Obama answers top Cuban dissident blogger, says Cuban gov't must change to improve relations. President Barack Obama has answered questions submitted by a celebrated Cuban blogger, saying he isn't interested in "talking for the sake of talking" with Raul Castro and indicating he won't visit the island until the communist government changes its ways.

HAVANA (Reuters) - There were hugs and handshakes all around on Friday as teams of older U.S. and Cuban softball players ended a "friendship" tournament they hope will set an example for their respective governments.

Retired State Department worker and wife plead guilty to plotting to spy for Cuba. A retired State Department worker and his wife accused of a decades-long plot to spy for Cuba pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that will leave him behind bars for the rest of his life but gives her a chance at freedom in six years.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A former U.S. State Department official and his wife pleaded guilty on Friday to charges that they spied for almost three decades for the Communist-led Cuban government.

An elderly US couple charged with spying for Cuba for almost 30 years pleaded guilty in the conspiracy Friday, with the husband agreeing to serve a life sentence, the US Justice Department said.

Today is Monday, November 23, the 327th day of 2009. There are 38 days left in the year.

Prominent Republicans on Sunday lashed out at the administration's decision to try five alleged plotters of the 9/11 attacks in a New York civilian court, saying it would harm efforts to fight terrorism.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Anti-Castro Cuban-Americans are donating more money to Democratic lawmakers in hopes of blunting momentum in Congress to lift the U.S. trade embargo of the Communist-ruled Caribbean nation, a report said on Monday.

Groups opposing Cuba's communist regime have dramatically shifted funding toward the US Democrats since the party took control of Congress in last year's elections, according to a study published on Monday.

Dozens of Guantanamo detainees are getting their day in court after years of waiting. In courtrooms barred to the public, dozens of terror suspects are pleading for their freedom from the Guantanamo Bay prison, sometimes even testifying on their own behalf by video from the U.S. naval base in Cuba.

British troops forced an Iraqi detainee to wear an orange jump suit and told him that he was to be executed at Guantanamo Bay camp, according to allegations published in a newspaper on Monday.

British soldiers forced an Iraqi detainee to wear an orange jump suit and told him that he was to be executed at the US-run Guantanamo Bay camp, according to allegations in a report Monday.

Nonprofit report: Pro-Cuba embargo money on the rise to congressional campaigns. Supporters of tough U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government have given more than $10 million to congressional campaigns over the last seven years, according to a study released late Sunday night by a group supporting campaign finance reform.

Eager to dispel its image as a rights abuser after "war on terror" prison scandals, the US has opened a new Afghan jail that critics say still falls short of basic legal standards.

Nonprofit says Pro-Cuba embargo money flows to congressional campaigns, influences votes. Supporters of tough U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government have given more than $10 million to congressional campaigns over the last seven years, according to a study released late Sunday night by a group supporting campaign finance reform.

American softball players find friendly reception as sports diplomats in Cuba. Softball has been a passion for Michael Eizenberg since he was a child, but the 63-year-old has never been as excited about a game as the one played Monday on a children's ball field at a faded sports complex under Havana's warm Caribbean sun.

The United States and Cuba will hold a second round of talks on migration issues in Havana at a yet undetermined date, a State Department spokesman said Monday.

Think twice before investing in these places . Investors spend a good deal of time determining the best places to invest, but do you ever wonder which countries are the worst places in the world to invest? If you invest in mining companies, you should. After all, when you invest in a mining company, you?re not just investing in a company but also the government and communities in which the company is exploring for and developing deposits. So much about the success of a project depends upon the jurisdiction in which it exists that most institutional investors simply won?t put money into a company operating in certain countries. Sure you can find a deposit in Venezuela, for example, but leaders like Hugo Chavez, who are in the habit of decreeing bizarre legislation such as a recent ban on singing in the shower in Venezuela also have a penchant for stealing mineral deposits from whomever they please. The Fraser Institute?s Survey of Mining Companies 2008/2009 is one measure of how mineral

American softball players find friendly reception as sports diplomats in Cuba. Softball has been a passion for Michael Eizenberg since he was a child, but the 63-year-old has never been as excited about a game as the one played Monday on a children's ball field at a faded sports complex under Havana's warm Caribbean sun.

The United States should "scrap" a ban on its citizens travelling to Cuba, two key US lawmakers said Tuesday, blaming the policy for hampering Washington's efforts to promote democratic reforms there.