It’s impossible to miss. The huge rectangular mass of concrete and glass — the tallest building in Havana — dominates the city skyline, towering 150 meters (490 feet) above colonial homes with its 542 luxury rooms and majestic views of the city and the sea.

Cash-starved Cuba this month opened the first grocery store to accept hard U.S. currency on the island in nearly two decades, the latest sign in a trend towards dollarization in the Communist-run country.

The Selection La Habana hotel, managed by Spanish chain Iberostar, has yet to be inaugurated but it is already the target of criticism.

Jose Daniel Ferrer, the leader of one of the largest banned anti-government groups in Cuba, was released two days after a surprise flurry of diplomatic activity involving the communist-run island in the waning days of the Biden administration.

A Virginia federal court on Friday ruled against Bacardi [RIC:RIC:BCARDU.UL] for the second time in the liquor company's fight with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office over the Cuban government's trademark rights to "Havana Club" rum.

Cuban dissident Jose Daniel Ferrer, left, sits with Cuban LGBT activist Juana Mora Cedeno, center, and Cuban political activist Antonio Rodiles, right, during a meeting with President Barack Obama at the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, March 22, 2016.

Fifty years ago today, the Puerto Rican separatist group, the FALN, bombed Manhattan's historic Fraunces Tavern, but no one has ever been charged in the attack.

Karen Vasquez, 44, walked out of jail in Cuba on Sunday, part of a deal brokered by the Vatican under which the Biden administration would loosen sanctions on the communist-run island, while Havana would release more than 500 people from its jails who are considered political prisoners by Washington.

Certain Miami travelers visiting Cuba in the coming months will have to comply with a requirement that Havana will impose in order to “modernize” its consular services. Cuban official media reported that the new requirement will be mandatory for international travelers to enter the island as of June 30.

The move was part of a sweeping executive order signed by Trump on Monday night that rescinds 78 executive actions taken by Biden over the course of his presidency.

Less than a week before leaving the White House, President Joe Biden is lifting the state sponsor of terrorism designation for Cuba.

Soaring above all other buildings in Havana, a new 42-storey hotel that is due to open in Cuba’s capital is causing a stir.