Obama and Castro in historic handshake

US President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro met briefly on Friday Source BBC

US President Barack Obama and Cuba's Raul Castro have shaken hands at the Summit of the Americas in Panama City, the latest sign of the thaw in relations between the two countries.

It is the first time a Cuban leader has taken part in the summit.

The two leaders are due to meet again later on Saturday in the first formal encounter between the countries in more than five decades.

BBC