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Cuba / Religion

Pope Francis in Cuba: Minute by minute… Follow the Pope’s visit in Cuba live:

Pope Francis in Cuba: Minute by minute…
Follow the Pope’s visit in Cuba live:

Author: Granma | internet@granma.cu
september 19, 2015 09:09:44
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Pope Francis aboard the plane that will take him to Cuba.

08:13.-This is the first time that the Pope will visit Cuba, with the exception of a brief lay-over of one hour on the island, while on route to Argentina, Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, has stated

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The Bishop of Rome will arrive in the Cuban capital at 4.00 p.m. this Saturday.

08:12.-This tour, which will see the Pope Francis visit the United States as well as Cuba, is his tenth since his inauguration as head of the Catholic Church, on March 13, 2013

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The Pope leaving Rome

08:10.-Pope Francis is travelling with an entourage that includes Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, and Vatican “Foreign Minister” Monsignor John Gallagher

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f0008717Pope Francis’ plane before leaving Rome this morning.

08:03.-At 10:15 local time (4:15 a.m. in Cuba), Alitalia flight AZ4000, in which Pope Francis is travelling to Havana, took off at the Fiumicino International Airport in Rome, thus beginning his visit to Cuba and the United States

Uncategorized

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confirms President Raúl Castro’s attendance at UN General Assembly

Raúl’s attendance at UN General Assembly confirmed
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez confirms President Raúl Castro’s plans to travel to United Nations headquarters in New York, during a press conference in Havana, while also addressing other issues

Author: Laura Bécquer Paseiro | laura@granma.cu
september 16, 2015 15:09:07

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Photo: Yaimí Ravelo
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez announced today in a press conference that Cuban President Raúl Castro will participate in the United Nations General Assembly sessions and high level discussion, on September 25 and 28, respectively.
During his stay in New York, the Army General and President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers will additionally attend a conference on the empowerment of women, and hold meetings with sectors of U.S. society and representatives of the solidarity with Cuba movement, Rodríguez said.
He also reported that the General Assembly sessions this year will be focused on the post-2015 development agenda, and are taking place within the context of the United Nations’ 70th anniversary.
On another issue, Rodríguez described Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba as an “extraordinary event,” emphasizing, “Cuba will welcome Francis with respect and solidarity.”
He highlighted the role played by the Pontiff in the process of reestablishing diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States.
During the press conference, which took place at the Foreign Ministry, Rodríguez referred to the report Cuba has prepared on the need to end the blockade, to be submitted to the international community, at the UN General Assembly, October 27.
Rodríguez, said that the report this year includes two new paragraphs hailing the reestablishment of bilateral relations with the United States, and acknowledging President Barack Obama’s willingness to work for the elimination of the blockade.
Nevertheless, he noted, the hostile policy remains in place, a violation of the civil rights of both Cubans and U.S. citizens.
Rodríguez denounced the current campaign against Venezuela, a part of a crusade against progressive and left governments which have made progress in asserting their sovereignty, emphasizing that Cuba categorically rejects interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela.

Solidarity

Voices of solidarity from Canada to Join Days of Action Against the Blockade in Washington D.C.

Get on the Bus: Don’t Miss the Days of Action Against the Blockade

Be a part of this growing solidarity movement and travel with us to DC to participate in an all day conference The U.S. Blockade Against Cuba: Why It’s Wrong and What We Need To Do To End It on September 18th.

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The Caravan Bus will depart New York City on Thursday September 17th and return September 19th.

$20 contribution to cover cost of transportation

For more information on how to reserve a seat contact IFCO/Pastors for Peace at: daysofaction@ifconews.org

Voices of solidarity from Canada to Join Days of Action Against the Blockade in Washington D.C.

To coincide with the Actions in Washington D.C. Friends of Cuba Against the U.S. Blockade together with the Canadian-Cuban Friendship Association will hold a march and rally on Saturday September 19, outside the US Consulate in Toronto to call for an end to the blockade.

Cuban Sports, Cuban Women

Driulis González enters the Judo Hall of Fame The Cuban judoka is the first Latin American woman to feature in the discipline’s Hall of Fame

Driulis González enters the Judo Hall of Fame
The Cuban judoka is the first Latin American woman to feature in the discipline’s Hall of Fame
Author: Aliet Arzola Lima | aliet@granma.cu
august 24, 2015 10:08:54

Driulis also participated in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

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Photo: Ricardo López Hevia Photo: Ricardo López Hevia.

When one hears about the Judo Hall of Fame, they discover, among other things that only 30 great figures in the history of the sport have achieved such a distinction. This detail demonstrates how difficult it is to be included in the select group, to which Cuba’s Driulis González was inducted last Saturday, August 22.
Four-times Olympic medalist (1992-bronze, 1996-gold, 2000-silver and 2004-bonze) and three-times world champion (1995, 1999 and 2007), the athlete from Guantanamo has been part of the national squad for 20 years, becoming an example for her teammates and a paradigm of judo worldwide.
Driulis has done it all; she commands respect in every competitive scenario while her efforts have now seen her inducted – as the only Latin American woman to date – into the Judo Hall of Fame; the second Cuban after Héctor Rodríguez received the recognition two years ago.
According to the athlete, her selection – based on yeas of hard work, results and dedication – represents one of the happiest moments of her career, stating, “But I won’t let the fame go to my head, I’ll continue to be the same Driulis as always, only a little more touched,” to journalist Joel García after the induction ceremony held in theAlauIce Palace, Astana, Kazakhstan, where the 2015World Judo Championships will be taking place, kicking off thisMon day, August24.