New rules for Cuba port may boost economy
HAVANA – Cuba has approved rules for a special commercial zone at Mariel, a massive port under construction west of Havana.
The goal is to lure increased foreign investment as the Caribbean nation seeks to boost its sagging economy with a series of recent reforms.
Commercial operators in the special zone will be exempt from paying labor and customs duties and will enjoy a 10-year tax holiday on profits.
The regulations were published Monday in the government’s Official Gazette. They take effect Nov. 1.
Pakistani earthquake forms small island
ISLAMABAD — Pakistani officials are investigating whether the powerful earthquake that killed dozens also created a new island off the southern coast.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s director general, Arif Mahmood, says witnesses have reported that a small island has appeared near the port of Gwadar.
He says the temblor could have caused the earth under the sea to rise, but officials need to investigate further.
Gwadar Police Chief Pervez Umrani says the new land mass is visible from the beach.
He says the mass is about 30 feet high and 109 yards long.
More police arrested in Mexico kidnappings
MEXICO CITY – The number of Mexico City officers arrested in connection with a mass kidnap and killing of 12 young bar-goers in May climbed to four Tuesday, the city police chief said.
Security Chief Jesus Rodriguez Almeida said all four have been turned over to the prosecutor’s office and that he has no evidence to conclude they were involved.
“We’re not prejudging whether they’re guilty or not,” Almeida told The Associated Press. He did not give the officer’s name.
The case of the after-hours bar known as Heaven, where the 12 were abducted last May in broad daylight, shook the city’s image as one of the safer areas of Mexico.
Associated Press
