Cuba

Black and white photo of a Cuban tres instrument

The first Cuban tres players at Berklee

The national instrument of Cuba, the tres is gaining some attention in the US. For the very first time, Berklee College of Music in Boston admitted two students of Cuban tres this year.

The first Cuban tres players at Berklee
The group Obiní Batá has taught dozens on women how to play Afro-Cuban drums since it started in the early 1990s.

How a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a drum — and a tradition

How a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a drum — and a tradition
Singer Gloria Estefan performs at the Statue of Liberty Museum opening celebration at Battery Park, in New York, May 15, 2019.

Gloria Estefan is set to be the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

Gloria Estefan is set to be the first Hispanic woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
highway

A Cuban filmmaker returns home to see his family during the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades

A Cuban filmmaker returns home to see his family during the island nation’s worst economic crisis in decades
man and woman by border

What's behind the exodus of Cubans?

What's behind the exodus of Cubans?
The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022.

Ana Montes memorized classified US documents to leak to Cuban officials, author says

Ana Montes, who worked for the US defense department, was simultaneously spying for Cuban authorities. She's now been released after her 25-year prison sentence. Jim Popkin, who's written about her, shares her story with The World's host Marco Werman.

Ana Montes memorized classified US documents to leak to Cuban officials, author says
Namibia Flores was the only female boxer in Cuba for years. She has been training for almost two decades, with the dream of representing Cuba at the Olympics. 

Cuba to allow women boxers to compete after decades of restrictions

Since the time of former President Fidel Castro’s revolution, women have been banned from competitive boxing. Starting this month, though, women are now allowed to work and compete as professional boxers, ushering in a new era for the sport.

Cuba to allow women boxers to compete after decades of restrictions
Otero Alcántara during his performance “La Bandera Es De Todos," a piece where he wore the Cuban flag for thirty days.

Cuban dissident artists behind hit protest song 'Patria y Vida' sentenced to prison

Rapper Maykel Castillo “El Osorbo” and visual artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara were sentenced to prison by a Cuban court last week for his involvement with an opposition movement on the island.

Cuban dissident artists behind hit protest song 'Patria y Vida' sentenced to prison
Boxers train at the Rafael Trejo boxing gym in Old Havana, Cuba

'The best is yet to come': Cuban boxers make a professional comeback after 60-year ban is lifted

The Cuban government recently lifted a decadesold ban on professional boxing imposed by then-President Fidel Castro in 1962. This year, the Cuban boxing team “Los Domadores” made a triumphant professional debut on May 20 in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

'The best is yet to come': Cuban boxers make a professional comeback after 60-year ban is lifted
man on beach

Ukrainian, Russian tourists stranded abroad

Thousands of tourists from Ukraine and Russia are stuck in popular destinations around the world as many countries suspended air traffic with Russia or banned Russian aircrafts from flying over its territory.  

Ukrainian, Russian tourists stranded abroad
Commuters drive amidst morning haze and toxic smog as schools and some coal-based power plants close down in New Delhi, India

Heavy smog shuts down schools in India’s capital

Schools and colleges in India's capital are shut down indefinitely due to heavy smog. Also, thousands of homes are evacuated after severe storms in western Canada. And, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visits Kenya for talks on regional issues.

Heavy smog shuts down schools in India’s capital
Soldiers patrol along the Malecón seawall in Havana, Cuba

Cuban govt supporters resorted to tactics they haven't used in decades to suppress political dissidents, professor says

Lillian Guerra, a professor of Cuban history and the director of the Cuba Program at the University of Florida, described the culture of repudiation in the country to The World's host Marco Werman.

Cuban govt supporters resorted to tactics they haven't used in decades to suppress political dissidents, professor says
Anti-government protesters march in Havana, Cuba to protest against ongoing food shortages and high prices of foodstuffs

'Obliged to exile': Cuban activist Tania Bruguera on the plight of artist Hamlet Lavastida

After spending time in a maximum security prison in Havana, artist and activist Hamlet Lavastida has been exiled to Poland by Cuba's government. Tania Bruguera, a senior lecturer in media and performance at Harvard University, joined The World's host Marco Werman to discuss the plight of Cuban artists.

'Obliged to exile': Cuban activist Tania Bruguera on the plight of artist Hamlet Lavastida
A woman holds a malnourished boy at the Aslam Health Center, in Hajjah, Yemen

World Food Program chief warns against famine in Yemen

UN food agency head warns against a famine in Yemen that would affect 16 million people. Also, new discriminatory COVID-19 travel rules by the UK anger India and some African nations. And the European Union wants smartphone makers to adopt a single charging method for mobile and other electronic devices.

World Food Program chief warns against famine in Yemen
A black and white photo of Buena Vista Social Club members Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, Comapy Segundo and Puntillita Licea.

25 years later, the Buena Vista Social Club still connects the world through old-school mambo

Recorded in Havana, Cuba, 25 years ago, the Buena Vista Social Club drew together many older musicians and gave their careers a second life. The album quickly became an international sensation.

25 years later, the Buena Vista Social Club still connects the world through old-school mambo