China`s President Hu Jintao on Wednesday was to wrap up a landmark visit to Cuba where he brought millions of dollars in aid and promises of closer trade ties.

The Chinese leader brought 4.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid for victims of three hurricanes that battered Cuba this year, which was handed over late Monday after Hu`s arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport.

China`s President Hu Jintao on Wednesday was to wrap up a landmark visit to Cuba where he brought millions of dollars in aid and promises of closer trade ties.

The Chinese leader brought 4.5 tonnes of humanitarian aid for victims of three hurricanes that battered Cuba this year, which was handed over late Monday after Hu`s arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport.

China and Costa Rica were to launch free trade talks here Monday in a historic visit by Chinese President Hu Jintao at the start of a Latin America tour including Cuba and Peru.

China has increased diplomacy and investment in the region in recent years, with an eye on natural resources and developing markets for manufactured goods and even arms.

HAVANA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Cubans voted Sunday in the first round of balloting that ultimately could indicate whether Fidel Castro will formally remain communist Cuba's leader, or perhaps opt for a permanent power handover.

Some 38,000 voting precincts opened at 1100 GMT and closed at 2200 GMT, with more than 8.3 million Cubans over the age of 16 eligible to vote for some 15,000 council seats in the Americas' only one-party communist state.

HAVANA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Cubans went to the polls Sunday in the first round of balloting that ultimately could decide whether Fidel Castro will formally return as the country's leader, or whether his brother Raul will officially succeed him.

Voting got underway here are at 7:00 am (1100 GMT), with more than 8.3 million Cubans over the age of 16 eligible to vote for some 15,000 council seats.

By early 2008, the process is to culminate in the selection of 31 members of the Council of State, which for more than five decades has been led by Fidel Castro.

HAVANA, Oct 20, 2007 (AFP) - Convalescing Cuban leader Fidel Castro slammed US elections Saturday as fraud-plagued contests for millionaires, as he urged countrymen to vote in the Americas' only one-party communist system Sunday.

'Our elections are the antithesis of those held in United States ... There, first you have to be very rich, or have an enormous amount of money behind you,' said Castro, 81, who 15 months ago handed over the reins of power to his brother Raul Castro after major intestinal surgery.

HAVANA, Oct 20, 2007 (AFP) - Convalescing Cuban leader Fidel Castro slammed US elections Saturday as fraud-plagued contests for millionaires, as he urged countrymen to vote in the Americas' only one-party communist system Sunday.

'Our elections are the antithesis of those held in United States ... There, first you have to be very rich, or have an enormous amount of money behind you,' said Castro, 81, who 15 months ago handed over the reins of power to his brother Raul Castro after major intestinal surgery.

WASHINGTON, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush is to unveil 'new initiatives' to help Cubans and push for democracy in the communist-run nation, the White House said Friday.

Bush is scheduled to speak on Cuba policy at the State Department on Wednesday where he will announce 'new initiatives to help the people of Cuba,' White House spokesman Tony Fratto said Friday.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Malaysia said Thursday it plans to develop a 'halal' meningitis vaccine jointly with Cuba within the next two years.

The 3.6 million ringgit (one million dollar) vaccine is aimed at the thousands of Muslims who are infected with the disease during the annual Haj pilgrimage to Mecca, state news agency Bernama reported.

At present, most meningitis vaccines are produced from pig products, which are considered haram, or forbidden, by Muslims, it said.

HAVANA, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba and Venezuela on Monday agreed to joint projects in oil, metals, tourism and laid the ground for future cooperation in petrochemicals, construction and fishing, officials said.

The accords were signed at a ceremony attended by interim Cuban leader Raul Castro and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, one day after Cuban President Fidel Castro chatted by phone with Chavez on a live television broadcast.

WASHINGTON, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - The United States on Monday challenged ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro to hold dialogue with his people, following his much publicized live media appearance with his Venezuelan ally Hugo Chavez.

Cubans heard Fidel Castro on Sunday joking and chattering on a television show hosted by Chavez, his first live broadcast in Cuba since he was sidelined after major intestinal surgery 15 months ago.

But the United States, communist Cuba's arch rival, said Castro should have the same dialogue with his people.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - For the first time in months Cubans were able to hear, if not see, their ailing President Fidel Castro live, as he chatted by phone on his Venezuelan counterpart's weekly television show Sunday.

For an hour and 22 minutes, Castro chatted amiably with Hugo Chavez on a variety of topics -- including the state of his health and the challenges of life in the shadow of the United States.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - For the first time in months Sunday, Cubans were able to hear, if not see, a live broadcast of ailing President Fidel Castro, who chatted by phone on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's weekly television show.

For an hour and 22 minutes, Castro chatted amiably with Chavez on a variety of topics -- including the state of his health and the challenges of life in the shadow of the United States -- in the first live media appearance broadcast in Cuba since his health crisis nearly 15 months ago.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro telephoned into a television show with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday, in his first live media appearance in Cuba since his health crisis nearly 15 months ago.

The show, which aired in Cuba and Venezuela, marked the first time Cubans had heard Castro's voice live since he fell ill and temporarily ceded power to his brother in July 2006.

'Everyone is electrified to hear you,' Chavez told the convalescing Cuban leader.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro telephoned into a television show with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday, in his first live media appearance in Cuba since his health crisis nearly 15 months ago.

The show, which aired in Cuba and Venezuela, marked the first time Cubans had heard Castro's voice live since he fell ill and temporarily ceded power to his brother in July 2006.

'Everyone is electrified to hear you,' Chavez told the convalecscing Cuban leader.

HAVANA, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro spoke by telephone on live television with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Sunday.

Castro, who last year temporarily ceded power to his brother, last took part in Chavez's program by telephone in February. The state of his health has been subject to intense speculation, including recent rumors he was dead.

HAVANA, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba's ailing President Fidel Castro appeared in a recorded video broadcast Sunday during a weekly television program hosted by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Castro, dressed in a red, blue and white sports suit, was shown in the 17 minute video taped during a four-hour meeting with Chavez on Saturday.

The Venezuelan leader is airing his show from Cuba to mark the 40th anniversary of the capture and execution of revolutionary icon Ernesto 'Che' Guevara.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced Sunday that a new 15 minute video of ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro was upcoming and suggested they may speak live on the telephone.

Chavez said, at the start of his weekly television program being filmed here in honor of the 40th anniversary of the capture and execution of revolutionary icon Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, there might be a big 'surprise' on the telephone.

Chavez also said he would show a tape of his meeting Saturday with Castro 'in a few minutes.'

HAVANA, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba's ailing revolutionary leader Fidel Castro appeared in new photographs Sunday beside his ally Hugo Chavez, ahead of a broadcast Sunday by the Venezuelan president from Cuban soil.

Castro appeared in a red, blue and white sports coat in two images published in the official communist newspaper Juventud Rebelde. He has not appeared publicly in person since coming down with an unnamed illness last year.

HAVANA, Oct 14, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba's ailing revolutionary leader Fidel Castro met with his Venezuelan ally Hugo Chavez amid speculation that he may break a long absence from public appearances by taking part in a broadcast on Sunday.

The 81-year-old leader held a mammoth four-hour meeting with his firebrand Venezuelan counterpart on Saturday, said an official report read out on state television, although no pictures from the meeting were broadcast.

HAVANA, Oct 13, 2007 (AFP) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, met for four hours Saturday to discuss Latin America, world problems and bilateral relations, Cuban state television reported.

The official report, read on the evening news, said the two leaders focused 'on the history of our two peoples, the solid and growing relations between Cuba and Venezuela, the situation in Latin America and the serious problems faced by humanity.'

HAVANA, Oct 13, 2007 (AFP) - Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, met for four hours here Saturday to discuss Latin America, world problems and bilateral relations, Cuban state television reported.

The official report, read during the evening newscast, said the two leaders focused 'on the history of our two peoples, the solid and growing relations between Cuba and Venezuela, the situation in Latin America and the serious problems faced by humanity.'

HAVANA, Oct 13, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba has estalished diplomatic relations with the Pacific island of Samoa, which became the 186th nation to have ties with the communist-ruled country, an official statement said Saturday.

The diplomatic ties were formally established during a ceremony at UN headquarters in New York, according to the statement published in the official daily Granma.

HAVANA, Oct 12, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba has handed over to the United States a fugitive from justice accused of bank fraud and identity theft, a US diplomat said Friday.

But the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gesture was not enough, and Washington wanted from Havana cooperation on dozens more cases.

'While we have received a measure of cooperation from the Cuban government in certain specific cases, we would like to see that same degree of cooperation extended to the dozens of other such cases still pending,' the official said.

WASHINGTON, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush called on Cuba Wednesday to release all political prisoners after meeting the family of jailed dissident reporter Jose Luis Garcia Paneque at the White House.

'He did nothing more than advocate for freedom, and he is now in prison and not only is he in prison ... he is ill,' Bush said during a ceremony marking Latin American heritage.

WASHINGTON, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - President George W. Bush Wednesday called for the release of Jose Luis Garcia Paneque and all other political prisoners held in Cuba, after meeting the dissident reporter's family at the White House.

'He did nothing more than advocate for freedom, and he is now in prison and not only is he in prison ... he is ill,' Bush said during a ceremony marking Latin American heritage.

BUDAPEST, Oct 10, 2007 (AFP) - Twenty-eight Cuban refugees who had been detained by the US after failing to flee their country, arrived early Wednesday in Budapest where they were to be granted political asylum, an AFP photographer witnessed.

The 28 were part of a group of 44 Cubans captured at sea over the past few years while trying to reach the United States and detained at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay.

The Hungarian government announced in late August that it would grant them political asylum 'mainly for humanitarian reasons.'

LA HIGUERA, Bolivia, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP) - Followers of communist icon Che Guevara held Tuesday a doleful tribute to the Argentine-born revolutionary hero in the Bolivian village where he was executed 40 years ago.

In contrast to triumphant tributes of the past several days across Latin America in Che's memory, scores of pilgrims paid their respects in a muted, even mournful remembrance of his capture and execution at age 39 in La Higuera.

MADRID, Oct 9, 2007 (AFP) - An exhibition of photos depicting the life of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara opened in Spain on Tuesday on the 40th year anniversary of the death of the Argentine-born revolutionary leader.

The exhibit at Madrid's Circulo de Bellas Artes features 70 photos and will run until November 4.

They include photos of Che as a baby, show his childhood in Argentina as well as his experiences in Cuba and Congo. They were taken from a book by journalist Julia Constenla, who was friends with Guevera's mother.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - Leftist leaders and sympathizers marked the 40th anniversary of the death of revolutionary icon Ernesto 'Che' Guevara Monday in Cuba, where he is buried, and Bolivia, where he was killed in 1967.

Acting president Raul Castro led the main event in Cuba under a giant bronze statue of the guerrilla fighter in the town of Santa Clara, some 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Havana.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - Leftist leaders and sympathizers marked the 40th anniversary of the death of revolutionary icon Ernesto 'Che' Guevara Monday in Cuba, where he is buried, and Bolivia, where he was killed in 1967.

Acting president Raul Castro led the main event in Cuba here under a giant bronze statue of the guerrilla fighter in the town of Santa Clara, some 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Havana.

SANTA CLARA, Cuba, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba on Monday marked the 40th anniversary of the death of revolutionary icon Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, this Marxist country's most revered figure after its ailing leader Fidel Castro.

The town of Santa Clara some 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Havana became the official venue for Cuba's homage to Guevara, in a ceremony led by Fidel's brother, acting president Raul Castro.

LA HIGUERA, Bolivia, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - Hundreds trekked to this Bolivian hamlet Monday where Ernesto 'Che' Guevera was captured and killed 40 years ago to pay homage to his memory, even if many today eschew his violent methods.

'We are all the sons of Che. He is more alive than ever. He's an example for Cuba and for the rest of the world,' said Cuban doctor, 62-year-old Anibal Bedento Triana.

HAVANA, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - For decades a global symbol of rebellion, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara is to be honored Monday with ceremonies in Cuba, where his myth was forged, and Bolivia, where he was executed 40 years ago spreading the gospel of Marxist revolution.

The main ceremony in Cuba will begin at 8:00 am (1200 GMT) in Santa Clara, a town 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Havana, where the Argentine-born doctor-turned-guerrilla leader fought a battle during the Cuban revolution in 1958 and where his remains are buried.

HAVANA, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - Cuba's veteran communist leader Fidel Castro paid respect to his old comrade-in-arms, fellow revolutionary Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, in an article Monday marking the 40th anniversary of his death.

'I take a pause in the daily fight to bow my head with respect and thanks before the exceptional fighter who fell on October 8, 40 years ago,' Castro wrote in an editorial in the Communist party's official newspaper Granma.

HAVANA, Oct 8, 2007 (AFP) - For decades a global symbol of rebellion, Ernesto 'Che' Guevara is to be honored Monday with ceremonies in Cuba, where his myth was forged, and Bolivia, where he was executed 40 years ago spreading the gospel of Marxist revolution.

The main ceremony in Cuba will begin at 8:00 am (1200 GMT) in Santa Clara, a town 300 kilometers (186 miles) east of Havana, where the Argentine-born doctor-turned-guerrilla leader fought a battle during the Cuban revolution in 1958 and his remains are buried.

VALLEGRANDE, Bolivia, Oct 7, 2007 (AFP) - Latin American dictators of the 1960s coordinated efforts in their attempt to track down Cuban-Argentine Marxist guerrilla Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, killed by Bolivian forces in 1967, according to previously secret documents a researcher showed AFP.

The cooperation pre-dates Operation Condor, the secret plan hatched by South American dictators in the 1970s to eliminate their political opponents in the region.

VALLEGRANDE, Bolivia, Oct 7, 2007 (AFP) - In the land of Ernesto 'Che' Guevara's last stand, Bolivians are preparing to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the revolutionary's death with a mixture of honor and hatred.

For many here, the Argentine-born doctor-turned-guerrilla leader who was executed at age 39 remains an iconic hero, a socialist ideologue who was snatched from life too soon and is even revered as a saint by some.