Beyonce, Jay-Z visit OKed by US govt

A visit by American pop star Beyonce and rapper husband Jay-Z to Havana last week was a cultural trip that was fully licensed by the US Treasury Department, a source familiar with the itinerary said on Monday. The longstanding US trade embargo against Cuba prevents most Americans from travelling to the communist-led island without a license granted by the US government

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Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban is probably the most bombastic man in the NBA — racking up massive fines for shouting at referees from his perch as owner of the Dallas Mavericks — so it’s a pretty safe bet he’ll face his latest adversaries with gusto. Only this time, it’s the Securities and Exchange Commission he’ll be fending off

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Cuban revolutionary commander dies of heart attack

Juan Almeida, a Cuban revolutionary who fought alongside former Communist leader Fidel Castro, died of a heart attack Friday evening, according to state media. Almeida, 82, was among only a handful of surviving Cuban leaders who still bore the title “Commander of the Revolution.” A vice president and member of the Communist government Central Committee, Almeida was among only a few black leaders in top government posts

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Castro calls for tight finances in Cuba

Sunday was a day of commemoration in Cuba — the 56th anniversary of the start of the Cuban Revolution — but the message from President Raul Castro was not all celebratory. The island nation will face a second round of belt-tightening as a result of the global financial crunch, Castro said in a speech marking Revolution Day. He said that on Tuesday he would hold a meeting of the Council of Ministries “dedicated to the analysis of the second cost adjustment in this year’s plan, due to the effects of the global economic crisis, especially on the reduction of revenues from exports and the additional restrictions on accessing external financing.” The global economic downturn has hit Cuba hard.

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