Talks highlight 'profound differences'

The United States and Cuba fell short of setting dates to reopen embassies but agreed to meet again to overcome deep rifts after they wrapped up historic talks on Thursday aimed at normalizing relations.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Ex-protester becomes PM-in-waiting

Alexis Tsipras, who is tipped to be Greece's youngest prime minister since 1865, has come a long way from his early days as a Communist youth activist.

Superbug's role in deaths is unclear

A drug-resistant superbug infected 32 people at a Seattle hospital over a two-year period, with the bacteria spreading through contaminated medical scopes that had been cleaned to the manufacturer's recommendation, officials said on Thursday.

Power of the pen

Tu Xiangdong has mastery of several calligraphic forms

New lease on life for Capitol

Fidel Castro's rebels swept into Havana 56 years ago this month and went to work purging the US legacy from a capital that had been a virtual outpost of Washington.

Foie gras back on menu as California lifts ban

Californians will be able to legally eat foie gras again after a judge on Wednesday overturned a ban on sales of the delicacy that has been in force in the US state for the past two and a half years.

Nissan, NASA to cooperate on self-driving cars

Japanese automaker Nissan is teaming up with NASA to work on technology that can be used in self-driving cars.

Eco group chases 'poaching' ship

Environmental activist group Sea Shepherd said Fri-day it has been chasing a "poaching" ship for three weeks amid heavy ice flows in an attempt to stop the crew from illegal fishing in the Southern Ocean.

Around the World

Former Miami Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad swam 9 miles back to shore after falling off his boat while fishing off the South Florida coast.

Ousted Thai premier rejects charges

Thailand's military-appointed legislature began impeachment hearings on Friday against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a move analysts say is aimed at ensuring the ousted leader stays out of politics for the foreseeable future.

'Dental material' found in burger

A Japanese woman got more than a mouthful when she discovered fragments later identified as "dental material" in a McDonald's hamburger, marking the fast-food chain's latest food quality embarrassment.