Big changes in Miami’s Little Havana

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Correspondent Ruth Morris reports on the emergence of new, moderate voices in Miami’s Cuban-American community. They tend to be young and interested in dialogue with their peers living in Cuba.

Life in one of China’s last communes

As China prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of Communist rule, the BBC takes a look at one of the country’s few remaining communes, the village of Nanjie. It’s hailed as a hallmark of the early Communist regime, and it’s still going strong. The BBC’s Michael Bristow provides a fascinating snapshot into communal life.

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Easing restrictions on Cuba

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Washington formally eased restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting relatives and sending money to Cuba. As part of changes first announced in April, Washington has also relaxed rules for U.S. telecommunication companies doing business with Cuba. Marco Werman speaks to Miami Herald reporter Frances Robles about how Cuban-Americans are responding to the new rules. (photo: AP)Download MP3

• Frances Robles’s Miami Herald story
• BBC coverage
• Cuba after Fidel Castro

Finding the right words

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Sergei Mikhalkov, the Russian who wrote the words of the Soviet and Russian national anthems, has died at the age of 96. He first wrote the lyrics for the anthem when Stalin was Soviet leader, but later rewrote them to omit references to him. Mikhalkov also wrote the words for the current Russian anthem adopted in 2001. Alex Gallafent took a look at the troubled anthem. >>> BBC coverage

A poet’s songs honor two Russias

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After the death of a prominent Russian poet, The World’s Alex Gallafent reports on the changing shape of Russia’s national anthem.

North Korean leader reportedly has cancer

Reports that North Korea’s leader has pancreatic cancer are unconfirmed, but they’re fueling speculation about who will next rule the reclusive communist dictatorship. Listen