【明報專訊】Cuban President Raul Castro (勞爾) announced earlier that he would not seek a new presidential term, meaning that the Castro brothers' rule in Cuba will come to an end on 19 April after almost 60 years.

Raul Castro is the successor and brother of the Cuban revolutionist Fidel Castro (卡斯特羅), who governed the country as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008. Fidel Castro rose to power because he overthrew the military dictator, Fulgencio Batista, by playing a key role and fighting in the revolutionary wars in the 1950s. He stepped down in 2008 because of prolonged illness. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 90.

His brother Raul, who had assisted him as Vice President, took up the job. Raul is known for implementing policies that encourage foreign investment in the country, and hence the economy was improved.

The president is elected by the National Assembly of People's Power, which was newly returned in a March election. The new Assembly will vote for a new president on 19 April in the country's capital city Havana.

(Source: The New York Times)

■English highway﹕ by + gerund

We use the structure "by + gerund" to describe how something is achieved.

e.g. I stay healthy by doing exercise twice a week.

■Game １

Turn to the cover page. Volleyball is a popular sport in Cuba. The balls usually come in yellow, white and blue. Which two balls are the same?

■Game ２

Game 2

Cuba is an island state in the Caribbean Sea. Can you describe its location in relation to its neighbouring countries?

Cuba is located east of (1) _______________.

It is a country to the south of (2) _______________.

It is an island to the west of (3) _______________ and _______________.

You can travel to Cuba by going north from (4) _______________ .

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

successor (n) 繼承人

overthrow (v) 推翻

implement (v) 實行

investment (n) 投資

[Smarties' Power English 第213期]