policy towards cuba. assistant secretary jacobson is joined at the witness table by the counsellor of the state department ambassador thomas shannon. we welcome you both. cuba has been left behind politically and economically, a far cry from a time decades ago when it was among the most prosperous countries in the region. administration administration's cuba policy initiative has been welcomed in latin america and the caribbean. but significant differences which we'll hear today of opinion exist in the united states over the extent to which change -- this change in policy will advance u.s. interests and improve circumstances for the cuban people. today we look forward to our witnesses to speak to how our nation can best engage strategically with the region and beyond to help cuba rejoin the mainstream of americas and offer its citizens the same rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens of other countries in the region. to this end, our witnesses can help us understand that administration's policy goals. wit

for example, there is no japanese embargo on cuba. there is no south korean embargo on cuba. and, yet, those technologies are not widely available either. is it not true that at the end of the day access to internet in cuba is not simply a function of capacity because there are multiple other countries aren't world that do not have an embargo on cuba that can provide cell or internet technology. is it not true the access to the internet and technology in cuba is a result of cuban government censorship? assisstant secretary jacobson: i think the denial of access has been both one of policy and one of in terms of american -- access to american products also one of policy in the united states. we're taking one of those two things away. they are now able to have access to u.s. products which we always believe are the best in the world. and that leaves only policy. >> i understand. but there are still other countries -- i have a samsung. why isn't cuba selling samsungs. why do all these other countries not been allowed to come in and offer wi-fi? in essence, it's not a capacity is

policy towards cuba. assistant secretary jakobson is joined at the witness table by ambassador thomas shannon. a far cry from the time decades ago when it was the most prosperous countries in the region. the cuba policy initiative has been welcomed in latin america and the caribbean. but significant differences which we'll hear today, of opinion exist in the united states. over the extent to which change in this change in policy will advance u.s. interests and improve circumstances for the cuban people. today, we look forward to our witnesses to speak to how our nation can best interact and help cuba rejoin the mainstream and offer its citizens the same rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens of other countries and regions. to this end, our witnesses can help us understand that administration's policy goals. with regards to cuba. what do they intend to achieve and relaxes sanctions? we would also like to hear their assessment of what the cuban government goals are for engage ng this process with the unite

people in cuba. and it also services that are providing information such as the phone card and phone service that idt in new jersey recent side with the cuban government to do, or other forms of telecommunications work. but i do want to be clear that it is true that all of this takes a decision by the cuban government to move forward with modernization in the telecom sector. that is certainly true. american companies can be able to under our changes, participate in cuba but the cuban government has already said it wants to modernize and it said things to even come and we'll have to see if they would take those steps. but we want to be part of it if and when they do. we want to encourage them to do so. i think as others have said we think the cuban people want that as well. >> i think the more that we have american tourists down there the more that we have a cultural exchanges, the more that we have students in cuba, the more normalized to that extent is the more likely that the cuban people, cuban st

and cuba a lot of issues piled up. there are glimmers of light, the door is only open halfway, and it may take a while before we reach a cuban resolution. it? that's tonight's "inside story". >>> welcome to "inside story", i'm ray suarez. last year the united states and cuba announced the two governments would begin the process of reopening relations shut down half a century ago. there has been delegations to havana and washington, long negotiations on pending issues, and a very slow thaw. currently there's no american embassy or ambassador in havana, or a cuban ambassador in washington. more americans are making their way to cuba, even with the embargo in space, and on the streets of havana, anticipation and speculation about the future are rising. >> reporter: time seems to move slower in cuba, shielded from its giant neighbour by the half senturery-long u.s. embargo, and a centralized government only allowing change when it thought the time was right. now change is the main topic of conversation. raising hopes, expe

in 2003, cuba attacked u.s. telecommunications, cuba has provided assistance including members of the regime. they continue to harbor fugitives including one listed on the fbi's most wanted list. they also allowed members of islamic extremist to enter venezuela. they provided passports and visas and other documentation to 173 individuals. let's talk about recent history. just since president zero started these secret negotiations since june 2013 there have been reportedly 15000 since december. to make it worse between february and march of this year increase of politically motivated arrests have increased by 70%. as troubling as that is i'm more troubled by their continued activity in regard to armed smuggling. they have 240 tons of military equipment compass stated on the way to north korea. in 2003, it was intercepted literally tons of ammunition and explosives. the question is with this type of activity, what is your assurance that you can give us? with this kind of activity, why should we be optimistic that

the leader of cuba. and the nsa getting every single telegram or almost every -- the content, not just the metadata but the content of every single telegram that left the united states between 1945 to 1975 when it had been nsa for quite a while. and just to add something that i think you probably would agree with me, this would not be the attitude today. bob, i assume you would. the general counsel of the nsa when i was talking to him about why we were going to expose the program of getting every single telegram that left the united states and, i said you know there's a fourth amendment problem with doing that, he said but the constitution doesn't apply to nsa. >> i agree that i would not agree with that. >> i gave you the opportunity there. >> and let me follow up. i think the description is a good metric for measuring how different what's been revealed in the last couple of years with what was revealed by the church commission. the fact is, the program we're talking about were all authorized by court o

a -- had a positive approach to cuba to the situation of cuba, to the cuban relation with the -- cuba'sion with the vatican, all that has been well conserved and they have been developed in these years before and that facilitates this contact we have now in this moment. it seems to me you have asked me about the holy father and his role and if it was necessary this pope. i believe the pope john paul ii live in cuba, at the moment live in our country has said cuba must be open to the world and the world will be open to cuba. and in this moment the religious sister of my house, at the moment, in what president obama has announced, the possibility of new relations, he said to me, the holy father is the first miracle of john paul ii because he has said cuba must be open to the world and the world must be open to cuba. >> rose: and now it is. and now is the moment, it is the first miracle, he has said. he was very simple but he's very interesting because it means in the real life and the real history of the relationship between cuba and the vatican, the three popes have played a role. at the

he has said cuba must be open to the world and the world will be open to cuba.ie: thank you for coming. it was a pleasure to have you here. cardinal: thank you for your invitation. apologize on account of my english. charlie: we heard you. back in a moment. stay with us. charlie: james taylor is here the five-time grammy award-winning singer-songwriter. he has just recorded his first outcome of new songs since 2002. it is called "before this world." i am pleased to have my friend it james taylor act at the table today. -- back at the table today. welcome. writing songs again are you? james: i was absent for a wild. -- for a while. actually i had recorded a lot of different albums and projects over the past 12 years. none of them was original material. charlie: why did you finally say, i'm ready to write again you go did you feel the muse of songs that needed to be attended to? james: i had enough songs on the burner under way that i really wanted to finish up. i found that nothing would do. i know writers who can write for three hours a day for five hours a day

approach to cuba with cuba's relation with the vatican.hey have been developed in these years before. that facilitates this contact we have now in this moment. it seems to me you have asked me about the holy father and his role and if it was necessary. i believe pope john paul ii lived in cuba. he has said cuba must be open to the world and the world will be open to cuba. charlie: thank you for coming. it was a pleasure to have you here. cardinal: iq for your invitation. i apologize on account of my english. charlie: we heard you. back in a moment. stay with us. charlie: james taylor is here, the five-time grammy award-winning singer-songwriter. he has just recorded his first outcome of new songs since 2002. it is called "before this world." welcome. writing songs again are you? james: i was absent for a wild. actually i had recorded a lot of different albums and projects over the past 12 years. none of them was original material. charlie: why did you finally say i'm ready to write again you go did you feel the muse of songs that needed to

this week i'm introducing the cuba digital and communications advancement out also known as the cuba data act with senator flake senator durbin and senator andy. the goal of this legislation is very simple. give u.s. telecommunications companies the opening certainty they need to invest in health cuba open to the world and give the cubans the tools they need to engage in a 21st century economy and to share information and communicate more efficiently with each other and with the world. secretary jacobson both you and the president emphasized access to the internet is one of the cornerstones to the new cuba policy. for those who have not been to cuba is one of the least wired countries in the western hemisphere. things we take for granted such as e-mail and the phone are basically nonexistent and cuba. what are the major challenges cubans are facing to access the internet and what can u.s. companies in congress due to open up cuba to the global internet? >> thank you so much senator and thank you so much for your interest in this and the conversations we have had. i think obviously a

later this year propose will travel to cuba.t's talk about this with john allen who joins me now. considering this is not the first visit, john, by a pope to cuba and, thank you for joining us this morning, let's talk about the significance of this meeting and this visit, considering the pope's role in mending relations between the u.s. and cuba. >> reporter: good to be with you, victor. i think the first thing to note that is unlikely for a pope to receive a head of state on a sunday. in the vatican it's considered inappropriate to be working on the lord's day. i think it's indicative of how much significance the pope puts to this undertaking that he was able to set aside protocol like that. the difference, victor, this is the first papal visit after the restoration of diplomatic relations between the united states and cuba. that, of course, happened last december. both president obama and president raul castro of cuba have said it would not have happened without the pope's personal diplomatic involvement. so this is the kind o

relationship with cuba. fay secretary of state john kerry formerly removeed cuba from the state list of terrorism. mike viqueira joins us live from washington explain the significance of this move, and what happens next? >> reporter: well, david, it was a major impediment of formalizing relations after president obama's dramatic announcement. he had met with raul castro president of cuba at a latin americaen summit in panama. and shortly after that historic handshake and meeting, president obama announced he would be removing cuba from a list of state sponsor of trim kept by the u.s. ghost.. congress had a right to challenge the move but it did not do it. the two countries have not had formal relations for 54 years. >> members of congress said they were against restoring ties with cuba. why didn't they take action to block it? go basically because they didn't have the votes to do so. john boehner speaker of the house, put out a message that the administration keeps giving many things in this move, but not re

cuba set to come in from the cold.t will it mean for the island's news media survivor - the "charlie hebdo" cartoonist that has had enough >>> and taking the rap for being addicted to mobile phones. we begin with the coverage of a story that broke four years ago this month, the killing of osama bin laden. from the day may 2nd, 2011, u.s. president obama revealed the news that there have been varying acts of what happened, including a few cracks in the narrative. most of the media told washington's version of story, as did hollywood. it has been challenged by a reporter. he reported that it wasn't the case of chasing osama bin laden. according to hersch a pakistani intelligence officer gave up osama bin laden. he did it for the reward money, and the pakistani government new that the raid was coming and had kept al qaeda prison are. hershbergers's journalism came under attack, and the response consistent come from the obama administration or congress, but the u.s. press core. we'll examine why that is, why with the story

cuba relations unfolds. they will never stop coming to the memorial site to may tribe ute. >> this was a monument to the four brothers to the rescue who were shot done. >> reporter: they must remember the lives lost since the u.s. government with a shift in policy will not. >> tonight, an anti-misalmost demonstration is under way at the islamic community center of fien. ism -- phoenix. one side of the street is lined. paul beban joins us now from phoenix. has the situation remained peaceful up until this point? it has. it has been limited to an angry exchange of words for about the last. there has been a line of riot police separating the two sides. and the numbers really never materialized on the facebook page promoting the event. there were more than 1,000 people saying they'd sustained. attend. 300-400 turned up. many touting rifles pistols. nothing more than a sense of intimidation to go along with the instalments and taunts and vulgar and ugly chanting. on this side responses of peace and love support f

embargo on cuba.he french president meets with fidel and raul castro on is a stored visit to havana. -- on his historic visit on hundred what do you have for us today? stephen: this is what is called the sharing economy airbnb uber the idea that companies that individuals to share or rent their own assets to make money. they have homes or cars. the problem is that a lot of these arrangements cut out the tax man. the french government is tried to tackle this tricky issue. reporter: paris hotels, hotel taxes, employer costs, company taxes. for every 100-euro room, they play 24 euros in taxes. airbnb's posts can average of $.50. french lawmakers think it is time to make them pay more which could collect millions in taxes. 108 million people have booked rooms in apartments in the french capital. the city where airbnb has but most successful. >> it is very likely that many hosts don't even declare their revenue to the state. it means the state is losing a lot of money. they also represent unfair competitio

harbored terrorists who attacked cuba. a former cia agent who spent his life trying to take down the castro regime. he is accused of planting a bomb on an airliner that killed 76 people. for decades venezuela and cuba has been asking for his extradition, but the u.s. has refused, which is at the age of 77 carilas is a free man living in miami. but now cuba off the terrorism list his freedom is in question. >> he's some kind of osama bin laden of cuban origin. >> while the u.s. and cuba move forward with a diplomatic relationship accused ex isles are here to stay. >> the reality is that the american government protect the -- all the agents that were used for the government many years ago. where the past is the past. >> while this new chapter in u.s. cuba relations unfolds the de la penas say they will never stop coming to the memorial. they must remember the lives lots to the castro regime since they say the u.s. government with its new shift in policy will not. >> the assassins are at large and their hands are being shane.

and cuba. we go to havana where cubans are welcoming the news. >> there is another obstacle removed. it's something that had to happen as far as the cubans were concerned. there would be no progress without cuba coming off the list. the sense of cautious optimism is here and excitement about the future as well. but a cautious optimism. remember this is only an incremental step. if you were to lift the trade embargo, which is a decision by congress, which is way down the line you might see more of a reaction on the streets. but that's a long way away from now. in the meantime the next step are the embassies opening the cuban embassy in washington, d.c. and opening the american embassy in havana. andthe embassy here is delap tateddilapidated. there may be renovation around the corner because there could be announcements in the next week or so, and all the time remember that the united states of america is just 90 miles over there. >> havana is not the only structure that would need rebuilding. >>

>> well you can't travel to cuba for tourism. there are other forms of travel that is now -- not regulated. meaning, you can travel within the new regulations of the treasury department, and so those folks who are traveling to cuba are technically supposed to be going there for a certain purpose, education, culture, and the like. i think these types of contacts and exchanges will again, create an atmosphere where cubans normal citizens in cuba will be able to understand that the world has moved on that the united states is a friend of the cuban people and there's a lot we can learn from each other, but in the context of democracy and new form and the modern world's understanding of liberty, cuba needs to move forward in that regard. >> thank you so much for your incites on this. >> my pleasure. >>> mcdonald's workers are back on the streets demanding better wages ahead of today's shareholder meeting. they are marching for a second day out of the company's headquarters. they want a $15 an hour minimum wage at all stores. >>> a new

cuba has weak legal assurances, cuba has a very difficult financial system to operate within. they still have a dual currency system. so i'm not sure this is terribly attractive to foreign investors. the eu has been allowed to operate there for decades and we don't see much of a market still. there needs to be lots done before that can be an attractive market for investors. >> do you think the trip would have happened if the u.s. hadn't announce they'd it was moving ahead and trying to normalize relations? >> whether or not exactly it would have happened now and in its way that is a kind of speculation i can't get into. it watts certainly made easier by president obama's announcement. it certainly paves the way for western leaders to go there without any sort of tension with the united states. and in fact we can see it rather as an endorsement of the rapprochement between the united states and cube. >> i got ask you a question on a different topic. what about raul castro's meeting with the pope this weekend and his announcement that he might return to the catholic church? beca

en lugar e de aislara a cuba estados unidos puso a cuba como vÍctima de este agresiÓn estadounidense.canos y demÓcratas expresaron su desacuerdo. >>> polÍtica que premia al rÉgimen, sin ningÚn cambio de parte del rÉgimen. otros seÑalan que en territorio cubano aÚn hay fugitivos de la justicia estadounidense. >>> una que asesinÓ un policÍa de new jersey y que se ofrece un millÓn de dÓlares por su captura, pero p ser sacado de esta lista fue exigencia clave de cuba pero la cuarta ronda de negociaciones a finalizÓ sin una fecha para abrir las embajada penn la retirada de cuba de esta lista representa la eliminaciÓn de una serie de sanciones como la prohibiciÓn de ventas de arma v ayuda econÓmica a la isla y sobre todo algo importante para cuba era poder hacer transacciones financiera es todo desde aquÍ regreso contigo. >>> gracias, el ex-presidente de la camara de representantes... fue acusado en una corte de chicago de violar la ley bancaria federal y mentir al fbi sobre con retiro millonario de su cuenta el ex lÍder republicano usÓ el dinero para acallar a una persona de la que fue mae

that may be said by those who haven't traveled to cuba recently. but many americans travel to cuba. and it is true that you can't travel to cuba without some revenue going to government. that is certain. but the notion that every dollar spent ends up in the hands of cuban military is not the case. you have burgeoning entrepreneurship in cuba that is a testimony to the fact that some money does flow to ordinary cuban people. that is then particularly the case with the travel of cuban-americans over the past couple of years. i should mention, when that policy was announced a couple of years ago the cuban-americans could travel not just once every three years but as often as they like. remittance levels were increased. there was talk here in congress about reversing that, you can't have that, that's not good for the cuban people and not good for america. i can tell you there is no serious talk today about reversing that because why? because when americans get more freedom, we tend to enjoy that and want more. and i would suggest that a year from now, the notion that we would reverse th

tambiÉn que paulatinamente se permitan mÁs viajes a cuba. >> cuba no ha apoyado a ninguna organizaciÓno en el futuro. el ex congresista republicano y ahora analista polÍtico de univisiÓn opina que hay que mirar lo que pasa dentro de cuba y no solamente fuera. >> el pueblo de cuba sigue recibiendo terrorismo de estado a manos del rÉgimen. cada dÍa los disidentes nos mandan mensajes de que se estÁn incrementando las represiones violencia. >> en la lista de paÍses que apoyan el terrorismo sÓlo estÁn irÁn, siria y sudÁn. >> es un paso para el restablecimiento de las relaciones entre la casa blanca y la dama. _ casa blanca y la havana >> algunos no descartan que el secretario de estado vaya cuba jorge:pese a cargar con la peor crisis de Ética blatter sigue siendo el presidente de la fifa. ganÓ un quinto mandato. una mayorÍa de delegados votÓ por Él. la fifa operÓ casi como una organizaciÓn ociosa. pablo monsalvo estÁ en zurich. pablo: joseph blatter se saliÓ con el gusto y ganÓ la reelecciÓn en la primera ronda entre los 209 delegados de la organizaciÓn. obtuvo 133 votos contra 73 de su con

i feel safe in cuba. >> reporter: you are 21 years old. do you have a car?> no. >> reporter: do you have your own house? >> no. >> reporter: do you have money in your pocket? >> ten pesos. >> reporter: he wants to get married and he plans to wed his high school sweetheart. >> translator: he's a good boyfriend, romantic thoughtful. >> reporter: it is clear his miami family will not be at the wedding. elian remembers his cousin fondly. she was the young woman who cared for him during his time in miami but he hasn't spoken to her in 15 years. >> translator: she was the female figure i saw most as a mother and i tried to consider her like that. i had to be with my father. when they recognize that i will be willing to speak to them. >> we reached out to her about elian's offer of reconciliation and she's not interested in doing anything on camera or hearing any message that abc has taped from elian. but elian's great uncle did talk to us. he said there's nothing to apologize for. >> his own father said to take care of him until he could come and get them. that's

to cuba.states said it will not discuss at this point. cuba is looking for a lifting of the u.s. embargo, something complicated and could involve the u.s. congress. there is the property claims in cuba seized during the cuban resolution, and how the property owners will be compensated. a lot of challenges ahead. both sides reporting they see things moving forward. there's a warming of relations. when it was boisterred by the meeting in panama by president obama and jacky rowland. >> the director of the americas program at john hopkins university's center for strategic and international studies, and served at the department of state and joins us from d.c. it's good to see you, carl. the u.s. took cuba off the sponsors of terrorism. it's a big demand the cuban government as been allowed to open. is it time to make concessions for this to work? >> that's a great question. i would say to you that the concession for them was beginning conversations in the first place. they really were not looking f

to the world and the world to end up to cuba. the pontiff has participated in the dialogue between the united states and cuba. >> reporter: pope francis will be the third pontiff to visit cuba in 17 years. a lot considering that cuba is a small country where the church is not particularly strong. but then cuba has always awakened an interest disproportionate to its size and pope francis' role in helping to reestablish diplomatic ties between havana and and washington makes this upcoming visit particularly significant. mixing politics and religion is as old as time. and both castro and the hope are proving it once again. lucia newman, al jazerra have havana. >>> and french president francois hollande has arrived in cuba for a one-day visit. it is the first visit by france's head of state in more than a century. he arrived in havana where he expects today meet cuban president raul castro and monday and participate in an economic forum. >>> now, under french law almost half of all music played on national radio must be in the french

policy towards cuba. assistant secretary jacobson is joined at the witness table by the counsellor of the state department ambassador thomas shannon. we welcome you both. cuba has been left behind politically and economically, a far cry from a time decades ago when it was among the most prosperous countries in the region. administration administration's cuba policy initiative has been welcomed in latin america and the caribbean. but significant differences which we'll hear today of opinion exist in the united states over the extent to which change -- this change in policy will advance u.s. interests and improve circumstances for the cuban people. today we look forward to our witnesses to speak to how our nation can best engage strategically with the region and beyond to help cuba rejoin the mainstream of americas and offer its citizens the same rights and freedoms enjoyed by citizens of other countries in the region. to this end, our witnesses can help us understand that administration's policy goals. wit

to take a leadership role in a new cuba eu dialog.hollande made latin america and caribbean a priority but it's not just political, both france and francois hollande are key to position themselves economically when united states lifts embargo against cuba to make it flourish. it's about capturing american business. >> where do americans go to now i know the forbidden paradise and cuba will open up the americans will be there, i want to have a dutch hotel taking care of the americans, that is what you're seeing. >>> ♪ and accompanied by executives from top french firms including liquor giant which handles sales of cuba's havana club rum and opening soon hopefully to the u.s. the french president has not alluded publically to the thorny rights that led to eu freeze instead he offers to make france a quote faithful ally of cuba this time apparently without any conditions. ♪ i'm with al jazeera, havana. >>> and a bit of sport for you now, one of the most successful quarterbacks in the u.s. national football league tom brady says he will a

grants cuba formal independence. it becomes difficult to find a stable leadership that will serve american interests as well. the first rule forces crated by the united states for counterinsurgency will be created in cuba and the next place on when to talk about. he arrived expect into use naval force to keep bad guys out, find themselves involved in a long military fighting against various different groups that will want to fight the standish and the united states. -- the spanish and the united states. people will call in the united states to intervene. many will then fight the americans who arrive. seeing the americans as invaders. this is the story of american intervention. self-motivated for interests of self-interested purposes but confronting this complexity of a demand for intervention and opposition at the same time. we will see this story in the philippines as well. they are attempting targets for the united states when the united states goes to war with spain. the proximity to china, to this big market in c

in havana cuba's capital was hit hard. hail storms and strong winds about 100 kilometers per hour were reported. as we mentioned two people died from the storm. one woman was killed because of the flooding. another man lost his life after being electrocuted. in addition to widespread flooding we're getting reports of several land slides taking place over the area. now as we go through friday i think we will see an improvement in the forecast. maybe some scattered showers along with this line of rain that's continuing to push eastward over cuba but then we should see a little bit more in terms of sunshine. meanwhile the rest of the united states seeing relatively calm weather. a low moving through the deep south in the north and east. that will bring rain in the mid-atlantic states and southern states like virginia and then we're going to see high pressure controlling the rest of the united states, mainly seeing sunny skies, dry conditions and temperatures are going to be quite warm as well. we're talking about highs in the

cuba is going to open up. americas will be here. i don't want a dutch hotel taking care of the americans. that's what you're saying. >> reporter: francis hollande was accompanied by representatives by top firms including a liquor giant, which handles the sales of cuba's rum. hopefully soon, to the u.s. the french president did not allude publicly to the thorny issues of human right leading to the e.u. freeze. instead, he offers to make france a faithful allay of cuba, this time without conditions >>> u.n. human rights experts criticized paraguay's government over its treatment of a 10-year-old rape victim who was denied an abortion. experts say the decision is agrave violation of right to health life and violation. the stepfather was arrested over the weekend, accused of rape. abortion in paraguay is illegal except where it endangers a mother's life >>> mexico suspended vaccinations after two babies died. 29 babies have fallen ill. adam raney has more from mexico city. >> reporter: public health officials are continuing to vac inate

instead he offers to make france a quote faithful ally of cuba.me apparently without any conditions. i'm with al jazeera, havana. >>> greece repaid $800 million loan to imf on monday narrowly avoiding a default but doesn't mean athens is clear of debt troubles yet and greece could face a cash crisis in two weeks if it cannot reach a deal with international lenders and we report. >> reporter: it promises to be a long tense summer in greece protests are small now but could grow bigger if the new left wing government is forced by its international lenders to compromise on austerity in return for much needed bail out funds. in brussels talks with the other euro bank are progressing to unlock billions in aid for greece but there is evident skepticism about a new economic plan offered by athens. >> some important issues have now been discussed in depth but more time is needed to bridge the remaining gaps. we have a joint interest with greek authorities to get that agreement as quickly as possible. there are some time constraints. there are liquidity con

as well cuba is looking for a lifting of the u.s. economic embargo. something that is complicated could involve the u.s. congress, there is the resolution of u.s. property claims those properties in cuba, that were seized the the cuban revolution, and how those owners will be compensated. so a lot of challenges still aed h, however, both sides reporting that they see things moving forward that there is a continued warming of relations if you will, one that was certainly bolsters by the meeting last month in panama, by president obama and raul castro. >> so the decision to work words nare mallizes relations is already having a big effect on tourism. airline are adding direct flights between the two and as usher reports now from havana, american tourists are already flocking to cuba. >> for cubans and u.s. citizens alike, there is little doubt tourism would benefit from normalized restrictions. it makes difficult from the states to visit the island, but not impossible. >> it is fantastic. the history here is unbelievable. absolutely unbelievable. >> cub

the pope will reaffirm the church's desire for cuba to open up to the world and world open up to cuba he is specialty as the upon till has participated in the dialogue between the united states and cuba. >> pope francis will be the third pontiff to visit cuba in 17 years which is a lot considering that cuba is a small country where the church is not particularly strong, but then cuba has always awakened an interest disproportionate to its size and pope francis's role makes this upcoming visit particularly significant. >> euro zone finance ministers are meeting in brussels as bankruptcy threatens greece, but the government in athens refuses to cut spending to meet creditors' demands. the pension system is a bone of contention. >> leisure is perhaps the only luxury left to pensioners these days. their money is usually spoken for. >> i'm paying off a home improvement loan. my children don't have work. i spend the rest of my money helping them as well as property and utility tax. >> pensioners make up 17% of the economy and have become a safety net for society as a whole. they are also th

cuba, that is.here was some in congress who threatened to block it, but what we saw here was the business community, a very powerful lobby come out and say no, we want this deal. that could be important in the future. the u.s. has embargo and plenty of sanctions on cuba, something that the leadership in the house say they have no intention of lifting, but it does move the process forward. this has been a key demand of cuba officials to reopen each other's embassies and restore normal diplomatic relations. now as a practical matter it does not change all that much. it carbs out some of the ex-searches allowing things like agriculture, equipment building materials, and that does not change that. but what the white house is saying that companies were going to be reluctant to work with cuba and in a state sponsored terrorism list. there are very few countries on that list. one of which is syria. that could have brought reluctance on the part of the companies, and now that it's off the list many companie

way, to travel to cuba.resident obama has the desire to bring these two communities together pair what better way than actually in their homes, a really important thing to do. the other thing we do is allow cubans to become much -- micro-entrepreneurs. they can earn an income. it is not something we invented. they are existed in cuba were people rented their home. and allowe it easier an audience of americans to be able to stay there. emily: cuba could be a huge potentially untapped revenue stream not just for you but other u.s. businesses. what will it mean for airbnb's bottom line? brian: i think cuba will be incredibly important. i do not know exactly. it is so new and i do not want to speculate on exactly how big cuba will be for the business. to give you a point of reference, we have 2000 homes in cuba. getook us three years to 1000 homes in san francisco, new york, and many of our big cities. these cities are large now. ever hadthink we have a market grow sss cuba. indications, half a century, american

pope francis is going itto cuba. it is expected this is the third visit by a pope to cuba. as time goes on, the visits will be more routine and common and religion and particularly the catholic religion will become more free to operate in cuba. >> maybe raul castro will say his rosary. ben, thank you. >> fascinating. i was in cuba when pope john paul ii arrived in 1998. >>> 27 minutes after the hour. we are following the breaking news in texas where a tornado left dozens injured overnight. severe storms wreaking havoc across the country. there is more to look out for today. all of the breaking news next. >> announcer: this is cnn breaking news. >> john berman here with christine romans. we have breaking news this morning. a possible tornado in van, texas. about 70 miles east of dallas. emergency officials call it a mass casualty event. what we know so far, at least 26 people injured, 20 plus structured damaged or destroyed. i want to bring in meteorologist pedram javaheri. pedram pedram. >> the storm system coming into van with a population of 2,600 people. seven reports of

cuba is going to open up. americas will be here. they are taking care of americas that's what you are saying. >> francis hollande was acopped by representatives. it handled sales. hopefully soon to the u.s. the french president did not allude publicly to the thorny issues of human right leading to the e.u. freeze. instead, he offers to make france a faithful allay of cuba this time without conditions >>> u.n. human rights experts criticized paraguay's government over its treatment of a 10-year-old rape victim who was denied an abortion. it's a grave violation to rite to health. the stepfather was arrested over the weekend. abortion in paraguay is illegal except where it endangers a mother's life >>> in libya police fired tear gas at farmers who were blocking 500 drugs and blockading the road. protesters say they've been waiting five years for the road to be built and blamed unresolved corruption cases for the delay >>> a masterpiece by pablo picasso was sold for a record $179.4 million. >> 150 million. sold. [ cheering and applause

tourists heading towards cuba.ow americans are flocking to see a country that has been officially off limits for 50 years. ♪ >> reporter: for cubans and u.s. citizens alike, there is little doubt tourism would benefit from normalized relations between the two countries. >> it's fantastic. the history here is unbelievable. absolutely unbelievable. >> reporter: cuba has long been a destination for travelers from europe and canada and international tourism here is big business a select few u.s. tour companies are licensed to operate here. >> cuba is an enigma. for us in the industry it's a phenomenal destination. it's like answer to prayer for the real traveler the person who longs to discover places in the world that are different and unique. >> reporter: michael and his friend have been giving tours in this classic 1948 chrysler car for the last year. >> i think it's going to be good. we are only 90 miles from the united states. and we can receive quickly a lot of tourism people here. and i think it's going to be a

the third pontiff to cuba in 13 years, a lot considering that cuba is a small country in an area not so strong. cuba awakened an interest not property organisationate to its side. this visit is particularly did not >>> in macedonia five police officers have been killed and more than 30 injured in a gun battle with an armed group. erica wood has more. >> reporter: the police action began in the early morning. about 40km north of the capital. it's an area that saw fighting during an ethnic albane yn insurgency. gunfire could be heard, and one explosion. the mainly albanian neighbourhood was sealed off. it's terrible terrible. the government said the attackers entered from an unnamed agency. some police involved were killed and several more were wounded. it's unclear how many casualties there were on the side of the armed troops. >> translation: this morning macedonian forces found and alarmed an armed intelligence group, which, according to the armed elements is instituting attacks on government constitutions. >> reporter: the government is facing opposition allegations, wire tapping a

reportera: de gobierno cubano pronto se convertirÍa en la embajada de cuba este edificio.idos que tendrÁ lugar en el departamento de estado. >> esperemos que estas negociaciones tengan Éxito. >> hoy en el senado interrogaron a quien encabeza las negociaciones. >> puede ser una embajada como la que tenemos ahora. donde hay una rueda de seguridad que no permite que los cubanos entren. >> dijo que no se debe permitir que los turistas se hospeden en hoteles socios del ejÉrcito cubano. >> los beneficios para el pueblo cubano son muchos mayores que los del aumento de beneficios econÓmicos para el gobierno de cuba. la expresiÓn ha concedido a, todo lo que ha querido, incluyendo que lo eliminen en la lista de paÍses que apoyan un banco en estados unidos que maneja sus transacciones. >> ahora quieren cambiar los programas democrÁticos que desarrollamos en cuba y en todo el mundo. hoy hay un reporte que dice que el departamento estÁ dispuesto a perder esos programas. >> es posible que el gobierno cubano no cambie. pero durante dÉcadas hemos tenido una polÍtica que no ha producido re

40 days ago, we launched in cuba with 1000 homes in cuba. now have 2000 home so it's been 40 days. these are cuban households. to travel to cuba like an insider and be in a home with an intimate experience, this is the best way to travel to cuba. what i am excited about is president obama has a desire to bring these two communities together, americans and cuban spread what better way to than actually in their homes? the other thing we do is allow cubans to become micro-entrepreneurs. in a couple of minutes, they can earn an income. this is not something we invented. it already existed in cuba. we now make it easier. we allow an audience of americans to stay there. emily: cuba could be a huge potential untapped revenue stream for you and other u.s. businesses. what will cuba mean for the bottom line? give us an idea of the numbers? think cuba will be incredibly important. i don't know exactly -- it so new that i don't want to speculate on how big it will be for our business. to give you what the reference -- we have 2000 homes in cuba and it

claims cuba has never dealt.e problem is if they do not pay, then it signals the world that you can confiscate american properties anywhere and you can get away with it. >> what exactly can impoverished cuba pay? when the average cuban only makes $20 a month. when cuba paid off spanish claims it was for $40 million. 10% what was asked. canadians were only paid $850,000 also a fraction. >> cuba don't have much to write checks. cuba is indebted up to its eyeballs and it squandered the riches it had produced. >> reporter: for its part cuba is making its own demand. $100 billion from the u.s. to pay for what it says the embargo cost it. >> wow. phil thank you. >>> some nerve. what do panera bread, misdirected bananas and a spunky world war ii have in common? they are part of our final 30. three stories you don't want to miss. when you're living with diabetes steady is exciting. only glucerna has carbsteady clinically proven to help minimize blood sugar spikes. i'm a bull rider make it part of your daily diabetes plan