Today's news

--> Cuba: Raúl Castro, who has labored in the shadow of his brother Fidel since the days of their revolution, became Cuba's new president on Sunday, ending his brother’s 49-year rule and washing away hopes on this Communist island that a younger generation might take power.

In his first words as president, Mr. Castro made it clear that he would make no radical changes and promised to consult his brother on every important decision. He said that his brother was still alive and alert, and that the time had yet to come when the leaders of the revolution in the 1950s had to pass the baton to a new generation.

“Fidel is Fidel, you know that well,” he said to the National Assembly shortly after it voted him president. “He is irreplaceable, and the people will continue his work even though he is not physically here.”

--> Florida: Two separate groups of Cuban migrants arrived in South Florida just a day after change at the top in Cuba.

The first group was located by U.S. Coast Guard at Soldier Key in Key Biscayne Monday morning. The group presumably will be able to stay in the United States because they were located on the Soldier Key island off Key Biscayne, Local 10 learned.

A second group is being interviewed by customs agents after being located at Card Sound Road. There are 16 people in the group and were transported to Pembroke Pines for processing. Customs agents said they are "dry foot," so they will also be staying in the United States.

--> Florida: Record crude oil costs have led to eye-popping Florida gasoline prices -- up an average 14.5 cents in just one week.

The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the state hit a record $3.22, up from $3.08 a week ago, well in advance of expected annual Spring price hikes, according to AAA Auto Club South's Daily Fuel Gauge Report.

--> U.S.: On Sunday, Ralph Nader officially announced that he would seek the presidency as a third-party candidate one more time — driven in part by his frustration over the efforts to thwart his last run.

“If there was no other reason to run — other than the civil liberties, civil rights issue of ballot access — it’d be worth it,” Mr. Nader said in a telephone interview after announcing his candidacy on “Meet the Press.”