The highest-level U.S. delegation to Cuba in 35 years begins talks on Wednesday aimed at restoring diplomatic ties, Reuters reported. Talks will focus on immigration and turn to restoring bonds between the two countries on Thursday. The two days of meetings are the first since U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced on Dec. 17 they had reached a historic breakthrough after 18 months of secret negotiations. Obama has set the U.S. on a path toward removing Washington's 53-year-old trade embargo against the communist-ruled island, telling Congress in his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday that "we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date." "NBC Nightly News" host Brian Williams hosted Wednesday's broadcast from Havana.
