US Frees 5 Guantanamo Prisoners

The Pentagon on Thursday said five men from Yemen have been released from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the latest move in efforts by the Obama administration to close the military prison.

The Pentagon announced that one man has been sent to Estonia and four to Oman.

“The U.S. is grateful to the Government of Oman for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

“There are now 122 detainees held at Guantanamo,’’ the Pentagon said.

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United states takes steps to ease Cuba embargo

The United States rolled out a sweeping set of measures on Thursday to ease the half-century-old embargo against Cuba, opening up the country to expanded travel, trade and financial activities, Voice of America reports.

Defying hardline critics in Congress, President Barack Obama made good on a commitment he made a month ago to begin loosening some US economic sanctions against the communist-ruled island as part of an effort to end decades of hostility.

The Treasury and Commerce Departments issued a package of new rules that will allow US exports of telecommunications, agricultural and construction equipment, permit expanded travel to Cuba and authorise some kinds of banking relations.

International Diplomacy As Cuba Frees 53 Prisoners To Restore US Relations

Cuba has completed the release of 53 prisoners it promised to free as part of the agreement to restore diplomatic relations with the United States, American officials said on Monday.

“We welcome this very positive development and are pleased that the Cuban government followed through on this commitment,” a senior administration official said in a statement to reporters. “Our Interests Section in Havana was able to verify these releases.”

The release of the 53 prisoners has been eagerly awaited by American officials as a sign that Cuba is prepared to carry though with the deal to normalize relations, The New York Times reports.

US Prisoner From Cuba Gives Sperm to Wife by Artificial Insemination

One of the Cuban prisoners freed last week in a swap for American contractor Alan Gross was allowed to provide sperm to impregnate his wife while he was still behind bars, U.S. officials said Monday.

Gerardo Hernandez was seen caressing the belly of his very pregnant wife, Adriana Perez, at a public event to celebrate his homecoming over the weekend.

She's due to give birth in just two weeks — thanks to a "humanitarian" artificial insemination brokered by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.