UNITED STATES-CUBA

HAVANA - After a euphoric month that left Americans dreaming of holidays in Havana and Cubans imagining U.S. products at their corner stores, the first real effort at forging a new era was sobering: Much bitter disagreement still stands in the way of normal relations.

OBAMA-BATTLE LINES

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama wants to stay relevant until the end of his historic presidency. But the Republicans are in power in Congress, and are determined to show it. The battle lines were drawn this past week for the final two years of Obama's term, with neither side able to claim the upper hand. 

UNITED STATES-THAILAND

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is sending its highest-level diplomatic visitor to Thailand since last year's military coup although a return to democracy there remains a distant prospect.

UNITED STATES-INDIA

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will seek to leverage his burgeoning bond with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi into progress on climate change, defense and economic ties as he opens a three-day visit to New Delhi. 

VENEZUELA-OPPOSITION HOTBED

SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela - San Cristobal was the crucible of student-led unrest that spread last year and provoked clashes that left 43 people dead. While the streets are calmer now, tension is building as the anniversary of the uprising nears. 

ARGENTINA-PROSECUTOR KILLED

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - The 10 police officers assigned to protect a federal prosecutor who accused Argentina's president of shielding Iranians sought in a terrorist bombing are being investigated for their actions on the day the prosecutor was found shot dead.