PORT-OF-SPAIN: President Barack Obama says the United States is seeking a ``new beginning with Cuba.'' The president made the remark in Trinidad on the first day of a summit of Western Hemisphere democracies. He said the United States is ready to engage with the Cuban government but cautioned the country would not simply talk for the sake of talking. Obama noted ``decades of mistrust'' and said he wants to talk with Cuban leaders about human rights, democratic reform and economic issues. The United States has announced eased restrictions on travel and finances to the Cuba, and Cuba has signaled willingness to talk with the new administration.
Sunday, February 28, 2010 HAVANA: Hundreds of wealthy merchants and cigar aficionados from all parts of the world gathered in Havana this week to bid high stakes for humidors full of premium cigars. Cuba's annual Habanos festival ended on Friday night with an auction of ornate humidors of cedar and mahogany stacked with hand-rolled stogies that raised 800,000 euros ($1.09 million dollars). Habanos S.A. executives this month said cigar sales fell 8 percent to $360 million in 2009, so they have created the Julieta, a smaller, milder version of the Romeo y Julieta cigar, aimed specifically at female smokers. Women now make up only 5 to 10 percent of customers for Habanos. But even with the creation of the Julieta, Garcia said Habanos has only modest hopes for 2010 sales, due largely to a weak economy in Spain, the biggest market for Cuban cigars. The flavor of premium tobacco relies on the soil and climate in which it is grown. The western province of Pinar Del Rio, famous fo...
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