In brief: Cuban official dies of heart attack

HAVANA – Cuban Defense Minister Julio Casas Regueiro died in Havana at age 75 from a heart attack on Saturday, state television reported.

The three-star general, who was born in eastern Cuba in 1936, had fought in the Cuban Revolution under now-President Raul Castro.

He had served as deputy defense minister since 1969 and was promoted when his predecessor became president in 2008 after longtime leader Fidel Castro stepped aside.

He also served on the politburo of the Communist Party and as vice president of the Council of State.

Wayward penguin returns to ocean

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – The wayward emperor penguin dubbed “Happy Feet” is back in the ocean south of New Zealand.

The penguin was released from the research vessel Tangaroa this morning about 50 miles north of remote Campbell Island in water about 935 feet deep.

Wellington Zoo veterinarian Lisa Argilla said Happy Feet needed some “gentle encouragement” to leave the purpose-built crate that had been his home on the boat for six days. He slid down a makeshift ramp backward and then took off.

The bird was found June 20 on a New Zealand beach far from his Antarctic feeding grounds. He became sick from eating sand and was transferred to the Wellington Zoo.

His story has captured the imagination of people around the world.