Rafael is the fifth major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which ends at the end of November.
The US anticipates an increase in arrivals across its southern border with Mexico as COVID-19 restrictions expire.
US President Joe Biden’s decision to exclude the presidents of three countries has overshadowed the summit’s agenda.
The White House has said it has not yet sent out invitations for the June 6-10 summit and refused to provide details.
Rescue teams are combing through rubble of historic Hotel Saratoga, where massive explosion also injured dozens.
Cuban president’s office says preliminary investigation indicates blast at Hotel Saratoga was caused by gas leak.
Cuba’s economy shrank by 11 percent in 2020, the sharpest contraction since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
![As tourism dried up, the Cuban economy shrank 11 percent in 2020, according to Economy Minister Alejandro Gil, its deepest slump since the collapse of the Soviet Union [File: Natalia Favre/Bloomberg]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/373529474.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Cuba’s musicians have long supported the state but many are speaking out in favour of protesters.
![Some of Cuba's most famous musicians have spoken out in support of anti-government protests [File: Ramon Espinosa/AP Photo]](/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AP20016021831948.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Authorities will also unify Cuba’s two currencies, keeping the peso but eliminating the convertible peso, Reuters said.
Cuba wants to jump start a state-dominated economy hit hard by Venezuela’s implosion, US sanctions and a pandemic.
‘From the economic point of view, the pandemic has been terrible for me, but I hope everything will return to normal.’
A hostile Trump administration and crises in Venezuela have left the landmark Obama-era detente hanging in the balance.
The EU says it will continue helping Cuba to develop its economy following reimposition of US sanctions.
Rights group says detentions show not much has changed since Raul Castro handed over power to a younger leader in 2018.
