Cuba rejects EU criticism on human rights

HAVANA, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- The Cuban Foreign Ministry Tuesday rejected criticism by the European Union of the island country's human rights record as "misguided" and said such comments only served to "interfere" in Cuban sovereignty, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

NFL Rumors: Idea to Move Pro Bowl Out of Hawaii Robs Aura of Special Game

The NFL doesn’t know what to do with their annual Pro Bowl event, but there is one thing that has to happen: keep it in Hawaii. The Associated Press is reporting that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is interested in altering the way the current Pro Bowl is set up, possibly drastically. From the sounds of his comments, there is a strong chance they do something soon: We are going to either have to ...

Long Island Girls' Basketball: Milonakis Scores 11 in Island Trees' 52-29 Victory Over Clarke

"It's not the size of the dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dawg." It's the phrase on the back of Island Trees' warmup tops, and there isn't a more accurate way to describe the Lady Dawgs' effort in their 52-29 road victory Feb.

Argentinian leader denounces 'militarization' of the South Atlantic

Amid escalating tensions over the Falkland Islands, Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner accused Great Britain of militarizing the South Atlantic and said Tuesday her country would file a protest at the United Nations.

In rotation: Bahamas' 'Bar Chords'

Bahamas' "Bar Chords" is a standout arrival on the pop music scene. Bahamas is the pen name chosen by Canadian singer-songwriter Afie Jurvanen.

Kailua-Kona Residents Evacuate Due To Brush Fire

Residents in Kailua-Kona are being evacuated because of a fast-moving brush fire Tuesday, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense officials.

Caribbean Series looks ahead to Mexico in '13

Runaway dog's 10-day island ordeal

A dog marooned on an island off Nelson is back home 10 days after she ran away, thanks to a marathon rescue effort by strangers determined to help the lost pup.

Caribbean cruise cut short by illness

Passengers on the Crown Princess are coming home early from a Caribbean cruise, thanks to a second nasty outbreak of gastrointestinal illness.

Centers aim to build community at CSU Channel Islands

CSU Channel Islands is opening two centers — one for grad students and the other for students majoring in science, math, engineering and technology.

White House Signals Willingness to Compromise On Contraception Controversy

White House officials tell ABC News that they are open to exploring a possible compromise – if one exists – that would ensure that women have health insurance that fully covers contraception while also allaying concerns of religious organizations that oppose birth control. “This is...

Argentina to go to UN on islands

Argentina will make a formal complaint to the UN about British "militarisation" around the disputed Falkland Islands, says President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Wine & Dine This Valentine's Day at Long Island Winery Hotels

BELLPORT, NY-- - To make your Valentine's Day not only sweet, but "suite," book a night at the SpringHill Suites Long Island Brookhaven, among Patchogue, NY hotels .Just in the time for the holiday, ...

Hawaii's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected in 17th Annual National Awards Program

Candonino Agusen, 16, of Kailua-Kona and Jackson Button, 13, of Waialua today were named Hawaii's top two youth volunteers for 2012 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Cuba Trade Embargo Turns 50

Tuesday marked the 50th anniversary of the United States' ban on trade with Cuba, a policy that has endured through 10 presidential administrations and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Five Questions with Afie Jurvanen of Bahamas

While a lot of folk music can make you think of beards, moonshine and Grammys, Afie Jurvanen – aka Bahamas – evokes boats, sunshine and Junos. His 2009 album Pink Strat introduced the world to his singular brand of sedate acoustic melodies, which he's following up with Barchords , dropping today.

iPod lost in N.Y. turns up in Puerto Rico

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A teenager who lost his iPod in upstate New York said he was shocked and delighted when it was returned by a postal worker who found it in Puerto Rico.

Island Fox Survives Against All Odds

Wayne the fox was about 4 months old - and showing signs of starvation, when he was rescued by island biologists.

Allen Iverson headed to Puerto Rico?

After no NBA team made an offer that interested him, 11-time All-Star Allen Iverson headed to Turkey last season to play basketball, though that didn't turn out so well. Now it's looking like he could be taking his sneakers to Puerto Rico. Sources tell Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski that "Iverson and Puerto Rico's professional basketball league are engaged in exploratory talks about a ...

Virtuoso® Survey Inspires Travelers to Explore Their Travel Dreams

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtuoso®, the global luxury travel agency network renowned for creating exceptional vacation experiences, has launched its sixth annual VIRTUOSO LIFE® Travel Dreams ...

Cuba Embargo Turns 50

HAVANA — When it started, American teenagers were doing "The Twist." The United States had yet to put a man into orbit around the Earth. And a first-class U.S. postage stamp cost 4 cents.

Cuba trade -- close but no cigar

HAVANA -- When it started, American teenagers were doing "The Twist." The United States had yet to put a man into orbit around the Earth. And a first-class U.S. postage stamp cost 4 cents. The world is much changed since the early days of 1962, but...

Cuba's economic embargo turns 50

The U.S. economic embargo on communist-run Cuba, a near-total trade ban turns 50 on Tuesday.

Cuba embargo has its detractors, supporters

Washington's 50-year-old economic embargo of Cuba, which the island's leaders refer to as a "blockade," has its supporters and detractors. Here's what some people have said about it:

No cigar: Economic embargo on Cuba turns 50

When it started, American teenagers were doing "The Twist." The United States had yet to put a man into orbit around the Earth. And a first-class U.S. postage stamp cost 4 cents.The world is ...

Wheeling Island Casino Selects AIM for Critical Casino CRM

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack announced the installation of the Advanced Intelligence Marketing (AIM ™ ) system, which will serve as a database management ...

Wheeling Island Casino Selects AIM for Critical Casino CRM

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack announced the installation of the Advanced Intelligence Marketing (AIM ™ ) system, which will serve as a database management ...

Puerto Rican league seeking a deal with Iverson

Puerto Rico’s professional basketball league have engaged in a few conversations with Allen Iverson discussing a possible contract, according to Yahoo Sports . They believe that he will be a ticket seller and possible iconic figure within the league.

Odds and Ends: Temple construction news, family history events and Scouting honors

Recent news stories from New York to the Virgin Islands highlight family history work, temple construction and Scouting honors.

EXCLUSIVE: UH threatens porn web site with legal action for using its name

The University of Hawaii is demanding the operator of a pornographic web site stop using the school's name or face legal action.

Beach Hotels in St. Petersburg 'Rock 'n' Roll' With Marathon Fun

TREASURE ISLAND, FL-- - Rock 'n' Roll runners, fans and support staff can navigate some comfortable accommodations for the inaugural St. Pete Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon as beach hotels in St. Petersburg ...

Beach Hotels in St. Petersburg 'Rock 'n' Roll' With Marathon Fun

TREASURE ISLAND, FL-- - Rock 'n' Roll runners, fans and support staff can navigate some comfortable accommodations for the inaugural St. Pete Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon as beach hotels in St. Petersburg ...

Strange Life Found in Underwater Caves

Clues to how life evolved, not only on this planet but also possibly on alien worlds, might be found in underwater caves in the Bahamas, researchers say.

Canaan Man Who Fled to Virgin Islands Pleads Guilty in Court to Sexual Assault

LITCHFIELD — Frederick Pickering’s legal saga has taken the Canaan man from the Virgin Islands to prison. Pickering pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual assault against a physically helpless victim and second-degree burglary in Litchfield Superior Court on Friday.

Island Def Jam Music Group Promotes Gabrielle Peluso to General Manager, Def Jam Recordings

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) has strengthened its executive management team with the promotion of Gabrielle Peluso to General Manager, Def Jam Recordings, it ...

DEA agents in Puerto Rico claim discrimination

Ten Puerto Rican agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration have filed suit against their employer, claiming they receive less pay and more dangerous assignments than agents hired in the U.S. and ...

Rhode Island's Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected In 17th Annual National Awards Program

Sandanie Ambalangodage, 17, of Smithfield and Nicholas Lowinger, 14, of Cranston today were named Rhode Island's top two youth volunteers for 2012 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.

Long Island Winterfest: Jazz on the Vine 2012

RIVERHEAD, NY-- - JAZZ ON THE VINE returns as the theme for 2012's Long Island Winterfest. Now in its fifth year, this event offers exceptional jazz performances in wineries every weekend from February ...

Marshall Fine: Movie review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Talk about mysterious islands - the one in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island features an ensemble that includes Michael Caine, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson -...

Popular islands in chaos after mutiny

President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives resigned Tuesday after members of the nation's police force revolted against his government.

Islands Souvenirs: Cebu loves you this love month

THIS love month, Islands Souvenirs brings another attention to another kind of fondness: love of place for the place that has loved us back. Islands Souvenirs’ I Heart campaign was launched two years ago on the same premise: allowing people to literally wear their hearts on their sleeves for the love of Cebu.

Cuba TV airs Castro book-release party

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro once again dominated his country's airwaves Monday during the televised presentation of an event for his new memoir, "Fidel Castro: Guerrilla of Time."

Sports in Brief: Iverson to play in Puerto Rico?

Some pro athletes just can't let go - or can't afford to. Allen Iverson and Puerto Rico's professional basketball league are negotiating a possible deal for the former Sixer and 11-time all-star, according to Yahoo Sports.

State overpaid employees by more than $2 million

A Hawaii News Now investigation reveals the state has overpaid its employees more than $1.5 million, with hundreds of thousands more in state tax dollars written off as uncollectable or recovered months or years later from employees who were accidentally paid too much.

Barrier Islands: A Perspective of Resilience will open Friday at Gail Keenan Art Gallery

Barrier Islands: A Perspective of Resilience will feature a collection of artwork from three Coast artists -- Kris Byrd, Bill Nelson and Susie Ranager -- whose works have been strongly influenced by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Barrier Islands.

Journey 2 reveals the mysterious allure of islands

From South Pacific to Archipelago, cinema and fiction has long explored island paradises and hell-holes. But why are film-makers enchanted by islands time and time again? Jules Verne's works have much to offer the makers of CGI-prone, 3D-disposed kids' adventure flicks. The 2008 version of Journey to the Centre of the Earth did well enough at the box office, so a sequel was obligatory. We could ...

Journey 2 reveals the mysterious allure of islands

From South Pacific to Archipelago, cinema and fiction has long explored island paradises and hell-holes. But why are film-makers enchanted by islands time and time again? Jules Verne's works have much to offer the makers of CGI-prone, 3D-disposed kids' adventure flicks. The 2008 version of Journey to the Centre of the Earth did well enough at the box office, so a sequel was obligatory. We could ...

American Embargo on Cuba Has 50th Anniversary

The world is much changed since 1962, but one thing has remained constant: The United States’ economic embargo on Cuba, a near-total trade ban that turned 50 on Tuesday.

Escogido Leones falls, still wins Caribbean title

The Escogido Leones were soundly defeated Monday by Venezuela's Aragua Tigres, 7-0, but still clinched the Caribbean Series title.

Bahamas goes back to basics

A?e Jurvanen, a.k.a. Bahamas, calls his new album Barchords, and says that the straightforward guitar technique could also be used as a metaphor for his sound