Current+Events

Covered Crops Against Solar Radiation: This is a technique that is very helpful for crop production and it is mainly used during the harsh season in Cuba, which would be the summer time because they experience hot weather. The cover is a screen which serves as an umbrella to the crops and reduces solar radiation by one third from the month of May to September. These covers will create a helpful enviorment for the crops, which include tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, spinach, melons, cucmbers, and peppers. "These covers are just one of the ways to reduce negative effects," which Richard Morell, chief of MINAGRI, told ACN news agency. The production of these crops has increased quickly and is effective at anytime of the year. The technique is used with two mesh screens, the first being used to cover the entire planting area, the of the planting area are covered as well. The second screen is used to cover only the top of the planting area.

Earthquake in Haiti: Haiti was hit with an earthquake that reached 7.0 on the rictor scale. Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the western hemisphere. The people who wittnessed this event said that there was a lot of damage, along with bodies in the streets of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. Later that night, the U.S. had been told to expect a serious death rate to the citizens of Haiti, even though there was not an estimate of the loss of life due to the earthquake. This earthquake was the most powerful quake to hit Haiti in a century. This earthquake was so strong that it could be felt 200 miles away in Eastern Cuba. When the earthquake hit, buildings dropped and dust had covered the city within minutes and the dust did not clear up until about twenty minutes later.