U.S. to Open Embassy in Cuba

The Associated Press reports American officials say the United States will normalize full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana, ending a half-century standoff that began at the height of the Cold War.

The news follows Cuba's release of U.S. citizen Alan Gross from prison Wednesday after five years in captivity. The U.S. released three alleged Cuban spies in return. The exchange is a result of a year of secret backtalks between the U.S. and Cuba. Raul Castro and President Obama will both speak, separately, around noon Eastern time. ABC News reports the White House indicates Obama and Castro are prepared to talk about everything from lifting travel restrictions to ending the U.S. embargo of Cuba that began under Dwight D. Eisenhower.

"We are charting a new course toward Cuba," a senior administration official told CNN. "The President understood the time was right to attempt a new approach, both because of the beginnings of changes in Cuba and because of the impediment this was causing for our regional policy."

canada helped brokering deal

vatican also was involved

that fraud jfk  also kicked jagan out of office.

historic