US held secret talks with Cuba

Cuba confirms meeting with US officials on island, wants energy blockade lifted - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMingFBVV95cUxPWWhqZXVnN1pBYW1qVEFLVUoxRVZENGlUdlhCTEJMM1lqYlZGSVpWeUNxVVN2SGpxQ0k2dlhBQjVQMXMxbXhpUjc1aGhUQ2ZKTWtlaUJfS0JKalJnQzl0TkVaUThRV0RURFhkbnM4cGJrTUZPazdHYVBlSUFPYmd3ZXIzZ1hkQ0pYSW5DTk5JN2RXNVJZQ1Y2aEJFUDlhUQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Cuba confirms meeting with US officials on island, wants energy blockade lifted</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

Scoop: Inside the historic U.S.-Cuba negotiations in Havana

<p>U.S. State Department officials met in Havana with Cuban apparatchiks —including the grandson of aging strongman <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/13/cuba-trump-raul-castro-indict" target="_blank">Raul Castro</a>— to urge democratic and economic freedoms and warn of the risks of not heeding their advice, Axios has learned.</p><ul><li>The U.S. delegation also offered to help restore internet services by setting up Starlink satellite services.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>The meeting last Friday itself marks a diplomatic breakthrough because it's the first time a U.S. government plane has touched down since President Obama visited a decade ago in an effort for rapprochement.</p><hr><ul><li>This time, Cuba is closer to societal collapse than ever, President Trump is in office with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and they're far less inclined to make concessions.</li></ul><p><strong>Zoom in</strong>: A senior State Department official told Axios that multiple mee...

Israel and Lebanon to hold news talks

The United States is set to host new talks on Thursday between Israel and Lebanon in an effort to reach an agreement as their fragile ceasefire largely holds. The discussions will take place at the State Department in Washington, once again at the ambassadorial level. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the goal is to end hostilities and the occupation in southern Lebanon, though Hezbollah continues to reject the negotiations. Meanwhile, Lebanese officials claim the IDF has destroyed 39 villages in the south of the country. Eliza Herbert reports.

US imposed 2-week deadline during secret Cuba meeting - USA Today

U.S. Officials Visited Havana to Lay Out Proposals for Cuban Reforms

The delegation told Cuba’s leadership that it had only a narrow window of time to make the economic and political changes demanded by the Trump administration.

Carney names broad team to advise on tense US-Canada trade talks

<p>Conservatives and former provincial premiers among those PM names to advisory committee on economic relations</p><p>Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, says his <a href="https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/04/21/prime-minister-carney-announces-new-advisory-committee-canada-us">new advisory committee on economic relations</a> with the United States will draw on the “best advice and the broadest perspectives” as the country braces what many expect will be tense trade negotiations with its southern neighbour.</p><p>The 24-member advisory committee, announced on Tuesday, shows the prime minister’s eagerness to reach across the political spectrum to ensure Canada is “well positioned to advance its interests” at the looming trade talks.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/21/mark-carney-advisers-us-canada-economic-trade">Continue reading...</a>