Obama: Summit of the Americas ‘productive’

President Obama said Sunday the 34-nation Summit of the Americas was a "very productive" meeting that proved hemispheric progress is possible if countries set aside "stale debates and old ideologies." Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of the summit, Obama cited a potential thaw in relations between the United States and longtime adversaries Cuba and Venezuela, but said the ultimate test “is not simply words, but deeds.” Leaders did not “see eye to eye” on some important issues, but the meeting proved it is possible to “disagree respectfully,” the president said. Obama highlighted the importance of using American diplomacy and development aid in “more intelligent ways.” He reached out to the Cuban government before the summit by lifting all restrictions on U.S.

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If Chavez initiates talks, Obama would likely agree, Gibbs says

President Obama doesn’t have a one-on-one meeting scheduled with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, but if Chavez were to initiate a conversation, Obama would likely go along with it, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. Obama on Friday travels to Trinidad and Tobago for the Summit of the Americas, a meeting of leaders from North and South America

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Owners drop Freedom Tower name for new WTC skyscraper

The agency that owns the space where the World Trade Center towers stood is freeing itself of the term "freedom" to describe the signature skyscraper replacing the buildings destroyed on September 11, 2001. The change from Freedom Tower was revealed Thursday at a news conference where the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the signing of the first commercial lease in the building to a Chinese company

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