"A vote last week by the United Nations General Assembly Human Rights Committee has LGBT and human rights activists outraged over the decision to remove "sexual orientation" from a resolution that protects people from arbitrary executions.

" Cuba's economic reforms began taking shape yesterday as the government said it would allow or expand private enterprise in 178 activities, ranging from watch repairs to massages, to help assure the survival of socialism.

The regime in Cuba has agreed to the biggest release of political prisoners seen on the island nation in decades in a deal struck with the country's Catholic leader, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, church officials said last night.

Spain hopes Cuba's agreement with Roman Catholic leaders that led to the release of one political prisoner for health reasons and transfers to jails closer to home for a dozen others is just the beginning, the Spanish foreign minister said Tuesday.