Ports, Cuba sign accords

The Mississippi ports of Pascagoula and Gulfport signed agreements in Cuba on Monday with an eye to future business and with a Republican U.S. senator from the state looking on. It was done despite concerns President Donald Trump might backtrack on improved relations. Sen. Thad Cochran is the only Republican among five U.S. senators and a U.S. representative on a three-day visit to the Communist-run Caribbean island to discuss relations and explore business opportunities. The agreements were signed during a business forum to explore future trade attended by Cochran. Similar agreements were signed last month with Virginia, Louisiana and Alabama. The Florida ports of Everglades and Palm Beach had also been planning to sign deals, but balked after Republican Gov. Rick Scott threatened to cancel their funding if they did business with the "Cuban dictatorship." (Sources: Multiple, including Reuters, NBCNews, 02/20/17)