US-Cuba travel and trade: New rules start on Friday

New travel and trade rules between the US and Cuba are to take effect today.

Measures include allowing US citizens to use credit cards in Cuba and for US businesses to export some technologies.

Americans will be able to take home up to one hundred dollars in alcohol and tobacco from Cuba.

Reports suggest that it means the US ban on Cuban cigars is over. The move implements last month's agreement to re-establish ties severed since 1961.

Although the latest moves put a large dent on the US trade embargo against Cuba, only Congress can lift it completely.

US officials say Cuba had completed the release of 53 political prisoners agreed as part of the historic deal.

Source: BBC