Top U.S. lobbying firm to open Cuba practice

Akin Gump, the nation’s largest lobby firm, is looking to open a business unit in Cuba. First noted in The Washington Post, the move is the latest in expanding business and consumer operations after President Obama announced in December that the United States would begin normalized diplomatic relations with the Caribbean island nation. Among the industries looking to branch out to Cuba are telecommunications, hospitality, agriculture and healthcare – as well as advocacy and business groups. Many interests have been pressuring…