U.S., Cuba begin new round of talks

WASHINGTON – The U.S. and Cuba held a second round of negotiations Friday on restoring diplomatic relations after a half-century interruption, although an immediate breakthrough appeared unlikely.

The Obama administration wants embassies reopened by April’s summit of North and South American leaders, which presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro are expected to attend. But the Cubans hope first to be removed from a U.S. terrorism list, which prevents them from banking in the U.S. and doing other basic business they would need for an embassy here.

Washington is reviewing that designation but hasn’t made a decision yet.

Kurds capture militant stronghold

BEIRUT – Backed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, Kurdish fighters fought their way Friday into a northeastern Syrian town that was a key stronghold of Islamic State militants, only days after the group abducted dozens of Christians in the volatile region, Syrian activists and Kurdish officials said.

The victory marks a second blow to the extremist IS group in a month, highlighting the growing role of Syria’s Kurds as the most effective fighting force against the Islamic State. In January, Kurdish forces drove IS militants from the town of Kobani near the Turkish border after a months-long fight.

Swtizerland vows to cut emissions

STOCKHOLM – Switzerland has become the first country to submit a pledge to the United Nations for a new global climate deal, vowing to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

The Swiss government said Friday that at least 30 percent of the reduction would be achieved at home and the remainder through projects abroad.

The European Union, United States, China and Norway have also announced their intended targets but haven’t formally submitted them to the UN.

Associated Press