Today's news


--> Cuba: Fidel Castro announced his resignation as president of Cuba and commander in chief of Cuba's military today, according to a letter published in the state-run newspaper, Granma.

The resignation ends nearly a half-century of iron-fisted rule that inspired revolutionaries but frustrated 10 U.S. presidents.

Castro revealed his plans without notice by publishing a letter in the middle of the night in state-run newspaper Granma.

"I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," Castro wrote. "I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. ... Perhaps my voice will be heard."

--> U.S.: It’s no Super Tuesday, but Hawaiian Democrats and Wisconsinites will head to the voting booths today. Washington State Republicans will allot 19 more delegates in their primary (18 were doled out during the state’s caucus on Feb. 9). Early voting begins in Texas, as well.

--> Pakistan: The ruling party of Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf admitted defeat in parliamentary polls today as early results pointed to a crushing blow for the Washington's key ally in its fight against Islamic extremists in the region.

We concede and congratulate the people who have won the elections," Mushahid Syed Hussain, general secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, told CNN.

In the wake of the results, pressure was already increasing on Musharraf to relinquish his tight grip on power, raising the prospect of more turmoil in the nuclear-armed country, which has witnessed a surge in violent attacks -- including the assassination of a key political figure in recent months.


The Monet and van Gogh oil paintings were in good condition, police said, and the search continued for the other two -- a Cezanne and a Degas.

A parking lot attendant at the Psychiatric University Hospital in Zurich found the paintings Monday afternoon in the back of an unlocked white car, police said.

"The two paintings, worth about 70 million francs ($64 million), are in good condition and are still protected by the original glass covering," police said in a statement.


Florida's current standards require the teaching of evolution using code words like ``change over time.''

Adding the term "scientific theory'' before the term "evolution'' was a modified proposal at least one board member called a compromise, not standards proposed originally to the committee. The option to include "scientific theory'' was made late last week.

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