communist countries

Barack Obama

US eases security for ships visiting Cuba as Obama trip nears

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. authorities removed Cuba from a list of countries deemed to have insufficient security in their ports, eliminating on Thursday a major impediment to the free flow of shipping in the Florida Straits. The move marks one more step toward normalized relations ahead of President Barack Obama&

Barack Obama

Obama plans Castro meeting during historic Cuba trip

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday he'll raise human rights issues and other U.S. concerns with Cuban President Raul Castro during a history-making visit to the communist island nation. The brief visit in mid-March will mark a watershed moment in relations between the U.S. and