's where ecotourism was born, and still thrives.But as Cuba opens up its economy and attempts to lure Western investment, there is a lot of pressure to emulate another model: Cancun. David Guggenheim: I think Cancun is an example of how not to do tourism sustainably in the Caribbean. So, you actually had a collapse of the local economy in Cancun. And, in addition, the local reefs died as well.Fortunately, so far, Cuba hasn't succumbed to that. But the pressures on the economy are enormous, and tourism is the easiest place to get hard cash right now. Miles O'Brien: At the Bay of Pigs, I suited up in scuba gear to get a glimpse of Cuba's legendary reefs. It is a popular site for divers and snorkelers, just off an easily accessible beach along a highway, and yet the coral is more vibrant and the fish more plentiful than I have seen for a very long time in other parts of the Caribbean.Guggenheim runs a project to protect an extraordinary reef off of Cuba's Isle of Youth. It is brimming with elkhorn coral, which has vanished elsewhere in the Caribbean.Again, Castro, the environmentalist, helped make this happen. After meeting Jacques Cousteau in the 1980s, el presidente became an avid diver, and eventually made 25 percent of Cuban coastal waters wildlife preserves, with fishing completely banned. David Guggenheim: When you do that, it's important also to consider alternatives for the communities that live adjacent to them. And the idea of tourism is to give the community an economically sustainable future that also provides an economic incentive for them to protect their environment.If you're not helping people solve problems in their communities, the environment isn't going to have a chance. Miles O'Brien: Cuba's enviable undersea environment is not all about dictatorial whim. It is also the silver lining to a very dark cloud, the economic devastation of the early '90s, just after the Soviet Union collapsed.The euphemism for these grim times? The Special Period. Cubans were cut off from their supply of fertilizers and pesticides. That meant the country avoided chemical runoff from farming, a huge source of pollution and a big contributor to coral reef bleaching.The dearth of agricultural inputs has created another unintended consequence, special in its own way. Magdiel Collaso Garcia: (Through interpreter) In the end, what they did was like a favor, because we rediscovered natural ways of farming. And that has preserved our natural environment. Miles O'Brien: That's Magdiel Collaso Garcia, a worker at an organic farm-to-table restaurant that caters to tourists in Vinales. They serve up a delicious lunch, everything but the fish grown right here on the property. Magdiel Collaso Garcia: (Through interpreter) Today, we are seen as pioneers, and a model of how to do things right in the future, because when you apply techniques that come from nature, you also create the perfect environment to stimulate ecotourism. Our traditional way of doing things has grabbed a lot of attention. Miles O'Brien: It's a lesson these high school students from New Jersey gobbled up. Their tour leader was Stacie Freeman, a professor from Bethel University. Stacie Freeman: I have been doing this for 11 years, nationally and internally with my students, and I travel a lot personally, and this is magic. This is unique. Man: You are going to put your hand inside a beehive. Man: OK. Miles O'Brien: But she has been around enough to know unique is not guaranteed, and ecotourism is not a panacea. Stacie Freeman: Sometimes, even with ecotourism, you can do damage, you know? And so I'm hopeful that the people that are making those decisions are being careful and really thinking about the culture they have here, the heritage they have here. Miles O'Brien: Across the valley, we found someone else trying to turn Cuba's natural wonders into hard cash.Rock climbing guide Raoul Casas is leading a pair of French tourists to the pristine limestone cliffs of Vinales. The sport is technically illegal here, but he says business is, well, looking up. Raoul Casas: The best rock is here, many walls, many caves, like, overhung, full of stalactites, and that make it special, make it unique. Miles O'Brien: European and American climbers have been beating a path in his direction.Lana Smith is from Los Angeles. Lana Smith: I have never seen anything like it. There's, like, nobody there, barely any bolts. Just the local people climb with ropes and stuff, and they have really limited climbing gear. But just the mountains are just, like, amazing, unlike anything I have ever seen. Miles O'Brien: It all sounds like another Costa Rica in the making, but, of course, human nature is often at odds with nature itself.Plenty of evidence of that near the crocodile breeding facility. In the gift shop, stuffed crocs are for sale, and, at the restaurant, crocodile meat is on the menu. Fast money is better than no money at all.Will Cubans save what's so rare here? Or will they love it to death?In Cuba, I'm Miles O'Brien for the PBS NewsHour. Listen to this Segment Watch Watch the Full Episode PBS NewsHour from Nov 08, 2017 By \u2014 Miles O'Brien Miles O'Brien Miles O\u2019Brien is a veteran, independent journalist who focuses on science, technology and aerospace. @milesobrien" + }, + { + "title": "Cubans Are Starting Small Businesses, but the U.S. Is Hurting Them - otherwords.org", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cubans Are Starting Small Businesses, but the U.S. Is Hurting Them - otherwords.org" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMid0FVX3lxTE9NSmE2dEY5ZUlQbk5ITlRRZGFqTV8zOXlYdDJzby15M3A0TFF0d1RuQ1lmX3JXUnNVbXJPemQ2cVBhQnE3SERwYXExM3dqR3VybWtrcnZCQl9xTGVLTmxJUzlWTTAxVXR0T3dMZHBlRml2MmVGYkw0?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article183405526.html", + "id": "CBMid0FVX3lxTE9NSmE2dEY5ZUlQbk5ITlRRZGFqTV8zOXlYdDJzby15M3A0TFF0d1RuQ1lmX3JXUnNVbXJPemQ2cVBhQnE3SERwYXExM3dqR3VybWtrcnZCQl9xTGVLTmxJUzlWTTAxVXR0T3dMZHBlRml2MmVGYkw0", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 22 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 22, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 326, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cubans Are Starting Small Businesses, but the U.S. Is Hurting Them  otherwords.org", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cubans Are Starting Small Businesses, but the U.S. Is Hurting Them  otherwords.org" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://otherwords.org", + "title": "otherwords.org" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Alaska Airlines To Discontinue Flights To Cuba - Northwest News Network", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Alaska Airlines To Discontinue Flights To Cuba - Northwest News Network" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQY0FONHBqMHV1TlEwdXFpenpycFNidFE3ZlVwWFZpdjJIMlhhb3lhQzJVaDRxNGppQkJLTTZmQ09TZGtLbmV3dTBRTGdSVUxGNi1uTHlVTU80UWQyWlRuenRDd2hialNsRHItVUZtLWI2cnhfMmNrdXRNV19OOThXY0h4OHlfVUJYem5JQjJQRGRXRjBWaWM4dWU4a25kcFB6Q3lTVA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://otherwords.org/cubans-starting-small-businesses-u-s-hurting/", + "id": "CBMipAFBVV95cUxQY0FONHBqMHV1TlEwdXFpenpycFNidFE3ZlVwWFZpdjJIMlhhb3lhQzJVaDRxNGppQkJLTTZmQ09TZGtLbmV3dTBRTGdSVUxGNi1uTHlVTU80UWQyWlRuenRDd2hialNsRHItVUZtLWI2cnhfMmNrdXRNV19OOThXY0h4OHlfVUJYem5JQjJQRGRXRjBWaWM4dWU4a25kcFB6Q3lTVA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 14 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 14, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 318, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Alaska Airlines To Discontinue Flights To Cuba  Northwest News Network", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Alaska Airlines To Discontinue Flights To Cuba  Northwest News Network" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org", + "title": "Northwest News Network" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Cubans Are Starting Small Businesses, but the U.S. Is Hurting Them\nauthor: Peter Certo\nurl: https://otherwords.org/cubans-starting-small-businesses-u-s-hurting/\nhostname: otherwords.org\ndescription: Rolling back Obama's opening to Cuba hurts ordinary Cubans the most.\nsitename: OtherWords\ndate: 2017-11-22\ncategories: ['Economy / Business']\nlicense: CC BY 3.0\n---\nOn November 8, just as President Trump was clinching new business deals with the repressive Communist government of China, the Trump administration announced new rules rolling back President Obama\u2019s opening with Cuba.\n\nThe new regulations are supposed to punish hotels, stores, and other businesses tied to the Cuban military and instead direct economic activity toward businesses controlled by regular Cuban citizens.\n\nBut on a visit to the island on a 40-person delegation organized by the peace group CODEPINK, I found that Cuba\u2019s small private businesses, the very sector the Trump administration says it wants to encourage, are already feeling the blow.\n\nIn 2014, President Obama used his executive power to renew diplomatic relations and relax restrictions on travel and trade with Cuba. The island, which already has a large tourist sector with guests from Europe and Canada, geared up for a tsunami of American visitors.\n\nThis coincided with a new Cuban policy of allowing Cubans to leave their miserably paid state jobs to try their hand at starting up their own small businesses. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans jumped at the opportunity, many of them flocking to businesses catering to tourists.\n\nCuba became the fastest growing site for Airbnb, as thousands of Cuban families spruced up extra bedrooms in their homes to accommodate foreign guests. Others took their life savings, or borrowed money from relatives abroad, to open small restaurants in their homes called *paladares*.\n\nAll over downtown Havana, we saw signs of this small business renaissance, with refurbished rooms for rent and boutique eateries boasting live salsa music and high-quality meals for about $10. State-run hotels and restaurants, notorious for bad food and bad service, now face competition from well-run family businesses.\n\nUnfortunately, the U.S. is now rolling all that back. And Cuba\u2019s burgeoning private sector has already felt what they call \u201cthe Trump effect.\u201d\n\nJose Colome, owner of the Starbien private restaurant in Havana that employs 35 people, shook his head in disgust. \u201cWe had 48 reservations from U.S. tourist groups booked in the past three months; 30 of them cancelled.\u201d\n\nProximity Cuba, a travel agency catering to U.S. university groups, lost half its business in one fell swoop. \u201cWe had developed wonderful programs for U.S. students in Cuba. Suddenly, the administrators read the travel warning, and got cold feet, and canceled,\u201d said Proximity Cuba\u2019s director Rodrigo Gonzalez.\n\nOn November 1, for the 26th year in a row, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn the decades-old U.S. embargo against Cuba. The vote this year was 191 nations against the embargo vs. two in favor: the United States and Israel**. **\n\nJust before the UN vote, ten U.S. senators, led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), sent a letter to President Trump saying:* *\u201cOur failed embargo against Cuba has been repeatedly and publicly condemned by the international community as ineffective and harmful to the people of Cuba. The longer we maintain this outdated Cold War policy the more our international and regional credibility suffers.\u201d\n\nThey\u2019re right. The embargo is a failed foreign policy that\u2019s only served to punish the Cuban people and isolate the United States internationally. And rolling back Obama\u2019s opening there is a major blow for diplomacy, people-to-people ties, and \u2014 most of all \u2014 Cuba\u2019s new private businesses." + }, + { + "title": "What Life Is Like for a Castro-Hating Dissident Living in Cuba - VICE", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "What Life Is Like for a Castro-Hating Dissident Living in Cuba - VICE" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxPYTVhYzZiSFZqOUhFQXZkVG5sTXAzcDlmb0lURTBmMXNFZGp4Rzd6ZERFQkVEclEyR3JaTndSaC1GQzJTRHV2azhqZHF3MnhlMzh3RUNrZXYtMHk3Nm5hX1hMNzlmVTNSdVVpMDFqWHBzVURJWXNacE9LR2ZxUWZFa21vN0RoSHZ5bzNtcQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nwnewsnetwork.org/transportation/2017-11-14/alaska-airlines-to-discontinue-flights-to-cuba", + "id": "CBMijAFBVV95cUxPYTVhYzZiSFZqOUhFQXZkVG5sTXAzcDlmb0lURTBmMXNFZGp4Rzd6ZERFQkVEclEyR3JaTndSaC1GQzJTRHV2azhqZHF3MnhlMzh3RUNrZXYtMHk3Nm5hX1hMNzlmVTNSdVVpMDFqWHBzVURJWXNacE9LR2ZxUWZFa21vN0RoSHZ5bzNtcQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 6, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 310, + 0 + ], + "summary": "What Life Is Like for a Castro-Hating Dissident Living in Cuba  VICE", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "What Life Is Like for a Castro-Hating Dissident Living in Cuba  VICE" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.vice.com", + "title": "VICE" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Trump Tightens Cuba Embargo, Restricting Access to Hotels and Businesses (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump Tightens Cuba Embargo, Restricting Access to Hotels and Businesses (Published 2017) - The New York Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxOMjBkZF82SWQ4anBvUzlNYTM5a0NvYlRPZWpZOGNlOEhtb3ZrUWx3NzNGcjhZUWl5c2dWUFRpQ1NYQ2VBYTlCaEFQRHhCRjExS1lfOTEyUXBkdlJNZmFUX241UFpnWU9TLUVwNnl4RTIyaE9BTE5fekFiaFNtV3g5Q3lIVkRDTVpKUFpvRVNNdHNjbGhncWFTU2ZiZ0c5MWsxYkxIYmdsTmNEcHFZNE5xdWl4TG5odGpkeXZr?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.vice.com/en/article/what-life-is-like-for-a-ca-dissident-living-in-cuba/", + "id": "CBMiuwFBVV95cUxOMjBkZF82SWQ4anBvUzlNYTM5a0NvYlRPZWpZOGNlOEhtb3ZrUWx3NzNGcjhZUWl5c2dWUFRpQ1NYQ2VBYTlCaEFQRHhCRjExS1lfOTEyUXBkdlJNZmFUX241UFpnWU9TLUVwNnl4RTIyaE9BTE5fekFiaFNtV3g5Q3lIVkRDTVpKUFpvRVNNdHNjbGhncWFTU2ZiZ0c5MWsxYkxIYmdsTmNEcHFZNE5xdWl4TG5odGpkeXZr", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Trump Tightens Cuba Embargo, Restricting Access to Hotels and Businesses (Published 2017)  The New York Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump Tightens Cuba Embargo, Restricting Access to Hotels and Businesses (Published 2017)  The New York Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nytimes.com", + "title": "The New York Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: What Life Is Like for a Castro-Hating Dissident Living in Cuba\nauthor: Justin Glawe\nurl: https://www.vice.com/en/article/what-life-is-like-for-a-ca-dissident-living-in-cuba/\nhostname: vice.com\ndescription: As Cuba prepares for Trump to re-escalate the embargo and travel ban, residents say the move won't do anything to lift political oppression.\nsitename: VICE\ndate: 2017-11-06\ncategories: ['']\n---\nThere is no reason that we shouldn\u2019t have been mugged\u2014all of us\u2014in our ironed shirts and high heels, taking photos with the lights of Havana in the background, eating rabbit pat\u00e9 and remarking about the art on the walls at a trendy restaurant with a rooftop view of the ocean.\n\nThe men and women in rags and bare feet on the street outside should have taken us for everything that we had. Since credit cards can\u2019t be used most places in Cuba, it is likely well known that Americans must carry cash on them everywhere they go. I thought of that often walking around Havana over a two-week period in July, my pale skin reddening a little more each day. No one messed with us. That\u2019s because if you mess with a tourist in Cuba, you go away.\n\n## Videos by VICE\n\nOr at least that\u2019s what Roberto, whose named has been changed because he is a political dissident, told me. \u201cYou think everyone just happens to like Americans?\u201d he said, grinning.\n\nOne thing is certain: There are about to be fewer of us visiting the island thanks to Donald Trump\u2019s decision in June to reinstitute trade and travel restrictions. The debate is whether that will help or harm efforts at political change in Cuba. Many locals I spoke to believe Trump\u2019s intention to ban individual travel to Cuba will do nothing to entice the Castro regime to end the ongoing political oppression of its people.\n\nAt the moment, Trump\u2019s promise to limit access to Cuba is a promise only. A presidential directive gave several federal agencies until September 14 to officially release new travel and trade policies for Cuba. As of this writing, none of those agencies have actually done so, putting US policy toward Cuba into a regulatory purgatory. That\u2019s true even after a mysterious \u201csonic attack\u201d on US diplomats and others that worsened relations between the two countries, though the State Department is now warning US citizens not to travel to Cuba.\n\nIf and when the individual travel ban finally does go into effect, Roberto told me, it will only harm relations between the Cuban and American peoples.\n\nI met Roberto after coming across a woman in the El Centro neighborhood of Havana who said her husband was an outspoken critic of the government. The next day the couple invited me to their home so I could catch a glimpse of how many regular Cubans live. It\u2019s the stuff you don\u2019t normally see at the palatial, colonial-era Airbnbs and sparkling government-run hotels where tourists often spend their nights.\n\nRoberto showed me the loft he built with wood he stole from a hospital where he worked, making his government-provided 20 square foot box of an apartment more livable. He also rigged up a rainwater collection system so he wouldn\u2019t have to carry drinking water up two flights of stairs. He told me that his upstairs neighbor, a 75-year-old man, isn\u2019t so lucky.\n\nRoberto is part of a network of political dissidents who, in quiet and careful ways, try to subvert the government through humble means, primarily by getting access to outside information and passing it along to those they trust. He said he became a dissident after the government blacklisted him because he wouldn\u2019t sit approvingly through propaganda meetings.\n\n\u201cThis is bullshit,\u201d he would say, throwing up his arms in exasperation.\n\nSo Roberto was out of his job as an X-ray technician, and believes he has been blacklisted from getting another sought-after occupation like working in a hospital. After years of operating a bike taxi in Havana, he was screwed once more by the government. This time, they\u2019d implemented a new program that required taxi drivers to pay for licenses. Guess who didn\u2019t get one? Now Roberto hustles whatever construction work he can find, but mostly relies on his wife to pay the bills. (Her job can\u2019t be described here in order to protect the couple\u2019s identity.)\n\nAfter eight days in Cuba on a combination reporting trip and vacation, it was refreshing to speak to Roberto, whose frankness about the government and its alleged oppression of political dissidents was accompanied by a sly smile and gallows humor. Most Cubans I ran into said their lives were fine, there was no political oppression, and if there was it was overblown or the product of American intervention.\n\nThis has been the story Cubans tell outsiders for years, said Sebastian Arcos, who left Cuba for the United States in 1992 and now helps to run the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University. \u201cWe\u2019re dealing with a police state, and people know what they have to say in order to please the government, because in a police state they make you believe that your neighbor or the guy leaning against the corner is with the secret police,\u201d Arcos told me over the phone from Miami. \u201cThey call these people \u2018mercenaries.\u2019\u201d\n\nBut Roberto did not say those things.\n\n\u201cThey take you to a place and they drop water on your head, slowly, for days, if you speak out against the government,\u201d Roberto told me. \u201cAnd they make you tell them that you were being paid by the Americans to say these things.\u201d\n\nWhile Arcos couldn\u2019t corroborate Roberto\u2019s story about Chinese water torture being used against political dissidents, he described what happened to his own father. \u201cForget about the images of torture that you see in movies,\u201d Arcos said. \u201cYes, they beat you to a pulp. But they also put you in isolation. They feed you very little and poor quality food. You don\u2019t get to talk to anybody or have any visitors, and they put you in a cell block with 15 hardened common criminals and tell them, \u2018If you harass this guy, I might reduce your sentence.\u2019 This happened to my father. So you have to fight every day.\u201d\n\nTrump\u2019s announcement on travel restrictions was only a few weeks old when I arrived in Havana with my girlfriend on the night of July 4. We were greeted by a rainstorm, stifling humidity, and a man who would take us to our Airbnb. Through dark streets with mounds of trash on the corners, we wound our way through the slums of El Centro to a seemingly random door, knocked, and were greeted by a woman who showed us to our room.\n\nAfter a few days learning our way around\u2014walking in order not to be ripped off by the taxi drivers charging at least $10 to get anywhere, I spotted a locals-only bar on an El Centro street corner. Luis, the bartender, shooed drunks away from us while we bought beers. A German man approached and asked us what the hell we were doing in there. I told him we were in search of people who would speak to us about Trump\u2019s reinstatement of the embargo\u2014and also in search of political dissidents. He offered to translate for us, and we were off.\n\nMany Cubans we spoke to dismissed Trump\u2019s embargo\u2014and the president himself\u2014with a sigh and a wave. What effect will an embargo that was lifted only a few years ago by Barack Obama have now that it\u2019ll soon be in place again? they asked. What effect will Trump have on a country where many people are simply looking to make enough money to pay their rent, put food on the table, and clothes on their children\u2019s backs?\n\n\u201cIt means nothing to me,\u201d 80-year-old Francisco Sala said of the embargo. Sala has lived in the slums of Havana all his life, and said he knows enough of Trump to know he doesn\u2019t like him.\n\nBut it isn\u2019t Sala who the embargo is necessarily intended to affect. Trump, like the 11 presidents before him stretching back to Dwight Eisenhower, believes putting the squeeze on Cuba will force its government to loosen its grip on political freedoms.\n\n\u201cIt won\u2019t happen,\u201d Roberto told me. \u201cThey control everything.\u201d\n\nThat includes the media. \u201cThey just always say that these government officials are meeting with these businesspeople or other government people, and things are going really well, and that the result will be good for the Cuban people,\u201d Roberto told me of the information that comes from state-run TV and Cuba\u2019s official newspaper, * Granma*.\n\nAnyone familiar with Trump\u2019s almost daily boasting on Twitter is familiar with this form of information dissemination. In the United States, we just happen to have easy access to other sources.\n\nTrump\u2019s position on the embargo has changed over the years. In 1999 he was in support of it, while simultaneously allegedly trying to violate it by pursuing business opportunities on the island. Around the time he began his presidential campaign in 2015, he called Obama\u2019s decision to allow individual Americans to travel to Cuba \u201cfine.\u201d By 2016, Trump was shying away from directly answering the question of whether he supported the embargo, instead saying during a March primary debate that he wanted to make \u201ca good deal, a strong deal.\u201d When pressed by CNN\u2019s Dana Bash whether he\u2019d continue the lifted restrictions of the Obama administration, Trump could only say that he\u2019d make a \u201cgood deal.\u201d The crowd chuckled at his ambiguity, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American who is outspokenly anti-Castro, pounced.\n\n\u201cHere\u2019s a good deal: Cuba has free elections. Cuba stops putting people in jail for speaking out. Cuba has freedom of the press,\u201d Rubio said to raucous applause.\n\nBy September 16, 2016, as the Republican presidential nominee, Trump had decided that Obama\u2019s lifting of portions of the embargo was no longer \u201cfine.\u201d That day, Trump told a crowd in Miami that he would rescind Obama\u2019s executive order relaxing portions of the embargo.\n\n\u201cAnd that, I will do, unless the Castro regime meets our demands\u2014not my demands, our demands,\u201d Trump said. \u201cYou know what those demands are. Those demands will include religious and political freedom for the Cuban people, and the freeing of political prisoners.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe freeing of political prisoners. Right?\u201d he asked, making sure he had struck the right tone for the Cubans in the audience. \u201cIs that right?\u201d\n\nTwo days later, polls showed Trump leading Hillary Clinton in Florida for the first time in six months, a state that became a key part of his eventual November victory.\n\n\u201cWithout Americans coming here you and I would not be talking right now.\u201d\n\n\u2013Roberto\n\nEveryone I spoke to in Cuba knew Trump was moving to reinstate portions of the embargo *. *Driving back to Havana from Trinidad one day, I remembered a sign I\u2019d seen on our way there, just outside Cienfuegos. A cartoon Uncle Sam was being punched by a powerful fist, * Cuba *written on the fist\u2019s arm. Under Uncle Sam\u2019s head, the word * bloqueo\u2014*how the Castro regime refers to the embargo *\u2014*shattered under the force of the Cuban punch. I drew the image for our taxi driver, telling him that I wanted to stop to get a photo, he laughed and said he knew right where it was.\n\nThe cartoon is emblematic of both what most Cubans I spoke to think of the embargo and the view propagated by the Cuban government. The notion is that it\u2019s simply a way for the US to punish Cuba for being a thorn in the side of American imperialism. Cubans are aware of the United States\u2019 reasoning for the embargo, which is that it will force the Cuban government to cease oppression of political dissidents, and maybe even allow free elections. Still, everyone I spoke to said the embargo will only strengthen the government\u2019s resolve against * yanqui *imperialism.\n\nOnce Trump\u2019s renewed embargo is put into place, it will be more difficult for Americans to travel to Cuba. Those who do will do so in groups, likely staying in government-run tourist hotels, probably never meeting people like Roberto. They\u2019ll also be less likely to come into contact with the average Cuban who doesn\u2019t work at a tourist hotel, restaurant, or bar\u2014the people who know well what they\u2019re supposed to say. * We have free health care here! The schools are great! There is no violence here! *Everyone in the tourist areas said this to us, repeatedly and unsolicited. They all had the same lines\u2014word for word, and for many their English stopped there. This is because the government has taught them these lines, Roberto told me. (Arcos, of the Cuban Research Institute, couldn\u2019t corroborate this claim, saying that the canned lines might be an indication of the rampant fear of saying anything against the government.)\n\nIf you\u2019re Cuban and you happen to speak to a tourist about anything else, especially anything remotely critical of the government, you run the risk of being overheard by Castro\u2019s Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, Roberto and Arcos said. The CDR is comprised of regular Cubans\u2014neighbors, coworkers, friends\u2014who are always listening for a wrong word. \u201cThe walls have ears,\u201d Roberto said as he walked us to his home.\n\nRoberto and others provide news of the outside world to Cubans through illegal cable boxes, smuggled in from the United States, that beam in news Univision and Telemundo. They fill thumb drives with news\u2014as well as soap operas and baseball games. \u201cCuban TV sucks,\u201d Arcos said.\n\nIn this way, Roberto confirms the oppression that Trump and others say exists in Cuba. But he insists that reducing the amount of Americans traveling to Cuba will not convince the government to change its ways.\n\n\u201cWithout Americans coming here you and I would not be talking right now,\u201d he said.\n\nArcos and many others disagree with this sentiment. For them, Trump\u2019s promise to renew a ban on individual travel to Cuba doesn\u2019t go far enough. \u201cIt makes sense to entice the Castro regime to be more open with a carrot-and-stick approach,\u201d Arcos said.\n\nThe US government could allow businesses to operate in Cuba, businesses that would have to pay substantial sums of money to the Castro regime, but which also might show them that more commerce is good for the government\u2014and the Cuban people, according to Arcos. \u201cWhat doesn\u2019t make sense is to send a bunch of Americans from Wisconsin to sit in Havana and sip mojitos,\u201d Arcos said. \u201cGovernment change through tourism has never worked.\u201d\n\nRoberto, however, thinks Americans walking the streets of Havana can affect change. It would at least allow Cubans to come into more contact with Americans, and maybe see that we\u2019re not Yankee imperialists. He wonders if Trump understands or even knows of this point of view.\n\n\u201cDo you think Trump will read this story?\u201d Roberto told me when we said our goodbyes. \u201cI hope he does, because there is a message here for him.\u201d\n\n* Justin Glawe* * is an independent journalist based in Dallas. His girlfriend, * * Sarah Bertness**, is a writer and fashion editor. She contributed to this report. *" + }, + { + "title": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - NPR", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - NPR" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxORFlQeVZWZUtyMC01cFpUWW5mOUhUSWY1ODMyY2tfVVBkUGQ1blNWNm4wdkl5V21TbTZ4cjRyajloZk45ZXNvMWVhemdSUFZxTlVpRFhrM3JfQjBFb3M0UWJMRXpNLVNNMVNTZ2d5eXJXMXZSVGVIbEJScjNoekJ2MnNRZTlCaGhpMlU1T1E4ekZGU3dONzFaVWc5WGlnUzNaZ2NDaWhQR0FUb0U?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/08/us/politics/trump-tightens-cuba-embargo-restricting-access-to-hotels-businesses.html", + "id": "CBMiqwFBVV95cUxORFlQeVZWZUtyMC01cFpUWW5mOUhUSWY1ODMyY2tfVVBkUGQ1blNWNm4wdkl5V21TbTZ4cjRyajloZk45ZXNvMWVhemdSUFZxTlVpRFhrM3JfQjBFb3M0UWJMRXpNLVNNMVNTZ2d5eXJXMXZSVGVIbEJScjNoekJ2MnNRZTlCaGhpMlU1T1E4ekZGU3dONzFaVWc5WGlnUzNaZ2NDaWhQR0FUb0U", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sat, 25 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 25, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 5, + 329, + 0 + ], + "summary": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba  NPR", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba  NPR" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.npr.org", + "title": "NPR" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Fatal shark attack reported in Cuba - trackingsharks.com", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Fatal shark attack reported in Cuba - trackingsharks.com" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMickFVX3lxTFBjTW5tYWxMQVJOUEozQVFRWHExV3dqM2d5amRwNEUtdkNDaHBtU1ExRXJQb1A2Z0Itc3FEY212Y3NUbTNpQ1lYT3k2UVRidlZtZUZ5b3BMaFEtYlJ1Yjk4LXZLUXc4dlhQN3MwdTNKSW5Wd9IBckFVX3lxTFBjTW5tYWxMQVJOUEozQVFRWHExV3dqM2d5amRwNEUtdkNDaHBtU1ExRXJQb1A2Z0Itc3FEY212Y3NUbTNpQ1lYT3k2UVRidlZtZUZ5b3BMaFEtYlJ1Yjk4LXZLUXc4dlhQN3MwdTNKSW5Wdw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.npr.org/2017/11/25/565435460/the-highlight-of-my-career-diplo-on-major-lazer-performing-in-cuba", + "id": "CBMickFVX3lxTFBjTW5tYWxMQVJOUEozQVFRWHExV3dqM2d5amRwNEUtdkNDaHBtU1ExRXJQb1A2Z0Itc3FEY212Y3NUbTNpQ1lYT3k2UVRidlZtZUZ5b3BMaFEtYlJ1Yjk4LXZLUXc4dlhQN3MwdTNKSW5Wd9IBckFVX3lxTFBjTW5tYWxMQVJOUEozQVFRWHExV3dqM2d5amRwNEUtdkNDaHBtU1ExRXJQb1A2Z0Itc3FEY212Y3NUbTNpQ1lYT3k2UVRidlZtZUZ5b3BMaFEtYlJ1Yjk4LXZLUXc4dlhQN3MwdTNKSW5Wdw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 6, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 310, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Fatal shark attack reported in Cuba  trackingsharks.com", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Fatal shark attack reported in Cuba  trackingsharks.com" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.trackingsharks.com", + "title": "trackingsharks.com" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Diplo Talks 'Euphoric' Experience Of Performing In Cuba\nauthor: Michel Martin\nurl: https://www.npr.org/2017/11/25/565435460/the-highlight-of-my-career-diplo-on-major-lazer-performing-in-cuba\nhostname: npr.org\ndescription: After President Obama warmed relations with Cuba, the electronic group performed in the streets of downtown Havana. The new documentary Give Me Future chronicles the experience.\nsitename: NPR\ndate: 2017-11-25\n---\n# 'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba\n\n#### Diplo Talks 'Euphoric' Experience Of Performing In Cuba\n\nWhen President Obama announced in December 2014 that the United States would be restoring diplomatic ties with Cuba, the members of Major Lazer knew they wanted to be a part of it.\n\nBy March 2016, the electronic trio had settled on a plan: a huge, free concert in downtown Havana. And when, after years of planning and working with the Cuban government, it finally happened, thousands came. For some in the crowd, it was a moment that symbolized hope for a new beginning.\n\nA little over a year later, in June 2017, things had taken a different turn. President Trump said he is \"canceling\" the deal Obama made that eased trade and travel restrictions to Cuba. Additionally, a number of American diplomats posted there have been since recalled after sustaining serious health damage from an as-yet undetermined cause.\n\nIn the midst of all this, Major Lazer has released a documentary, *Give Me Future*, about its 2016 concert via Apple Music. NPR's Michel Martin spoke with Diplo, one-third of Major Lazer, about the group's dedication to sharing its music, the hurdles it had to clear to stage the event and the offbeat way music and information travels through Cuba \u2014 often, hand-to-hand.\n\n\"They call it the 'paquete,' which is like a USB key that travels to the islands,\" Diplo recounts. \"Basically, only 0.1 percent of the island has internet \u2014 couple hotels and government officials. The music and culture and information travels through the streets via a USB key and a little hard drive. And our music was on that.\"\n\nHear the full conversation at the audio link." + }, + { + "title": "Caterpillar distributor is first U.S. company to get green light to set up shop in Cuba\u2019s Mariel zone - Miami Herald", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Caterpillar distributor is first U.S. company to get green light to set up shop in Cuba\u2019s Mariel zone - Miami Herald" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxPZXJRNmw1VFJIeE9WXzN3dEliTHJRcGpGbThjYnFXOWVWLVNiNjJDSGt3Y2g1dGZ2SVNHcjhmbjVpZXJJeG1oZFI1SkZiY3pHSXZxMkUwSWI2MEFaVUFiM2JaNktKVU5odC12MEtmZEhwNDBSakxva0p3QWlUUVZsckdVZEJqUExnWjhhM1BQUdIBkAFBVV95cUxPSU1PNFM1OE0wVzBFS1VjcEFTb2JVekdxNVM0Wm5EWllNVFlFdTJHNW01MlY2YVZ3Qi0tdXBnY2dYTXFpNDdYd3dmZ0hJQ3cyZ2ZTWUpaN3pLM243MHVQUTdpLU02YUlGX0hMdXJMTDJ5TlJ3OGRoM3pEN3p6cElybDVNMFZtdWNhMVdYVFFyLTQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.trackingsharks.com/fatal-shark-attack-reported-cuba/", + "id": "CBMijwFBVV95cUxPZXJRNmw1VFJIeE9WXzN3dEliTHJRcGpGbThjYnFXOWVWLVNiNjJDSGt3Y2g1dGZ2SVNHcjhmbjVpZXJJeG1oZFI1SkZiY3pHSXZxMkUwSWI2MEFaVUFiM2JaNktKVU5odC12MEtmZEhwNDBSakxva0p3QWlUUVZsckdVZEJqUExnWjhhM1BQUdIBkAFBVV95cUxPSU1PNFM1OE0wVzBFS1VjcEFTb2JVekdxNVM0Wm5EWllNVFlFdTJHNW01MlY2YVZ3Qi0tdXBnY2dYTXFpNDdYd3dmZ0hJQ3cyZ2ZTWUpaN3pLM243MHVQUTdpLU02YUlGX0hMdXJMTDJ5TlJ3OGRoM3pEN3p6cElybDVNMFZtdWNhMVdYVFFyLTQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 03 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 3, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 307, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Caterpillar distributor is first U.S. company to get green light to set up shop in Cuba\u2019s Mariel zone  Miami Herald", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Caterpillar distributor is first U.S. company to get green light to set up shop in Cuba\u2019s Mariel zone  Miami Herald" + }, + "source": { + "href": "http://www.miamiherald.com", + "title": "Miami Herald" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Fatal shark attack reported in Cuba\nauthor: Kevin McMurray\nurl: https://nlf.zkb.mybluehost.me/website_f80e665f/fatal-shark-attack-reported-cuba/\nhostname: mybluehost.me\ndescription: A fatal shark attack has been reported in Cuba. Jes\u00fas Cabrera Gonz\u00e1lez was swimming with friends of friends at Guardalavaca Beach November 4. The group\nsitename: Tracking Sharks\ndate: 2017-11-06\ncategories: ['2017 Shark Attack Bite', 'Tiger Shark']\ntags: ['2017 fatal shark attack', '2017 shark attack', '2017 shark bite', 'cuba', 'Guardalavaca Beach', 'Jes\u00fas Cabrera Gonz\u00e1lez']\n---\nA fatal shark attack has been reported in Cuba.\n\nJes\u00fas Cabrera Gonz\u00e1lez was swimming with friends of friends at Guardalavaca Beach November 4.\n\nThe group was around 10 feet from the beach as the celebrated the 22-year-old man\u2019s birthday.\n\nAround 11:30 p.m. the shark bit Gonz\u00e1lez\u2019s left thigh. His friends heard his cries and were able to hit the shark with a bottle, but the damage had already been done.\n\nPhotographic evidence shows the suspected tiger shark severed Gonz\u00e1lez femoral artery as it removed a large section of his inner thigh near his groin, nearly severing his leg.\n\nGonz\u00e1lez, a local resident of Holguin, was transported to the International Health and Tourism Clinic of Guardalavaca, but passed away from hypovolemic shock (severe loss of blood) before arriving.\n\n**Related: Shark attack prevention tips**\n\nThere have been four other fatal shark attacks this year.\n\nOn February 21, Alexandre Naussac was bitten on the thigh off Saint-Andre at Reunion Island. The 26-year-old was bodyboarding in the shallow murky water around 9:30 a.m. when the shark bit.\n\nOn April 12, Leopold Mairhuber was diving with a group off near Shelly Beach and Port Edward, South Africa. The 68-year-old master instructor did not surface and his partial remains were later found by a private search vessel.\n\nOn April 17, Laeticia Brouwer\u2019s left leg was severed while she surfed at Kelp Beds near Wylie Bay in Esperance, Australia.\n\nOn April 29, Adrie Dubosc was bitten in the groin area of his right thigh off La R\u00e9union Island, Saint Leu. The 29-year-old was with two friends off Pointe au Sel, near Saint-Leu on the west coast of the island which is an area where water sports are reportedly banned. Medics worked on Dubosc for nearly an hour before death was declared.\n\nThere have been a total of 90* shark attack bites in 2017, 6 of which were fatal*; 45 were reported in the US, with 31 occurring in Florida** and two in Hawaii. Fourteen have been reported in Australia, one of which was fatal. Five unconfirmed worldwide and not included in the total count.\n\nAll locations have been marked on the 2017 Shark Attack Bites Tracking Map.\n\n*Two may be scavenge. **One report may have been outside of Florida waters." + }, + { + "title": "Trump tightens limits on personal travel, business ties to Cuba - The Hill", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump tightens limits on personal travel, business ties to Cuba - The Hill" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxOZ3BQOXdSdksxVThlME1zZGhJcm8xNUM2aVNUM3pjYXdCNDZqMm1tRkNLb05ZdXowcFNJaVBfcEJMUHpPVjYwcGtTUkR2RGh1MWZQN1VGaGVyeURMWU1yUENPZ3RkRS0tRHM4Q3R2QkI5NXAzLW9qREs1S2laNTZyR215NHFHQmhtVmdZSWMyVXcta0Fxck5iLUVsWVpjUFJhVDQ4YkRvd9IBrAFBVV95cUxPWWJkVGYwX2dFeXV5SkN2VEhLTElHbVB3NktBRV9kSkZGUUNBMHlXMHdzUXFxUWNoMmVuTG56dS1CdGN1ZndLQ3ZtWnJua3hNdjRPa3RtMFczT0ZRTnVyRDZNRVE5N2tYWjMwTDVHU1lFenZLWERxbUtrOG53d0xsdlRiQXRvbHRaNDZVMGhhRngydG5lR3JTXzFaWTcwZVJheTBCQmdVeUtJVXRw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/359354-trumps-cuba-policy-allows-airbnb-stays-for-americans/", + "id": "CBMipwFBVV95cUxOZ3BQOXdSdksxVThlME1zZGhJcm8xNUM2aVNUM3pjYXdCNDZqMm1tRkNLb05ZdXowcFNJaVBfcEJMUHpPVjYwcGtTUkR2RGh1MWZQN1VGaGVyeURMWU1yUENPZ3RkRS0tRHM4Q3R2QkI5NXAzLW9qREs1S2laNTZyR215NHFHQmhtVmdZSWMyVXcta0Fxck5iLUVsWVpjUFJhVDQ4YkRvd9IBrAFBVV95cUxPWWJkVGYwX2dFeXV5SkN2VEhLTElHbVB3NktBRV9kSkZGUUNBMHlXMHdzUXFxUWNoMmVuTG56dS1CdGN1ZndLQ3ZtWnJua3hNdjRPa3RtMFczT0ZRTnVyRDZNRVE5N2tYWjMwTDVHU1lFenZLWERxbUtrOG53d0xsdlRiQXRvbHRaNDZVMGhhRngydG5lR3JTXzFaWTcwZVJheTBCQmdVeUtJVXRw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Trump tightens limits on personal travel, business ties to Cuba  The Hill", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump tightens limits on personal travel, business ties to Cuba  The Hill" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://thehill.com", + "title": "The Hill" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Thomas Pratt photographs youth and music in Santiago de Cuba - It's Nice That", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Thomas Pratt photographs youth and music in Santiago de Cuba - It's Nice That" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxPdTJMNFltbTUzVzh1eS1qcEhVTzJ3Zjd3dDlrYUxrMmpzajYwMTJKZzBULXhtYlV6M3ZUeFFha2NIUXJjZXZXRzYtZ3ZReURwamxpMmxmWnA2TVNOSjlKN3FWMGJWSHZtZWhMN0xLd3lnaXVtaGJnalAtYjlpbHVtYXJrbVZzTElTdzhOMFhR?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/thomas-pratt-santiago-de-cuba-photography-151117", + "id": "CBMijgFBVV95cUxPdTJMNFltbTUzVzh1eS1qcEhVTzJ3Zjd3dDlrYUxrMmpzajYwMTJKZzBULXhtYlV6M3ZUeFFha2NIUXJjZXZXRzYtZ3ZReURwamxpMmxmWnA2TVNOSjlKN3FWMGJWSHZtZWhMN0xLd3lnaXVtaGJnalAtYjlpbHVtYXJrbVZzTElTdzhOMFhR", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 15 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 15, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 319, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Thomas Pratt photographs youth and music in Santiago de Cuba  It's Nice That", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Thomas Pratt photographs youth and music in Santiago de Cuba  It's Nice That" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.itsnicethat.com", + "title": "It's Nice That" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Thomas Pratt photographs youth and music in Santiago de Cuba\nauthor: Bryony Stone\ndate: 2017-11-15\n---\n# Thomas Pratt photographs youth and music in Santiago de Cuba\n\n\u201cI first went to Santiago de Cuba in 2012 for the carnival, the conga parades and sound systems were incredible so I\u2019d always planned to return,\u201d photographer Thomas Pratt tells us. As luck would have it, three years later, his friend set up a small music studio in the Cuban city, \u201cwhich I saw as a great opportunity to photograph the musicians that would be recording there.\u201d The serendipity continued: weeks before Thomas arrived in Cuba, there was by a major diplomatic announcement by Cuban president Ra\u00fal Castro, and the US president of the time Barack Obama, that Cuba and the USA were, after over 50 years, to rebuild diplomatic ties.\n\nUnder the haze of political goodwill, Thomas travelled to Santiago de Cuba to meet rapper Alain Garcia Artola, drummer Carlos Guerra and rumba group Obbatuk\u00e9, and a crew of hopeful musicians from the inner-city area Reparto Portuondo. \u201cOn my return to Santiago, Alain picked me up on the back of his purple Babetta moped from the bus station and took me to his Mum\u2019s house,\u201d Thomas tells It\u2019s Nice That. \u201cFor the next two and half months we lived in an apartment together, which also housed the recording studio. Alain introduced me to a huge variety of people from the city from folk guitarists to rappers, rumba bands to DJs and cultural ministers.\u201d\n\n\u201cI would be invited to sit in on rehearsals, music lessons, dance practises during the day and be eating and drinking with the same people at night. I ended up in a local reggae bands music video, In meetings with government officials in the Teatro Heredia. In the middle of a fight that broke out during a conga, searching for colonial ruins with local archeologists, playing a lot of FIFA on the playstation, watching a steel band practise on a rooftop in a small town in the Sierra Maestra mountains, buying home made rum through letter boxes, Alain\u2019s Mum cured my bacterial infection with fruits and herbs. Being in an empty church on Valentine\u2019s Day listening to a Cuban troubadour.\u201d\n\nAs the community of his friend\u2019s music studio embraced him with open arms, Thomas was able to work with his subjects to make images.\n\n\u201cI was very conscious to have full consent from the subjects in all the photographs, I see the work as being very much a collaboration between the subjects and myself,\u201d he says. Now, the images have found new life in *M\u00fasica en Santiago de Cuba*, a book published by Spaghetti Press, with the full support of the musicians pictured in his project. \u201cPhoto books are my favourite way to view photography,\u201d Thomas says. \u201cI had some money saved and discussed wanting to make the book with graphic designer David Weller, we worked together on the edit, layout, design, right through to the print. We met with a variety of printers until we found a quality and price that made sense and have put the book out as our first release on Spaghetti Press.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe musicians featured were very supportive throughout the taking of these photos, the response has been great from musicians that have seen the book so far. Alain wrote the introduction to the book based on the photographs I\u2019d sent to him. The younger generation understand the power of the internet and want exposure to further their careers as musicians. I still owe Nagbe, the priest, a large print for his living room.\u201d\n\n### Share Article\n\n### Further Info\n\n### About the Author\n\n\u2014\n\nBryony joined It's Nice That as Deputy Editor in August 2016, following roles at Mother, Secret Cinema, LAW, Rollacoaster and Wonderland. She later became Acting Editor at It's Nice That, before leaving in late 2018." + }, + { + "title": "U.S. publishes long list of places in Cuba off limits to Americans - Travel Weekly", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "U.S. publishes long list of places in Cuba off limits to Americans - Travel Weekly" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxQZVBsSVdfY0txS25SNURGNnNDR0lZZkxuN0pRU3o5RHFuVkJoYXlpU1FnbGNXcDB4dndZajE4NlF3c1FuV3haZUZ3eVhNLWlZd295eTNkUjFkM05BaU9zclRCQXYzM29LOFpyb1JiWHBjZTVTcENfcm1fV25fYWhRaDlTRmstLXp3emFoNHFIcTNKbzBIQXZGNTAtWlJtWE1GM25YMUl1YU5tR1lYaVRj?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-Travel/US-publishes-long-list-of-places-in-Cuba-off-limits-to-Americans", + "id": "CBMirwFBVV95cUxQZVBsSVdfY0txS25SNURGNnNDR0lZZkxuN0pRU3o5RHFuVkJoYXlpU1FnbGNXcDB4dndZajE4NlF3c1FuV3haZUZ3eVhNLWlZd295eTNkUjFkM05BaU9zclRCQXYzM29LOFpyb1JiWHBjZTVTcENfcm1fV25fYWhRaDlTRmstLXp3emFoNHFIcTNKbzBIQXZGNTAtWlJtWE1GM25YMUl1YU5tR1lYaVRj", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 9, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 313, + 0 + ], + "summary": "U.S. publishes long list of places in Cuba off limits to Americans  Travel Weekly", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "U.S. publishes long list of places in Cuba off limits to Americans  Travel Weekly" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.travelweekly.com", + "title": "Travel Weekly" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Trump cracks down on U.S. business and travel to Cuba. Here\u2019s what\u2019s changing - USA Today", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump cracks down on U.S. business and travel to Cuba. 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Here\u2019s what\u2019s changing  USA Today", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Trump cracks down on U.S. business and travel to Cuba. 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Coordinated by Parma Recordings and the Ministry of Culture of Cuba, Apollo\u2019s eight-day trip allowed them the opportunity to present a public concert and outreach programs, appear on Cuba TV, collaborate with acclaimed Cuban musicians, and record at Abdala Studios in Havana.\n\n\"It was an honor to take part in this cross-cultural collaboration, and we are pleased to include our Havana studio recording of *Im\u00e1genes de Cuba* on [our new album] *Ancestral Voices*,\" said violinist, Artistic Director, and Co-Founder Matthew Detrick.\n\n*Ancestral Voices* is Apollo's third CD, released on November 10th, which features *Im\u00e1genes de Cuba (Images of Cuba)* \u2013 a work they commissioned as part of their 20X2020 Project from Houston composer Arthur Gottschalk, who was inspired by his frequent visits to Cuba over the past ten years.\n\nHere is Apollo's recording of the third movement (Timba), an exploration of salsa and pachanga dances, featuring Cuban percussion virtuoso Adel Gonz\u00e1lez.\n\n*Apollo Chamber Players' new CD is Ancestral Voices, with music by Gilad Cohen, Arthur Gottschalk, Malek Jandali, and Javier Farias. The four works are 20X2020 commissions, collectively inspired by Jewish, Andean, Cuban, and Syrian folk music. Apollo is currently celebrating its 10th anniversary season.*" + }, + { + "title": "The Protest Art of Cuba Finds an Unlikely Champion (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "The Protest Art of Cuba Finds an Unlikely Champion (Published 2017) - The New York Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQM2FLNGtSbHMwb0FFM1hoZ0VwM1F2eWFudEhINVIza2RSX2hxWmxiZnY3OWpBbVVXOW5nOWJ6endsbWZKVHhPNTlNZXdKTHdoNjNOakxCdUtZZmwyaWlrVE1RTTZZazNwY1BOeXNRZDVTRUZheEExWTVVZmtLWG9XUGFkVm9FbUZjeGstdjNidy1QRGRnSExkLXJRMHRPbldLYUE1cQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/arts/design/the-protest-art-of-cuba-finds-an-unlikely-champion.html", + "id": "CBMipAFBVV95cUxQM2FLNGtSbHMwb0FFM1hoZ0VwM1F2eWFudEhINVIza2RSX2hxWmxiZnY3OWpBbVVXOW5nOWJ6endsbWZKVHhPNTlNZXdKTHdoNjNOakxCdUtZZmwyaWlrVE1RTTZZazNwY1BOeXNRZDVTRUZheEExWTVVZmtLWG9XUGFkVm9FbUZjeGstdjNidy1QRGRnSExkLXJRMHRPbldLYUE1cQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 21 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 21, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 325, + 0 + ], + "summary": "The Protest Art of Cuba Finds an Unlikely Champion (Published 2017)  The New York Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "The Protest Art of Cuba Finds an Unlikely Champion (Published 2017)  The New York Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nytimes.com", + "title": "The New York Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Rubio, Diaz-Balart accuse bureaucrats of undermining Trump's hard-line Cuba policy - Politico", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Rubio, Diaz-Balart accuse bureaucrats of undermining Trump's hard-line Cuba policy - Politico" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxNMUFqSHJXQnhMRHZoY0dRTW50Y29KUGZTdzhkdm5UMW5KeFhMZWw0LTI2NVJBUTYybEpLeVdPVk55cE9Cek1fWkV5c1lZbXpuUVNCNDB6Y0lweTBKSUVmQml6UkpnSjQ4MjlBWEtfTHNMdGRlcHBUSW5tc0xnNGRVUWdKVE9SVUl5OVNsVTdpTHQ0Vm5YRXZzak52NkZQMl9fYWN0VzBPSVhlREt3WmdwMmtrREFSdmxJeFRLc1U1NUVNMVloZmxSdg?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.politico.com/story/2017/11/08/rubio-diaz-balart-accuse-bureaucrats-of-undermining-trumps-hard-line-cuba-policy-244707", + "id": "CBMiyAFBVV95cUxNMUFqSHJXQnhMRHZoY0dRTW50Y29KUGZTdzhkdm5UMW5KeFhMZWw0LTI2NVJBUTYybEpLeVdPVk55cE9Cek1fWkV5c1lZbXpuUVNCNDB6Y0lweTBKSUVmQml6UkpnSjQ4MjlBWEtfTHNMdGRlcHBUSW5tc0xnNGRVUWdKVE9SVUl5OVNsVTdpTHQ0Vm5YRXZzak52NkZQMl9fYWN0VzBPSVhlREt3WmdwMmtrREFSdmxJeFRLc1U1NUVNMVloZmxSdg", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Rubio, Diaz-Balart accuse bureaucrats of undermining Trump's hard-line Cuba policy  Politico", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Rubio, Diaz-Balart accuse bureaucrats of undermining Trump's hard-line Cuba policy  Politico" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.politico.com", + "title": "Politico" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "\"Work\" in Cuba Means Working for the State - Havana Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\"Work\" in Cuba Means Working for the State - Havana Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMif0FVX3lxTE5VbC1sU3dMenpMZGhaTzRuYnhfR3JfQmtVblVteWVTZjcyMzlhM1lmU1BuY3VCeng3OUpzSUNEdERFLUROdy1NODctWmRYYURJeFF1UGkzWVhhZDA5SHNMLUFXQXR5NExKcERYcVRDaDQyamU2Z3RscnNPSnhPUzg?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://havanatimes.org/features/work-in-cuba-means-working-for-the-state/", + "id": "CBMif0FVX3lxTE5VbC1sU3dMenpMZGhaTzRuYnhfR3JfQmtVblVteWVTZjcyMzlhM1lmU1BuY3VCeng3OUpzSUNEdERFLUROdy1NODctWmRYYURJeFF1UGkzWVhhZDA5SHNMLUFXQXR5NExKcERYcVRDaDQyamU2Z3RscnNPSnhPUzg", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 13, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 317, + 0 + ], + "summary": "\"Work\" in Cuba Means Working for the State  Havana Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\"Work\" in Cuba Means Working for the State  Havana Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://havanatimes.org", + "title": "Havana Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: \"Work\" in Cuba Means Working for the State - Havana Times\nauthor: Circles Robinson\nurl: https://havanatimes.org/features/work-in-cuba-means-working-for-the-state/\nhostname: havanatimes.org\ndescription: This \u201cwork\u201d business has so many implications here in Cuba and there are so many ways of looking at it which are the same in number as any sea urchin\u2019s razor-sharp spikes. Working implies, among other things, that there is payment for the work being done. And this payment, at times, doesn\u2019t even classify as such.\nsitename: Havana Times\ndate: 2017-11-13\ncategories: ['Features']\n---\n# \u201cWork\u201d in Cuba Means Working for the State\n\n**By Ernesto Perez Castillo** * (Progreso Semanal)*\n\nHAVANA TIMES \u2014 No matter how much it hurts us, we have no choice: surviving day by day and, better yet, getting to the end of the month and year in most cases and for the majority of human beings, inevitably passes through something called \u201cwork\u201d.\n\nThis \u201cwork\u201d business has so many implications here in Cuba and there are so many ways of looking at it which are the same in number as any sea urchin\u2019s razor-sharp spikes. Working implies, among other things, that there is payment for the work being done. And this payment, at times, doesn\u2019t even classify as such.\n\nSeventeen years after the turn of the millennium, and a little more since the Cuban economy, which was already not going very well, plunged definitively in the \u201890s, talking about salaries in Cuba is still a euphemism. The generation that is now reaching fifty, who began their working lives at the beginning of this crisis, are proof of this.\n\nYears ago, in the face of some management complaining that people needed to work more, someone who was young back then (and not so much anymore) rose up out of his seat and shouted out at the official: \u201cWork, that\u2019s the only thing I have done, and a salary, that\u2019s the only thing you haven\u2019t given me. My generation has been working for nearly 20 years receiving wages that are no good for anything, and they continue to work and work: in factories, hospitals and at schools. When are you going to stop telling us to work more? When are we finally going to receive our first real paycheck?\u201d\n\nTo tell you the truth, there have been several attempts to try and resolve this problem. Wages have been increased for health professionals and also teachers (although to a lesser degree) and other critical sectors in Cuban society and its economy. However, these pay rises aren\u2019t enough and sometimes it\u2019s like not having anything at all as prices are also going up. Wages are so low to begin with that increasing them by 20, 30 or 60%, that it doesn\u2019t bring about the desired result. These wages would need to be multiplied several times over in order for people to go and look at a frozen food section in a supermarket with some real chance of being able to buy anything.\n\nAs a result of this precarious situation, waves of workers have left their jobs and moved into other better-paid positions, sometimes within the same state-led sector, other times they move to foreign companies, sometimes to the self-employment sector and also into some \u201cunrecognized\u201d jobs. Which aren\u2019t even recognized by the people doing them.\n\nJust a few months ago, while I was fixing up my small apartment as best I could, I met someone who illustrates my point perfectly about how complex and twisted our concept of \u201cwork\u201d here in Cuba has become. This is the person you call and give them a list of the things you need: x number of bags of cement, x of sand, x of ceramic tiles. This person is responsible for buying and transporting these materials, and in my repairs, he would carry them up the stairs, bag by bag on his back, to my apartment door.\n\nOne afternoon, I saw that he was worried: the bag of cement on his back and his eyes looking this way and that. I asked him what was wrong and he replied: \u201cthere\u2019s a policeman that\u2019s stopped on the corner and he\u2019s got me nervous\u2026 you know, this job is everything I have\u2026 as I don\u2019t work\u2026\u201d\n\nThat sentence made my blood freeze over\u2026 a lot of the country\u2019s labor drama was summed up in that \u201cI don\u2019t work\u201d. And with those words, I understood the long path we have ahead of ourselves to change our consciousness and perception of what \u201cwork\u201d is when the person carrying a sack of 42kg of grey P-350 cement on his back tells you \u201cI don\u2019t work.\u201d\n\nThis man, who only works seven days a week, who does his job well and in a timely manner, and his profits aren\u2019t great either (he doesn\u2019t live like a king, far from it), he also thinks that he doesn\u2019t work. How much unwarranted blame is there in this man\u2019s head? How many opportunities lost because of this terrible belief that working is only working for the state or with a contract?\n\nThis is just one example, because there are thousands. On the other side of the working chain are assistants, for example. Every artist with some kind of success has normally two or three assistants who work for them, but their work isn\u2019t officially recognized by the State, thereby depriving them of many social services.\n\nThere are many other people who work taking advantage of what tourism agencies forget or opportunities they haven\u2019t capitalized on, offering hundreds of simple services to tourists that these appreciate, but they also organize walks, visits and day-trips organizing all of the logistics, food and accommodation this entails. These people, who work and a lot!, do so always feeling the heavy shadow of the sword of Damocles on their heads because they \u201cdon\u2019t work\u201d. This is another one of our realities that needs to be understood and new regulations need to reflect this on our island.\n\nYes Hans, the USSR rotted from within, not from exterior attack.\n\nCommunism is a detriment to human nature as was already proven with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990 that enabled Mongolia and Eastern European countries to abandon it also.\n\nAnd thus, the fruits of the communism experiment and almost 60 years of repressive megalomaniacal government control.\n\nAll together now\u2026lets sing the praises of the Cuban \u201cRevolution\u201d\n\nMight I suggest \u201cWe won\u2019t get fooled again\u201d by The Who and sing the last verse extra loud \u2013 \u201cMeet the new boss; Same as the old boss.\u201d\n\nAnd thus, the fruits of the \u201ccommunism experiment\u201d and almost 60 years of repressive megalomaniacal government control \u2026." + }, + { + "title": "The Future of Infrastructure in Cuba - The Borgen Project", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "The Future of Infrastructure in Cuba - The Borgen Project" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicEFVX3lxTE1uOFoxaF9YMDdNekQ3TGRaam5TbGlIOFRvM3BWWE1FVTFuMm1DMDI5OUxpU3dLS2lJS3Z0dm1HWnYxRW5ub29qb0R0UlM0U3FvVUZDNmc1bGlUU0hvMk04M3hTQ19jR3IzWHI4ZEw1WGw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://borgenproject.org/the-future-of-infrastructure-in-cuba/", + "id": "CBMicEFVX3lxTE1uOFoxaF9YMDdNekQ3TGRaam5TbGlIOFRvM3BWWE1FVTFuMm1DMDI5OUxpU3dLS2lJS3Z0dm1HWnYxRW5ub29qb0R0UlM0U3FvVUZDNmc1bGlUU0hvMk04M3hTQ19jR3IzWHI4ZEw1WGw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 15 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 15, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 319, + 0 + ], + "summary": "The Future of Infrastructure in Cuba  The Borgen Project", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "The Future of Infrastructure in Cuba  The Borgen Project" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://borgenproject.org", + "title": "The Borgen Project" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: The Future of Infrastructure in Cuba - The Borgen Project\nauthor: Borgen Project\nurl: https://borgenproject.org/the-future-of-infrastructure-in-cuba/\nhostname: borgenproject.org\ndescription: Cuba is considered to be both a tropical paradise and an inaccessible third-world nation. Infrastructure in Cuba is infamous for its state of disrepair.\nsitename: The Borgen Project\ndate: 2017-11-15\ncategories: ['Global Poverty']\n---\n# The Future of Infrastructure in Cuba\n\nCuba has always been a land of intrigue. The communist island nation in the Caribbean is at the same time considered to be a tropical paradise and an inaccessible third-world nation with high poverty. Infrastructure in Cuba is infamous for its state of decay and disrepair.\n\nIn 1810, Cuba\u2019s capital, Havana, had the same number of residents as New York City and nearly three times the population of Boston. It is home to countless historical colonial buildings as well as Soviet-style architecture built after Fidel Castro took power. In general, many of the buildings, historic or contemporary, are not well-maintained.\n\nOne of the constant threats to infrastructure in Cuba is natural disasters, especially hurricanes. Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, devastated Cuba in September. The damage caused by the storm was compounded by the structural unsoundness of many of the buildings in Cuba. Of the 10 fatalities from the storm, seven were in Havana and were caused by unsafe buildings collapsing. Some people have continued living in parts of these buildings even after the storm.\n\nIrma left longer-lasting damage as well. Millions of people were left without power and thousands of hectares of sugarcane, a major Cuban crop, were destroyed.\n\nTourism has always been a huge part of the Cuban economy, but increased tourism has put a strain on infrastructure in Cuba. The Obama administration eased travel restrictions on U.S. citizens visiting Cuba so that one can now visit the country individually, as opposed to doing so with a tour group. However, both the United States and Cuban governments, as well as the tourism industry, have expressed concerns about the ability of the infrastructure in Cuba to accommodate a large influx of tourists.\n\nThere is no doubt that the infrastructure in Cuba needs a major overhaul, but there are some positive points. The easing of restrictions on Cuba during the previous administration indicates a future of increased foreign tourism and business, and the Cuban government has acknowledged this reality.\n\nUltimately, lifting the U.S. embargo on Cuba would be a positive step, as it prevents the country from joining the IMF and scares away major U.S. banks from doing business in Cuba. It will require major foreign investments for Cuba\u2019s economy to right itself, which in turn will lead to better infrastructure.\n\nThe future of the country and infrastructure in Cuba are still in question, but there is no doubt that there is a desire for a bigger foreign presence in Cuba, and with it, major changes. Cuba, once a leader in infrastructure, has good reason to build itself up.\n\n*\u2013 Andrew Revord*\n\nPhoto: Flickr" + }, + { + "title": "Cuba Marks First Anniversary of the Death of Fidel Castro - VOA - Voice of America English News", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba Marks First Anniversary of the Death of Fidel Castro - VOA - Voice of America English News" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMie0FVX3lxTE5vaHlsd042ZmNEX2xBcUo4NmRrbWJhSlppNkNCekJWbmp4WWthR0JjZ1pUMU9ORHhtNzN2ZnRZUVpkT19QblBiUE1QdHJiRFBPaE9zZklqREVBcVdiSHZpelgyYW02ejlzRlNYMVl2MXMyQ2NpTHR1VFNUONIBfkFVX3lxTE9USG1PNlJyRDVET2FNN1VFRl9GcnlVYzlWSk9fUjRYdnVTS2Flel9lSkFjcXFZTmpXQVRyVU9PZFcxdW5qdXFqOTAtUHBEb01QbS1nUlhiM1hFNU9yQmhLQ3o1RktLMml6V1RCbU5CcnhIQWxJTUlHbDV3d2hNdw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.slowfood.com/blog-and-news/cuba-agroecology-socio-ecological-resilience/", + "id": "CBMie0FVX3lxTE5vaHlsd042ZmNEX2xBcUo4NmRrbWJhSlppNkNCekJWbmp4WWthR0JjZ1pUMU9ORHhtNzN2ZnRZUVpkT19QblBiUE1QdHJiRFBPaE9zZklqREVBcVdiSHZpelgyYW02ejlzRlNYMVl2MXMyQ2NpTHR1VFNUONIBfkFVX3lxTE9USG1PNlJyRDVET2FNN1VFRl9GcnlVYzlWSk9fUjRYdnVTS2Flel9lSkFjcXFZTmpXQVRyVU9PZFcxdW5qdXFqOTAtUHBEb01QbS1nUlhiM1hFNU9yQmhLQ3o1RktLMml6V1RCbU5CcnhIQWxJTUlHbDV3d2hNdw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sat, 25 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 25, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 5, + 329, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuba Marks First Anniversary of the Death of Fidel Castro  VOA - Voice of America English News", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba Marks First Anniversary of the Death of Fidel Castro  VOA - Voice of America English News" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.voanews.com", + "title": "VOA - Voice of America English News" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Cuba: Agroecology and Socio-Ecological Resilience - Slow Food", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba: Agroecology and Socio-Ecological Resilience - Slow Food" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxPSnVZaUdvV2FjbXdHR1pSb3Brb2prR2owMGF0cFJud3VINVh0by05ZjZpQnlDbURMd0VqbHl0Q3ZGWXdyQW5tUkZWZzMxRUtTNlNMQXhkNkt6WnNNLTlTaEp6TnJkZ1NSUzNFbExmRS01UFE2cExPS2JsZzA0UmdPYUU3Wnc3Ry16aUhOeQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.voanews.com/a/cuba-anniversary-of-castro-death/4136227.html", + "id": "CBMijAFBVV95cUxPSnVZaUdvV2FjbXdHR1pSb3Brb2prR2owMGF0cFJud3VINVh0by05ZjZpQnlDbURMd0VqbHl0Q3ZGWXdyQW5tUkZWZzMxRUtTNlNMQXhkNkt6WnNNLTlTaEp6TnJkZ1NSUzNFbExmRS01UFE2cExPS2JsZzA0UmdPYUU3Wnc3Ry16aUhOeQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 02 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 2, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 306, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuba: Agroecology and Socio-Ecological Resilience  Slow Food", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba: Agroecology and Socio-Ecological Resilience  Slow Food" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.slowfood.com", + "title": "Slow Food" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Cuba Marks First Anniversary of the Death of Fidel Castro\nauthor: VOA News\nurl: https://www.voanews.com/a/cuba-anniversary-of-castro-death/4136227.html\nhostname: voanews.com\ndescription: Anniversary weekend coincides with municipal elections that will usher in new leader who, for first time in 60 years, won't be a Castro brother\nsitename: Voice of America (VOA News)\ndate: 2017-11-25\ncategories: ['Americas']\ntags: ['Americas, 2024 US Election, Cuba, fidel castro, raul castro']\n---\nCuba marks the first anniversary of the death of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Saturday followed by municipal elections on Sunday that will usher in a new leader who for the first time in 60 years will not be a Castro brother.\n\nThe island will hold a series of remembrances from Saturday through Dec. 4, the day Castro was laid to rest in a cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, where he launched the Cuban revolution.\n\nFidel Castro's death last Nov. 25 ushered in a nine days of national mourning. The Cold War icon, who defied U.S. efforts to topple him, died at the age of 90.\n\nBy the time he died, Castro had been largely out of public view for nearly a decade because of ill health. He ceded the presidency to his younger brother, Raul Castro, in 2008 after intestinal troubles nearly killed him in 2006.\n\nState-run media reports that galas and vigils will be held around the country this week in honor of Fidel Castro. State television is running archived footage of Fidel Castro, and cultural institutions are dedicating their performances to his memory.\n\n**Elections and gradual transition**\n\nDuring the weeklong events, citizens will also take part in municipal elections. The vote will end with the selection of a new president in late February, after Raul Castro said he would step down at the end of his two consecutive five-year terms.\n\nThe transition to new leadership, however, is expected to be gradual as Raul Castro will remain head of the Communist Party, the only legal party in Cuba.\n\nState-run media is championing the belief that the elections are a way for citizens to show support for Fidel Castro's ideas. In the provincial and national votes, candidates were chosen by commissions made up of Communist Party representatives.\n\nThe elections come at difficult time for Cuba, as relations with the United States have worsened under U.S. President Donald Trump and its economy continues to suffer as the fortunes of its key ally Venezuela decline." + }, + { + "title": "While Clinching Deals With Communist China, Trump Cracks Down on Trade and Travel to Cuba - Foreign Policy in Focus", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "While Clinching Deals With Communist China, Trump Cracks Down on Trade and Travel to Cuba - Foreign Policy in Focus" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihwFBVV95cUxORnRuYk1OQU9ITHNFRG52bXV2WmxXZkNJS1doQ3BJOG5VZ3o3a0xWTzlkUVl1WUFBbXdOaWR6U3dzVDQ3RHFaUWRtZ1hfdHNfMnFSc09BTUQ4UUxSZ0F1WlJULWo1NFliSGJxdkEyMExYNTBWbnhfRTZtZ3lGRFVVUG9ZU0FUQWc?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://fpif.org/clinching-deals-communist-china-trump-cracks-trade-travel-cuba/", + "id": "CBMihwFBVV95cUxORnRuYk1OQU9ITHNFRG52bXV2WmxXZkNJS1doQ3BJOG5VZ3o3a0xWTzlkUVl1WUFBbXdOaWR6U3dzVDQ3RHFaUWRtZ1hfdHNfMnFSc09BTUQ4UUxSZ0F1WlJULWo1NFliSGJxdkEyMExYNTBWbnhfRTZtZ3lGRFVVUG9ZU0FUQWc", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 15 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 15, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 319, + 0 + ], + "summary": "While Clinching Deals With Communist China, Trump Cracks Down on Trade and Travel to Cuba  Foreign Policy in Focus", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "While Clinching Deals With Communist China, Trump Cracks Down on Trade and Travel to Cuba  Foreign Policy in Focus" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://fpif.org", + "title": "Foreign Policy in Focus" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: While Clinching Deals With Communist China, Trump Cracks Down on Cuba\nauthor: Peter Certo\nurl: https://fpif.org/clinching-deals-communist-china-trump-cracks-trade-travel-cuba/\nhostname: fpif.org\ndescription: Between the new restrictions and the travel warning, Cuba\u2019s burgeoning private sector has already felt what Cubans call \"the Trump effect.\"\nsitename: Foreign Policy In Focus\ndate: 2017-11-15\ncategories: ['Democracy & Governance', 'Labor, Trade, & Finance', 'Redev']\n---\n\nOn Wednesday, November 8, just as President Trump was clinching new business deals with the repressive Communist government of China, the Trump administration announced its new rules rolling back President Obama\u2019s opening with Cuba.\n\nThe new regulations restricting travel and trade with the Caribbean island will make it once again illegal for Americans to travel to Cuba without a special license from the Treasury Department and will dramatically reduce the number of Americans traveling there.\n\nThe regulations, which include a list of 180 banned entities, are supposed to punish hotels, stores, and other businesses tied to the Cuban military and instead direct economic activity toward businesses controlled by regular Cuban citizens. But during our visit to the island on a 40-person delegation organized by the peace group CODEPINK, we found that Cuba\u2019s small private businesses \u2014 the very sector that the Trump administration says it wants to encourage \u2014 are already feeling the blow.\n\nIn 2014, President Obama announced a new opening with Cuba. While the U.S. sanctions imposed on the island following the 1959 revolution can only be lifted by Congress, Obama used his executive power to renew diplomatic relations and relax restrictions on travel and trade. Cuba, which already has a large tourist sector with guests from Europe and Canada, geared up for a \u201ctsunami\u201d of American visitors coming on newly authorized commercial flights and cruise ships.\n\nThe Obama policy of engagement coincided with a new Cuban policy of allowing Cubans to leave their miserably paid state jobs to try their hand at starting up their own small businesses. Hundreds of thousands of Cubans jumped at the opportunity, many flocking to businesses catering to tourists. Cuba became the fastest growing site for Airbnb, as thousands of Cuban families spruced up extra bedrooms in their homes to accommodate foreign guests. Others took their life savings, or borrowed money from relatives abroad, to open small restaurants in their homes called paladares.\n\nAll over downtown Havana, we saw signs of this small business renaissance, with refurbished rooms for rent and boutique eateries boasting live salsa music and high-quality meals for about $10. State-run hotels and restaurants, notorious for bad food and bad service, now face competition from well-run family businesses.\n\nWhile Trump\u2019s rollback of Obama\u2019s opening just went into effect, he announced his plans back in June before a crowd of hardline anti-Communist Cuban-Americans. Then in September came another setback for U.S.-Cuba relations, when the United States said that U.S. personnel in Cuba had been subjected to mysterious sonic attacks that affected the health of 24 diplomats.\n\nThe U. S. government withdrew non-essential personnel and diplomat family members from the U.S. embassy in Havana. On September 29, the State Department put out a \u201cCuba Travel Warning.\u201d It said that because the U.S. embassy employees\u2019 safety was at risk and the U.S. had been unable to identify the source of the attacks, \u201cwe believe U.S. citizens may also be at risk and warn them not to travel to Cuba.\u201d\n\nAll the Cubans we talked to thought the sonic attack was a bunch of baloney. From taxi drivers to government officials to dissidents, Cubans told our group that the whole episode was concocted to justify turning back the clock on Obama\u2019s d\u00e9tente with Cuba. \u201cMaybe they had hearing losses because the reggaeton music here is so loud,\u201d joked one taxi driver. \u201cBut to say Cuba is unsafe is a lie. Cuba is the safest country in the world. You can walk around here alone at 2a.m. in the morning and no one will bother you.\u201d\n\nBetween the new restrictions and the travel warning, Cuba\u2019s burgeoning private sector has already felt what Cubans call \u201cthe Trump effect.\u201d Jose Colome, owner of Starbien private restaurant in Havana that employs 35 people, shook his head in disgust. \u201cWe had 48 reservations from U.S. tourist groups booked in the past three months; 30 of them cancelled.\u201d\n\nProximity Cuba, a travel agency catering to U.S. university groups, lost half its business in one fell swoop. \u201cWe had developed wonderful programs for U.S. students in Cuba. Suddenly, the administrators read the travel warning, and got cold feet and cancelled,\u201d said Proximity Cuba\u2019s Director Rodrigo Gonzalez.\n\nEven the non-tourist sector is feeling the effects. The agricultural cooperative we visited in Artemisa province was anxious to purchase U.S. tractors to replace their ancient Russian models, but now worry that the deal will fall through. \u201cIt is only natural for us to buy agricultural inputs from the U.S. market 90 miles away,\u201d said Maria del Carmen of the National Association of Small Farmers. \u201cTrump\u2019s policies and the continuing blockade of Cuba are hurting our farmers.\u201d\n\nOn November 1, for the 26th year in a row, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn the U.S. embargo against Cuba. The vote this year was 191 nations against the embargo vs. two in favor: the United States and Israel. The embargo, which was first imposed in the 1960s, is seen by the overwhelming majority of the world\u2019s nations as an outdated and failed foreign policy that has only served to punish the Cuban people and isolate the United States internationally.\n\nJust before the UN vote, 10 U.S. senators, led by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), sent a letter to President Trump saying: \u201cOur failed embargo against Cuba has been repeatedly and publicly condemned by the international community as ineffective and harmful to the people of Cuba. The longer we maintain this outdated Cold War policy the more our international and regional credibility suffers. The overwhelming majority of Americans, including Cuban-Americans, and Cubans, including Cuban entrepreneurs and many dissidents, oppose the embargo and favor engagement of the United States with Cuba.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States is punishing Cuba because it says our government is undemocratic,\u201d Dr, Aduabez Tabiada Zamora, a member of Cuba\u2019s National Assembly, told our group. \u201cYet year after year, the entire world community condemns this mean-spirited policy. Is that democratic?\u201d\n\nThe reversal of the Cuba opening is a victory for a small handful of southern Florida officials like Senator Marco Rubio and a small group of Cuban Americans, but it is a major blow for diplomacy, people-to-people ties, and most of all, Cuba\u2019s new private businesses." + }, + { + "title": "Review: Filmmaker forges bond over decades in documentary 'Cuba and the Cameraman' - Los Angeles Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Review: Filmmaker forges bond over decades in documentary 'Cuba and the Cameraman' - Los Angeles Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxOR1hXSmpWN05nX1pkVnI2cjZ1cjhJUTl1OHl4RW9ySzJva1c2Qjk2RmFheTFVLTRwNDdxMTMwVF9WaEdmNEp2Z0hRRjFiblBSTFBINjRYRDVObUJaRkttRGQ1T2lVd1A0dmgwd0lhX3Zjd19GemViUkRsSzJ1Y05lYWdObmJRWVdoRjVqRmozUDRBSE1fTTJIM2dYOGxLMXpMQmxFZ21aV3FRbnp4Y2J4ZA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-capsule-cuba-and-the-cameraman-review-20171122-story.html", + "id": "CBMisAFBVV95cUxOR1hXSmpWN05nX1pkVnI2cjZ1cjhJUTl1OHl4RW9ySzJva1c2Qjk2RmFheTFVLTRwNDdxMTMwVF9WaEdmNEp2Z0hRRjFiblBSTFBINjRYRDVObUJaRkttRGQ1T2lVd1A0dmgwd0lhX3Zjd19GemViUkRsSzJ1Y05lYWdObmJRWVdoRjVqRmozUDRBSE1fTTJIM2dYOGxLMXpMQmxFZ21aV3FRbnp4Y2J4ZA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 22 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 22, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 326, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Review: Filmmaker forges bond over decades in documentary 'Cuba and the Cameraman'  Los Angeles Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Review: Filmmaker forges bond over decades in documentary 'Cuba and the Cameraman'  Los Angeles Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.latimes.com", + "title": "Los Angeles Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Filmmaker Who Documented Cuba for 45 Years Reflects on Nation\u2019s Rocky Journey - Time Magazine", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Filmmaker Who Documented Cuba for 45 Years Reflects on Nation\u2019s Rocky Journey - Time Magazine" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxNckJzdVlrRGtNcm5TcldEMkhublBVcVg5VmFrTG1EdTZZVU9GdFZFclBvNHhWOG41WUwxUlFNX3oxaU1WOTBJNmY2eEtyenNVQmY3UE9OaDFDelI5bWVLTEhsVUpmYjUxbWY2a2dLak5jWk5qYTMwQlJJaV8xNWlSajNWdklfUy1sZDVWamF4d3VyLXFNMUREOEFIYnUwbmJVWDZPeA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://time.com/5035442/filmmaker-who-documented-cuba-for-45-years-reflects-on-nations-rocky-journey/", + "id": "CBMipAFBVV95cUxNckJzdVlrRGtNcm5TcldEMkhublBVcVg5VmFrTG1EdTZZVU9GdFZFclBvNHhWOG41WUwxUlFNX3oxaU1WOTBJNmY2eEtyenNVQmY3UE9OaDFDelI5bWVLTEhsVUpmYjUxbWY2a2dLak5jWk5qYTMwQlJJaV8xNWlSajNWdklfUy1sZDVWamF4d3VyLXFNMUREOEFIYnUwbmJVWDZPeA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 24 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 24, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 328, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Filmmaker Who Documented Cuba for 45 Years Reflects on Nation\u2019s Rocky Journey  Time Magazine", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Filmmaker Who Documented Cuba for 45 Years Reflects on Nation\u2019s Rocky Journey  Time Magazine" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://time.com", + "title": "Time Magazine" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Filmmaker Who Documented Cuba for 45 years Reflects on Nation's Rocky Journey\nauthor: IDEAS Desk\nurl: https://time.com/5035442/filmmaker-who-documented-cuba-for-45-years-reflects-on-nations-rocky-journey/\nhostname: time.com\ndescription: When Fidel Castro passed away one year ago, Filmmaker Jon Alpert was there, following Castro's ashes around the country.\nsitename: Time\ndate: 2017-11-24\ncategories: ['Ideas']\n---\nWhen Fidel Castro passed away one year ago, Filmmaker Jon Alpert from New York\u2019s DCTV was there, following Castro\u2019s ashes around the country. This was Alpert\u2019s last trip to Cuba in his new documentary, *Cuba and the Cameraman, *the culmination of documenting the lives of cubans for 45 years.\n\n\u201cFidel was George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, F.D.R, Ronald Reagan all rolled up into one person,\u201d says Alpert, was the last American to meet with Castro. \u201cHe had a profound, significant effect on every single Cuban.\u201d\n\nAlpert\u2019s film chronicles the lives of several Cubans whose experiences and circumstances show the changes to daily life under Castro\u2019s regime. The film shows many ups and downs, but to Alpert the biggest tragedy is that he believes the Cuban Revolution was never given a chance to succeed by the U.S.\n\n\u201cWe haven\u2019t solved our healthcare problems\u2026In many parts of the United States [we] have not solved our educational problems,\u201d says Alpert, \u201cThe Cubans were coming up with solutions. We should have just left them alone, and [said] let\u2019s see if they can succeed and maybe we\u2019ll learn something from them.\u201d\n\n*Cuba and the Cameraman* releases on Netflix on Nov. 24." + }, + { + "title": "Projects Working to Increase Water Supply in Cuba - The Borgen Project", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Projects Working to Increase Water Supply in Cuba - The Borgen Project" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiW0FVX3lxTE11MnBSLU0zMjI5OHdEcWZwdC1FX01kTC1YNHZPWW9NT0R6VlhxdHhHOVN4TlpSZ2xLVHE2TTV4aFRfQU0zY2lQSlpLZmUzM0FiUHlobm91THJLYmM?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.vogue.com/article/cuba-designers-clandestina", + "id": "CBMiW0FVX3lxTE11MnBSLU0zMjI5OHdEcWZwdC1FX01kTC1YNHZPWW9NT0R6VlhxdHhHOVN4TlpSZ2xLVHE2TTV4aFRfQU0zY2lQSlpLZmUzM0FiUHlobm91THJLYmM", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 6, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 310, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Projects Working to Increase Water Supply in Cuba  The Borgen Project", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Projects Working to Increase Water Supply in Cuba  The Borgen Project" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://borgenproject.org", + "title": "The Borgen Project" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: These Slogan Tees Are Creating a Dialogue Around Fashion in Cuba\nauthor: Brooke Bobb\nurl: https://www.vogue.com/article/cuba-designers-clandestina\nhostname: vogue.com\ndescription: It\u2019s a new dawn for commerce and style in Cuba.\nsitename: Vogue\ndate: 2017-11-10\ncategories: ['runway']\n---\nSouvenirs are few and far between in Havana, Cuba. When you do find a gift to bring home\u2014like I did when I visited for the first time last spring\u2014it\u2019s typically sold in the dusty entryway of an old home or a broken-down 1930s-era apothecary. Aside from the cigars, Havana Club rum, and mugs painted with colorful old cars, there are caps and jerseys with the Cuban national baseball team logo, picked-over panama hats, and tees printed with portraits of the Malec\u00f3n and Che Guevara. I wound up with a few of the aforementioned trinkets for friends and family, and for myself a slightly sun-bleached red tourist T-shirt that reads *Cuba*. Despite changes that have occurred in the past few years in Cuba, whether in the private sector or with regard to tourism, the country still has a long way to go as far as retail and fashion are concerned (and, of course, many other industries, too). However, one small startup label called Clandestina is aiming to pave the way for progress on the shopping and sartorial front.\n\nThe sportswear and accessories brand has a brick-and-mortar studio and shop in Old Havana, and recently it launched an international e-commerce site that actually manufactures and distributes within the U.S. Cofounders Idania del Rio,\na native Cuban, (and whose Cuban citizenship helped with launching the website in the States), and Leire Fern\u00e1ndez, who is originally from Spain, started Clandestina in 2015 in an attempt to shine a light on the rich style and artistic substance that exist on the island. At the moment, their website features six styles of graphic tees, the designs of which are sent digitally to American manufacturing companies, which then produce and ship the finished pieces to customers in the U.S. and around the world. The tees are $28 each and boast slogans like *Resist and Overcome, 99% Cuban Design,* and *Actually I\u2019m in Havana.*\n\n\u201cRight now, we are super-focused on graphics,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez says. \u201cIn Cuba, there isn\u2019t any content being made by the younger generation, and we need a voice.\u201d She adds, \u201cThere is really nothing visual to connect Cubans with foreigners, or to tell our story from our perspective, other than the Che Guevara shirts\u2014we are ready for contemporary art, contemporary content, and contemporary fashion.\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez and Del Rio have tapped the well-known costume designers for Havana\u2019s Teatro El P\u00fablico, Celia Ledon and Roberto Ramos, to help expand their brand beyond slogan tees. \u201cThe theater is really where the fashion is in Havana,\u201d says Del Rio. \u201cRoberto and Celia know how to make high-end fashion, and we\u2019re now working with them on creating a line of modern guayaberas\u2014the traditional button-down shirts worn by men in Cuba.\u201d The women have also hired local artisans to create handbags from upcycled materials.\n\nClandestina has experienced a lot of success in the last couple of years, particularly in its recent e-commerce launch and recognition as Cuba\u2019s first independent, international fashion label, but there are still challenges. The number of American tourists visiting Cuba is shrinking due to new sanctions set forth by President Trump and the recent alleged attacks on the U.S. Embassy. Though their label could potentially suffer as a result, it isn\u2019t necessarily a setback for the designers. \u201cThis is a good time for us to slow down and get ready for the future,\u201d Fern\u00e1ndez notes. \u201cWe can take our time and learn how to grow the business. The good thing to remember is that there is no going back to the old way in Cuba.\u201d" + }, + { + "title": "These Slogan Tees Are Creating a Dialogue Around Fashion in Cuba - Vogue", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "These Slogan Tees Are Creating a Dialogue Around Fashion in Cuba - Vogue" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZ0FVX3lxTE1YT3ROd2xGWmh4VjFoVFNYSktacVBBMHdacEd2enNGcnNwQWNrT2trMGJzRGxZTzNYbnVyZTRrVVlYVUZzM0pGNUVReXB6UnlvMHJqTTRld3NwZ28yeE54XzhKWFUxWGM?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://borgenproject.org/water-supply-in-cuba/", + "id": "CBMiZ0FVX3lxTE1YT3ROd2xGWmh4VjFoVFNYSktacVBBMHdacEd2enNGcnNwQWNrT2trMGJzRGxZTzNYbnVyZTRrVVlYVUZzM0pGNUVReXB6UnlvMHJqTTRld3NwZ28yeE54XzhKWFUxWGM", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 10 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 10, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 314, + 0 + ], + "summary": "These Slogan Tees Are Creating a Dialogue Around Fashion in Cuba  Vogue", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "These Slogan Tees Are Creating a Dialogue Around Fashion in Cuba  Vogue" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.vogue.com", + "title": "Vogue" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Projects Working to Increase Water Supply in Cuba | The Borgen Project\nauthor: Kim Thelwell\nurl: https://borgenproject.org/water-supply-in-cuba/\nhostname: borgenproject.org\ndescription: Projects are currently in the works to increase the water supply in Cuba to both strengthen preparedness plans and technological solutions.\nsitename: The Borgen Project\ndate: 2017-11-06\ncategories: ['Global Poverty', 'Water']\n---\n# Water Supply in Cuba\n\nAlthough Cuba is known for its water-filled landscapes, like the many rivers and turquoise springs that bubble up from time to time, the country faces issues with the water quality and supply. The water supply in Cuba has been affected due to a recent drought, resulting in a struggle to provide clean, fresh water to its citizens.\n\nOver the past three years, Cuba has been facing one of the worst droughts of the century. This drought is affecting nearly 50 percent of the land in Cuba, and it is caused by a climate pattern known as \u201cEl Ni\u00f1o\u201d. The El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon is when trade winds off the Pacific Ocean bring warm weather that quickly heats surface water. This effect has occurred in previous years but has increased drastically over the past three years.\n\nWater reservoirs and dams have been affected, with some dams even falling below 50 percent capacity. Out of the 168 municipalities in Cuba, 141 have been directly affected by the effects of this drought. Havana, Cuba\u2019s capital city, relied on tanker trucks from neighboring areas to help provide water to 120,000 people that were in desperate need in mid-2016.\n\nNot many people consider how this drought is affecting day to day life for Cubans. Many families must purchase filtered water since the water supply in Cuba has decreased due to the drought, and this filtered water is not cheap. The average cost for 5 liters of filtered water is 15 Cuban pesos, which is equivalent to $15. This can be a financial burden on a family who has to ration this water for drinking among all its members, as well as to clean vegetables and fruits to eat.\n\nThe high price of water also means that many families can\u2019t provide enough water for their pets or livestock, so animals are dying and getting sick all throughout the country.\n\nThe soil itself has become damaged as well, with some reports saying that nearly 75 percent of the soil is drier than desired. This has greatly affected the agricultural production, with many farms producing less than 50 percent of what they usually grow. This now means that not only is there a limit on water, but on food as well.\n\nCuba and the European Union have been working on a solution to not only solve the current drought problem but also to stop future droughts from becoming this large of an issue. The World Food Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Mivimiento por la Paz have all partnered with the European Union and Cuba to develop these solutions.\n\nCurrently, the European Union is providing \u20ac600,000 in funding for two projects being developed in Cuba. The first project\u2019s goal is to strengthen the preparedness plans in Cuba as well as the response and early warning systems.\n\nThe second project will focus more on a technical solution, by increasing the hydrological networks to increase the water supply in Cuba, as well as increasing its meteorological capacity so they can anticipate these patterns sooner.\n\n\u2013 *Scott Kesselring*\n\nPhoto: Flickr" + }, + { + "title": "New Cuba policy will restrict travel for Americans - abcnews.com", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "New Cuba policy will restrict travel for Americans - abcnews.com" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxPN1lWejVJcVVWTXcySTlEd1pHb1dnalNScjdFZXZzQndLV2xldHdKczNiT3dpM1NVbGxyMWRBekxHWnREUWhCSG9UblFTaHNUUXc4NmxlblMtUTh3cjl2Z0lNUGJ3U2Yza2t0ZEZ6NFg1ODl3T3M2cFY3S0xrczRvQ3JZVzhrb0RUeTVZQjZBUXlMUmdZV0JFZ3hnQjRqTEZVZWFIMDh4OGbSAa4BQVVfeXFMTVllRHFYTTlPTUZzTFRoSWFvZVl3Q3RINEVsa25Dc2tCN3dQelJ5ZTRpSjZhS0xISmVoMWFPQ3ZhdUFxWXczTkszZnY2eVg3WVg4Qm9IVzAwM0VER2JrcDBTZzNmNDFKaUhuWGQ0cXI4NlhWbWV2WmJudlJWSS0zNFZfR05oem40eFpkSkM4VVNMZm5xcDdpUzhYZ2hKbXZhNUpUUW1waWJFaXNweFp3?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://abcnews.com/International/cuba-restrictions-make-harder-americans-visit-country/story?id=51013328", + "id": "CBMiqAFBVV95cUxPN1lWejVJcVVWTXcySTlEd1pHb1dnalNScjdFZXZzQndLV2xldHdKczNiT3dpM1NVbGxyMWRBekxHWnREUWhCSG9UblFTaHNUUXc4NmxlblMtUTh3cjl2Z0lNUGJ3U2Yza2t0ZEZ6NFg1ODl3T3M2cFY3S0xrczRvQ3JZVzhrb0RUeTVZQjZBUXlMUmdZV0JFZ3hnQjRqTEZVZWFIMDh4OGbSAa4BQVVfeXFMTVllRHFYTTlPTUZzTFRoSWFvZVl3Q3RINEVsa25Dc2tCN3dQelJ5ZTRpSjZhS0xISmVoMWFPQ3ZhdUFxWXczTkszZnY2eVg3WVg4Qm9IVzAwM0VER2JrcDBTZzNmNDFKaUhuWGQ0cXI4NlhWbWV2WmJudlJWSS0zNFZfR05oem40eFpkSkM4VVNMZm5xcDdpUzhYZ2hKbXZhNUpUUW1waWJFaXNweFp3", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "New Cuba policy will restrict travel for Americans  abcnews.com", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "New Cuba policy will restrict travel for Americans  abcnews.com" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://abcnews.com", + "title": "abcnews.com" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: New Cuba policy will restrict travel for Americans\nauthor: ABC News; CONOR FINNEGAN\nurl: https://abcnews.com/International/cuba-restrictions-make-harder-americans-visit-country/story?id=51013328\nhostname: abcnews.com\ndescription: The regulations are effective this week.\nsitename: ABC News\ndate: 2017-11-08\ncategories: ['International']\ntags: ['abcnews, Cuba, President Trump, embargo, tourism, travel, Article, 51013328']\n---\n# New Cuba policy will restrict travel for Americans\n\nThe regulations are effective this week.\n\n\u2014 -- Five months after President Trump announced he was tearing up President Obama's \"Cuba deal,\" his administration is finally implementing those changes.\n\nStarting Thursday, U.S. tourists and companies will no longer be able to do business with a long list of entities that allegedly have ties to Cuban military, intelligence or security services.\n\nAmerican tourists will also no longer be able to travel to Cuba on individual people-to-people exchange programs. They must travel now with a sponsoring organization or, if there on educational travel, with an American group or university.\n\nThe full list of 180 sanctioned Cuban businesses includes some famous hotels in Havana like Hotel Ambos Mundos and Hotel Armadores de Santander. The restrictions also fall on shops in Old Havana, as well as businesses like rum producers and real estate firms.\n\nThis is also an expanded list of Cuban government officials barred from transactions with the U.S., including exports from American businesses.\n\nAny contracts signed before Thursday's implementation will be allowed to proceed, and the new travel restrictions don't apply to anyone who booked people-to-people travel before Trump's speech on June 16 or travel for educational or humanitarian purposes before Nov. 9.\n\nThe new restrictions will be enforced by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, with the help of agencies like Customs and Border Patrol at ports of entry. Penalties for breaking the sanctions include heavy fines and, after multiple violations, prosecution.\n\nTo that end, the Treasury is asking U.S. citizens who travel to Cuba to keep their paperwork to prove they did not violate any U.S. laws. But the administration is not requiring that travelers obtain permission beforehand -- a more onerous restriction from the pre-Obama era that made it more difficult to travel.\n\nWhile tourism to Cuba has never been allowed outright, the people-to-people exchanges permitted American travelers to see the island as part of a cultural exchange, and enforcement under the Obama administration became very lax.\n\nThe Trump administration, however, said it wants to eliminate any American support for the Cuban government because of its human rights abuses. \"We do not want U.S. dollars to prop up a military monopoly that exploits and abuses the citizens of Cuba,\" the president said in June.\n\nInstead, the White House is relaxing some restrictions on exports to private Cuban businesses in order to foster greater support for the private sector, the Treasury Department announced.\n\n\"Steer[ing] economic activities away from the Cuban military, intelligence, and security services\" and \"expand[ing] economic ties to the private small business sector in Cuba ... will encourage the government to move toward greater political and economic freedom for the Cuban people,\" a senior Treasury Department official told reporters Wednesday.\n\nThe new changes will have the opposite effect though, according to advocates for greater U.S.-Cuban ties.\n\n\"It deters U.S. travelers from going to Cuba and supporting the local Cuban community,\" Charel van Dam of the travel agency Cuba Travel Network, said in a statement. \"It only seems to undermine the actual ideology of why these restrictions have been set up in the first place.\"\n\nIt could also leave an opening for Russia, according to James Williams, the president of Engage Cuba, a coalition of businesses and organizations lobbying to end the embargo.\n\n\"While the Cuban people and U.S. businesses lose out, reverting back to our policy of isolation is a gift to the Kremlin. Russia is quickly expanding its foothold in Cuba, looking to regain its once diminished sphere of influence in our backyard,\" he said in a statement.\n\nTrump has long bashed the Obama administration's \"terrible and misguided deal with the Castro regime.\"\n\n\"Effective immediately, I am canceling the last administration\u2019s completely one-sided deal with Cuba,\" he said in June.\n\nThese restrictions today take steps to bring the U.S. back to the policy before Obama opened relations with the Caribbean island nation.\n\nIn his final days, Obama also ended the \"Wet Foot, Dry Foot\" policy that allowed Cubans who arrive in America without a visa to become permanent residents, and the Trump administration has given no indication it will bring back the policy, which angered the Cuban government for decades.\n\nCuba and the U.S. still have diplomatic relations, with embassies in each other's capitals and high-level diplomats serving there. Those ties have been frayed, however, by the health attacks on U.S. personnel in Havana, which led the State Department to withdraw all but emergency personnel.\n\nThe shortages have, in turn, led to an indefinite halt on visa services at the embassy in Havana, and the State Department issued a travel warning for all Americans, who could also be victim to the mysterious attacks, it said." + }, + { + "title": "Alaska Air will end Cuba flights, citing slowdown in passengers and Trump\u2019s new rules - The Seattle Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Alaska Air will end Cuba flights, citing slowdown in passengers and Trump\u2019s new rules - The Seattle Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1gFBVV95cUxONjlWbkJTV2NuLWdub2Q4eW1oNThMNVZQT2gwdXVHa2hwRnJ5bWR6bWM0TUhEQjZ5UkpGYllCeTJEbFdoV1BlSWdvOXVHQnVSRFJocGlXZGhiZzZQaTRCSlRMZjhzN0cwQnd0YTN6ZDN1UTFiLVc4S3VPMEg1YUF5eEc5WHJuMXhheG9LVDdIbHJvMkk1RGI2TUlkZDUzbGs1aVZXM3ZJWGMtWnlZbV9fUDZMYzZxRVNfWGdiVzA5VGRiOE90SkFaemZXeFVMeHhFd3lKcHpB?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/alaska-air-will-end-cuba-flights-citing-slowdown-in-passengers-and-trumps-new-rules/", + "id": "CBMi1gFBVV95cUxONjlWbkJTV2NuLWdub2Q4eW1oNThMNVZQT2gwdXVHa2hwRnJ5bWR6bWM0TUhEQjZ5UkpGYllCeTJEbFdoV1BlSWdvOXVHQnVSRFJocGlXZGhiZzZQaTRCSlRMZjhzN0cwQnd0YTN6ZDN1UTFiLVc4S3VPMEg1YUF5eEc5WHJuMXhheG9LVDdIbHJvMkk1RGI2TUlkZDUzbGs1aVZXM3ZJWGMtWnlZbV9fUDZMYzZxRVNfWGdiVzA5VGRiOE90SkFaemZXeFVMeHhFd3lKcHpB", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 14 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 14, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 318, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Alaska Air will end Cuba flights, citing slowdown in passengers and Trump\u2019s new rules  The Seattle Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Alaska Air will end Cuba flights, citing slowdown in passengers and Trump\u2019s new rules  The Seattle Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.seattletimes.com", + "title": "The Seattle Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Alaska Air will end Cuba flights, citing slowdown in passengers and Trump\u2019s new rules\nauthor: Rami Grunbaum\nurl: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/alaska-air-will-end-cuba-flights-citing-slowdown-in-passengers-and-trumps-new-rules/\nhostname: seattletimes.com\ndescription: Alaska Airlines will end its daily Los Angeles-Havana flights in January, but it says restrictions that President Donald Trump imposed on travel to the island last week were just the last straw for a route that was already struggling.\nsitename: The Seattle Times\ndate: 2017-11-14\n---\nAlaska Airlines will end its daily Los Angeles-Havana flights in January, but it says restrictions that President Donald Trump imposed on travel to the island last week were just the last straw for a route that was already struggling.\n\nAlaska Airlines will end its flights to Cuba in January, a year after launching a daily Los Angeles-Havana route that began with great fanfare but was fading even before President Donald Trump last week imposed new restrictions on travel to the island nation.\n\nAfter its 737-900ER makes a final Havana flight on Jan. 22, Alaska initially will use that jet to add an eighth daily run between Seattle and Orange County, California, said John Kirby, the airline\u2019s vice president of capacity planning.\n\nThe Trump administration\u2019s shift \u201cprobably was the proverbial straw,\u201d he said, but \u201cwe were already looking pretty hard at an exit based on the bookings, so I would not pin this on the regulations changing.\u201d\n\nTravelers with tickets after Jan. 22 can either be rebooked on other airlines at no cost or be refunded their money, the company said.\n\nSeattle-based Alaska is not the only airline to back off initial Cuba plans. American Airlines announced in November 2016 that it would reduce its number of flights, before Alaska had even started operating. Smaller operators Silver Air and Spirit Airlines subsequently dropped their flights, and Frontier ended its flights from Miami to Havana in June.\n\nAlaska was among many contending for the 20 initial daily flights to Havana doled out by the U.S. Department of Transportation under an agreement with Cuba. It then had to fight off a challenge from JetBlue, which questioned why Alaska wasn\u2019t able to start service in November as originally scheduled.\n\nAlaska\u2019s first flight to Havana, on Jan. 5, carried a television crew as well as a trade and educational delegation including University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce, who was born in Cuba.\n\n\u201cInitially we saw a lot of demand\u201d as the spring tourism season began last March, with Alaska\u2019s 178-seat planes heading to Cuba \u201cmore than three-quarters full,\u201d Kirby said. The following month, flights reached 85 percent capacity.\n\nBut this fall \u201cwe saw bookings drop off precipitously,\u201d he said. \u201cThe hurricane season didn\u2019t help,\u201d as a record-setting storm season lashed both Cuba and the Southeastern United States.\n\nThe White House said in June it would reverse some of the travel policies that followed the Obama administration\u2019s re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2015. Those new travel rules, which took effect Nov. 9, mean most Americans will, once again, be required to travel as part of organized tours run by U.S. companies.\n\n\u201cOver 80 percent of the traffic we were carrying was the people-to-people\u201d category of visitors traveling on their own, classified as \u201cindividual education,\u201d Kirby said. With the new restrictions, \u201cit didn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d\n\nAlthough Alaska now operates the only nonstop flights to Havana from the West Coast, it has been a small player overall in the Cuba market, according to data from CAPA, an Australia-based aviation research firm.\n\nAs of June, CAPA reported, American Airlines led with 34 percent of available seating capacity between the United States and Cuba, followed by Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, United and finally Alaska with 4.5 percent of the total seats.\n\nThe end of Alaska\u2019s Cuba flights is \u201cas permanent as anything is in the airline industry,\u201d Kirby said. Alaska will return the landing slots it was allocated after a lengthy approval process by the U.S. and Cuban governments, \u201cso we would relinquish rights to fly to Cuba.\u201d\n\nHe said it had been difficult for airlines to predict travel demand to Cuba: \u201cObviously with a country that was embargoed for 50 years there wasn\u2019t a lot of data.\u201d\n\nThe acquisition of Virgin America has also meant that Alaska has \u201cmore opportunities than aircraft,\u201d providing good alternative uses for the jet now used on Los Angeles-Havana flights, Kirby said.\n\nThe airline said it has added 44 routes this year and is planning for nearly 8 percent network growth in 2018, primarily by bolstering capacity in its existing markets." + }, + { + "title": "Travel Industry Is Optimistic About Adapting to New Cuba Restrictions - Travel Market Report", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Travel Industry Is Optimistic About Adapting to New Cuba Restrictions - Travel Market Report" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiyAFBVV95cUxPdFVKZi1BOG5nc2NnOXU5TzYweDk5VlR4T3ZmZ2U3R2NoZUVmSUh1RDZyeEpESDNVbDNfQ2EyM2dvRmdHelR0Q0dha0N6bUZKeUZnNW53RFQwMHZvNHJYS2RJWjVZSHl1WUpNelZRcUJvX2I4TV96YS1mNnU5empEV3MyMGhMMklnRFdjbndiQWhyc1o0azlXRktGaWttcEFodkZ6WXhSUnRab2dMWmFoaDRXQXJGdWE5UzJCZXJGOFduLWptS1dtXw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.voanews.com/a/cuba-municipal-elections/4137494.html", + "id": "CBMiyAFBVV95cUxPdFVKZi1BOG5nc2NnOXU5TzYweDk5VlR4T3ZmZ2U3R2NoZUVmSUh1RDZyeEpESDNVbDNfQ2EyM2dvRmdHelR0Q0dha0N6bUZKeUZnNW53RFQwMHZvNHJYS2RJWjVZSHl1WUpNelZRcUJvX2I4TV96YS1mNnU5empEV3MyMGhMMklnRFdjbndiQWhyc1o0azlXRktGaWttcEFodkZ6WXhSUnRab2dMWmFoaDRXQXJGdWE5UzJCZXJGOFduLWptS1dtXw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 10 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 10, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 314, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Travel Industry Is Optimistic About Adapting to New Cuba Restrictions  Travel Market Report", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Travel Industry Is Optimistic About Adapting to New Cuba Restrictions  Travel Market Report" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.travelmarketreport.com", + "title": "Travel Market Report" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: With Local Polls, Cuba Starts Process to End Castro Era\nauthor: VOA News\nurl: https://www.voanews.com/a/cuba-municipal-elections/4137494.html\nhostname: voanews.com\ndescription: Municipal elections are prelude to February vote for provincial and national assembly deputies to decide who will succeed Raul Castro as president\nsitename: Voice of America (VOA News)\ndate: 2017-11-26\ncategories: ['Americas']\ntags: ['Americas']\n---\nCuban President Raul Castro on Sunday voted alongside thousands of people in municipal elections that kick off the process to end his family's hold on the island nation.\n\nThe Communist Party-supervised process comes a day after the first anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro\u2019s death.\n\nThough no opposition candidates were competing in Sunday's elections for more than 12,500 council seats, voters could still choose among 30,000 candidates named by acclamation in neighborhood assemblies.\n\nThe municipal vote, Cuba\u2019s only direct election, is the beginning of a strictly controlled process to eventually choose leaders in higher government positions. A February election for provincial and national assembly deputies is expected to decide who will succeed Raul Castro as president.\n\nCampaigning in Cuba is prohibited. Candidates for ward post are chosen based on merits; not on policy agendas. They are nominated at neighborhood meetings.\n\nThe Castro brothers have headed the government since the 1959 revolution led by Fidel.\n\nCurrent first Vice President Migel Diaz-Canel is expected to replace 86-year-old Raul who succeeded the ailing Fidel as president in 2008. But Sunday Diaz-Canel would not contemplate the future.\n\n\u201cI think today is not the day to talk about that. Today, we are feeling much more sublime things. There will always be presidents in Cuba, defending the revolution, and they will be comrades who come from the people. The people will elect them. And they will have to go through this process,\u201d he said. \u201cToday is the day to talk about what we are doing here. Today is the day to talk about Fidel,\u201d he added after casting his ballot.\n\nVoter Marisela Quesada said, \"I'm telling you from my heart. I am a revolutionary until the end but I would like my president Raul [Castro] to continue. I would like him to continue, yes,\u201d she said.\n\n\u201cIn my life, I wouldn't want any other because things are still being done like when there was his brother [referring to Fidel Castro]. Everything is still the same. Everything is good. I feel good,\u201d she said.\n\nA voter, who requested anonymity due to her government position, told Reuters there is an ongoing discussion on reforming the electoral process.\n\n\u201cI am happy to vote, but I must say, like most young people I do not think it makes any difference,\u201d she said.\n\nCastro is expected to remain the leader of the all-powerful Communist Party. He would be 90 when his current term ends in 2021.\n\nResults from today\u2019s election are expected Monday. Ballots are secret and more than eight million people were eligible to vote." + }, + { + "title": "With Local Polls, Cuba Starts Process to End Castro Era - VOA - Voice of America English News", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "With Local Polls, Cuba Starts Process to End Castro Era - VOA - Voice of America English News" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMicEFVX3lxTE44NjBFbFdJT2MxOWpBeUljWkhuYzYtTlU3U1FTN1JJZ28wQ2NXQ2wwczNNblVVclozN1FZb1pFcnRJVlVRWnR4dzBTZHY4WW12d1JxUkhXTlZGOEUwQWI4cC10TmFoNVV0SGhKbHBCWEXSAXNBVV95cUxPU3RGNDNESGxLUFc5WkEzVUNOb3ZFTV9BY2d1NUQ3elRYRmpmc1dyRmFnbGY3VzlweDFNWHFBOVVzTHVfQnFHQ3hMTnRRaGg1Ynd2MEJOQ1RrR0hiR3lmTWtVZ0VEWlZtOU1CWEw0eDAtMDFj?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.travelmarketreport.com/packaged-travel/articles/travel-industry-is-optimistic-about-adapting-to-new-cuba-restrictions", + "id": "CBMicEFVX3lxTE44NjBFbFdJT2MxOWpBeUljWkhuYzYtTlU3U1FTN1JJZ28wQ2NXQ2wwczNNblVVclozN1FZb1pFcnRJVlVRWnR4dzBTZHY4WW12d1JxUkhXTlZGOEUwQWI4cC10TmFoNVV0SGhKbHBCWEXSAXNBVV95cUxPU3RGNDNESGxLUFc5WkEzVUNOb3ZFTV9BY2d1NUQ3elRYRmpmc1dyRmFnbGY3VzlweDFNWHFBOVVzTHVfQnFHQ3hMTnRRaGg1Ynd2MEJOQ1RrR0hiR3lmTWtVZ0VEWlZtOU1CWEw0eDAtMDFj", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sun, 26 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 26, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 6, + 330, + 0 + ], + "summary": "With Local Polls, Cuba Starts Process to End Castro Era  VOA - Voice of America English News", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "With Local Polls, Cuba Starts Process to End Castro Era  VOA - Voice of America English News" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.voanews.com", + "title": "VOA - Voice of America English News" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Travel Industry Is Optimistic About Adapting to New Cuba Restrictions\nauthor: Richard D'Ambrosio\nurl: https://www.travelmarketreport.com/packaged-travel/articles/travel-industry-is-optimistic-about-adapting-to-new-cuba-restrictions\nhostname: travelmarketreport.com\ndescription: Long-time travel experts say that while some popular lodging choices and tourist venues are impacted, travel to Cuba remains open.\nsitename: TravelMarketReport\ndate: 2017-11-10\n---\n# Travel Industry Is Optimistic About Adapting to New Cuba Restrictions\n\nby Richard D'AmbrosioAs industry experts pored over the legalese and diplomatic tangle of the Trump administration\u2019s new rules on travel to Cuba, a more positive outlook has begun to emerge for tourism to the increasingly popular island nation.\n\nHowever, these observers are concerned for the ban on approximately 180 entities \u2013 including the recently opened five-star Kempinski Hotel in Havana \u2013 that \u201cdisproportionately benefit\u201d Cuba\u2019s security and military services \u201cat the expense of the Cuban people or private enterprise in Cuba.\u201d\n\nBut more important for long-term travel growth to Cuba, these same experts said, are the \u201coptics\u201d of this and other Trump administration moves meant to shed a negative light on travel to Cuba, as well as the uncertainty of a response from the Cuban government.\n\n**Individuals can still travel to Cuba**\n\n\u201cThe reality is, beyond the ban on hotels and other tourism sites, not much has changed beyond renaming the category for independent travel,\u201d said John McAuliff, executive director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development at the Cuba/US People to People Partnership, in Riverhead, New York.\n\nWhile the \u201cpeople-to-people\u201d category that individual travelers checked off previously to participate in non-group travel has been eliminated, individuals can still travel to Cuba under the approved \u201cSupport for the Cuban People\u201d category, said McAuliff, who called it a \u201cchange in nomenclature.\u201d\n\nAccording to the regulations released Wednesday, anyone traveling under this category is required to \u201cengage in a full-time schedule of activities that result in meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba. Such activities must also enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba, or promote the Cuban people\u2019s independence from Cuban authorities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe people-to-people category was the most popular prior to these new rules,\u201d said Michael Zuccato, general manager at Cuba Travel Services, in Cypress, Calif., because it gave individual travelers \u201cthe most freedom to do the activities you thought were allowed.\u201d\n\nNow, under the Support for Cuban People category, \u201cif the regulation is enforced by every word, there is a change there. But if individuals want to travel to Cuba, they can. The real impact is the confusion and hysteria out there, and the appearance that travel to Cuba is prohibited,\u201d he said.\n\n\u201cNot everyone is familiar with these terms. They are going to be confused.\u201d Zuccato predicts a share shift towards more group bookings.\n\nOther permitted travel categories are: family visits, humanitarian travel, travel for religious activities, professional research and meetings, and official government business.\n\nUnder the Support for People category, a traveler can rent a room in a private Cuban residence (casa particular), eat at a privately owned Cuban restaurant (paladares), and shop at privately owned stores run by self-employed Cubans (cuentapropistas). However, in order to meet the requirement of a \u201cfull-time schedule,\u201d a traveler must engage in \u201cadditional authorized Support for the Cuban People activities.\u201d\n\n**Americans restricted from 180 Cuban entities**\n\nMeanwhile, American tourists are restricted from doing business with 180 Cuban entities, including two leading tourism agencies, Crucero del Sol and Gaviota Tours. Also banned are certain marinas, tours to venues like the rum distiller Ron Varadero and visits to the newly opened Manzana de Gomez luxury shopping mall.\n\nThese restrictions could impact a tourist\u2019s desire to experience authentic Cuban culture, as American travelers are supposed to track their activities while in Cuba, and present a record of them to U.S. officials upon their return if asked.\n\n\u201cAre you going to visit Havana, and not visit the Hotel Ambos Mundos (a former Hemingway haunt)? It\u2019s hard to say what individuals are actually going to do when they get there,\u201d Zuccato said.\n\nFrank Reno, president at Cuba Executive Travel Inc. in Apollo Beach, Fla., lamented the ban on certain hotels he sees as critical to assuring Americans that Cuba vacations will offer the creature comforts they might expect in other destinations. \u201cThe Kempinski is a gorgeous hotel. I was there the week it opened. Not being able to send clients there and some of the smaller boutique hotels is going to hurt.\u201d\n\nThe new regulations will not affect U.S. travelers who have already booked one element of a trip to Cuba prior to June 16, 2017, while educational travelers with elements booked before Nov. 9 can still travel.\n\n**Waiting for the next shoe to drop**\n\nMost observers reached this week said that while this round of restrictions is not overly damaging, they wonder how the Cuban government might respond, and whether the highly vocal and anti-Cuban government U.S. contingent might press for stricter sanctions.\n\n\u201cMy contacts tell me that the list of banned entities is not final, and it\u2019s my understanding it will be amended,\u201d said Reno. \u201cSome of the hotels I know that are run by the government are not on the list.\u201d\n\nFlorida Senator Marco Rubio has called for the U.S. to ban dealings with Gran Caribe and Cubanacan, tourism entities owned by the Cuban tourism ministry, based on the fact that Cuba\u2019s Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz is an army colonel.\n\nRubio said the restrictions announced this week \u201cbegin to implement President Trump\u2019s June 2017 policy for enforcing U.S. sanctions laws against the Castro regime\u201d but that \u201cbureaucrats in the State Department who oppose the President\u2019s Cuba policy refused to fully implement it.\n\n\u201cI remain confident that this effort by some in the State Department to undermine the President\u2019s directive will be addressed,\u201d Rubio said. Rubio and other members of the Senate and House of Representatives believe the communist government prevents any true independent private sector economy.\n\n**Understanding how tourism works**\n\nZuccato remains optimistic. \u201cThe people that came up with this idea, to prohibit the hotels, don\u2019t understand how Cuba works. Cuba has been a successful destination without the United States. And if that means changing hotels to different ministries, marketing to different inbound groups, they\u2019ll make the adjustments. I don\u2019t think this will have the desired impact\u201d on the communist regime.\n\nMcAuliff said he is more concerned with the impact from the State Department\u2019s \u201cspecious travel warning\u201d issued in early October, when the agency could not explain mysterious illnesses amongst the Havana-based American diplomatic corps.\n\n\u201cCombine that with this, and it might be enough to make some people already uneasy about traveling to Cuba, to decide not to do it,\u201d he said." + }, + { + "title": "Armando Hart, Castro loyalist during Cuban revolution, dies at 87 - The Washington Post", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Armando Hart, Castro loyalist during Cuban revolution, dies at 87 - The Washington Post" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi_wFBVV95cUxQSTVhTjNFR1VzbDVOTGt1SXlFQ2RZWVlUcEVDVVdnQVEwWUxaVm9tenRlbmd4Q1ViX1R6bFQ5Q0RSZVZrTGY1eDBtNFdvel9QQkJwQUd5U1FGMndLSVFULWdyYUg5MlBEVUd1Z3RMMkUyUWQ1TGxsYWt4WUs1MjZodTVKbV96dGgxal9yeWxBX3N2SkN0d21sUnVkSXJmQjZwT1FjN0t1di1OTTlBbjdNY3RWSTkxN2pzZE9CdlVld2stQ1hrZElVZEg3Wno4ZUIyU1g0dl9sM0p1S25rN21malRmSlk5VVlCYWVVYjJBNjhOb0VoUWJlR1RQVHhtOGM?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uzbekistan-incident-raises-suspicions-of-russian-involvement-in-cuba-attacks/", + "id": "CBMi_wFBVV95cUxQSTVhTjNFR1VzbDVOTGt1SXlFQ2RZWVlUcEVDVVdnQVEwWUxaVm9tenRlbmd4Q1ViX1R6bFQ5Q0RSZVZrTGY1eDBtNFdvel9QQkJwQUd5U1FGMndLSVFULWdyYUg5MlBEVUd1Z3RMMkUyUWQ1TGxsYWt4WUs1MjZodTVKbV96dGgxal9yeWxBX3N2SkN0d21sUnVkSXJmQjZwT1FjN0t1di1OTTlBbjdNY3RWSTkxN2pzZE9CdlVld2stQ1hrZElVZEg3Wno4ZUIyU1g0dl9sM0p1S25rN21malRmSlk5VVlCYWVVYjJBNjhOb0VoUWJlR1RQVHhtOGM", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 27 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 27, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 331, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Armando Hart, Castro loyalist during Cuban revolution, dies at 87  The Washington Post", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Armando Hart, Castro loyalist during Cuban revolution, dies at 87  The Washington Post" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.washingtonpost.com", + "title": "The Washington Post" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Uzbekistan incident raises suspicions of Russian involvement in Cuba attacks\nauthor: Steve Dorsey\nurl: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/uzbekistan-incident-raises-suspicions-of-russian-involvement-in-cuba-attacks/\nhostname: cbsnews.com\ndescription: A USAID officer in Tashkent at the American embassy was subjected to what may have been an acoustic attack similar to those suffered by U.S. diplomats in Cuba\nsitename: CBS News\ndate: 2017-11-28\ncategories: ['Politics']\ntags: ['Russia']\n---\n# Uzbekistan incident raises suspicions of Russian involvement in Cuba attacks\n\n*Updated with response from State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert.*\n\nA newly revealed incident reported by a USAID officer who is based at the American embassy in Uzbekistan is raising suspicions Russia may have been involved and could have had a hand in bizarre attacks targeting U.S. diplomats in Cuba, according to American sources.\n\nIn September, the officer and his wife reported, according to one source familiar with the incident, what may have been at least one acoustic attack similar to those experienced by the diplomats in Havana.\n\nThe first Cuba attacks began in November 2016, and the last report of an attack was in August 2017. Victims of the attacks in Cuba describe hearing a loud, high-pitched sound often described like a hiss of cicadas or crickets in unusual places\u2014often in their homes.\n\nThe State Department declined to describe in detail the incident in Tashkent.\n\n\"We aren't going to discuss every case individually,\" a spokesperson said.\n\nVictims of the attacks in Cuba were diagnosed with hearing loss, brain injuries, cognitive issues and other conditions.\n\nThe source says the two suffered similar effects and were flown out of Tashkent by the State Department to be evaluated. It is unclear what further diagnosis or care they have had following their departure from Uzbekistan.\n\n\"We take seriously the health concerns of USG personnel anywhere in the world,\" the State Department spokesperson told CBS News. \"We ensure our personnel are examined and receive appropriate treatment.\"\n\nOn Tuesday afternoon, State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said, \"We can confirm that there was no incident in Uzbekistan.\"\n\nUSAID, a U.S. government agency that provides foreign assistance in more than 100 countries, maintains its Uzbekistan headquarters office at the American embassy in Tashkent. Its work focuses mainly on agriculture and trade. It referred CBS News inquiries on the incident to the State Department. Although USAID is an independent agency, it works closely with the State Department.\n\nUSAID's Country Director in Tashkent Gary Robbins, referred CBS News to an embassy spokesman who offered no more details. Messages to USAID's Deputy Country Director were not returned.\n\nThe Central Asian country was once part of the USSR. It declared independence in 1991 during the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, it maintains strong ties with Russia. The two countries held joint military drills in October, their first together in 12 years. Uzbekistan is also considering re-joining the Russian-led military bloc Collective Security Treaty Organization, from which it withdrew in 2012 under long-time President Islom Karimov who died in 2016.\n\nRussia has sought to capitalize on relations with Karimov's successor, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the expense of the U.S.\n\nNow, two U.S. security sources say the September incident in Tashkent raises concerns Russia may be involved, and could have had a hand in the attacks targeting U.S. government personnel in Cuba-another country where Russia has also exerted growing influence.\n\n\"The Russians have been rebuilding their relationship\u2014it deteriorated dramatically after the end of the Cold War,\" according to William Leogrande, a foreign policy professor at American University who focuses on Cuba. Now, \"They have a strong presence in Cuba and an historic relationship with Cuban intelligence that might give them the kind of freedom to operate that would provide an opportunity.\"\n\nRussia has denied any role in the attacks.\n\nRussian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova called suggestions about Russia's involvement \"absurd\" at a press briefing in Moscow August 31, and said \"this does not help the normalization of the bilateral relations\" between the U.S. and Russia.\n\n\"We are ready to help the Cuban side investigate the matter and determine the facts,\" she said.\n\nThe State Department refused to publicly comment on whether it would welcome Russia's involvement in the investigation into the Cuba attacks." + }, + { + "title": "Caterpillar dealer to open shop in Cuba special development zone - Reuters", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Caterpillar dealer to open shop in Cuba special development zone - Reuters" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxNYVAxM1NidVhNc1JaTGo3TnlmZml3UGdDQVBBR08wZFpFU01JNVpzWXgzeTR5TlFUTFp1ZVM1eG5qZjRqZEt4bXVJdUNBOXJfanQ1cjV1OVdQMElDV1AxLXhRWXc4YTd1bXl6SnZqdmxmRF8yNjZldjFoYVhfY1hSNzNJLXFhaUowZVdxd0c4VGJMcUJUTFp3V1ZKMDBpZHRZbGVzZVdmQjRjVHgxM2t1Wnk1VkxVeHZU?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.reuters.com/article/world/caterpillar-dealer-to-open-shop-in-cuba-special-development-zone-idUSKBN1D15D6/", + "id": "CBMiuAFBVV95cUxNYVAxM1NidVhNc1JaTGo3TnlmZml3UGdDQVBBR08wZFpFU01JNVpzWXgzeTR5TlFUTFp1ZVM1eG5qZjRqZEt4bXVJdUNBOXJfanQ1cjV1OVdQMElDV1AxLXhRWXc4YTd1bXl6SnZqdmxmRF8yNjZldjFoYVhfY1hSNzNJLXFhaUowZVdxd0c4VGJMcUJUTFp3V1ZKMDBpZHRZbGVzZVdmQjRjVHgxM2t1Wnk1VkxVeHZU", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 1, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 305, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Caterpillar dealer to open shop in Cuba special development zone  Reuters", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Caterpillar dealer to open shop in Cuba special development zone  Reuters" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.reuters.com", + "title": "Reuters" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 401, + "response": "Error: HTTP 401" + }, + { + "title": "Uzbekistan incident raises suspicions of Russian involvement in Cuba attacks - CBS News", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Uzbekistan incident raises suspicions of Russian involvement in Cuba attacks - CBS News" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxQS2FQN0NDRDBjQzZwVGZwcG5qNjV2ZUdtYzUwbGRfTWxqajhlNzhmSnoyTzR6TVZlRjAxU0dfQW9CN0NEUjJYazRabGhGa3lYSVlLWm1keldQcXVTOG1kQjQ2azR3M3MzZ0l5QkUzNzYycnVjNXJ1ZmhEQUY0OWhSTW51S1l0V2VwbngyVzY1U2FGdXQzbkZOOTFYVXQzMDdfRUZuWjRmMmZJQdIBrwFBVV95cUxNcDFGMDE3UFRpTHVsZEMyQVc0VVotU2JaZEJmalprRFFfTFo5MW1xWklrY3I3VVNwbXI2ekMwRGVsa0J5TFRTU20xQWs0bHRUeVFTR1ZzWk9wWlAxdi1HNHFvR2NDT0V6aUFUTUlpa2U4U3duX2xVd1BGSWVLeldOemtUcHozUnZaSlZjcFZkYlJGeHFLTHpWZHd1XzY3bm9SMjVNTGJMdlZSSU1sbDVJ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/cuba-and-cameraman-netflix-review/", + "id": "CBMiqgFBVV95cUxQS2FQN0NDRDBjQzZwVGZwcG5qNjV2ZUdtYzUwbGRfTWxqajhlNzhmSnoyTzR6TVZlRjAxU0dfQW9CN0NEUjJYazRabGhGa3lYSVlLWm1keldQcXVTOG1kQjQ2azR3M3MzZ0l5QkUzNzYycnVjNXJ1ZmhEQUY0OWhSTW51S1l0V2VwbngyVzY1U2FGdXQzbkZOOTFYVXQzMDdfRUZuWjRmMmZJQdIBrwFBVV95cUxNcDFGMDE3UFRpTHVsZEMyQVc0VVotU2JaZEJmalprRFFfTFo5MW1xWklrY3I3VVNwbXI2ekMwRGVsa0J5TFRTU20xQWs0bHRUeVFTR1ZzWk9wWlAxdi1HNHFvR2NDT0V6aUFUTUlpa2U4U3duX2xVd1BGSWVLeldOemtUcHozUnZaSlZjcFZkYlJGeHFLTHpWZHd1XzY3bm9SMjVNTGJMdlZSSU1sbDVJ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 28 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 28, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 332, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Uzbekistan incident raises suspicions of Russian involvement in Cuba attacks  CBS News", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Uzbekistan incident raises suspicions of Russian involvement in Cuba attacks  CBS News" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.cbsnews.com", + "title": "CBS News" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: 'Cuba and the Cameraman' a stark depiction of life under dictatorship\nauthor: SOPHIA WHITE\nurl: https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/cuba-and-cameraman-netflix-review/\nhostname: michigandaily.com\ndescription: The toughest moments to watch on-screen are those that grimly reveal that the nation and its people have remained stagnant, stuck in a place beyond political repair, a place with barren streets and roofs caved in.\nsitename: The Michigan Daily\ndate: 2017-11-29\ncategories: ['Arts', 'Film']\n---\n\nCuba has historically been a site of popular glamour and mystery to Americans, but most have never had to opportunity to see the country for themselves. Aside from their cigars, the nation\u2019s cultural allure has been inaccessible to foreign travelers due to a complicated political history brought about by Fidel Castro\u2019s socialist revolution. Thanks to Jon Alpert (\u201cRedemption\u201d), Cuba\u2019s obscure charm is exposed in the form of raw footage in his new Netflix documentary, \u201cCuba and the Cameraman.\u201d\n\nThe documentary features footage than spans over 45 years and Alpert, who began his roots in New York City activism, borrows from the French, cin\u00e9ma verit\u00e9 style of filmmaking that is highly direct in its formal approach and that it aims to reveal a truth about a harsh reality: in the case of this film, the toll of socialism in a struggling nation. What becomes clear in Alpert\u2019s work is that over the 45 years he returned to Cuba, a lot changed \u2014 his subjects aged, the consequences of socialism in food and medicine scarcity began to truly sink in \u2014 but a lot of the country\u2019s progress became static. The toughest moments to watch on-screen are those that grimly reveal that the nation and its people have remained stagnant, stuck in a place beyond political repair, a place with barren streets and roofs caved in. A place without water to drink.\n\nAlpert follows the lives of three different groups of people, and as the years pass, there is an amount of audience investment and empathy that naturally comes along with seeing these repeated subjects on screen. They color the piece with humanity. He tracks a man named Luis as he goes in and out of jail, a woman named Caridad who begins as a bright schoolgirl who dreamt of being a nurse but instead wed at the age of 14. And then there\u2019s Gregorio, Cristobal and Angel, three *campesinos* (farm workers) who are reminiscent of the playful fraternal bond of Super Mario Brothers. They eventually have their livestock stolen and lose their means to work, but somehow they sustain happiness and remind us that you don\u2019t need teeth to have a beaming smile and that rum should be carried on a person at all times.\n\nIt is never explained how Alpert and his crew were able to travel in and out of Cuba so freely, especially during a period of heightened political tensions, nor is it explained why Alpert was allowed in such intimate settings with Castro, like his private plane. Alpert\u2019s American speech subconsciously seems to distract and detract from the authenticity of these ordinary Spanish speakers that cannot speak English, so using only subtitles may have created more of a narrative flow.\n\nThough what really dazzles most about the piece is not Alpert\u2019s impressive 45-year commitment, but rather the simple lives and stories of Cubans who find joy in the smallest things. We could all learn a lot from them." + }, + { + "title": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 a stark depiction of life under dictatorship - The Michigan Daily", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 a stark depiction of life under dictatorship - The Michigan Daily" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMieEFVX3lxTE05bm9PczRFNGtydUFKYkdDYzF4RWlIdWtaWXU0T2EyNDBvMVpwUG9WY2g1Y1ZNb3pPUWlVdmhJY3pfY0RTeHlfZkZWaVNzcUdJWEZlUC1PdHhxOUROMDFCelpRVnBuZDVmaEhGMlNjWUI5S09aT0MwUA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/armando-hart-castro-loyalist-during-cuban-revolution-dies-at-87/2017/11/27/b2d87572-d393-11e7-b62d-d9345ced896d_story.html", + "id": "CBMieEFVX3lxTE05bm9PczRFNGtydUFKYkdDYzF4RWlIdWtaWXU0T2EyNDBvMVpwUG9WY2g1Y1ZNb3pPUWlVdmhJY3pfY0RTeHlfZkZWaVNzcUdJWEZlUC1PdHhxOUROMDFCelpRVnBuZDVmaEhGMlNjWUI5S09aT0MwUA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 29, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 333, + 0 + ], + "summary": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 a stark depiction of life under dictatorship  The Michigan Daily", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 a stark depiction of life under dictatorship  The Michigan Daily" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.michigandaily.com", + "title": "The Michigan Daily" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 0, + "response": "Error: " + }, + { + "title": "Cutting Regime Profit Must Follow Trump\u2019s Firm First Step on Cuba - The Heritage Foundation", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cutting Regime Profit Must Follow Trump\u2019s Firm First Step on Cuba - The Heritage Foundation" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxPZjk2ZGdQTVBPNG9MRE5LQTEzV0VQLVJxNElpOUx0VV9CZXE3V1A5c1NfeEhpa19INElvRGhDOThSZUZ3bUVzdmI5WU50VUdnd1J1NFZKWTF4Wk5tOXJEYTRJT0JoUExYY3BkSmkyUW1vRjdfam9BMHQ4X2hrZzQzOWlvZGdWWU9yOXlNQUZqVmR2RlZpNXVmTlJ4ZERCU1hmMzhJQXkwVVRTN1pXczAtSnhVUQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/cutting-regime-profit-must-follow-trumps-firm-first-step-cuba", + "id": "CBMiswFBVV95cUxPZjk2ZGdQTVBPNG9MRE5LQTEzV0VQLVJxNElpOUx0VV9CZXE3V1A5c1NfeEhpa19INElvRGhDOThSZUZ3bUVzdmI5WU50VUdnd1J1NFZKWTF4Wk5tOXJEYTRJT0JoUExYY3BkSmkyUW1vRjdfam9BMHQ4X2hrZzQzOWlvZGdWWU9yOXlNQUZqVmR2RlZpNXVmTlJ4ZERCU1hmMzhJQXkwVVRTN1pXczAtSnhVUQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 13, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 317, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cutting Regime Profit Must Follow Trump\u2019s Firm First Step on Cuba  The Heritage Foundation", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cutting Regime Profit Must Follow Trump\u2019s Firm First Step on Cuba  The Heritage Foundation" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.heritage.org", + "title": "The Heritage Foundation" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Cutting Regime Profit Must Follow Trump\u2019s Firm First Step on Cuba\nauthor: Ana Rosa Quintana\nurl: https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/commentary/cutting-regime-profit-must-follow-trumps-firm-first-step-cuba\nhostname: heritage.org\ndescription: President Trump released new regulations that implement his Cuba policy this week, a follow-up to his campaign promise to end his predecessor Barack Obama\u2019s failed approach of appeasing the Castro regime. Trump\u2019s new regulations reorient the policy in the right direction. As such, the president should consider further steps should situation on the island not improve.\nsitename: The Heritage Foundation\ndate: 2017-11-13\n---\nPresident Trump released new regulations that implement his Cuba policy this week, a follow-up to his campaign promise to end his predecessor Barack Obama\u2019s failed approach of appeasing the Castro regime.\n\nTrump\u2019s new regulations reorient the policy in the right direction. As such, the president should consider further steps should situation on the island not improve.\n\nIn remarks given in June, the president declared:\n\nThe previous administration\u2019s easing of restrictions on travel and trade does not help the Cuban people \u2014 they only enrich the Cuban regime. The profits from investment and tourism flow directly to the military. The regime takes the money and owns the industry. The outcome of the last administration\u2019s executive action has been only more repression and a move to crush the peaceful, democratic movement.\n\n\nPresident Trump\u2019s regulations finally closed the loopholes Obama created that allowed for violations of the embargo and the U.S.\u2019s tourism ban. Specifically, the new rules restrict commercial engagement with Cuban military and security apparatus by banning business entities under their control.\n\nFacts clearly demonstrate that President Obama\u2019s policy of unilateral engagement largely served to empower and legitimize the Castro regime at the expense of the Cuban people. The Obama administration issued numerous executive decrees overriding existing law, never once asking for the Castro regime to change its repressive behavior. While the White House paved the way for big business interests, the regime was granted carte blanche to suppress human rights activists.\n\nLast year alone, the Cuban government arrested nearly 10,000 of them, including members of religious groups. Christian organizations routinely report the spike in religious persecution on the island, including detentions and government seizure of property.\n\nTrump should expand his policies to further contain this outrageous state behavior. For starters, if a key component of Trump\u2019s strategy is depriving the military of resources, the President should restrict engagement with the Ministry of Tourism. Cuba\u2019s military-run tourism industry is a top source of revenue for the regime.\n\nFrom a broader policy perspective, the President should be wary of bureaucratic resistance, particularly at the State Department, slow rolling his agenda. From day one of his administration, elements of the bureaucracy at the State Department have underminedhis efforts on Venezuela and now on Cuba. In order to address this problem, the administration must continue filling key foreign policy roles.\n\nMoving forward, the president should develop a strategy to deal with outstanding debt to nearly 6,000 Americans. Valued at $8 billion, the Castro regime\u2019s illegal theft of Americans money and assets is the largest seizure of American property by a foreign government in history. Trump has an opportunity to correct this injustice.\n\nAnother potential landmine the White House should keep its eye one is the regulation\u2019s expansion of allowable exports to Cuba\u2019s \u201cprivate sector.\u201d Economic freedom is virtually nonexistent in the communist style government run by a military dictatorship. In order to rent rooms in their home, drive a cab, or even repair electronics, Cubans must seek a license from the government. Depriving the political opposition of economic resources is a tried and true strategy of the Castro regime. By referring to grantees of entrepreneurial licenses as the private sector, the Trump administration runs the risk of accepting Obama\u2019s flawed legal basis for undermining U.S. law.\n\nState Department bureaucracy is not the only threat to Trump\u2019s agenda. The little known U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) receives over $15 million annually from Congress for programs specifically related to Cuba. To date, many of these programs are still operating to serve the Obama administration\u2019s priorities, a problem that should quickly be addressed.\n\nPresident Trump has a unique opportunity to change the destiny of 11 million Cuban deprived of freedom. It is also a chance for the U.S. to change its focus from empowering the Castro regime to supporting the democratic forces on the island. These new regulations help start that momentum.\n\nThis piece originally appeared in Breitbart" + }, + { + "title": "When You Might Not Be Libre To Drink a Cuba Libre in Cuba - Export Law Blog", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "When You Might Not Be Libre To Drink a Cuba Libre in Cuba - Export Law Blog" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiVkFVX3lxTE01c2FuYkdsQWJweDB1N1Z6eGF1VV9OSGNQNGs2UmpzTUwyN2RkNlN2ZFJRdEJoaXpiV1NsVzI2UzdiYkh2WXBOb0VFWjVKcDR6MWM2STlR?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.exportlawblog.com/archives/8779", + "id": "CBMiVkFVX3lxTE01c2FuYkdsQWJweDB1N1Z6eGF1VV9OSGNQNGs2UmpzTUwyN2RkNlN2ZFJRdEJoaXpiV1NsVzI2UzdiYkh2WXBOb0VFWjVKcDR6MWM2STlR", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 9, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 313, + 0 + ], + "summary": "When You Might Not Be Libre To Drink a Cuba Libre in Cuba  Export Law Blog", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "When You Might Not Be Libre To Drink a Cuba Libre in Cuba  Export Law Blog" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.exportlawblog.com", + "title": "Export Law Blog" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: ExportLawBlog\nauthor: Clif Burns\nurl: https://www.exportlawblog.com/archives/8779\nhostname: exportlawblog.com\nsitename: exportlawblog.com\ndate: 2017-11-09\n---\nOne of the things that pops out from the State Department\u2019s Naughty List of Cuban businesses is all the beverage companies on it, which seems odd. I mean, honestly, how much can American tourists spend on TropiCola? How much of that will wind up in the pockets of Cuban spies and the Cuban military? Is the Cuban military going to crumble when it can\u2019t sell TropiCola to American tourists?\n\nOn the list are Najita (orange soda), Cachito (sparkling lemonade), TropiCola, and rum producers Ron Caney and Ron Varadero. Havana Club Rum, the gold standard of Cuban rum, is, inexplicably, not on the Naughty List.\n\nThe relevant regulation here is the new section 515.209 of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (\u201cCACR\u201d) which forbids \u201cdirect financial transactions\u201d with any entity on the Naughty List. But don\u2019t pin your hopes on the word \u201cdirect\u201d because we\u2019re talking OFAC here and we\u2019re in the Upside Down where direct actually means indirect. When you buy TropiCola from a street vendor, that\u2019s a direct transaction in the Upside Down where OFAC lives and an indirect transaction in the normal world.\n\nFor purposes of this prohibition, a person engages in a direct financial transaction by acting as the originator on a transfer of funds whose ultimate beneficiary is an entity or subentity on the State Department\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s List of Restricted Entities and Subentities Associated with Cuba (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cuba Restricted List\u00e2\u20ac)\u00c2 \u2026\u00c2 , including a transaction by wire transfer, credit card, check, or payment of cash.\n\n\nSo, when you give cash to bar in Havana to purchase a Cuba Libre made with Caney Rum and TropiCola, the ultimate beneficiaries are, arguably, TropiCola and Ron Caney. Perhaps an argument could be made that since both companies have already been paid, they aren\u2019t the ultimate beneficiary of your payment to the bar. But, if section 515.209 of the CACR only applies when you buy Tropicola or Caney Rum directly from the bottler, why include them on the Naughty List? What U.S. tourist will ever deal directly with the bottler?\n\nAnd since we made a trip to the Upside Down, I am compelled to add one thing: #JusticeForBob (spoiler alert!).\n\nPhoto Credit: Tropi Cola by Markus L [CC-BY-NC-2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/)], via Flickr https://flic.kr/p/egCzwi [cropped and processed]. Copyright 2010 Markus L\n\nCopyright \u00a9 2017 Clif Burns. All Rights Reserved.\n\n*(No republication, syndication or use permitted without my consent.)*" + }, + { + "title": "Review: \u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Lavishes Love on a Country \u2026 and Castro (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Review: \u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Lavishes Love on a Country \u2026 and Castro (Published 2017) - The New York Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxPVWFsT1I5dFIydm8wTkMwSkRSYWtNTE5hSDRBRVlGdFlsdFVwejNrcThjOHR4TVFhWEx3QkYweWxWUk9aZ1Bzc25fd3ZDOFo5UUl3QnZGd0MzazlTVmFTXzJnRGhqbVhZbWltWFdNZGVGX3kyeTJKVUFzRGsyalRJWlZn?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/23/movies/cuba-and-the-cameraman-review.html", + "id": "CBMiggFBVV95cUxPVWFsT1I5dFIydm8wTkMwSkRSYWtNTE5hSDRBRVlGdFlsdFVwejNrcThjOHR4TVFhWEx3QkYweWxWUk9aZ1Bzc25fd3ZDOFo5UUl3QnZGd0MzazlTVmFTXzJnRGhqbVhZbWltWFdNZGVGX3kyeTJKVUFzRGsyalRJWlZn", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 23 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 23, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 327, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Review: \u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Lavishes Love on a Country \u2026 and Castro (Published 2017)  The New York Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Review: \u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Lavishes Love on a Country \u2026 and Castro (Published 2017)  The New York Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nytimes.com", + "title": "The New York Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "55 years later: Lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis - American University", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "55 years later: Lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis - American University" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxOcUtxeEIxRkNaV29MbjlORkJpdEZOWGhDZ29vMXNoNkJoMU9tTnV4VWJmb25JeEYzSkN6VUM2QlJweEVBUXYwTUlYczMyQjZ5clBWTUd2c2tWc3p1QTY4Tk5ja0tXRmtBQXE4bXY0ekRiSEd4V2lmVExhbzNuSFBkaDB1UFF2U2FERW9GRFNhakhBMVB4czdSMkNWU2U0UQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.american.edu/sis/news/20171103-55-years-later-lessons-of-the-cuban-missile-crisis.cfm", + "id": "CBMingFBVV95cUxOcUtxeEIxRkNaV29MbjlORkJpdEZOWGhDZ29vMXNoNkJoMU9tTnV4VWJmb25JeEYzSkN6VUM2QlJweEVBUXYwTUlYczMyQjZ5clBWTUd2c2tWc3p1QTY4Tk5ja0tXRmtBQXE4bXY0ekRiSEd4V2lmVExhbzNuSFBkaDB1UFF2U2FERW9GRFNhakhBMVB4czdSMkNWU2U0UQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 03 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 3, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 307, + 0 + ], + "summary": "55 years later: Lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis  American University", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "55 years later: Lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis  American University" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.american.edu", + "title": "American University" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "How Trump is reshaping US policy on Cuba - The Hill", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "How Trump is reshaping US policy on Cuba - The Hill" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxONU9lNTI0M3EyMEdIcXpWWFFtOEVkWF9VNVJmNkRBckJRb3pUdEZ5LWk0amFtQ3FPMS0tN2IzVy1HTzhoa3I5clZsd3RFbkZqakFwb1RtQW94MVpZWm1IdmtXOTNRRjlnWFppM3BvdXlXOG1IQWF0UURjNmloMlVmYThiT3VHUTNEVEtEbVVhX0xrOU1l0gGaAUFVX3lxTE5GQ3JuN2V0RFRDSFA2VktjdVh3MzJIVkZvRmhRM3ZMeFlHVmc3WlozMm41M3lraVR4X2pFNEVYR0NlR3pUV1hwZnNJQnU1QzBkTkw0VlZ4T2h0eDV3SEpmaldNMDFaZnB0cDlrYlhHa3FTWlJteFQ4YkJ1c3NaUVAxWmQwbS1FbF9LUVJpbmN1a0pkWmxDMGd0WHc?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/360957-how-trump-is-reshaping-us-policy-on-cuba/", + "id": "CBMilAFBVV95cUxONU9lNTI0M3EyMEdIcXpWWFFtOEVkWF9VNVJmNkRBckJRb3pUdEZ5LWk0amFtQ3FPMS0tN2IzVy1HTzhoa3I5clZsd3RFbkZqakFwb1RtQW94MVpZWm1IdmtXOTNRRjlnWFppM3BvdXlXOG1IQWF0UURjNmloMlVmYThiT3VHUTNEVEtEbVVhX0xrOU1l0gGaAUFVX3lxTE5GQ3JuN2V0RFRDSFA2VktjdVh3MzJIVkZvRmhRM3ZMeFlHVmc3WlozMm41M3lraVR4X2pFNEVYR0NlR3pUV1hwZnNJQnU1QzBkTkw0VlZ4T2h0eDV3SEpmaldNMDFaZnB0cDlrYlhHa3FTWlJteFQ4YkJ1c3NaUVAxWmQwbS1FbF9LUVJpbmN1a0pkWmxDMGd0WHc", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sun, 19 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 19, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 6, + 323, + 0 + ], + "summary": "How Trump is reshaping US policy on Cuba  The Hill", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "How Trump is reshaping US policy on Cuba  The Hill" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://thehill.com", + "title": "The Hill" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Walker Evans\u2019s Cuba, via Ernest Hemingway - The New York Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Walker Evans\u2019s Cuba, via Ernest Hemingway - The New York Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxNTWJWTUNKVUFxdWJ3WTdZVGM5SkgzdThPYy1BcE1UaDZ4Y3hJblVCQk5uVVd3U2tsUS1abE9Bd3hrMERyQVpuNWdsN29XU0Z4M1BQa1V1M0RoSGlHdXFmN2JjUDdtWDkyTjFpMUhVb3IxeVZVaFQxUFlFVVl4aF9pVHpRMDZiV05odHR0Qmd6dUJUcEh3TW5OVkhlMEViLTRwZHlzUg?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://archive.nytimes.com/lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/walker-evanss-cuba-via-ernest-hemingway/", + "id": "CBMipAFBVV95cUxNTWJWTUNKVUFxdWJ3WTdZVGM5SkgzdThPYy1BcE1UaDZ4Y3hJblVCQk5uVVd3U2tsUS1abE9Bd3hrMERyQVpuNWdsN29XU0Z4M1BQa1V1M0RoSGlHdXFmN2JjUDdtWDkyTjFpMUhVb3IxeVZVaFQxUFlFVVl4aF9pVHpRMDZiV05odHR0Qmd6dUJUcEh3TW5OVkhlMEViLTRwZHlzUg", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 07 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 7, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 311, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Walker Evans\u2019s Cuba, via Ernest Hemingway  The New York Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Walker Evans\u2019s Cuba, via Ernest Hemingway  The New York Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://archive.nytimes.com", + "title": "The New York Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Walker Evans's Cuba, via Ernest Hemingway\nauthor: David Gonzalez; Topics Nytimes Com; Top; Reference; Timestopics; People; G; Index Html\nurl: https://archive.nytimes.com/lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2017/11/07/walker-evanss-cuba-via-ernest-hemingway/\nhostname: nytimes.com\ndescription: To ensure his photos would not be confiscated by authorities, Walker Evans entrusted a trove of 46 prints made in 1933 Havana to his friend \u2014 Ernest Hemingway.\nsitename: Lens Blog\ndate: 2017-11-07\ncategories: ['Multimedia']\ntags: ['Evans Walker', 'Hemingway Ernest', 'Photography', 'Politics and Government', 'Cuba', 'Showcase', 'Uncategorized', 'Evans Walker,Hemingway Ernest,Photography,Politics and Government,Cuba,Showcase,Uncategorized']\n---\nIt seems fitting that during Walker Evans\u2019s one-month stay in Havana in 1933 he would befriend Ernest Hemingway. The two shared an appreciation of a spare style that would influence countless others in photography and literature. In fact, Evans entrusted Hemingway with a trove of original prints to ensure they would not be confiscated by the authorities who were violently suppressing popular outrage against the dictator Gerardo Machado.\n\nNow, 46 of those vintage prints are being sold by DeWolfe and Wood Rare Books of Alfred, Me., and Michael Brown Rare Books of Philadelphia, and are featured in a catalog whose comprehensive introductory essay was written by Mr. Brown. The collection is owned by Benjamin Bruce, known as Dink. His father, Telly Otto Bruce, known as Toby, was Hemingway\u2019s friend and factotum and had safeguarded the images for decades in Key West, Fla., where Hemingway had lived.\n\nEvans had gone to Cuba to make pictures for \u201cThe Crime of Cuba,\u201d a book by Carleton Beals that was a fierce critique of American adventurism. \u201cThe Beals book is an expose of our misgovernment in Cuba, and the disgraceful part we have played in her tragic history past and present, economic, social, political,\u201d read the review in Kirkus. \u201cSins of omission perhaps even more than sins of commission. The story of Cuba is the story of tyranny-Spain, the United States, Wall Street, and now, closely linked with the immediate past, the dictatorship of Machado, which makes Mussolini look like a Sunday School picnic.\u201d\n\nEvans got a taste of that supercharged political climate in his earliest days there, according to Mr. Brown\u2019s essay, where a bus ride could turn into a journey of intrigue as who-knows-who was tailing him as he tried to meet with opposition figures. At the same time, the city thrilled him.\n\n\u201cWhen you are still bewildered,\u201d Evans wrote in his diary, \u201cyou notice more things, as in a drunk. I was drunk with a new city for days.\u201d\n\nThat feeling became literal when he met Hemingway, likely through an introduction by one of Beals\u2019s newspaper contacts on the island. \u201cI had a wonderful time with Hemingway,\u201d Evans was quoted in the catalog\u2019s essay. \u201cDrinking every night. He was at loose ends \u2026 and he needed a drinking companion, and I filled that role for two weeks.\u201d\n\nBut as the essay also noted, Hemingway\u2019s prose style may have had an influence on Evans, whose vision had been influenced earlier by a stay in Paris, where he came to appreciate the work of Eug\u00e8ne Atget. The images \u2014 out of a total of 400 taken during his one-month sojourn, betray that influence in photos of facades and streets. Some of them show more isolated, intimate scenes in public, from a haggard looking country family to beggars. In several images, Evans copied grisly newspaper images of people killed by Machado\u2019s forces.\n\nThe politically-charged atmosphere led Evans to give Hemingway the prints that would, in turn, be taken to Key West by boat. Once there, the images ended up in storage either behind, or next to, Sloppy Joe\u2019s, the famous Key West saloon.\n\n\u201cThe humidity of Key West made a lot of things a little ripe, but the photos are beautiful,\u201d Scott DeWolfe said. \u201cWhat is fascinating is I think Evans was printing these where he was able to. Unlike later prints, most of these are uncropped, and slightly different. One print has Evans\u2019s thumbprint. It\u2019s as close to a first generation print you could possibly find.\u201d\n\n*Follow @nytimesphoto on Twitter. You can also find Lens on Facebook and Instagram.*" + }, + { + "title": "FAQ: How Trump\u2019s Policy Affects Americans Looking to Travel to Cuba - Cigar Aficionado", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "FAQ: How Trump\u2019s Policy Affects Americans Looking to Travel to Cuba - Cigar Aficionado" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxPbDZPLU1UVmhBdVZYbUs1YU03RUpaLS1tVVN5cWZBMENWaEkwa3E0S29rWTFmVmdvZlRxMmxmWF9aeFZUOF8wcjRPdEd4YThEaE91N3V5MVIyb3h4eWxFd014RU1vTnR5dWJQd1JaS284Rk9icUpXREtnam4yWVp1T2tRZzEtMk5aNWRxdGN5OHN0SzllSjdnNzZrNzk1UTB1TF9uTkg0ek5sdXlvX25fNjdFWkJKUDk0cUJsRmlmWW94YU94eFNr?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-cuban-food-restaurants-nyc-nj", + "id": "CBMixwFBVV95cUxPbDZPLU1UVmhBdVZYbUs1YU03RUpaLS1tVVN5cWZBMENWaEkwa3E0S29rWTFmVmdvZlRxMmxmWF9aeFZUOF8wcjRPdEd4YThEaE91N3V5MVIyb3h4eWxFd014RU1vTnR5dWJQd1JaS284Rk9icUpXREtnam4yWVp1T2tRZzEtMk5aNWRxdGN5OHN0SzllSjdnNzZrNzk1UTB1TF9uTkg0ek5sdXlvX25fNjdFWkJKUDk0cUJsRmlmWW94YU94eFNr", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 9, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 313, + 0 + ], + "summary": "FAQ: How Trump\u2019s Policy Affects Americans Looking to Travel to Cuba  Cigar Aficionado", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "FAQ: How Trump\u2019s Policy Affects Americans Looking to Travel to Cuba  Cigar Aficionado" + }, + "source": { + "href": "http://www.cigaraficionado.com", + "title": "Cigar Aficionado" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: 10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC\nauthor: Robert Sietsema\nurl: https://ny.eater.com/maps/best-cuban-food-restaurants-nyc-nj\nhostname: eater.com\ndescription: Where to find crisp pork sandwiches, steaming cups of coffee, and Chinese-Cuban fusion\nsitename: Eater NY\ndate: 2017-11-06\ntags: ['ny.eater,pagetype:map,dining-out-in-ny,dining-out']\n---\nThe delights of Cuban food are many: perfect cafecito (sweet espresso) or steaming hot caf\u00e9 con leche at bargain prices, a pressed sandwich filled with garlicky roast pork, and affordable and fortifying plates of white rice and black beans, often mixed together in a signature dish called Moros y Cristianos (\u201cMoors and Christians\u201d).\n\n# 10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC\n\nWhere to find crisp pork sandwiches, steaming cups of coffee, and Chinese-Cuban fusion\n\nOnce upon a time neighborhoods like Chelsea, the Upper West Side, Astoria, and Corona were paved with Cuban cafes, though Union City, New Jersey still is. Sadly, the number of working class Cuban lunch counters in the city has dwindled, though with the recent renewed interest in Cuba, more upscale places have appeared.\n\nHere is a guide to the best spots located in and around New York City, according to Eater senior critic Robert Sietsema \u2014 from the best place in town, Rincon Criollo, to a Times Square restaurant with old-timey decor.\n\n*Note: This map is arranged geographically from north to south.*\n\n# 10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC\n\nWhere to find crisp pork sandwiches, steaming cups of coffee, and Chinese-Cuban fusion\n\nThe delights of Cuban food are many: perfect cafecito (sweet espresso) or steaming hot caf\u00e9 con leche at bargain prices, a pressed sandwich filled with garlicky roast pork, and affordable and fortifying plates of white rice and black beans, often mixed together in a signature dish called Moros y Cristianos (\u201cMoors and Christians\u201d).\n\nOnce upon a time neighborhoods like Chelsea, the Upper West Side, Astoria, and Corona were paved with Cuban cafes, though Union City, New Jersey still is. Sadly, the number of working class Cuban lunch counters in the city has dwindled, though with the recent renewed interest in Cuba, more upscale places have appeared.\n\nHere is a guide to the best spots located in and around New York City, according to Eater senior critic Robert Sietsema \u2014 from the best place in town, Rincon Criollo, to a Times Square restaurant with old-timey decor.\n\n*Note: This map is arranged geographically from north to south.*\n\n## Harlem's Floridita\n\nNear the Cotton Club, La Floridita represents a combination of diner and nightclub, with music to match weekend evenings. The menu is vast, which means plenty of snacks in addition to entrees that include huge plates of arroz con pollo studded with chorizo, kingfish Creole style, and bistec de palomilla, a thin marinated steak grilled with caramelized onions. Portions are large enough to be shared.\n\n## Dos Amigos\n\nThe most popular sandwich of Union City\u2019s Cuban community is not the Cubano or the media noche, but rather a pressed sandwich made with steak called pan con bistec. The version at Dos Amigos \u2014 an ancient lunch counter repurposed for modern usage \u2014 is filled with onions and french fries and is way too big for one person to eat. Fresh squeezed juices round out the menu at this wonderful and unusual place.\n\n## La Caridad 78\n\nOne of the last remaining Cuban-Chinese restaurants on the Upper West Side was founded in 1968 by a Chinese family from Havana, and it has remained in that same family ever since. The Chinese menu has been expanded, but the Cuban bill of fare remains mired in time, with highlights that include chuletas fritas (fried pork chops), Spanish-style tortillas, and garlic-enhanced fried chicken. Or pick one of the platters that combine the two cuisines.\n\n## La Churreria Restaurant & Cafeteria Union City\n\nAnchor of Union City\u2019s Little Havana, this outsize Cuban cafeteria is a wild scene on the weekends, when it fills up with Cuban-American families. They relish the extended menu, which includes dishes from the countryside, fresh-squeezed juices, the linear doughnuts the place is named for, as well as a great Cuban sandwich. Thrill to try the tamal en cazuela, a soupy casserole of yellow cornmeal and pork seasoned with green pepper and onion.\n\n## Victor's Cafe\n\nFounded on the Upper West Side in 1963 but thereafter moved to the Theater District, Victor\u2019s is NYC\u2019s most venerable and luxurious Cuban restaurant, now run by Sonia Zaldivar, the founder\u2019s daughter. The layout recalls 1950s nightclubs, in a room decorated with colorful tropical murals, while the sound of a jazz combo issues from the adjacent cocktail lounge. An appetizer platter contains empanadas, croquettes, yuca, and a tamal; entrees include the city\u2019s most elegant ropa vieja and a lechon asado wearing a mortarboard of crisp pig skin.\n\n## Margon\n\nEven if it weren\u2019t one of the city\u2019s best Cuban restaurants, you\u2019d want to visit Margon just for the d\u00e9cor: it\u2019s an old-guard Times Square lunch counter with swirling stools and orange Formica tables. The place presents Cuban classics on a weekly rotating basis, along with some Dominican fare. But always available are Cuban sandwiches, bright red fricassee chicken, octopus salad, and lechon asado (spice-rubbed roast pork).\n\n## Rincon Criollo\n\nThis Corona mainstay boasts walls extensively decorated with pre-Castro national heroes, Cuban-American community leaders, baseball players, and maps of the island, among other memorabilia. It is quite simply the best Cuban restaurant in town, as discovered through the picadillo (ground beef and green olives) or the magnificent, onion-littered chicharron de pollo (garlic-smeared, bone-in fried chicken).\n\n## Cuba Restaurant and Rum Bar\n\nLike many of the newer, boozier Cuban restaurants, this small place, tucked away in the older part of the Village, adds a few dishes from other Latin American cuisines to its menu. The Cuban food is surprisingly solid, with credible renditions of camarones al ajillo (garlic shrimp), ropa vieja (shredded beef), and arroz con pollo criolla (chicken cooked with rice, Creole-style), washed down with strong mojitos and awful sangria.\n\n## Sophie's Cuban Cuisine\n\nThese modern cafeterias, founded by a Peruvian family in 1997 and now with 10 locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, have streamlined Cuban cuisine for office workers, who throng the place at lunchtime. Try the oregano-flavored lechon asado (roast pork) with black beans, and fried sweet plantains; or check out the guava and cheese empanadas, fried fish, or yuca croquettes.\n\n## My Cuban Spot\n\nNear the Gowanus Canal is a new window with outdoor seating, said to evoke the swinging style of Miami\u2019s Cuban restaurant-heavy street Calle Ocho. Cuban sandwiches are dispensed (including a version with croquettes tucked inside), as are empanadas. Dinners in a bowl feature picadillo, roast pork, and roast chicken. There\u2019s also an egg dish with the indelicate name of \u201cI\u2019m broke bitch,\u201d featuring three crisp sunny side-up eggs served on chicken-flavored rice. Cuban coffee is also available, and an enclosure will be soon be installed for indoor dining." + }, + { + "title": "10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC - Eater New York", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC - Eater New York" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibEFVX3lxTE9pZFhzNHYxTDhZVFdCZ2hrenU0WU5nMXNqSXRCcFk2TW8zbkVmdkNKQjZuNG9JZDRfWFQyc2hfbjRWejRyNmVVTHpvaTlFd1otNnVybFN3U0RZMTh2WTFyVFN6VlhmU2EtTmgxOA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "http://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/frequently-asked-questions-how-trump-s-policy-affects-americans-looking-to-travel-to-cuba", + "id": "CBMibEFVX3lxTE9pZFhzNHYxTDhZVFdCZ2hrenU0WU5nMXNqSXRCcFk2TW8zbkVmdkNKQjZuNG9JZDRfWFQyc2hfbjRWejRyNmVVTHpvaTlFd1otNnVybFN3U0RZMTh2WTFyVFN6VlhmU2EtTmgxOA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 06 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 6, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 310, + 0 + ], + "summary": "10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC  Eater New York", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "10 Standout Cuban Restaurants In and Around NYC  Eater New York" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://ny.eater.com", + "title": "Eater New York" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 406, + "response": "Error: HTTP 406" + }, + { + "title": "Walker Art Center show presents Cuba as the land of disenchantment - Star Tribune", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Walker Art Center show presents Cuba as the land of disenchantment - Star Tribune" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNMEtKUEJ4cTVkVnJBZ3NkZGU3NlVleTFSQzVQdnpMaE5yclg0eEd0NmdIbzVXQktEMlZGc0JTWWxFb0dsYWk4OVdvZlBVdWxiTVpDdUpQdEJIMXFRMlluZ2o4ZndETVdYQWZZbV9vRWZTQTFqWHJXRnNZc0FQSUplMHc5ZU83WExwdXBjVjJfYlJzMTJnbHJuQU1sUVI5SFBJWlhqVmp4Yw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.startribune.com/walker-art-center-show-presents-cuba-as-the-land-of-disenchantment/456410913", + "id": "CBMipwFBVV95cUxNMEtKUEJ4cTVkVnJBZ3NkZGU3NlVleTFSQzVQdnpMaE5yclg0eEd0NmdIbzVXQktEMlZGc0JTWWxFb0dsYWk4OVdvZlBVdWxiTVpDdUpQdEJIMXFRMlluZ2o4ZndETVdYQWZZbV9vRWZTQTFqWHJXRnNZc0FQSUplMHc5ZU83WExwdXBjVjJfYlJzMTJnbHJuQU1sUVI5SFBJWlhqVmp4Yw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 10 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 10, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 314, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Walker Art Center show presents Cuba as the land of disenchantment  Star Tribune", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Walker Art Center show presents Cuba as the land of disenchantment  Star Tribune" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.startribune.com", + "title": "Star Tribune" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 429, + "response": "Error: HTTP 429" + }, + { + "title": "Documenting the Colors and Complexities of \u201890s Cuba - VICE", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Documenting the Colors and Complexities of \u201890s Cuba - VICE" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxOeE1HWV9pSmZwVmhDY1k4RDNFX2xsN2lmcVlqemxadXBFZGFlZFBqTzVHRVU2Yy1VSzF5eDFqeENUR1phZzFWSXo4eGxsMmhMOXNxOXBkZXNCN3hKeENGQ24zcTBHSWdGTk9HcUxKcXBDWENrbTNVYWZSTy1rZE5zQW5VUGNZbi1iaS1COA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.vice.com/en/article/documenting-the-colors-and-complexities-of-90s-cuba/", + "id": "CBMijAFBVV95cUxOeE1HWV9pSmZwVmhDY1k4RDNFX2xsN2lmcVlqemxadXBFZGFlZFBqTzVHRVU2Yy1VSzF5eDFqeENUR1phZzFWSXo4eGxsMmhMOXNxOXBkZXNCN3hKeENGQ24zcTBHSWdGTk9HcUxKcXBDWENrbTNVYWZSTy1rZE5zQW5VUGNZbi1iaS1COA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 07 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 7, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 311, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Documenting the Colors and Complexities of \u201890s Cuba  VICE", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Documenting the Colors and Complexities of \u201890s Cuba  VICE" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.vice.com", + "title": "VICE" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Documenting the Colors and Complexities of \u201890s Cuba\nauthor: Emily Manning\nurl: https://www.vice.com/en/article/documenting-the-colors-and-complexities-of-90s-cuba/\nhostname: vice.com\ndescription: Tria Giovan shares never-before-seen photographs of the island.\nsitename: VICE\ndate: 2017-11-07\ncategories: ['Travel']\n---\n*This article originally appeared on AMUSE. *\n\nTria Giovan first travelled to Cuba in 1990. Over the following six years, she returned 12 times, and her new book, Tria Giovan: The Cuba Archive, shows 120 photographs from the 25,000 she captured. Though Giovan released a collection of Cuban images in 1996 (titled Cuba: The Elusive Island), many pictures in her new work have never been published before. They\u2019re a new window into a Cuba that no longer exists.\n\n## Videos by VICE\n\nGiovan grew up in the Virgin Islands. When she first visited her Caribbean neighbours, Cuba (and the wider world) was experiencing a profound moment of transition. The Soviet Union\u2019s dissolution resulted in severe economic impacts in Communist states participating in the Comecon (or, Council for Mutual Economic Assistance). Foreign investments and resources shored up, leaving Cuba with major shortages in food, fuel, medicine, and more.\n\nThis decade of economic depression, known as the Special Period, spurred radical change in Cuba\u2019s economy and culture. Without access to the oil-rich Soviet\u2019s petrol, Cuba\u2019s transportation and agricultural industries were in crisis. There were power cuts and famine. The Special Period pushed Cuba to develop new methods of sustainable agriculture and mass transit systems.\n\nGiovan captured the country during the most devastating years of the Special Period, but while her pictures were made in a time of great transition, starvation, and strife, she presents a more complex, beautiful portrait of day-to-day life. She photographed the island in rich, warm tones \u2014 washing blues, greens, pastel pinks in a golden glow. Pictures of shop-front windows and intimate interior spaces recall William Eggleston\u2019s sensitivity to the beauty of the everyday.\n\nThe most special pictures show Cuba\u2019s people: lying together on the beach, on the playground, at the hair salon, walking through wide sunlit streets, watching the sea crash on the rocks. Giovan\u2019s record is poetic, and vital.\n\n\u2018Tria Giovan: The Cuba Archive\u2019 is published by Damiani." + }, + { + "title": "Yuli Gurriel\u2019s Suspension May Be Forgotten, but Cuba\u2019s Complicated Asian Racism Persists - psmag.com", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Yuli Gurriel\u2019s Suspension May Be Forgotten, but Cuba\u2019s Complicated Asian Racism Persists - psmag.com" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiakFVX3lxTFBrX242ZGNmWjNKS0RMODBOVEdRSVhWSFVnSGdJS3RLbUdwTWZBSEt2X3Q5aEFPY1Q1SFh5aGJTT3dTWHBKREl0RTk3eHBHZy1MaFdXUHRZN29qX3V1djlxNHZXUGlsakVUTmc?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://psmag.com/social-justice/yuli-gurriel-cuba-racism/", + "id": "CBMiakFVX3lxTFBrX242ZGNmWjNKS0RMODBOVEdRSVhWSFVnSGdJS3RLbUdwTWZBSEt2X3Q5aEFPY1Q1SFh5aGJTT3dTWHBKREl0RTk3eHBHZy1MaFdXUHRZN29qX3V1djlxNHZXUGlsakVUTmc", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 13 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 13, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 317, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Yuli Gurriel\u2019s Suspension May Be Forgotten, but Cuba\u2019s Complicated Asian Racism Persists  psmag.com", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Yuli Gurriel\u2019s Suspension May Be Forgotten, but Cuba\u2019s Complicated Asian Racism Persists  psmag.com" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://psmag.com", + "title": "psmag.com" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Yuli Gurriel's Suspension May Be Forgotten, but Cuba's Complicated Asian Racism Persists\nauthor: Rebecca Bodenheimer\nurl: https://psmag.com/social-justice/yuli-gurriel-cuba-racism/\nhostname: psmag.com\ndescription: The World Series champion's gesture toward a Japanese opponent signals a larger problem with racism in Latin American countries.\nsitename: Pacific Standard\ndate: 2017-11-13\ncategories: ['Social Justice']\n---\nAt one point during game three of the World Series, Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel made a racially insensitive gesture toward Yu Darvish, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is of Japanese descent. After hitting a homer off Darvish, Gurriel, who was born in Cuba, could be seen \u201cpulling back the skin at the corners of his eyes to make them appear slanted,\u201d according to the *Washington Post*. Gurriel also referred to Darvish during the game as \u201cchinito,\u201d a derogatory phrase meaning \u201clittle Chinese guy.\u201d Gurriel once played in the Japanese baseball league\u2014he likely knew that, beyond the baseline offense, he was also lumping together all people of Asian descent, a particularly fraught insult given the centuries of hostility between the two nations. (In his apology, Gurriel admitted as much.) For his actions, Gurriel was issued a five-game suspension, to be enacted at the start of next season.\n\nGurriel\u2019s gesture highlights one of the specific forms of racism that still exists in contemporary Cuba: racism against Asian cultures. From the tendency to refer to all Asians as \u201cchinitos\u201d and the unwillingness to recognize the differences between various races, to racist jokes that rely on stereotypical imitations of the Chinese language, ignorance about Asians continues to run rampant in Cuba.\n\nThis, despite the fact that approximately 125,000 Chinese laborers were brought to Cuba beginning as early as the mid-19th century to work on sugar plantations. Or that Havana\u2019s Barrio Chino*, *established in the late 19th century, is one of the oldest Chinatowns in Latin America. Or that many Chinese immigrants fought in the Cuban Wars of Independence alongside whites, blacks, and mixed-race Cubans. Or even that roughly 5,000 Chinese immigrants came to the island directly from the United States, fleeing the xenophobic sentiment of the 1860s and \u201970s that culminated in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Though the Chinese population in Cuba has decreased markedly in the years since\u2014it was estimated to be just under 25,000 in 1931\u2014today they number in just the hundreds. Even today, the Chinese legacy in Cuba can be found through the widespread historical intermarriage between the overwhelmingly male Chinese immigrant population and Afro-Cuban women.\n\nThe ignorance about Chinese culture in particular is somewhat ironic considering the close diplomatic relationship between Cuba and China in recent decades. Many economists see Cuba\u2019s gradual introduction of capitalist measures into a socialist economy as being modeled after Chinese economic policies. China has also become one of Cuba\u2019s most important trade partners, flooding the island with electrical appliances and the ubiquitous Yutong buses.\n\nDespite these diplomatic ties, anti-Asian racism circulates widely within Cuban popular discourse. A 1995 song by one of the island\u2019s top bands, NG La Banda, called \u201cEl Baile Chino,\u201d (or \u201cThe Chinese Dance\u201d) is a telling example of these demeaning representations. The song opens with a repeated piano riff that is designed to imitate Chinese music, which is followed at 0:37 by a stereotype-laden chorus of syllables meant to imitate the Chinese language (\u201c*tiki liki ton kon ton kon tin, tiki liki ton kon ton kon ton*\u201c). Around the 1:50 mark, the singer tells of a dance that\u2019s arrived from Hong Kong, and then proceeds to talk about a Japanese man, thus displaying the ways Cubans think of east Asians as largely interchangeable. At the 3:30 mark a new chorus begins, \u201cAloz con palitos,\u201d a deliberate mispronunciation of \u201cArroz con palitos\u201d (rice with chopsticks) that mimics the mixing up of r\u2019s and l\u2019s\u2014another stereotype for which Asian language speakers are often mocked. From beginning to end, the song is a monument to anti-Asian racism and cultural misrepresentation.\n\nIn 2010, NG La Banda released another song, \u201cSi Yo Tuviera 20,\u201d (\u201cIf I Were 20 Years Old\u201d). The song\u2019s video shows bandleader Jose Lu\u00eds Cort\u00e9s, one of the most talented and respected musicians in Cuban popular music, making the same racist gesture at the 5:55 mark that Gurriel made. This is accompanied by the line, \u201c*Y me cas\u00e9 con una china, y como chingan chin, como chingan chan*,\u201d which translates to \u201cAnd I got married to a Chinese girl,\u201d with the second part engaging in pejorative wordplay: the word \u201cchingan\u201d is a conjugated form of the verb \u201cchingar,\u201d a cruder term for having sex; the \u201cchin\u201d and \u201cchan\u201d are meant, again, to imitate Chinese.\n\nEven beyond specific ignorance about Asian cultures, racism takes on very different forms in Cuba compared to the U.S. Cubans often refer to each other in terms that specifically highlight one\u2019s racial identity. Mixed-race Cubans with notable features of Chinese ancestry are nicknamed or referred to as \u201cel chino\u201d or \u201cla china,\u201d despite the fact that many also have African ancestry; those whose African ancestry is more apparent are often called \u201cel negro\u201d (the black guy). This in itself wouldn\u2019t be considered racist in a Cuban societal context, but the more explicit marking of racial identity in Cuba does signal the absence of the notion of \u201cpolitical correctness\u201d that reigns in the U.S.\n\nIn the days after the Gurriel incident, some Latino writers played it down by claiming that the different cultural context of Cuba explains why he did what he did. But is that enough of an excuse? All this incident has done is illuminate the very specific workings of racism in different places, not provide an explanation that allows it to persist." + }, + { + "title": "US Blockade on Cuba, Mistake or Wise Move? - Havana Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US Blockade on Cuba, Mistake or Wise Move? - Havana Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifkFVX3lxTE9WRVlrMXF2WksyNnpDR2RfNzNiaGQ2NDA3WDc1Z0dPaVNCMUZFYi0tc0NidW8tMkxzVWdEMW5pY0dfeE1WeUpzWEg1dGtaZHc2WU50TjdKenNnWDU5X1BRNUJ0TXpXSjRKbVNyQjZUNUtvcjRXd0VIM293a0lDZw?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://havanatimes.org/opinion/us-blockade-on-cuba-mistake-or-wise-move/", + "id": "CBMifkFVX3lxTE9WRVlrMXF2WksyNnpDR2RfNzNiaGQ2NDA3WDc1Z0dPaVNCMUZFYi0tc0NidW8tMkxzVWdEMW5pY0dfeE1WeUpzWEg1dGtaZHc2WU50TjdKenNnWDU5X1BRNUJ0TXpXSjRKbVNyQjZUNUtvcjRXd0VIM293a0lDZw", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "US Blockade on Cuba, Mistake or Wise Move?  Havana Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US Blockade on Cuba, Mistake or Wise Move?  Havana Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://havanatimes.org", + "title": "Havana Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: US Blockade on Cuba, Mistake or Wise Move? - Havana Times\nauthor: Circles Robinson\nurl: https://havanatimes.org/opinion/us-blockade-on-cuba-mistake-or-wise-move/\nhostname: havanatimes.org\ndescription: Any act of blocking is wrong and can even be a crime depending on the circumstances. Whether that\u2019s between countries, ethnicities or even between people from the same country. Cuba, poor Cuba, who has suffered so many blockades!\nsitename: Havana Times\ndate: 2017-11-08\ncategories: ['Opinion']\n---\n# US Blockade on Cuba, Mistake or Wise Move?\n\n**By Osmel Ramirez Alvarez**\n\n**HAVANA TIMES** \u2014 Any act of blocking is wrong and can even be a crime depending on the circumstances. Whether that\u2019s between countries, ethnicities or even between people from the same country. Cuba, poor Cuba, who has suffered so many blockades!\n\nThere\u2019s the political blockade that the Communists enforce on the rest of the population with a one-party system and elections without a choice. There\u2019s also the economic blockade that the authoritarian State enforces on the private sector and cooperatives. Another well-known blockade is that which INDER enforces on top-level athletes, banning Cubans abroad from playing on our international teams.\n\nAnd on the list of so many other blockades, the political, economic and social blockade that the pseudo-socialist system enforces on Cuban emigres stands out, who are only recognized in parts and in exchange for stingy temporary interests.\n\nLastly, there\u2019s the most famous blockade of all: the US blockade on Cuba.\n\nMany people argue whether it is in actual fact an embargo or a blockade. The Cuban government calls it a blockade and the US calls it an embargo. From a conceptual viewpoint, it would be an embargo. However, due to its extraterritorial nature it takes on connotations of \u201ceconomic warfare\u201d and that\u2019s when it starts being a blockade.\n\nI personally believe that the US should promote a law that revokes the extraterritorial nature of the blockade (mainly the Helms-Burton and Torricelli\u2019s Acts) leaving it just as an embargo, if that is what the country wants, until both countries normalize relations.\n\nThe UN\u2019s consecutive resolutions against \u201cthe blockade\u201d would justify this action, so as not to be out of sync with international unanimity on this issue. Not everyone in the world can be wrong about this subject except for the US and Israel, who are nearly the same thing.\n\nFrom an ethical standpoint, the embargo/blockade is wrong. From a legal standpoint, it\u2019s illegal. From a humanitarian standpoint, it\u2019s a crime. And, from a moral standpoint, it\u2019s reproachable. These are new times. If we were still living in the time of the Roman Empire, then nobody would criticize it.\n\nThat\u2019s why 191 countries condemn it, which doesn\u2019t mean to say that they approve of the Cuban system. However, that\u2019s how the Cuban government subliminally presents it. And only two countries approve of the blockade. Coincidentally, these are two countries who still see violent wars as the solution to international conflicts. It\u2019s archaic, belongs in the past and it needs to be overcome.\n\nBoth the blockade as well as its effects are fuel for the Cuban system of government. They talk about getting rid of it trusting the stubborness of this US policy and in the preeminence of old-school Cuban politics (historic exiles, where emotions prevail more than caution and strategy). They blindly trust that the US won\u2019t get rid of it. Obama surprised them and got them shaking at the knees with a different strategy.\n\nThe Cuban leaders almost had a heart attack, but then Trump came along, advised to follow the old strategy, and their nerves calmed down. Bingo! They can continue to badmouth the US, blaming them for all of Cuba\u2019s problems and continue to hide behind the guise of Imperialism\u2019s victims, their own flaws and the lack of people\u2019s freedoms.\n\nTrump\u2019s measures will set back the changes that Cuba needs by at least a decade. When you suffocate Cuba, you\u2019re not suffocating the government, but the people. And within a Cuban context, this doesn\u2019t translate into popular rebellion and uprising like some people dream about, but into misery and emigration instead.\n\nIt\u2019s not worth complaining about or getting upset with our own people because they don\u2019t react in one way or another. If what is expected doesn\u2019t happen, that\u2019s because the problem hasn\u2019t been objectively analyzed and the right solution hasn\u2019t been found. The blockade and a detente in political relations didn\u2019t fix \u201cthe Cuban problem\u201d for 58 years, and it definitely won\u2019t fix the situation now.\n\nThis is what I call a political blunder. Those in favor of the blockade always think that by tightening the noose around Cuba\u2019s neck, it will stop breathing. However, they are always wrong: the Cuban government might be inefficient in the economy and anti-democratic in its politics, but it is super efficient in taking advantage of \u201cImperialism\u2019s\u201d hostility and its binding foreign policy. This is their fuel and Trump, advised by the anti-Castro lobby that is tied to the old and neverending hardline approach, is giving it to them on a silver platter.\n\nOn the other hand, estimates of damages caused are always talked about when mentioning the blockade. The figure of over 4 billion USD last year, for example, is made up of many parts, just like the global figure of over 130 billion USD. These estimates are based on real variables as well as some fictitious ones.\n\nLosses relating to what Cuba doesn\u2019t hypothetically produce as a result of the blockade are included in this value, assuming that without it they would be able to produce this. However, the Cuban government doesn\u2019t take its endemic inefficiency into account, which has been proved in thousands of instances when they don\u2019t produce this or they don\u2019t work properly, and this has absolutely nothing to do with the blockade\u2019s impact.\n\nObama gave an example on his trip to Cuba: if there isn\u2019t good access to pesticides, GM seeds and fertilizer due to the blockade, then why is Cuba not exploiting the growing and lucrative market of organically farmed products?\n\nIt would be a good way to show that the blockade is to blame for our backward economy and not the dysfunctional Cuban system: to be able to say, \u201clook, Cuba stopped producing millions of tons of food because of the blockade, but it is the leader in organic farming.\u201d However, far from this, the Cuban government needs to even import food to cover the small demands of international tourism.\n\nWhy did we lose our coffee plantations? Why is garbage being picked up in carts in a lot of the country or left to build up on the streets with so many broken trucks despite all the mechanics and workshops? Why aren\u2019t simple hinges manufactured in Cuba, only those independent workers can crank out with extra thin zinc sheets, which is what there is, while the State has two huge smelting factories continuously producing?\n\nWhy did they destroy the sugar industry? Why did they destroy the nickel industry? Why are there so many whys, where the blockade isn\u2019t to blame but the failed centralized system is?\n\nMistakes are made in Cuba and mistakes are made in the US. Cubans and the US are mistaken about the \u201cCuban issue\u201d and that\u2019s why they are at a standstill. This battle is of ideas and intelligence, and you have to win with both. It isn\u2019t a question about maintaining a policy that the whole world questions, such as the blockade, which will win support for and not harm the false foundations of the Cuban government.\n\nEven people on the island, subjected to media manipulation, see them as the enemy. Who wins with this?\n\n\u2014\u2013\n\nYou can\u2019t surmise that EU dropped the case because it didn\u2019t have legal validity. They dropped it because they managed to get concessions from negotiating with the US. Like I say it remains unproven. No I haven\u2019t contacted my elected representatives regarding this matter. I live in the UK so they wouldn\u2019t be able to do anything about it.\n\nNot true, if the EU had a valid legal case they would not have dropped the suit.\n\nI never disputed Osmel contention that the embargo was counterproductive. In fact, I made a direct statement that my statement the embargo was legal should not be considered as support for it.\n\nBTW, I communicate directly with my US Senator Marco Rubio about Cuban relations as I am politically involved. Do you do the same with your elected officials?\n\nThat\u2019s not true. The EU brought a case against the US regarding the embargo. The fact that it was dropped in favour of negotiations means that it wasn\u2019t proven ultimately by a legal judgement. But the fact that they brought it at all means that they had grounds for considering it illegal. Same if an American citizen brought a case against the US government because it contravenes the constitution it would probably succeed. But who has the money to do that when they can circumvent the restriction by going through a third country and not have their passport stamped. So again it can\u2019t be proven definitively one way or the other.\n\nBut I\u2019m tired of discussing this issue. Osmel has made a heartfelt article showing all the reasons why he believes the embargo/blockade is counterproductive in every way. And all we have in this discussion is a computer generated keyword response by Moses that has been said many times before.\n\nAgreed\n\nToo many believe it must be illegal because they have heard the Cuban government say that for so long. While one can debate the morality or effectiveness, the fact that the trade embargo is legal has never been questioned by international authorities.\n\nOnce again, I point out to those who paint everything with a broad brush using only black or white, the fact that I point out the legality of the embargo is not indicative of my support of it.\n\nI lived in Cuba until 1980 when I was able to escape. Before I left Cuba the government hardly ever mention the Blockade the Castro\u2019s have billions from the old URSS and can do business with whoever they wanted after the collapse of the Soviet Union the Castro\u2019s dictatorship bring this polical theater to UN every year in search of sympathy. Mean while still the repression against the dissidents, censorship, restricting Freedon of speech and association. And on. The people of cuban will see prosperity when the Castro\u2019s monarchy is gone.\n\nOsmel writes, \u201cFrom a legal standpoint, it\u2019s illegal\u201d. Simply untrue." + }, + { + "title": "Inside the Biggest Show of Contemporary Cuban Art Ever - artsy.net", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Inside the Biggest Show of Contemporary Cuban Art Ever - artsy.net" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMigAFBVV95cUxNVWxTNXhfY0pZVE04N2czZ1d0YWcxZnFLVTFOY0dtU2lBd2FNdVBQTWNHRFd0QlZqdjN1V0llN1pKSTQ1Q01VWDBRU1JOYTQzZWMtNkg3bHlOeXdYMFBYcVBPVmxsNmNOQ0R6TnpnMXFRcUdyZ1ktUXE0dF9jNmVvcg?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://variety.com/2017/artisans/production/documentary-castro-cuba-video-1202621049/", + "id": "CBMigAFBVV95cUxNVWxTNXhfY0pZVE04N2czZ1d0YWcxZnFLVTFOY0dtU2lBd2FNdVBQTWNHRFd0QlZqdjN1V0llN1pKSTQ1Q01VWDBRU1JOYTQzZWMtNkg3bHlOeXdYMFBYcVBPVmxsNmNOQ0R6TnpnMXFRcUdyZ1ktUXE0dF9jNmVvcg", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 21 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 21, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 325, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Inside the Biggest Show of Contemporary Cuban Art Ever  artsy.net", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Inside the Biggest Show of Contemporary Cuban Art Ever  artsy.net" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.artsy.net", + "title": "artsy.net" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: \u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Documentary Captures Castro Era, Evolution of Video\nauthor: Valentina I Valentini\nurl: https://variety.com/2017/artisans/production/documentary-castro-cuba-video-1202621049/\nhostname: variety.com\ndescription: Director Jon Alpert's latest documentary, \"Cuba and the Cameraman,\" captures the revolutions in Fidel Castro's Cuba and the video industry.\nsitename: Variety\ndate: 2017-11-24\ntags: ['Artisans, Fidel Castro, Netflix']\n---\nParticipants in the personal video revolution of the 1970s will be thrilled as they watch the credits roll at the end of Jon Alpert\u2019s documentary \u201cCuba and the Cameraman,\u201d which debuts on Netflix and in theaters on Nov. 24.\n\nAlpert, the pioneering journalist and filmmaker, has through the years reported from places like Vietnam, Cambodia, Iran, China and Afghanistan and has made films for broadcast networks PBS and HBO.\n\nHis latest project for Netflix encapsulates his travels to Cuba over five decades, during which he shot life on the island under Fidel Castro. He used portable technology that was in its infancy when he began and became more sophisticated over the years.\n\n\n\u201cThis documentary is basically a museum of the entire evolution of electronic image-gathering.\u201d\n\n\nJon Alpert\n\n\u201cThe pot has been boiling for a long time, so to speak,\u201d says Alpert. \u201cWe knew we wanted to make this film. I felt that it was an important mission, and we were really lucky that Netflix gave us the resources to not only do the editing but a lot of restoring as well. The early footage had started to deteriorate technically, and we needed to resuscitate it.\u201d\n\n\n### Popular on Variety\n\nTo document Cuba, Alpert used 15 types of cameras and nearly as many editing systems. He began in 1972 with an early Sony half-inch reel-to-reel black-and-white video recorder. Two years later he traveled with a color JVC machine. The following year it was a more advanced Sony U-Matic three-quarter-inch videocassette unit.\n\nAs time went by, he progressively used Betacam, Video8, Hi8, DVCam, MiniDV and XAVC, mostly sticking with Sony products.\n\n\u201cThis documentary is basically a museum of the entire evolution of electronic image-gathering,\u201d says Alpert.\n\n\n\u201cWhen we first went down there with the first generation of black-and-white camcorders, we were placed under boat arrest and were only allowed on shore for about three hours after I nonstop complained and drove the people who were guarding us crazy.\u201d\n\nAlpert knew that to sell his footage he would need to shoot in color, as the networks were starting to reject black and white. On his second trip in 1974 he brought along the first JVC color Portapak in the world. \u201cMy wife\u2019s brother had picked it up off the assembly line in Japan and sent it to us,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was serial No. 1.\u201d\n\nSubsequently, Alpert used a Sony color Portapak system that was so heavy he carted it around Cuba in a baby carriage. \u201cThat\u2019s what attracted Fidel\u2019s attention,\u201d he remembers. \u201cHe looked at us like we\u2019d landed from Mars. We were pushing after him with this camera in a baby carriage, and it was his curiosity that led him to come over [to us].\u201d\n\nThat was the beginning of a relationship that developed over the next 40 years between the Cuban leader and the documentarian. The Netflix show, which focuses on three Cuban families and their growth and struggles and screened at the Venice Film Festival, provides an intimate look at the country and its people through the eyes of evolving cameras." + }, + { + "title": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Documentary Captures Castro Era, Evolution of Video - Variety", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Documentary Captures Castro Era, Evolution of Video - Variety" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxNMFFDZEV3RFJ1TmpNNlNtSlNEQng1cHpNT2hBOXV4Vy1nSGRCN2daTi0tdlBiQmJFWmNhMkRnM1kxdGVGVmVXZXZ3M0FpNWkxam1fZEwxZ3RKZFFjMkU5bW9YakI2dk55QUI2SUsxcGR3UFZKb3BjYWNyV1ZXZFZ6QVREYWhFNVA3R1k1dUI5NA?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-inside-contemporary-cuban-art", + "id": "CBMijwFBVV95cUxNMFFDZEV3RFJ1TmpNNlNtSlNEQng1cHpNT2hBOXV4Vy1nSGRCN2daTi0tdlBiQmJFWmNhMkRnM1kxdGVGVmVXZXZ3M0FpNWkxam1fZEwxZ3RKZFFjMkU5bW9YakI2dk55QUI2SUsxcGR3UFZKb3BjYWNyV1ZXZFZ6QVREYWhFNVA3R1k1dUI5NA", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 24 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 24, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 328, + 0 + ], + "summary": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Documentary Captures Castro Era, Evolution of Video  Variety", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018Cuba and the Cameraman\u2019 Documentary Captures Castro Era, Evolution of Video  Variety" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://variety.com", + "title": "Variety" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "In Paris: Elliot Erwitt on shooting Cuba - British Journal of Photography", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "In Paris: Elliot Erwitt on shooting Cuba - British Journal of Photography" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiaEFVX3lxTFAwQ1ExSFBDV0VnVEJEa3RYaDdNdDlDWFVaZUROWkNnaDB5Vmpmd0sySG5CQm9acmExekxMYWVkWl8tYjBmcnN1Vlc5QlhydWVDcTQ5R09LSll3OXFnVzN3bzNlT2ZHVkpU?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.1854.photography/2017/11/elliot-erwitts-cuba/", + "id": "CBMiaEFVX3lxTFAwQ1ExSFBDV0VnVEJEa3RYaDdNdDlDWFVaZUROWkNnaDB5Vmpmd0sySG5CQm9acmExekxMYWVkWl8tYjBmcnN1Vlc5QlhydWVDcTQ5R09LSll3OXFnVzN3bzNlT2ZHVkpU", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 07 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 7, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 311, + 0 + ], + "summary": "In Paris: Elliot Erwitt on shooting Cuba  British Journal of Photography", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "In Paris: Elliot Erwitt on shooting Cuba  British Journal of Photography" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.1854.photography", + "title": "British Journal of Photography" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: In Paris: Elliot Erwitt on shooting Cuba\nauthor: Alex Jackson\nurl: https://www.1854.photography/2017/11/elliot-erwitts-cuba/\nhostname: 1854.photography\ndescription: \u201cI don\u2019t start with intentions,\u201d explains Elliott Erwitt. \u201cI take pictures and then see what I\u2019ve got and put something together.\u201d It\u2019s a process which has served him well throughout his career as a photographer. Born in Paris in 1928 to Russian parents, he spent his childhood in Milan, then emigrated to the US, via France, with his family in 1939; he first cut his teeth in the photography industry whilst still at high school, then built up a professional portfolio whilst serving with the Army Signal Corps in Europe. Joining Magnum Photos in 1953, he went on to apply his unmistakable style to everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Presidents of the United States. Now 89, he prefers to let his very varied collection of photographs speak for themselves, and his new collection, Cuba, is no exception. \u201cI took a lot of pictures and sat down and made an edit. The way I always work,\u201d says Erwitt. \u201c[The book] seemed like a good idea since I was going to Cuba anyway\nsitename: 1854 Photography\ndate: 2017-11-07\ntags: ['Che Guevara', 'Cold War', 'Cuba', 'Cuban Missile Crisis', 'Elliot Erwitt', 'Fidel Castro', 'Havana', 'Iron Curtain', 'Magnum', 'Paris 17', 'Paris 2017', 'Paris Photo', 'The Eyes']\n---\n\u201cI don\u2019t start with intentions,\u201d explains Elliott Erwitt. \u201cI take pictures and then see what I\u2019ve got and put something together.\u201d\n\nIt\u2019s a process which has served him well throughout his career. Born in Paris in 1928 to Russian parents, he spent his childhood in Milan, then emigrated to the US, via France, with his family in 1939; he first cut his teeth in the photography industry whilst still at high school, then built up a professional portfolio whilst serving with the Army Signal Corps in Europe. Joining Magnum Photos in 1953, he went on to apply his unmistakable style to everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Presidents of the United States.\n\nNow 89, he prefers to let his very varied collection of photographs speak for themselves, and his new collection, *Cuba*, is no exception. \u201cI took a lot of pictures and sat down and made an edit. The way I always work,\u201d says Erwitt. \u201c[The book] seemed like a good idea since I was going to Cuba anyway.\u201d\n\nIn fact Erwitt first went to Cuba in 1964, when he stayed in Havana at the invitation of Fidel Castro and took photographs on commission for *Newsweek*. This time he made two trips of ten days, one in 2015 and the other in 2016, travelling across the whole island to document its interior as well as the capital. The resulting book combines both the older and more recent shots, showing off the consistency of Erwitt\u2019s style.\n\n\u201cHavana has changed, but the interior of the country is just as poor, and just as interesting as it used to be,\u201d says Erwitt. \u201cI drove all the way down to Guantanamo and saw the condition of the country. It hasn\u2019t changed very much, whereas the city of Havana has done a lot of repairs, lots of the crumbling buildings have been repaired and recommissioned.\u201d\n\nHe adds that the Cuban people are extremely nice and very welcoming, but concedes they were a little more frosty first time around, just two years after the Cuban Missile Crisis and at the height of Cold War tensions between Cuba and the US. \u201cI was there at a time when it was difficult to be there, and when American citizens were not permitted to go there and the Cubans weren\u2019t too happy to have journalists around,\u201d he says. \u201cIt was an interesting time.\u201d\n\nHe says he was used to it, having made many trips behind the Iron Curtain \u2013 but that Cuba also stuck out, because of the sheer charisma of its leaders. \u201cFidel Castro was very photogenic, kind of a cowboy,\u201d he says. \u201cAn interesting person, obviously, and very chatty.\n\n\u201cIt was extraordinary to get them [Castro and Che Guevara] in the same room,\u201d he continues. \u201cChe was at the time busy trying to get other countries to follow the Cuban example. They were quite willing to be photographed, it was quite easy. It\u2019s a lot easier to photograph stars than not. They\u2019re more used to the attention, and the camera crews and so forth.\u201d\n\nErwitt\u2019s photographs of them were often posed, as are many of his other portraits in the book; beyond that, the images are just what was \u201cin front of my camera\u201d, he says. It\u2019s his preferred way of shooting, simply reacting to what he sees rather than conforming to any brief. \u201cYou can\u2019t decide ahead of time what you\u2019re going to do,\u201d he says. \u201cYou have to take pot luck. You have to be lucky, and I would say I\u2019m quite lucky.\u201d\n\nI ask about the politics of his work, given the fact he shot Cuba\u2019s revolutionary leaders and the obvious poverty he found on the island; he\u2019s quick to deny any ulterior motive, or even any ability to predict readers\u2019 reactions. \u201cI don\u2019t know and I don\u2019t especially care,\u201d he says. \u201cI don\u2019t think in those grand terms.\n\n\u201cI do my work and hope for the best. I hope my view is more personal and more truthful and less obvious. I hope that if anyone is interested in Cuba at this time and wants a personal view of the people and the mood of the country that they get that from my pictures. If they do that, that\u2019s fine.\u201d\n\n*Cuba **is published by teNeues**, priced \u20ac69.90 https://books-teneues.com/cuba-by-elliott-erwitt/ Erwitt is signing books at Paris Photo at 12.30pm on 11 November at the Espacio Havana Fellowship https://programme.parisphoto.com/en/book-signings.htm*" + }, + { + "title": "Meet Clandestina, the Cuban brand speaking to a new generation - The Guardian", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Meet Clandestina, the Cuban brand speaking to a new generation - The Guardian" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNLVozWjdEbk4zTHFoWXV0ODFMYmlSenlubGpRT2N4YmFlTzlfM2tXWnhPTVVyN3BacU5ibDh3TS1WQUI5QTlKZkkxM2lQYmpGTWI2Vk9vUzdkdERLY0tjeVg5UVVjd19HMURHQUJ1RUJ0NFdiNTc5VzFaTWlzQnJmNlE0QzNRN0FKSTFGZjRIamREYWM3aVlIaDlZajBuWGFUck54bXNpa2RiRWJi?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2017/nov/29/hello-world-meet-the-brand-opening-the-door-to-cuban-fashion", + "id": "CBMirAFBVV95cUxNLVozWjdEbk4zTHFoWXV0ODFMYmlSenlubGpRT2N4YmFlTzlfM2tXWnhPTVVyN3BacU5ibDh3TS1WQUI5QTlKZkkxM2lQYmpGTWI2Vk9vUzdkdERLY0tjeVg5UVVjd19HMURHQUJ1RUJ0NFdiNTc5VzFaTWlzQnJmNlE0QzNRN0FKSTFGZjRIamREYWM3aVlIaDlZajBuWGFUck54bXNpa2RiRWJi", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 29, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 333, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Meet Clandestina, the Cuban brand speaking to a new generation  The Guardian", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Meet Clandestina, the Cuban brand speaking to a new generation  The Guardian" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.theguardian.com", + "title": "The Guardian" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Meet Clandestina, the Cuban brand speaking to a new generation\nauthor: Tyler Wetherall\nurl: http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2017/nov/29/hello-world-meet-the-brand-opening-the-door-to-cuban-fashion\nhostname: theguardian.com\ndescription: One innovative designer has found a way around both the regime and the US embargo and become the first Cuban clothing company to ship anywhere in the world\nsitename: The Guardian\ndate: 2017-11-29\ncategories: ['Fashion']\ntags: ['Fashion,Life and style,Cuba,Americas,World news']\n---\nWhen Havana-based designer Idania del R\u00edo runs out of ink for silk-screen printing T-shirts, it\u2019s likely the rest of Cuba has too. When she needs to buy buttons, she scours 10 different stores to find enough. And when she wants to send an email, she has to walk one mile from Clandestina, her independent design shop, to the nearest public wifi hotspot. And yet, despite the shortage of materials and scarce internet access \u2013 the ordinary strictures of operating a business under the country\u2019s socialist regime \u2013 Clandestina has become the first Cuban brand to launch an online store shipping anywhere in the world \u2013 including the US.\n\nThe small fashion label celebrated this landmark achievement as relations between the US and Cuba have once again soured after allegations of mysterious \u201csonic attacks\u201d on US government employees in Havana. In September, the US withdrew more than half its diplomats and warned Americans against travel to Cuba, part of Donald Trump\u2019s rollback of his predecessor\u2019s historic rapprochement.\n\nDel R\u00edo and her business partner, Leire Fern\u00e1ndez, launched Clandestina in 2015, a few years after Cuba\u2019s president, Ra\u00fal Castro, loosened the laws governing private enterprise. The shop, located in a whitewashed colonial townhouse in Old Havana, became the first independent design outlet in Cuba, a testimony to the wave of creative, entrepreneurial energy sweeping the capital. The duo\u2019s trademark tongue-in-cheek logos, often printed on recycled T-shirts and totes, expressed an attitude of self determination that spoke to this new generation.\n\nFor the past year, they have focused on bringing the brand to an international audience, no small feat considering Cuba\u2019s export market, crushed by the US embargo, is virtually non-existent. However, while the embargo restricts the importation of goods to the US, it does not ban services. Del R\u00edo uses this anomaly to work around the system, digitally uploading Clandestina designs to an affiliated manufacturer in South Carolina, which prints them on T-shirts from a Wrap (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production)-certified supplier in Nicaragua and ships them globally. In a country where the concept of a homegrown brand is still taking shape, Clandestina\u2019s ambition is striking.\n\nShopping options in Cuba are limited. State-run stores sell cheap imports \u2013 polyester dresses and plastic shoes. More popular are the \u201csecret stores\u201d found in the back of beauty salons or people\u2019s private homes selling fast fashion smuggled from overseas. Del R\u00edo, like other style-minded Cubans, hunts for elusive vintage pieces at government \u201crag stores\u201d, which buy secondhand clothing in bulk from the US and Canada.\n\n\u201cYou never get what you really want,\u201d del R\u00edo explained, speaking from Mexico where she was sourcing new ink (for several weeks they have been able to print only in black). \u201cCubans have a profound sense of fashion and want the latest trends, but there was a lack of contemporary brands.\u201d\n\nThe island went online in 2015, followed by the arrival of style blogs and the country\u2019s first fashion magazine, Garbos. Designers such as Celia Led\u00f3n, who recycles found objects into high fashion, and Robertiko Ramos, a costume designer and tattoo artist, are changing the conversation around clothing; but young Cubans, like young people anywhere in the world, want something affordable, accessible and on trend, of which there is little.\n\nDespite demand, launching a label \u2013 let alone tackling e-commerce \u2013 requires negotiating elaborate red tape and punitive import laws. The fashion industry suffers from the absence of textile manufacturing, which all but disappeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.\n\nDel R\u00edo, who studied graphic design and worked abroad for several years, raised capital from friends to launch Clandestina; as a cash-only economy all payments have to be upfront. \u201cAt first, we weren\u2019t sure how to do marketing,\u201d she said. \u201cThere weren\u2019t really channels for advertising, so we threw parties with free alcohol. We tried to gather locals, friends and followers, and they started to stop by.\u201d Now they receive 20,000 visitors a year. Other designers have begun approaching the Clandestina team hoping to follow in their footsteps. \u201cRight now we\u2019re really happy, because this is a major step for all of us,\u201d del R\u00edo said. \u201cTo be global from Cuba, why not? We think it\u2019s possible and it\u2019s necessary.\u201d" + }, + { + "title": "Kathy Castor blasts Donald Trump\u2019s new Cuban travel restrictions - Florida Politics", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Kathy Castor blasts Donald Trump\u2019s new Cuban travel restrictions - Florida Politics" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxONzVHRmF6aEpqck1IY09EQWNvVFlNVnNERG1vd1phb1dKZ0pXX2RsblZkUnZVWjhXaDhzX3FlZFh3SGNhTmJfZTZZaUQyd0g1c2NqcldNVVEzekg0OVlZWUZwdDdYYWs3LVVvZnZMcWxLTGNlclNWQTFTWUstVmE3Q2tLSzN0SWVmS0g2NDYzemlGRzhQN1ZUX2w2b2tFbWNRVzNIcndiZUhPWWhN?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://floridapolitics.com/archives/249222-kathy-castor-blasts-donald-trumps-new-cuban-travel-restrictions/", + "id": "CBMirAFBVV95cUxONzVHRmF6aEpqck1IY09EQWNvVFlNVnNERG1vd1phb1dKZ0pXX2RsblZkUnZVWjhXaDhzX3FlZFh3SGNhTmJfZTZZaUQyd0g1c2NqcldNVVEzekg0OVlZWUZwdDdYYWs3LVVvZnZMcWxLTGNlclNWQTFTWUstVmE3Q2tLSzN0SWVmS0g2NDYzemlGRzhQN1ZUX2w2b2tFbWNRVzNIcndiZUhPWWhN", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Kathy Castor blasts Donald Trump\u2019s new Cuban travel restrictions  Florida Politics", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Kathy Castor blasts Donald Trump\u2019s new Cuban travel restrictions  Florida Politics" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://floridapolitics.com", + "title": "Florida Politics" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Kathy Castor blasts Donald Trump's new Cuban travel restrictions\nauthor: Mitch Perry\nurl: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/249222-kathy-castor-blasts-donald-trumps-new-cuban-travel-restrictions/\nhostname: floridapolitics.com\ndescription: Kathy Castor is not happy with a series of measures published by the White House Wednesday that tightening limits on Americans' dealings with Cuba. The\nsitename: Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.\ndate: 2017-11-09\ncategories: ['Federal', 'Headlines']\n---\n**Kathy Castor** is not happy with a series of measures published by the White House Wednesday that tightening limits on Americans\u2019 dealings with Cuba.\n\nThe Tampa Democratic congresswoman is bothered by the package, which includes a blacklist of state-owned companies and entities, including shops and hotels. It also requires most U.S. citizens wanting to travel to the island to only go as part of organized tour groups, which had been the case before former President **Barack Obama** loosened the rules nearly three years ago.\n\nThe measures come as part of a partial rollback of Obama\u2019s rapprochement with the Communist island that was initially announced back in June by current President** Donald Trump.**\n\nThose who already booked and paid for a trip on their own will be allowed to go, and transactions with businesses on the barred list can be completed, the administration said. The new rules, which start Thursday, apply only to future travel and commerce.\n\nEighty-three hotels are on the banned list.\n\nCastor denounced the new regulations as part of a \u201cbackward policy\u201d of the Trump administration to \u201creturn to failed Cold War isolationist policies toward Cuba and the Cuban people.\u201d\n\nShe said America instead should be focused on supporting Cuba\u2019s growing private sector by encouraging more Americans to travel to Cuba rather than adding restrictions on Americans, cultural exchanges and businesses.\n\n\u201cSince the U.S. re-established diplomatic ties with Cuba, thousands of Americans have visited and numerous businesses have explored new markets,\u201d Castor said Wednesday. \u201cThese activities have not only opened new economic opportunities for Americans and Cubans alike, they serve as an integral part of our efforts to promote the spread of democracy and ensure the security of our region.\u201d\n\nCastor, who has become the leading voice in the Florida congressional delegation in removing the more than five decades long economic embargo against Cuba, was also disappointed by the lack of any progress regarding the investigation on the unexplained episodes involving health problems suffered by U.S. diplomatic personnel in Havana.\n\nLast month, the State Department ordered 15 Cuban diplomats to leave the U.S. from its Washington Embassy, a move prompted by the mysterious illness affecting U.S. diplomatic personnel and family members in Havana.\n\nThe move came after the U.S. had decided to cut its own embassy staff in Havana by similar numbers \u201cto minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm.\u201d\n\n\u201cI was advised by Trump administration officials in October that U.S. investigators had left with no determination as to the nature or cause of these incidents,\u201d Castor said. \u201cFurthermore, every day that goes by without adequate embassy personnel available to process visas harms Cuban and American families.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. has now effectively ended travel by Cubans to visit their loved ones in the U.S. under the nonimmigrant visa. This is cruel and heartbreaking for many families who I see in my Tampa office regularly.\u201d" + }, + { + "title": "Four Decades of Footage Capture a Changing Cuba - Jewish Journal", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Four Decades of Footage Capture a Changing Cuba - Jewish Journal" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxONTRfaDlDbVdEcGdpSUFOcFNyOGNUZTJwWjJzZ3NrRDNISUZKVjNUeGF5WUZjYlhScElTUTl5RmFGNU8xZi1oeEVSSUZiM2YwNldlYU9TUEVlY0ozUGN2Z0NoR1l5YVAxdTBqWmNPSkdoSG52YUVCdDNhTHdRaW5TdjZQRkVHNklQVURjOFR6a25lQkk?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://jewishjournal.com/culture/arts/227816/four-decades-footage-capture-changing-cuba/", + "id": "CBMikwFBVV95cUxONTRfaDlDbVdEcGdpSUFOcFNyOGNUZTJwWjJzZ3NrRDNISUZKVjNUeGF5WUZjYlhScElTUTl5RmFGNU8xZi1oeEVSSUZiM2YwNldlYU9TUEVlY0ozUGN2Z0NoR1l5YVAxdTBqWmNPSkdoSG52YUVCdDNhTHdRaW5TdjZQRkVHNklQVURjOFR6a25lQkk", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 21 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 21, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 325, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Four Decades of Footage Capture a Changing Cuba  Jewish Journal", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Four Decades of Footage Capture a Changing Cuba  Jewish Journal" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://jewishjournal.com", + "title": "Jewish Journal" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "US toughens terms for Americans traveling to Cuba - dw.com", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US toughens terms for Americans traveling to Cuba - dw.com" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxPQVJfZDBETTRTaUZSWFYxbmh1QkFYMzFQOGRCdzU3NkM3cHJfa3E3cnZrc2swX3ZjUVRfMVlNa1hyWXpZR3p0azVLMFhEaVpzTWJfOWJnUk5wSjU3TDBkcHIxaTNfTHk3MXlkb3o4eXpfellVaDhjcUJDNl84VFZibXNjTTV1SjY0LUHSAYoBQVVfeXFMUFNQYll5VUU1RDJuNGw0MXgzY19VRXpVQ0JEc1pYTDVPYjk2QTlOVWlQcmhuREhPXzF2bXkxM2VsLWl5QXc4WjMtSUtIWEJLZk1XOTEzaVlOQ2JUeV9JSGt1QVkxeUZkUTc3U3VUaks4ZmF0WWJIRVFxTzVRSWZxZGVvMGo5RnpMTFFn?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.dw.com/en/us-tightens-terms-for-americans-traveling-to-cuba/a-41307804", + "id": "CBMiigFBVV95cUxPQVJfZDBETTRTaUZSWFYxbmh1QkFYMzFQOGRCdzU3NkM3cHJfa3E3cnZrc2swX3ZjUVRfMVlNa1hyWXpZR3p0azVLMFhEaVpzTWJfOWJnUk5wSjU3TDBkcHIxaTNfTHk3MXlkb3o4eXpfellVaDhjcUJDNl84VFZibXNjTTV1SjY0LUHSAYoBQVVfeXFMUFNQYll5VUU1RDJuNGw0MXgzY19VRXpVQ0JEc1pYTDVPYjk2QTlOVWlQcmhuREhPXzF2bXkxM2VsLWl5QXc4WjMtSUtIWEJLZk1XOTEzaVlOQ2JUeV9JSGt1QVkxeUZkUTc3U3VUaks4ZmF0WWJIRVFxTzVRSWZxZGVvMGo5RnpMTFFn", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 09 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 9, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 313, + 0 + ], + "summary": "US toughens terms for Americans traveling to Cuba  dw.com", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US toughens terms for Americans traveling to Cuba  dw.com" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.dw.com", + "title": "dw.com" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: US toughens terms for Americans traveling to Cuba\nurl: https://www.dw.com/en/us-tightens-terms-for-americans-traveling-to-cuba/a-41307804\nhostname: dw.com\ndescription: The US government has toughened the terms for Americans traveling to Cuba and doing business in the country. It makes good on a pledge made by President Donald Trump to roll back Obama's Cuban d\u00e9tente policy.\nsitename: Deutsche Welle\ndate: 2017-11-08\n---\n# US toughens terms for Americans traveling to Cuba\n\nNovember 9, 2017The new US restrictions include a ban on Americans doing business with 180 Cuban government entities, holding companies and tourism companies. They cover 83 state-owned hotels, including those run by military-linked chains Gaviota and Habaguanex, as well as the city's new luxury shopping mall.\n\nUS travelers will also need to be able to show a \"full-time schedule\" with activities that support Cuban people and show \"meaningful interaction,\" a US official told reporters.\n\nThe White House said it is keen to support small, private enterprises that have sprung up under President Raul Castro's reforms to the largely state-controlled economy.\n\nAccording to the new regulations, US travelers will still be able to make authorized trips to Cuba with a US-based organization and accompanied by a US representative of the group, but it will be harder for them to travel to the island on their own.\n\nThe rules take effect on Thursday and are aimed at preventing the military, intelligence and security arms of Cuba's government from benefiting from American tourism and trade, the White House said.\n\nUS President Donald Trump called for a tightening of restrictions in June, citing claims that the Cuban government still oppressed its people and that former US President Barack Obama had made too many concessions in his 2014 diplomatic breakthrough.\n\nSince the fall of the USSR in 1991, the Cuban economy has suffered from the loss of a vital economic sponsor and trade partner.\n\n**Almost, but still cigars**\n\nThe policy is only a partial rollback of Obama's changes, with cruise ship visits and direct commercial flights between the countries still permitted and embassies in Washington and Havana staying open.\n\nAmericans can also still travel on educational and \"people to people\" trips, and bringing home limited quantities of rum and Cuban cigars is still allowed, officials said.\n\n**Critics from left and right**\n\nThe new rules have been criticized as lax by Republican leaders and as counterproductive by those wanting to continue Obama's d\u00e9tente.\n\nRepublican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, a Cuban-American, said the list failed to go far enough because it left out companies like Gran Caribe Hotel Group and Cubanacan with ties to the Cuban government.\n\nDemocratic Senator Patrick Leahy said the regulations were unfair to Cuba, coming as Trump was being \"feted in Beijing\" by a Communist government \"in a country to which Americans can travel freely.\"\n\n\"The hypocrisy of the White House ideologues is glaring,\" Leahy said in a statement.\n\n**Cuba reacts**\n\n\"These measures confirm there is a serious reversal in bilateral relations which has occurred as a result of the decisions taken by the government of President Donald Trump,\" Josefina Vidal, the highest Cuban diplomat for North America, said later on Wednesday.\n\nVidal, who was the public face of Cuba's opening with the US, said the policy would harm Cuba's economy, US citizens and businesses.\n\nThe rules were also denounced by travel groups.\n\n\"Cuba is still open for business,\" said Charel van Dam of the Cuba Travel Network. \"It is still possible for people to travel, but I think these announcements will serve mainly as something to scare off people who want to visit.\"\n\n\njbh/sms (Reuters, AP)" + }, + { + "title": "Cold War Soviet technology studied in Cuba attacks - Politico", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cold War Soviet technology studied in Cuba attacks - Politico" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAFBVV95cUxOaEljNldZejVPb2ZsT25VS0lXSk1IaTlIRXJqeEhJaFl6Y1EwTHQ2VjRmOURVbTNNcXk4NVJXTE52UFlfWmstcktsc0FOZ1NyRm1ubTA5NThBa3VObGdBRG1Ic0tpanBIY1M5Q3N6cFZrS21GVzVBb2JEa0RJNzdrWTRQdXVGRFl1cVVna0U4b2Y4eDA4dDlPa0l3Vno?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2017/11/12/cuba-attacks-cold-war-technology-115633", + "id": "CBMinAFBVV95cUxOaEljNldZejVPb2ZsT25VS0lXSk1IaTlIRXJqeEhJaFl6Y1EwTHQ2VjRmOURVbTNNcXk4NVJXTE52UFlfWmstcktsc0FOZ1NyRm1ubTA5NThBa3VObGdBRG1Ic0tpanBIY1M5Q3N6cFZrS21GVzVBb2JEa0RJNzdrWTRQdXVGRFl1cVVna0U4b2Y4eDA4dDlPa0l3Vno", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sun, 12 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 12, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 6, + 316, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cold War Soviet technology studied in Cuba attacks  Politico", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cold War Soviet technology studied in Cuba attacks  Politico" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.politico.com", + "title": "Politico" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Religious harmony in Cuba - Al Jazeera", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Religious harmony in Cuba - Al Jazeera" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiekFVX3lxTE1HYzhuc3dsYmVWb2FhZllNSUZJcVpZc0NqUUlUWm1yYzZDS2NvaFpENUM1dHR4MUVubDQ3MEowU2F1Qzh6MVRvRGJsVzktanVfSlhwUUIyOXE0dXFXZ3VQWnJSdVctc1habkp5LVVLanhwUlAza0lvUmN30gF_QVVfeXFMUDZveGYyVGs0ZUhORHZBVWV3YzUzRWNEY0tpaXQ5a0dSSmtPTTNNaXFFcl8tRTA2bXhCLUxXLWVYUng1a0JDZHBsallGbU9zZ3lXWnFhaDhtVk1XdldHSEZuQTI0X3F4ZjFJb3pzZHpRZDgzYVE0WDdNYTBUSVNoRQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2017/11/27/religious-harmony-in-cuba", + "id": "CBMiekFVX3lxTE1HYzhuc3dsYmVWb2FhZllNSUZJcVpZc0NqUUlUWm1yYzZDS2NvaFpENUM1dHR4MUVubDQ3MEowU2F1Qzh6MVRvRGJsVzktanVfSlhwUUIyOXE0dXFXZ3VQWnJSdVctc1habkp5LVVLanhwUlAza0lvUmN30gF_QVVfeXFMUDZveGYyVGs0ZUhORHZBVWV3YzUzRWNEY0tpaXQ5a0dSSmtPTTNNaXFFcl8tRTA2bXhCLUxXLWVYUng1a0JDZHBsallGbU9zZ3lXWnFhaDhtVk1XdldHSEZuQTI0X3F4ZjFJb3pzZHpRZDgzYVE0WDdNYTBUSVNoRQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Mon, 27 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 27, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 0, + 331, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Religious harmony in Cuba  Al Jazeera", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Religious harmony in Cuba  Al Jazeera" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.aljazeera.com", + "title": "Al Jazeera" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Religious harmony in Cuba\nauthor: Ura Iturralde\nurl: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2017/11/27/religious-harmony-in-cuba\nhostname: aljazeera.com\ndescription: A diversity of religious communities populate the capital Havana.\nsitename: Al Jazeera\ndate: 2017-11-27\ntags: ['Fidel Castro, Religion', 'Gallery, Fidel Castro, Religion, Cuba, Latin America']\n---\nIn Pictures\n\n# Religious harmony in Cuba\n\n*A diversity of religious communities populate the capital Havana.*\n\nPublished On 27 Nov 2017\n\nAfter the Cuban Revolution in 1959, religious practices on the island nation were targeted, but the Cuban government later opted for a more conciliatory approach, and the country today hosts a variety of diverse religions.\n\nSome Cubans believe that the country\u2019s late president, Fidel Castro, was responsible for this religious unity, while others will never forget the years of persecution they endured.\n\nA year after Castro\u2019s death, Al Jazeera visited the Cuban capital, Havana, to explore how different religious communities are living side by side.\n\nAdvertisement\n\nAdvertisement" + }, + { + "title": "Gloria Estefan left Cuba as a young child, but the island defines her, and her music - The Washington Post", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Gloria Estefan left Cuba as a young child, but the island defines her, and her music - The Washington Post" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinAJBVV95cUxNbW9CNDU1N3p5ZzVUZFFpVUtQXzZWVDREQm9lLWw4dWRzWkpKUFZMYlYwbGxqd05oN25rdVIxUzhqR3JCaTV1by1EQ0IxMlV3eTNzZDlmQTA4Um5XWlloVk8yem5JWG1jekdCUGtpZ2g0aWZlZHBDSExMYlhxcGZSWUViOTVqbjNBWHZ1aW9aOFRxTlRkMUdudjZNdVFmUV9IR00tVW9NUUhBZTVZM0txVjdmR2d4M09YZ0d6cDREeUFkQVlLam1ERUJNZWQ2elBoVlMtUWg5SUY3bHRsOHpka2dFSHFPYk1FOE9JdUJTcGtORmUyM2tBYmNGemRWa21fa2dUdEp3VFhGRXF2TlgzS3JFSGg1dUtVd0RKVQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/gloria-estefan-left-cuba-as-a-young-child-but-the-island-defines-her-and-her-music/2017/11/28/1eeb1bae-be43-11e7-8444-a0d4f04b89eb_story.html", + "id": "CBMinAJBVV95cUxNbW9CNDU1N3p5ZzVUZFFpVUtQXzZWVDREQm9lLWw4dWRzWkpKUFZMYlYwbGxqd05oN25rdVIxUzhqR3JCaTV1by1EQ0IxMlV3eTNzZDlmQTA4Um5XWlloVk8yem5JWG1jekdCUGtpZ2g0aWZlZHBDSExMYlhxcGZSWUViOTVqbjNBWHZ1aW9aOFRxTlRkMUdudjZNdVFmUV9IR00tVW9NUUhBZTVZM0txVjdmR2d4M09YZ0d6cDREeUFkQVlLam1ERUJNZWQ2elBoVlMtUWg5SUY3bHRsOHpka2dFSHFPYk1FOE9JdUJTcGtORmUyM2tBYmNGemRWa21fa2dUdEp3VFhGRXF2TlgzS3JFSGg1dUtVd0RKVQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 29, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 333, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Gloria Estefan left Cuba as a young child, but the island defines her, and her music  The Washington Post", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Gloria Estefan left Cuba as a young child, but the island defines her, and her music  The Washington Post" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.washingtonpost.com", + "title": "The Washington Post" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 0, + "response": "Error: " + }, + { + "title": "Havana meets Kingston! - Pan African Music", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Havana meets Kingston! - Pan African Music" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZkFVX3lxTE1MRkYxbTRhNE0yZF96MUVLWlYzVThlb1NHWUxqTEdNclhTaWd2VEZOc1diM3g0dFZ0R2tRalpjb2xHejBzWUx3UFRjZVIyeURrazIwaUZxNGJGU0NqYUx1SXhNRkR6QQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://pan-african-music.com/en/havana-meets-kingston/", + "id": "CBMiZkFVX3lxTE1MRkYxbTRhNE0yZF96MUVLWlYzVThlb1NHWUxqTEdNclhTaWd2VEZOc1diM3g0dFZ0R2tRalpjb2xHejBzWUx3UFRjZVIyeURrazIwaUZxNGJGU0NqYUx1SXhNRkR6QQ", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 02 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 2, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 306, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Havana meets Kingston!  Pan African Music", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Havana meets Kingston!  Pan African Music" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://pan-african-music.com", + "title": "Pan African Music" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Havana meets Kingston!\nauthor: Vladimir Cagnolari\nurl: http://https%3A%2F%2Fpan-african-music.com%2Fen%2Fhavana-meets-kingston%2F\nhostname: https%3A%2F%2Fpan-african-music.com%2Fen%2Fhavana-meets-kingston%2F\ndescription: When Jamaican and Cuban musicians gather for a unique fusion! Interview with Mista Savona, producer of the record Havana Meets Kingston.\nsitename: PAM - Pan African Music\ndate: 2017-11-02\ncategories: ['Interviews']\ntags: ['Cuba', 'Havana Meets Kingston', 'Mista Savona']\n---\n**When Jamaican and Cuban musicians gather for a unique fusion!!! Interview with Mista Savona, Australian musician based in Melbourne, and producer of the record.**\n\n**PAM: Hello Mista Savona! Can you present yourself in a few words? **\n\n**Mista Savona:** I grew up in Melbourne, Australia. Mixed heritage of Australian and Maltese. I began playing the piano at six years old and quickly became obsessed with music. I studied composition & performance at University and soon after got into hip-hop and dub production. I released two albums in Australia between 2001 and 2003 and then travelled to Jamaica in 2004 to better understand the culture and history of reggae and dancehall music. That was an incredible trip and my third album was born, *Melbourne Meets Kingston*. After numerous trips to Jamaica and three more albums recorded there, I first travelled to Cuba in 2013. And the rest is history.\n\n#### \u2014\n\nAdditionally, both islands have such potent and unique music scenes that they are really captivated by their own music to a large degree, and until two years ago there were no exchange programs between the two islands.\n\n\u2014\n\n**How did you get to the idea of this project, ***Havana meets Kingston***? **\n\nThe album will be released worldwide on November, 3 and is called *Havana Meets Kingston*. The album is exactly that: a meeting of some of the greatest musicians from Cuba and Jamaica. I first travelled to Cuba in 2013 and it was there that the idea for the project was born. I was sitting in a cafe in Havana \u2013 a great place called El Chanchullero. They were playing a CD of rumba music (traditional Cuban music), mainly percussion based. I was daydreaming and imagining how the sounds of Nyabinghi drums from Jamaica would sound mixed with the rumba. I realised it would be very special to mix the two styles, and wondered if it had ever been done before. When I returned to Australia I did some research, and realised there had never been a project bringing Jamaican musicians into Cuba (or vice versa). So I started to think how it could be done. I flew back into Kingston in 2015 to pick up Sly & Robbie, Bongo Herman, Bopee & Bugzy and we spent ten days at Egrem Studios in Havana, where *Buena Vista Social Club* was recorded 20 years ago. Some of the very best of Cuba\u2019s musicians came through the studio to sit on sessions, including members of Los Van Van, Buena Vista, Havana Cultura, Afro-Cuban All Stars and more. It was an incredible ten days and the album is majestic.\n\n**Why do you think this kind of collaboration never happened before ?**\n\nWhy it hasn\u2019t happened before? Political, social, economic and language reasons. Cuba is an ex-Communist, socialist state, and the people are generally very poor in the usual sense of the word \u2013 the government wage is around US$18 [around \u20ac15 in November 2017] a month. Nevertheless the government supplies every Cuban with free housing, free healthcare and free education to University level. That is actually incredible and every society should aim for this. Jamaica on the other hand is a capitalistic society and resource-rich, but due to corrupt governments, the IMF, gangs and US interference the people are in a way worse off than in Cuba. The daily struggle for survival is a reality for ghetto communities in Kingston. On top of this Jamaicans rarely speak spanish, and Cubans don\u2019t speak english for the most part. It is difficult for Cubans to get visas and travel outside Cuba. Additionally, both islands have such potent and unique music scenes that they are really captivated by their own music to a large degree, and until two years ago there were no exchange programs between the two islands. Jamaica\u2019s music industry is it\u2019s biggest export, and yet the government still doesn\u2019t invest in it properly. There\u2019s not even a museum in Jamaica dedicated to their incredible contributions to the world\u2019s music. So these are all reasons perhaps why no Cuban or Jamaican record labels or musicians or even cultural organisations have taken the initiative to try and coordinate such a big project like this. Yet the time is ripe for this kind of collaboration, and after numerous trips to Jamaica since 2004 I finally visited Cuba in 2013.\n\n#### \u2014\n\nThis project is very much about bringing master musicians together as well as creating opportunities for aspiring new artists.\n\n\u2014\n\n**You choose to gather old and young musicians from the two islands, how did you choose them? **\n\nIt was a really natural process. Through many trips to Jamaica over the years I have been able to build friendships with some truly great musicians and artists. Also through going to dances and clubs in Kingston as well as the studios, it is easy to discover new talent. This project is very much about bringing master musicians together as well as creating opportunities for aspiring new artists. I-Maali\u2019s verse on the Lutan Fyah track \u2018Heart of A Lion\u2019 was his first time in a recording studio. In Cuba the process was similar, with the great elder musicians recommending new talent and the ten days at Egrem being quite open for Cuban musicians to come by and vibe with us.\n\n**What were the common points between Cubans and Jamaicans? Despite of their differences, Is there a common Caribbean musical langage?**\n\nThe roots of both Jamaican and Cuban music is deeply interwoven with the African history of both islands. Before the Cuban revolution [1953-1959] and ensuing embargoes [from 1962] travel was easy between Jamaica and Cuba, so there was a lot of exchange of musical ideas back in the day. That really changed from the 1950s onwards. Both islands developed very unique music scenes that became mostly self sufficient, they didn\u2019t need to look outside themselves for inspiration or approval. To generalise Jamaican music became more spacious in the 1970s and bass focused, whereas Cuban music became more complex and faster. Jamaica developed soundsystem culture and technological innovation such as dub mixing techniques, whereas Cuba focused on their extraordinary musicianship and blending of jazz and Cuban son and salsa in increasing complexity, while maintaining fairly traditional recording techniques. Our sessions at Egrem were unique. The Jamaicans don\u2019t speak spanish, and the Cubans very little English. However once everyone was sitting at their instruments this didn\u2019t matter at all. Music really is a universal language, and the musicians most definitely understood each other." + }, + { + "title": "\u2018The Highlight Of My Career\u2019: Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - WAMU", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018The Highlight Of My Career\u2019: Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - WAMU" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxNMjYzcWhTMU9BRncwLU4zU09ObWxZVWtTNmVuXzkxZDhxVG9CSGxPdV9IaERIbjNDTDNFb0xOalBjc3BTZk9ldXlESkhqR1ZMRWItT3cwS2RfS01uLXNrMjdCc1o1b29LdnhKczUxbmV4ZzBqXzBOWTVZUE02TF9yMkcxWXRSWnNlMlZOUDBwN21iTU9SNzZwT255d0FGZ2RM?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://wamu.org/story/17/11/25/the-highlight-of-my-career-diplo-on-major-lazer-performing-in-cuba/", + "id": "CBMioAFBVV95cUxNMjYzcWhTMU9BRncwLU4zU09ObWxZVWtTNmVuXzkxZDhxVG9CSGxPdV9IaERIbjNDTDNFb0xOalBjc3BTZk9ldXlESkhqR1ZMRWItT3cwS2RfS01uLXNrMjdCc1o1b29LdnhKczUxbmV4ZzBqXzBOWTVZUE02TF9yMkcxWXRSWnNlMlZOUDBwN21iTU9SNzZwT255d0FGZ2RM", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sat, 25 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 25, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 5, + 329, + 0 + ], + "summary": "\u2018The Highlight Of My Career\u2019: Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba  WAMU", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "\u2018The Highlight Of My Career\u2019: Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba  WAMU" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://wamu.org", + "title": "WAMU" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: 'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba\nurl: https://wamu.org/story/17/11/25/the-highlight-of-my-career-diplo-on-major-lazer-performing-in-cuba/\nhostname: wamu.org\ndescription: After President Obama warmed relations with Cuba, the electronic group performed in the streets of downtown Havana. The new documentary Give Me Future chronicles the experience.\nsitename: WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio\ndate: 2017-11-25\ncategories: ['Arts & Culture']\n---\nThis website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful." + }, + { + "title": "Cuba and North Korea Strengthen Close Ties - Havana Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba and North Korea Strengthen Close Ties - Havana Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifEFVX3lxTE9LUzY4cHVDcGZfZlk4dDJtWFRZMXdidlFRcjFSenB5WTA3Y1NCYUExRDRkMjEtSUhZZEhTeWMzZzFmOS1ROWRkYk5SOWxwS0pzczdnbzhtSmlzRmY1cWhNZWlxeDZZeGpDLTgzYmg1aTR5YnFzNzRlR1BMeXM?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://havanatimes.org/news/cuba-and-north-korea-strengthen-close-ties/", + "id": "CBMifEFVX3lxTE9LUzY4cHVDcGZfZlk4dDJtWFRZMXdidlFRcjFSenB5WTA3Y1NCYUExRDRkMjEtSUhZZEhTeWMzZzFmOS1ROWRkYk5SOWxwS0pzczdnbzhtSmlzRmY1cWhNZWlxeDZZeGpDLTgzYmg1aTR5YnFzNzRlR1BMeXM", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 22 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 22, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 326, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuba and North Korea Strengthen Close Ties  Havana Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba and North Korea Strengthen Close Ties  Havana Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://havanatimes.org", + "title": "Havana Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Cuba and North Korea Strengthen Close Ties - Havana Times\nauthor: Circles Robinson\nurl: https://havanatimes.org/news/cuba-and-north-korea-strengthen-close-ties/\nhostname: havanatimes.org\ndescription: North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho met in Havana with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodr\u00edguez on Wednesday as the two countries reiterated their mutual support and rejection of foreign interference in their internal affairs.\nsitename: Havana Times\ndate: 2017-11-22\ncategories: ['Latin America', 'News']\n---\n# Cuba and North Korea Strengthen Close Ties\n\n**HAVANA TIMES** \u2013 North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho met in Havana with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodr\u00edguez on Wednesday as the two countries reiterated their mutual support and rejection of foreign interference in their internal affairs.\n\nThe two countries, who were involved in an embarrassing hidden weapons shipment back in 2013, are both under decades long sanctions from the United States. North Korea is also restricted in its economic and international affairs by the UN Security Council over its nuclear arms program.\n\n\u201cThis visit is a demonstration of the strong ties of cooperation and friendship between the two nations, the legacy of historic leaders Fidel Castro and Kim Il-Sung,\u201d stated Cuba\u2019s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodr\u00edguez, on receiving his counterpart from the Democratic People\u2019s Republic of Korea, Ri Yong Ho.\n\nRodriguez said that Cuba supports peace on the Korean Peninsula and for a political solution only possible through dialogue.\n\nThe Cuban foreign minister also noted that his country strongly rejects the imposition of sanctions and unilateral, arbitrary lists drawn up the United States, which violate International Law.\n\nRi Young Ho said he was pleased to be visiting the island. \u201cAlthough Cuba and the DPRK are geographically distant, we have many similarities and I feel at home here,\u201d he stated.\n\nWhile political allies for decades, trade between Cuba and North Korea is minimal. Both countries face shortages of consumer goods including food and medicines for their populations.\n\nRi Yong Ho was also received by Cuban president Raul Castro.\n\nThis is in the news today\n\nCanada pushes for diplomacy in North Korea crisis despite long odds and limited role\n\nhttp://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/tillerson-freeland-north-korea-analysis-wherry-1.4454701\n\nFurther to my comments about the friendship between the Trudeau and Castro families. Justin was one of three sons the others being Alexander and Michel (deceased).\n\nAlexander wrote:\n\n\u201cI grew up knowing that Fidel Castro had a special place among my family\u2019s friends. We had a picture of him at home a great big man with a beard who wore military fatigues and held my baby brother Michel in his arms. When he met my little brother in 1976 he even gave him a nickname that would stick with him his whole life \u201cMiche Miche\u201d.\u201d\n\nBoth Pierre Trudeau and Fidel Castro were Jesuits \u2013 as was Stalin who trained for the priesthood. The current Pope is the first Jesuit Pope and has twice visited the Castros.\n\nThere is some facial similarity between Justin Trudeau and Fidel Castro \u2013 the noses remarkably so. But imagine being brought up with a totalitarian dictator as a family friend.\n\nJustin Trudeau has within the last year visited the Castro family \u2013 he subsequently said it was \u201can honour\u201d to meet the sons. Although speaking at the University of Havana with Raul Castro, Miguel Diaz-Canel and Bruno Rodriguez applauding his support, he did not follow the example of his father and give millions of Canadian taxpayers money to support the totalitarian communist regime. The Trudeau family are very much \u201cbuddy-buddy\u201d with the Castros and FIdel even travelled to Canada to be an Honorary pallbearer at Pierre Elliott Trudeau\u2019s funeral. Certainly there are many Canadians who are not fond of Trudeau, but he was democratically elected.\n\nAs two generations of Trudeaus have been sycophants of the Castro regime, you might well be right Ken.\n\nNow that the DPRK is posing a real a present danger to the world through its nuclear threat, a minor player like Cuba would not be involved in meditating dialogue with the US.\n\nTwo third world dumps racing to the bottom. Only Cuba has better weather.\n\nNever dined at Kings Court English College House, University of Pennsylvania\n\nThe statement about Canada helping to end the conflict is clearly attributed to Trudeau. I thought it was useful to forward it to this list and I still think that is the case.\n\nHmmm!\n\nCanadians are not so enamoured with Trudeau. They may not wish a trade for Trump, but that does not make Trudeau a voice of the people nor for the people. He is for the elites and does their bidding. He is a far cry from Castro.\n\nNot so fast. Canada and the USA are meeting for talks on how to prepare for nuclear war possibilities with North Korea.\n\nI have not\n\nHave you or have you not dined at the University of Pennsylvania \u2013 perhaps in company with Beatrize?\n\nAnywhere in my paragraph did I deny undernourishment in the DPRK? Secondly, citation needed.\n\nI don\u2019t dine at a university? Also, that soldier getting shot for defection means nothing. (I do not support the North Korean government on ideologically grounds just anti-imperialist) In all countries if you literally defect to another side during the war you get executed, this is common military law.\n\nYes they are, that is literally what I stated prior Moses come on man read.\n\nHope you read about the various worms and parasites found within the gut of the defecting soldier \u2013 an indication of under-nourishment. if that is the case with a privileged Border Guard, what nutritional problems are being suffered by the \u201cmass\u201d?\n\nHope you saw the pictures of the North Korean soldier defecting. No doubt you will support any and all repressive actions which the pallid paunchy Kim Jung Un directs against the family of the defector. For that is the way your system works, install fear, supervise every action and maintain that Communist Dictatorship \u2013 for who are the people \u2013 they are but a proleteriat mass to be directed and controlled. Those individuals must like the Kulaks be eradicated.\n\nBeware Stepen-Pons that as one who dines at University, you yourself become an undesirable and thus disposable!\n\nMy point is that your communist talking points are outdated and inaccurate. By Marxist definition, China and Russia are as \u201cImperilist\u201d as the US.\n\nwell, whats your point? Are Russia and China trying to expand into NK? NK is completely independent, and as China which is embargoing NK it still stands strong against imperialism and maintains independence.\n\nYou want Trudeau \u2013 TAKE HIM!\n\nThree blind mice!\n\nRemember Stephen-Pons that the last empire to implode was the Soviet Union. That when the thirteen liberated countries subsequently held democratic multi-party elections, not one of them elected a communist government. That of course is the difference between those who have experienced the reality of living under communist dictatorship and those like yourself of communist persuasion who take an academic viewpoint of Marxism/Leninism.\n\nYou make my point.\n\nRussia and China are NET exporters of capital, and they expend their economic resources to dominate other countries and markets, for expansion and super profits. I recommend you read this: https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1916/imp-hsc/\n\nCanada could help diffuse North Korea tensions: Trudeau\n\nhttps://ipolitics.ca/2017/11/23/canada-help-diffuse-north-korea-tensions-trudeau/\n\nThis, my friends, is known as scraping the bottom of the barrel.\n\nBwwaahaahaahaa!!!! Good one Stalin!!!\n\nWhat an embarrassing meeting. This really belittles Cuba in the eyes of the world.\n\nUtterly cringeworthy.\n\nWhat an idiotic comment unless you are includimg China and Russia in your definition of Imperialist.\n\nTwo anti-imperialist nations uniting against the empire.\n\nThanks Obama\n\nGood thing Rodriguez states he supports peace on the Korean Peninsula and dialogue. The irony would be if Cuba ends up mediating said dialogue between the west and North Korea. That would really belittle Trump/the US." + }, + { + "title": "Armando Hart, Who Revolutionized Cuban Schools, Dies at 87 (Published 2017) - The New York Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Armando Hart, Who Revolutionized Cuban Schools, Dies at 87 (Published 2017) - The New York Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQaWNuZTNNb1RaMHdZdVMtOWF6YThCY01SQ2loOHNNajFsTUNlb0JEQmhKbkNhRHFPMmpFMkpFVzBnamg3UGh4eVJqdTN0RlNkR0ViLVlCeHE1bXo3US1tdURJNDczMTJBSFZBeGpDZ0g1MmY5V0c0NFN3NUlnNFhJWnBkc1ZEeDgyU3MzVDZQUjROaFJiMUp5N2ZZVkNDRy0weFc4V1h0QWtFc00?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/obituaries/armando-hart-who-revolutionized-cuban-schools-dies-at-87.html", + "id": "CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQaWNuZTNNb1RaMHdZdVMtOWF6YThCY01SQ2loOHNNajFsTUNlb0JEQmhKbkNhRHFPMmpFMkpFVzBnamg3UGh4eVJqdTN0RlNkR0ViLVlCeHE1bXo3US1tdURJNDczMTJBSFZBeGpDZ0g1MmY5V0c0NFN3NUlnNFhJWnBkc1ZEeDgyU3MzVDZQUjROaFJiMUp5N2ZZVkNDRy0weFc4V1h0QWtFc00", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 29, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 333, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Armando Hart, Who Revolutionized Cuban Schools, Dies at 87 (Published 2017)  The New York Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Armando Hart, Who Revolutionized Cuban Schools, Dies at 87 (Published 2017)  The New York Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.nytimes.com", + "title": "The New York Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Callejon de Hamel in Havana - 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ESPN", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Mark Cuban to Draymond Green: We own equity, not people - ESPN" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitwFBVV95cUxPLXZOWjVURy1xRmdvRzFQZTdHVF94Q0J6TUp5UEZmdHp6WUdvUWRYeGRZVHBuTVNVdDBMVzlUb3hEVlRLSWNuTkMzWnl0a3l3NF9ZLXBteWFtTEFpcDNUSW5PTmI3TmpJdTNKVEhlb2MtTkNZdFVDb3pQNFNQVmlpMmJncldCTEMyTy1vLU9TVUhuQ0VCc3NuRi1oa3c3YkZQUmFFTHJhWlZDV1hkbE5GNThpS2VlZHc?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21277983/mark-cuban-says-warriors-draymond-green-owes-apology-remark-team-owners", + "id": "CBMitwFBVV95cUxPLXZOWjVURy1xRmdvRzFQZTdHVF94Q0J6TUp5UEZmdHp6WUdvUWRYeGRZVHBuTVNVdDBMVzlUb3hEVlRLSWNuTkMzWnl0a3l3NF9ZLXBteWFtTEFpcDNUSW5PTmI3TmpJdTNKVEhlb2MtTkNZdFVDb3pQNFNQVmlpMmJncldCTEMyTy1vLU9TVUhuQ0VCc3NuRi1oa3c3YkZQUmFFTHJhWlZDV1hkbE5GNThpS2VlZHc", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Fri, 03 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 3, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 4, + 307, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Mark Cuban to Draymond Green: We own equity, not people  ESPN", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Mark Cuban to Draymond Green: We own equity, not people  ESPN" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.espn.com", + "title": "ESPN" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Mark Cuban to Draymond Green: We own equity, not people\nauthor: Tim MacMahon\nurl: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21277983/mark-cuban-says-warriors-draymond-green-owes-apology-remark-team-owners\nhostname: espn.com\ndescription: Mavericks owner Mark Cuban took exception to Warriors forward Draymond Green's Instagram post about the term \"owners\" in sports, saying it was wrong for Green \"to try to turn it into something that it's not.\"\nsitename: ESPN\ndate: 2017-11-04\n---\nDALLAS -- Mark Cuban says Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green \"owes the NBA an apology\" for criticizing the use of the term \"owner\" in sports.\n\nGreen made the statement last week in an Instagram post reacting to Houston Texans owner Bob McNair's controversial comment that the NFL \"can't have inmates running the prison.\"\n\n\"For starters, let's stop using the word owner and maybe use the word Chairman,\" Green wrote. \"To be owned by someone just sets a bad precedent to start. It sets the wrong tone. It gives one the wrong mindset.\"\n\nCuban, the Dallas Mavericks' owner, said McNair's comment, made during an NFL owners meeting regarding social issues, was \"wrong, ridiculous.\" Cuban said it was up to each individual to decide whether to accept McNair's apology.\n\nHowever, Cuban said he was also offended by the connotation of Green's comments about owners in professional sports.\n\n\"For him to try to turn it into something it's not is wrong,\" Cuban told ESPN. \"He owes the NBA an apology. I think he does, because to try to create some connotation that owning equity in a company that you busted your ass for is the equivalent of ownership in terms of people, that's just wrong. That's just wrong in every which way.\n\n\"People who read that message and misinterpret it -- make it seem like we don't do everything possible to help our players succeed and don't care about their families and don't care about their lives, like hopefully we do for all of our employees -- that's just wrong.\"\n\nCuban noted Green's goals of investing in Silicon Valley companies and wondered what Green would call himself if he bought a company.\n\n\"Don't try to suggest that because we have a team and the nomenclature is 'owners' because we own shares of stock, own equity, that it's analogous to slavery. That's just as bad [as Texans owner Bob McNair's comment].\" Mavericks owner Mark Cuban\n\n\"We own equity. We don't own people,\" Cuban said. \"And there's a big difference. This is a country where we have corporations, and you put up your money and buy equity. E-Q-U-I-T-Y. It translates into shares of stock. People who bust their ass and work hard and get a little bit lucky have enough money to buy enough shares of stock to buy a company.\n\n\"To try to turn it into something that it's not is ridiculous. Draymond can trash-talk on the court, but when he comes into our world, it doesn't fly. ... I guess it's because he went to Michigan State and didn't take any business classes, but you own equity. When you own a team, you own equity, shares of stock. That's called ownership. Tell him if he wants to take classes at Indiana's business school, I'll even pay for his classes and we'll help him learn that stuff.\"\n\nCuban stressed that the Mavs and most NBA franchises go to great lengths to try to help players develop personally. Cuban cited the programs the Mavs and other teams have instituted to help teach young players life skills. He also mentioned the presence of psychologists on many teams' staffs, including the Mavs.\n\nCuban's point was that players are treated as people, not property.\n\n\"If you want to talk about slavery and everything that's important about it and some people who make comments and don't respect other individuals, great, let's have that conversation about people who don't respect others,\" Cuban said. \"But don't try to suggest that because we have a team and the nomenclature is 'owners' because we own shares of stock, own equity, that it's analogous to slavery. That's just as bad [as McNair's comment]. It's just as bad.\n\n\"Don't ask me. Ask anybody who's ever played for me. Ask anybody who's ever worked for me. I'm far from perfect, but that's certainly not a connotation that you're going to hear from anybody that I've ever been associated with. I've been brutally honest about racism and how we have to work hard to overcome it, but to suggest that an NBA team is some sort of ... I'm not even going to go there.\"\n\nSome of Green's Warriors teammates spoke about the topic Saturday, including National Basketball Players Association vice president Andre Iguodola.\n\n\"I understand both sides,\" Iguodala told ESPN's Chris Haynes. \"I think Mark Cuban has the right to defend himself because he has a majority stake in an NBA team. But he's done a great job of carrying that position with integrity, with respect, with equality to everyone who's involved with his organization. So, I understand because he's removed him himself so far from the other incident that owners have gotten themselves in trouble with references to American historical events. So, I understand that he has to defend himself, but at the same time, he's not able to understand what it's like to be an African-American and certain terms being thrown around and how we feel about them.\"" + }, + { + "title": "Cuban Minister rejects US sonic attack claims - CNN", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuban Minister rejects US sonic attack claims - CNN" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMidkFVX3lxTFA5UEw3UmtoVW8zSWZpQTZDbVZvYWk0MEwybEJ5bTRDcTVGTWVGNEtBY1RpVGVjS3lqei1qelR2c3JpdkRPM04xaUxqcm1jWU9zb2lnZm9FZXdQVDFXTXp4ZTJqa3F1YkhjbUdGU3paT0thRUlCZ2c?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.wbgo.org/2017-11-25/the-highlight-of-my-career-diplo-on-major-lazer-performing-in-cuba", + "id": "CBMidkFVX3lxTFA5UEw3UmtoVW8zSWZpQTZDbVZvYWk0MEwybEJ5bTRDcTVGTWVGNEtBY1RpVGVjS3lqei1qelR2c3JpdkRPM04xaUxqcm1jWU9zb2lnZm9FZXdQVDFXTXp4ZTJqa3F1YkhjbUdGU3paT0thRUlCZ2c", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Thu, 02 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 2, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 3, + 306, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuban Minister rejects US sonic attack claims  CNN", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuban Minister rejects US sonic attack claims  CNN" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.cnn.com", + "title": "CNN" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - WBGO Jazz", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba - WBGO Jazz" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMinwFBVV95cUxPQTdaUS1sMmRvQ3pHQktCbldoNm9EWjNzNFl1Yzdjenp4VFBiS2JFMWRYODQzaFNGNEdBUi15dWpJRUFQTmFCcWQzUW1hWHZEbS1PejctYWVIbjZQSnNGLTRzV1MyWHp0dXRuOXduTl9rVDBXaTJ3RTZNV2VibWFxZXIyQjgzTDhFQ1F1T1hPZFNycVlvYS1yczFLQmhFdVU?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/02/politics/cuba-minister-sonic-attacks", + "id": "CBMinwFBVV95cUxPQTdaUS1sMmRvQ3pHQktCbldoNm9EWjNzNFl1Yzdjenp4VFBiS2JFMWRYODQzaFNGNEdBUi15dWpJRUFQTmFCcWQzUW1hWHZEbS1PejctYWVIbjZQSnNGLTRzV1MyWHp0dXRuOXduTl9rVDBXaTJ3RTZNV2VibWFxZXIyQjgzTDhFQ1F1T1hPZFNycVlvYS1yczFLQmhFdVU", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Sat, 25 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 25, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 5, + 329, + 0 + ], + "summary": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba  WBGO Jazz", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "'The Highlight Of My Career': Diplo On Major Lazer Performing In Cuba  WBGO Jazz" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.wbgo.org", + "title": "WBGO Jazz" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Cuban Minister rejects US sonic attack claims | CNN Politics\nauthor: Nicole Gaouette\nurl: https://www.cnn.com/2017/11/02/politics/cuba-minister-sonic-attacks\nhostname: cnn.com\ndescription: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said today that the United States has provided no evidence for its claims that US diplomats in Havana have come under deliberate sonic attack.\nsitename: CNN\ndate: 2017-11-02\ncategories: ['politics']\ntags: ['caribbean, cuba, donald trump, embargoes and sanctions, embassies and consulates, government and public administration, government bodies and offices, international relations, international relations and national security, latin america, north america, political figures - us, state departments and diplomatic services, united nations, united states, us federal government, white house, havana', 'caribbean, cuba, donald trump, embargoes and sanctions, embassies and consulates, government and public administration, government bodies and offices, international relations, international relations and national security, latin america, north america, political figures - us, state departments and diplomatic services, united nations, united states, us federal government, white house, havana']\n---\nCuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla said today that the United States has provided no evidence for its claims that US diplomats in Havana have come under deliberate sonic attack, and raised the question of whether the Trump administration is using the diplomats\u2019 injuries to unwind recent progress in creating closer ties.\n\n\u201cThere is no evidence, there is no evidence whatsoever, of the occurrence of the alleged incidents or the cause or origin of these ailments reported by US diplomats,\u201d Rodriguez Parrilla said today in Washington. \u201cNeither is there any evidence suggesting that these health problems have been caused by an attack of any sort during their stay in Cuba.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese health problems are being used as a pretext of a political character \u2026 to harm bilateral relations,\u201d Rodriguez Parrilla said at a press conference at the National Press Club. \u201cThe US government should stop politicizing this issue.\u201d\n\nThe Cuban minister said that the United States hasn\u2019t provided his government with any proof to substantiate President Donald Trump\u2019s statement that Cuba is to blame for medical problems suffered by more than 22 US diplomats and family members, some of whom have reportedly suffered brain injuries.\n\n\u201cI do believe Cuba\u2019s responsible, I do believe that,\u201d Trump said on October 17 in the White House Rose Garden.\n\nRodriguez Parrilla also slammed Trump for his rhetoric about the island nation, citing the \u201crepeated disrespectful and offensive statements on Cuba by the US president.\u201d Trump\u2019s rhetoric is responsible for \u201cre-launching the hostile rhetoric of the periods of sharpest confrontation,\u201d he said.\n\nHe added that anyone who claims the diplomats\u2019 health problems are the result of an attack is \u201cdeliberately lying.\u201d\n\nRodriguez Parilla, who spoke in both Spanish and English, repeatedly pointed to a US failure to provide facts, saying that Cuban doctors and experts have been given no chance to meet with US counterparts to learn more about the US claims. Cuba, he said, had given FBI investigators access to sites and allowed them to import equipment.\n\n\u201cWhy were the incidents reported at such a late date,\u201d he asked, \u201cmost of them months and weeks after they had allegedly occurred?\u201d\n\nHe also argued that the accusations are highly implausible.\n\nReferring to the US diplomats, he said that the \u201cdiversity of their symptoms cannot be associated to a unique cause,\u201d and added that \u201cthere is no known technology able to selectively direct a sonic source against specific persons without affecting others.\u201d\n\nThe Cuban official also criticized the US vote Wednesday at the United Nations against lifting the embargo on Cuba, saying the move left the United States isolated.\n\nThe United States and Israel were the only two countries to vote against the resolution, which calls for an end to the US economic embargo on Cuba, and which passed the UN General Assembly 191-2. Havana has brought the resolution before the UN for the last 26 years.\n\n## \u2018A warped message\u2019\n\nWhile the UN vote carries some symbolic power, only the US Congress can lift the embargo, which banned most exports to Cuba in 1960 and most imports from the island in 1962.\n\nLast year, the Obama administration abstained from voting on the non-binding resolution for the first time in 25 years, breaking with a longstanding tradition of voting \u201cno\u201d as part of its efforts to foster better relations with Cuba. That campaign included re-opening the US embassy in Havana and a visit by then-President Barack Obama.\n\nThis year, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said the United States was voting \u201cno\u201d again.\n\n\u201cThe Cuban regime is sending the warped message to the world that the sad state of its economy, the oppression of its people, and the export of its destructive ideology is not its fault,\u201d Haley said at the General Assembly.\n\nBusinesses and lawmakers pushed back.\n\nThe vote and Haley\u2019s comments underscore the Trump administration\u2019s \u201cmisguided approach toward Cuba,\u201d said James Williams, president of the group Engage Cuba, a coalition of private businesses and organizations.\n\n\u201cIf the administration spoke to real Cubans, they would know that fears for the future are rooted in what a rollback of engagement means for their businesses, communities and families,\u201d Williams said. \u201cThe Trump administration seems determined to stand alone in the world, supporting an archaic policy that has failed for the last 55 years. And the biggest losers are the people of Cuba.\u201d\n\nA group of 10 senators led by Vermont Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy wrote President Donald Trump on Tuesday to urge him to abstain from voting on the resolution. \u201cIt has become abundantly clear that our effort to isolate Cuba has instead isolated us from the international community, and particularly from allies and partners in this hemisphere,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\n\nState Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tuesday that the US decision to vote against the resolution is meant to underscore the Trump administration\u2019s Cuba policy.\n\nBeyond Trump\u2019s hostile rhetoric about Cuba on the campaign trail, the mysterious sonic attacks on US diplomats have also cooled any signs of warming between the two nations.\n\nIn late September, the State Department pulled out all families of employees and nonessential personnel from Cuba, after what it described as a string of attacks against US diplomats.\n\nThen, on October 3, Washington expelled 15 Cuban diplomats to match staff reductions at the US Embassy in Havana, after the United States ordered non-essential diplomats and families to come home after the mysterious attacks on personnel there.\n\nThe move drew an angry rebuke from Rodr\u00edguez Parrilla at the time. \u201cCuba has never perpetrated, nor will it ever perpetrate attacks of any sort against diplomatic officials or their relatives,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez Parrilla said at a news conference in Havana.\n\nThe drawdown in staff has meant that the US embassy is operating with a 60% reduction in staff. The most immediate impact of the slowdown was that the United States stopped issuing visas in Cuba, a step that US officials said wasn\u2019t a retaliatory measure but simply a function of having fewer people on the job. Officials tell CNN that consular officials in the embassy will still be available to assist US citizens in Cuba.\n\nThe State Department also issued a travel warning, urging Americans not to travel to Cuba.\n\nThe warning, reductions and the decision to reverse course on the UN vote are just the latest setbacks in deteriorating US-Cuban relations.\n\nOn Tuesday, Nauert, the State Department spokeswoman, said the administration was acting on its desire to have Cuba offer its citizens greater freedoms. \u201cCuba has engaged in human rights abuses,\u201d she said. \u201cThis administration continues to call upon Cuba to improve in terms of human rights, and also open up to where they would have better media access, better access to the things that we enjoy here.\u201d" + }, + { + "title": "Uncensored: Cuban Artists Lead AQ\u2019s Top 5 Art Activists - Americas Quarterly", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Uncensored: Cuban Artists Lead AQ\u2019s Top 5 Art Activists - Americas Quarterly" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxNcWZMMEItUEdhSTZvZUhsMDNhMVV6SmZxaTdKR1VfX1JHVk5fMnVKdDdHLU1xTWhsaWJwaC1TYlpGN2Y4RElyaFBsQTkxSGVibng0R3NBRzduaFJDMUlQY0U5VmtycWZ5UVFkTnpXeG9nV3czVVVCbFozYWhkeFlydjEteGxWUDVRVk5MZmV2eGtydWdwNzhfNkxYNW45dURqQ3c?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://americasquarterly.org/fulltextarticle/uncensored-cuban-artists-lead-aqs-top-5-art-activists/", + "id": "CBMiogFBVV95cUxNcWZMMEItUEdhSTZvZUhsMDNhMVV6SmZxaTdKR1VfX1JHVk5fMnVKdDdHLU1xTWhsaWJwaC1TYlpGN2Y4RElyaFBsQTkxSGVibng0R3NBRzduaFJDMUlQY0U5VmtycWZ5UVFkTnpXeG9nV3czVVVCbFozYWhkeFlydjEteGxWUDVRVk5MZmV2eGtydWdwNzhfNkxYNW45dURqQ3c", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 07 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 7, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 311, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Uncensored: Cuban Artists Lead AQ\u2019s Top 5 Art Activists  Americas Quarterly", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Uncensored: Cuban Artists Lead AQ\u2019s Top 5 Art Activists  Americas Quarterly" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://americasquarterly.org", + "title": "Americas Quarterly" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "Under Trump's New Rules, American Travelers To Cuba Must Be Accompanied And Surveilled For Compliance - Cuba Journal", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Under Trump's New Rules, American Travelers To Cuba Must Be Accompanied And Surveilled For Compliance - Cuba Journal" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxObTV3QWUwRVVQcHc1UkRMWFBMLVhZYU1DY01tbUZuMUdFOXFMTExqWjFHSHpaZXhFU0ZmLWxUb1FGemNqTDJ0VmJveHpwTWVZcEk0dXllbXozQmhGTElweE54dWNwR29sUGt3QnBMQlE4WXJkUFRBXzFkdTFrQmE5STdJQnlpSm1XS0FqU2N4UTQyNHlnbHVBLWpHdTZmZUYxOUw5bDk0dDR0VFoxcmRyMHhENlJwT3p0OXBGT1BR0gHGAUFVX3lxTE5KMDJmbm5jMlo2Q2s1cHV3RXpLMEc0d3lvb2szUGdyTFNOLTg0R3QyTnhDNXVCbG1MQjVGX3Frb2g4V0RTX1hQX1RVby1ZU2E0c0oxejFiTV8xdkROeXdyd2prcXMyWGk3UVJDMmxRVFNIUDhaYnN4bkRTS3pRR3dqcUdlZTlabGhudWFNbGhUUjN1cnNMTjBlNzJZMFNaN2RoX2R6RV9MUnBMQWNOX3hWdlZSRTMyMWVDNWhxS1VmOXBiUl9OQQ?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://havanatimes.org/opinion/cubas-legislature-should-session-year-round/", + "id": "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", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 08 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 8, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 312, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Under Trump's New Rules, American Travelers To Cuba Must Be Accompanied And Surveilled For Compliance  Cuba Journal", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Under Trump's New Rules, American Travelers To Cuba Must Be Accompanied And Surveilled For Compliance  Cuba Journal" + }, + "source": { + "href": "http://cubajournal.co", + "title": "Cuba Journal" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Cuba\u2019s Legislature Should Session Year Round - Havana Times\nauthor: Circles Robinson\nurl: https://havanatimes.org/opinion/cubas-legislature-should-session-year-round/\nhostname: havanatimes.org\ndescription: There is a permanent \u201cstate of emergency\u201d style of leadership in Cuba that stands in the way of Cubans participation in the legislative process. Our Parliament only meets twice a year, a few days in July, another few days in December...\nsitename: Havana Times\ndate: 2017-11-21\ncategories: ['Opinion']\n---\n# Cuba\u2019s Legislature Should Session Year Round\n\n**By Marlene Azor Hernandez**\n\nHAVANA TIMES \u2014 There is a permanent \u201cstate of emergency\u201d style of leadership in Cuba that stands in the way of Cubans participation in the legislative process.\n\nOur Parliament only meets twice a year, a few days in July, another few days in December and even though the National Assembly has permanent Commissions, these do not report on their work the rest of the year leaving the Cuban people in the dark. We sometimes read about new decree laws issued by different institutions between one Parliament session and another, but these decree laws have not been consulted with the people or with their lawmaking representatives in Parliament.\n\nThere is a need to increase popular consensus so as to practice government not from the State Council, but from a community level. Many of these decrees are unilaterally approved by the people responsible for drafting them without taking into account the collateral damage of their new bans or new legislation.\n\nSuch collateral damage is being felt in the Cuban government\u2019s new measures that were adopted on August 1st this year. Suspending the issuing of licenses to cooperative members\u2019 as well as those for 27 self-employed activities was a bad decision with a negative impact on everyone who had been preparing to use their savings to invest in new family businesses. The more limiting regulations on building cooperatives has also had a negative impact on the pace of building in the country at a time when it is repairing the homes of those affected by Hurricane Irma.\n\nThe State doesn\u2019t have the resources it needs to invest and immediately leave behind this national housing crisis that has been building up for decades. On the other hand, it is imposing new restrictions on creating any kind of cooperative, especially building cooperatives and the number of members they can have and new limits in the freedom they have to work all over the country.\n\nThe so-called \u201cfine-tuning\u201d process of the private sector by the State doesn\u2019t mean that issuing licenses to the private sector needs to be stopped. The policy shouldn\u2019t be \u201cto freeze\u201d licenses but to organize and regulate a kind of work that allows job growth at a time when the State\u2019s labor force is being cut down, and it also allows people to earn wages that are in keeping with the price of the basic individual and family needs.\n\nThe announcement of new taxes on private sector wages is another mistaken policy in that the State is unable to pay wages that let the Cuban people satisfy their most basic needs and the private sector is absorbing the unemployment created by a continuous streamlining of the state sector, which the government has explicitly said is to increase productivity.\n\nMeasures of freezing licenses and clamping down on private sector rights are also leading to a greater shortage of goods and services and higher prices. Consumers are once again the most affected by this rise in bans and restrictions.\n\nEvery one of these measures has been passed without first being consulted with the Cuban people or their representatives in Parliament. It\u2019s normal in Cuba that Parliament unanimously approves all of the decree laws that the State Council makes between the National Assembly sessions. Now we will have to wait until December for the Assembly to approve a series of decree laws already having a negative impact on producers of goods and services and consumers. Then, in maybe four years\u2019 time the State will correct its policy which is only aggravating the country\u2019s economic situation in every way possible.\n\nThis happened with the prohibition on lease-holding farmers of building homes on the land under their management in 2008, for the ban to then to be revoked in 2011. I don\u2019t believe that the population can wait any longer to try and survive with dignity and legally within the country\u2019s current economic crisis.\n\nLooking at the photograph above of everybody with their hands up at Cuba\u2019s National Assembly, I wondered if the question had been: \u201cWho wants an ice-cream from La Copelia?\u201d Me too!\n\nNo lobbyists in Cuba, no businesses to engage them. How fortunate Vermont is in the members of the lergislature being able to openly discuss \u2013 and disagree with each other. No such freedoms in Cuba.\n\nA puppet parliament?! Your phrase congers up amusing visions. One of my favorite 1950\u2019s Sci.Fi. classics was \u201cAttack of the Puppet People!\u201d\n\nHere in the States, the House and Senate often submit bills which were written, word-for-word, by the lobbyists and the multi-national corporations they represent. Cuba\u2019s laws seem far less pernicious.Also, here in the People\u2019s Republic of Vermont our legislature meets for just a few weeks in the Winter, yet manages to discuss\u2013or at least deal with\u2013our issues.\n\nA puppet parliament meeting more? Without real debate you are not even a parliament start there then meet more! Be the voice of the people not just the party!" + }, + { + "title": "Cuba\u2019s Legislature Should Session Year Round - Havana Times", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba\u2019s Legislature Should Session Year Round - Havana Times" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiggFBVV95cUxNZzh2V3hacjk0N0JkWXZpS194eGtRckN5eHJLSUhwckVqUEV3Vm5CQjg5d0FGSE9zNE5XLTdPdElfN2pISG9oOE55QUdTUXFkZ0dXdHIzT29palNwbXdyUGtMdGVDLUItVWdRUDNrazRtcGkyWVVmRlpXV2xQSUV4YzNR?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "http://cubajournal.co/under-trumps-new-rules-american-travelers-to-cuba-must-be-accompanied-and-surveiled-for-compliance/", + "id": "CBMiggFBVV95cUxNZzh2V3hacjk0N0JkWXZpS194eGtRckN5eHJLSUhwckVqUEV3Vm5CQjg5d0FGSE9zNE5XLTdPdElfN2pISG9oOE55QUdTUXFkZ0dXdHIzT29palNwbXdyUGtMdGVDLUItVWdRUDNrazRtcGkyWVVmRlpXV2xQSUV4YzNR", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Tue, 21 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 21, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 1, + 325, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Cuba\u2019s Legislature Should Session Year Round  Havana Times", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Cuba\u2019s Legislature Should Session Year Round  Havana Times" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://havanatimes.org", + "title": "Havana Times" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 403, + "response": "Error: HTTP 403" + }, + { + "title": "News - Massachusetts National Guard MPs deploy to Cuba - DVIDS", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "News - Massachusetts National Guard MPs deploy to Cuba - DVIDS" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxPZ0Y1dWpUeTU2dWtEemJSeWZSYTI3Wk9vN1FlWlN2ZHZMRlJOSUlRam0yalAzQVBlSFpMbVFtSW5kei1sOU00d1hQRzhLNlNwTTZyYTFpUU5ZVHNHOFpGaVJsU3dQSnM3dm91MjlISmhMRU55V1RieEhTUXFnajl1c3psNTlzNnRp?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.dvidshub.net/news/256748/massachusetts-national-guard-mps-deploy-cuba", + "id": "CBMiiAFBVV95cUxPZ0Y1dWpUeTU2dWtEemJSeWZSYTI3Wk9vN1FlWlN2ZHZMRlJOSUlRam0yalAzQVBlSFpMbVFtSW5kei1sOU00d1hQRzhLNlNwTTZyYTFpUU5ZVHNHOFpGaVJsU3dQSnM3dm91MjlISmhMRU55V1RieEhTUXFnajl1c3psNTlzNnRp", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 29 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 29, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 333, + 0 + ], + "summary": "News - Massachusetts National Guard MPs deploy to Cuba  DVIDS", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "News - Massachusetts National Guard MPs deploy to Cuba  DVIDS" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.dvidshub.net", + "title": "DVIDS" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Massachusetts National Guard MPs deploy to Cuba\nurl: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/256748/massachusetts-national-guard-mps-deploy-cuba\nhostname: dvidshub.net\ndescription: TAUNTON, Mass. \u2013 Family and friends filled the Taunton high school gymnasium as they gathered around the formation of about 40 Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers to wish them farewell before their upcoming deployment.\nsitename: DVIDS\ndate: 2026-03-23\ntags: ['National Guard Bureau', 'military police', 'NGB']\n---\nTAUNTON, Mass. \u2013 Family and friends filled the Taunton high school gymnasium as they gathered around the formation of about 40 Massachusetts National Guard Soldiers to wish them farewell before their upcoming deployment.\n\n\nOn Nov. 26, 2017, the Massachusetts National Guard held a deployment ceremony for the platoon of Soldiers from the 772nd Military Police Company, in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The company is based out of Taunton, Mass., at an armory located across the street from the high school where their families wished them goodbye.\n\n\n\u201cThe Soldiers that have volunteered for this mission are really excited to have the opportunity to deploy,\u201d said Sgt. Juan Rodriguez, a squad leader with the company, explaining that every Soldier going on the mission had volunteered. \u201cSome of the training that we have completed for this deployment has been conducted by highly trained and qualified NCOs with past experience in the same area we are headed to.\u201d\n\n\nSoon the Soldiers will depart to begin their mission, which will last about nine months, where they will perform their duties as military police at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The mission of the United States Army Military Police Corps is to protect lives and property, and enforce military law on military installations.\n\n\n\u201cOperation Enduring Freedom is still going on and Guantanamo Bay is still where we keep some of the most dangerous people in the world. These Soldiers will help keep them off the streets,\u201d said Maj Gen Gary W. Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard.\n\n\nThe company also served as part of Operation Enduring Freedom when they deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 to conduct security operations. After the 9/11 attacks they were called to federal service to conduct security operations at Logan and Hyannis Airports. Their last deployment was to Iraq in 2008 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom for a host nation police training mission.\n\n\n\u201cI feel really good about the upcoming mission,\u201d said Rodriguez \u201cThe Soldiers and I feel trained and ready to complete the mission ahead of us.\u201d\n\n\nIn addition to their recent deployments the unit also has an extremely proud history dating back to 1638, part of the oldest military unit in both the National Guard and U.S. Army. It was originally designated as Infantry during the Revolutionary War when its members served at the battles of Lexington and Concord. Later it was designated as Costal Artillery in World War I when it served as the costal defense of Boston.\n\n\nIn World War II it was part of the 26th Infantry \u201cYankee\u201d Division, where its Soldiers fought in France, Belgium and Germany. Then, in 1967 it received its current designation as the 772nd Military Police Company.\n\n\nAs the ceremony drew to a close the final speaker was a young Lieutenant, the officer that will command the company during their deployment. His short remarks included a promise to the families of the Soldiers.\n\n\n\u201cI promise to take care of them as if they were my own,\u201d said 1st Lt. William Warnken.\n\n| Date Taken: |\n11.26.2017 |\n| Date Posted: |\n11.29.2017 11:40 |\n| Story ID: |\n256748 |\n| Location: |\nTAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS, US |\n\n\n| Web Views: |\n984 |\n| Downloads: |\n0 |\n\n\n####\nPUBLIC DOMAIN\n\nThis work, Massachusetts National Guard MPs deploy to Cuba, by MSG Whitney Hughes, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright." + }, + { + "title": "Rare look at Fidel Castro and life in Cuba over 45 years - CBS News", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Rare look at Fidel Castro and life in Cuba over 45 years - CBS News" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxPaWVNTUNlVzNWczUzbmg1R3NYTnNJUnkxTEthU2Uyb3VhTmtNbmZXbm9FM2E1OGgxaFBVSVJhSUtzRWVmQ2pZRzhLeDZUMEZYQnJLNDFxM3kzbVZjSXpiQzZQWHpOdmZBMzktdUhhSWNjWXBjSnFCRHZRcW1wOUhYanY1Q0JwVXlfV1V0WWIxRnU?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.cbsnews.com/video/rare-look-at-fidel-castro-and-life-in-cuba-over-45-years/", + "id": "CBMikAFBVV95cUxPaWVNTUNlVzNWczUzbmg1R3NYTnNJUnkxTEthU2Uyb3VhTmtNbmZXbm9FM2E1OGgxaFBVSVJhSUtzRWVmQ2pZRzhLeDZUMEZYQnJLNDFxM3kzbVZjSXpiQzZQWHpOdmZBMzktdUhhSWNjWXBjSnFCRHZRcW1wOUhYanY1Q0JwVXlfV1V0WWIxRnU", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 22 Nov 2017 08:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 22, + 8, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 326, + 0 + ], + "summary": "Rare look at Fidel Castro and life in Cuba over 45 years  CBS News", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "Rare look at Fidel Castro and life in Cuba over 45 years  CBS News" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.cbsnews.com", + "title": "CBS News" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: Rare look at Fidel Castro and life in Cuba over 45 years\nurl: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/rare-look-at-fidel-castro-and-life-in-cuba-over-45-years/\nhostname: cbsnews.com\ndescription: A new documentary gives us a rare look at Cuban leader Fidel Castro and life in Cuba under his communist regime. The Netflix film \"Cuba and the Cameraman\" was filmed over the course of 45 years. Writer and director Jon Aplert joins CBSN to talk about his film.\nsitename: CBS News\ndate: 2017-11-22\ncategories: ['CBSN']\ntags: ['Fidel Castro']\n---\n\n# Rare look at Fidel Castro and life in Cuba over 45 years\n\nA new documentary gives us a rare look at Cuban leader Fidel Castro and life in Cuba under his communist regime. The Netflix film \"Cuba and the Cameraman\" was filmed over the course of 45 years. Writer and director Jon Aplert joins CBSN to talk about his film." + }, + { + "title": "US votes against UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba - KTVU", + "title_detail": { + "type": "text/plain", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US votes against UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba - KTVU" + }, + "links": [ + { + "rel": "alternate", + "type": "text/html", + "href": "https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijwFBVV95cUxOLW5fWDkwcldqX1ZWODZPWGwwNEUwZk03S3A0VTNtU0lCVHhac2IwdnlwVXpTeHpqY2g0M2ExRmdMX1lOaXBNaDhzOXRxOTdIRWFQQml2eWxmUnQ4YVRMdjljRkEtWWRWNnFEOU5KYlJsZHZaS0d4WjliTzZlZnlTdnh6UjVocS1nMTZKQ0s0WdIBlAFBVV95cUxNQ0ZEcms0elYzZHVGeFNvT2FnSW44ekZRMmVQTzdWR2ZyOW05aGkxMlFiX05RZWU3eHRZWTVROE00bm14TTVyRXFVUERKMC1HemNSaTJSQ0RSYnZmN2NTWmUwRlZNRXRlOFI3clZpY3VlMWNYYkRBRU1oSHpRZjkzVWxHV3lJdUZzODN0TVpBVjk4aG9m?oc=5" + } + ], + "link": "https://www.ktvu.com/news/us-votes-against-un-resolution-condemning-us-embargo-on-cuba", + "id": "CBMijwFBVV95cUxOLW5fWDkwcldqX1ZWODZPWGwwNEUwZk03S3A0VTNtU0lCVHhac2IwdnlwVXpTeHpqY2g0M2ExRmdMX1lOaXBNaDhzOXRxOTdIRWFQQml2eWxmUnQ4YVRMdjljRkEtWWRWNnFEOU5KYlJsZHZaS0d4WjliTzZlZnlTdnh6UjVocS1nMTZKQ0s0WdIBlAFBVV95cUxNQ0ZEcms0elYzZHVGeFNvT2FnSW44ekZRMmVQTzdWR2ZyOW05aGkxMlFiX05RZWU3eHRZWTVROE00bm14TTVyRXFVUERKMC1HemNSaTJSQ0RSYnZmN2NTWmUwRlZNRXRlOFI3clZpY3VlMWNYYkRBRU1oSHpRZjkzVWxHV3lJdUZzODN0TVpBVjk4aG9m", + "guidislink": false, + "published": "Wed, 01 Nov 2017 07:00:00 GMT", + "published_parsed": [ + 2017, + 11, + 1, + 7, + 0, + 0, + 2, + 305, + 0 + ], + "summary": "US votes against UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba  KTVU", + "summary_detail": { + "type": "text/html", + "language": null, + "base": "", + "value": "US votes against UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba  KTVU" + }, + "source": { + "href": "https://www.ktvu.com", + "title": "KTVU" + }, + "sub_articles": [], + "status_code": 200, + "response": "---\ntitle: US votes against UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba\nauthor: KTVU FOX 2\nurl: https://www.ktvu.com/news/us-votes-against-un-resolution-condemning-us-embargo-on-cuba\nhostname: ktvu.com\ndescription: The United States has voted against a U.N. resolution condemning America's economic embargo against Cuba, reversing last year's abstention by the Obama administration and reflecting worsening U.S.-Cuban relations.\nsitename: KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco\ndate: 2017-11-01\ntags: ['News']\n---\n# US votes against UN resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba\n\n**UNITED NATIONS (AP)** - The United States has voted against a U.N. resolution condemning America's economic embargo against Cuba, reversing last year's abstention by the Obama administration and reflecting worsening U.S.-Cuban relations.\n\nThe resolution was overwhelmingly approved in the 193-member General Assembly Wednesday by a vote of 191-2, with Israel joining the U.S. in voting \"no.\"\n\nLast October, then-President Barack Obama decided to abstain for the first time in 25 years following the restoration of U.S. diplomatic relations with Cuba in July 2016. Relations were broken in 1961 after Fidel Castro took power and installed a communist government in Cuba.\n\nU.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said before the vote that the U.S. will vote against the embargo resolution \"as long as the Cuban people continue to be deprived of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.\"" + } + ] +} \ No newline at end of file