U.S. eases restrictions on business, travel with CubaSeptember 19, 2015 - 11:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. has announced eased restrictions on business and travel with Cuba, the latest move by President Barack Obama to improve relations with the country, BBC News reports. The rules, which go into effect on Monday, September 21 relate to travel, telecom, internet-based services, business operations, banking and remittances. U.S. businesses will now be allowed to open up locations in Cuba. Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed the move in a phone conversation on Friday. The changes come as the U.S. and Cuba normalise relations after 53 years. Authorised travellers will be permitted to open and maintain bank accounts in Cuba, senior administration officials said on Friday. Close relatives will now be allowed to accompany authorised travellers going to Cuba for educational, journalistic, humanitarian or religious activities or research. Officials said travel to Cuba for tourist activity is still prohibited by statute. Companies will also be able to import Cuban mobile applications to the U.S. and hire Cuban nationals to work on them. President Obama thinks the best way to strengthen the Cuban people is through contact, officials said. In July Cuba and the United States formally re-established relations, and in January the Obama administration announced initial changes to the Cuba sanctions programme. Ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Cuba, and before Cuban President Raul Castro is set to address the United Nations, Cuba announced on Friday the appointment of a U.S. ambassador, the first since 1961. Veteran diplomat Jose Cabanas will be Cuba's ambassador to the U.S. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |