President Obama and President Castro (Photo from Latina)US, Cuba Held Unannounced Talks -- Yahoo News/AP
NEW YORK – A senior American diplomat has held unannounced, high-level talks in Havana with the Cuban government, three State Department officials told The Associated Press on Tuesday, raising hopes for a thaw in long-icy relations.
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MIDDLE EAST
US welcomes Iranian gesture on detained Americans.
U.N. Secretary General: Iran violating resolutions on nuclear activities.
Iran promises inspection 'soon'. US, allies seek new ways to sanction Iran. In Tehran, students defy ban on protests.
Bombings across Iraq kill 15, wound dozens.
UN scrutinises Gaza 'war crimes'. Israel condemns U.N. report on Gaza 'war crimes'.
ASIA
Pacific tsunami hits Samoa islands, people killed.
Suspected U.S. drone attacks kill 12 in Pakistan.
U.S. says Taliban has a new haven in Pakistan.
No detail is overlooked as China prepares to celebrate.
US accepts Hamid Karzai as Afghan leader despite poll fraud claims.
Philippines flood death toll rises as Typhoon Ketsana slams into Vietnam. 23 dead as Typhoon Ketsana roars into Vietnam.
US soldiers killed in Philippines.
AFRICA
China seeks major stake in Nigerian oil: report.
Over 150 protesters killed in Guinea.
Peacekeeper killed in Darfur: UN-AU mission.
Nigeria's oil rebels name mediators.
US envoy's outreach to Sudan is criticized as naive. Sudan envoy wanders off the reservation.
EUROPE
UK's Gordon Brown coverage takes a nasty turn.
Poles indignant that US altered missile-shield plans.
At German Chancellor’s side, a new political power broker emerges.
EU report to place blame on both sides in Georgia war.
In bad times for capitalism, socialists in Europe suffer.
France divided over Polanski case.
AMERICAS
Report: Peru's Fujimori pleads guilty in bribery case.
Honduras presses Brazil over refuge to ousted President. Honduras to nullify emergency restrictions. US denies policy change in Honduras crisis.
Obama to woo IOC over Chicago bid.
Cuba admits failure to pay farmers on time.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Guantánamo deadline may be missed.
NYC terror suspect pleads not guilty, kept in jail.
Al Qaeda in Yemen worries the West.
Chavez, Gaddafi seek a new definition of terrorism.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
FDIC says bank failures to cost around $100B.
World Bank head sees dollar’s role diminishing.
FDIC expected to ask banks to prepay $36B in fees.