Brian Williams in Cuba: Diplomacy and a Beach Americans Have Never Seen

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Reporting from Cuba: Diplomacy Begins  With little fanfare, the highest U.S. delegation in 38 years to visit Cuba arrived in Havana today, and they’ll have to overcome decades of mistrust to restore relations. Talks begin tomorrow and could pave the way for a meeting between President Barack Obama and President Raul Castro. NBC’s Brian Williams and Andrea Mitchell flew with the assistant secretary of state to Havana and report on this historic start.     Learn More

And Now the Politics  Headlines today called President Obama’s biggest moment of the State of the Union a zinger, a taunt and an epic putdown. He was chiding the Republicans about his election victories. As Obama now looks to sell his agenda to the country, for many in Washington the focus has turned to the next election as potential candidates — including Vice President Joe Biden — hint at a run.     Learn More

Choosing to Stay  While many Cubans have moved to America, for one 26-year-old, the dream was to stay. Paola Lara-Mendi has a biology degree and a love for her country. She talks with Brian Williams about Cuba’s future, what she calls its existing revolution and why she thinks “it’s going to take so long” for her home to prepare for its impending tourism boom.     Learn More

Mortgage Boom  Your home payments could be getting cheaper. New mortgage applications are up 63 percent as people scramble to refinance and take advantage of low interest rates. While rates could continue to dip, experts have reason to suggest refinancing now — as long as you avoid a mistake made by nearly half of all consumers.     Learn More

Men Hide More Money Than Women  A new report finds just how many people are hiding money from their partners, and men are doing it a lot more often than women.     Learn More

Cuba’s Hidden Paradise  Most Americans have never seen this popular tourist destination. It’s a white-sand beach just 90 miles from Havana. Until recently, folks from the U.S. were banned from Varadero Beach and its high-end hotels. Get a glimpse of its waters for the first time.     Learn More