Cuba tightens security as Fidel Castro, brother Raul remain out of sight (AFP)

Reuters - Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Saturday called charges that a former U.S. State Department official and his wife spied for the Cuban government for nearly 30 years "ridiculous" and described the case as an "espionage comic strip."

AP - Fidel Castro said Friday he helped choose candidates for Cuba's new government, but he asserted that his brother Raul is fully in charge as the new president. In his first comments since his brother assumed the presidency last weekend, the elder Castro appeared to be trying to quash speculation that he would continue directing his brother — and the nation's affairs — from his sickbed.

AP - Fidel Castro said Friday he helped choose candidates for Cuba's new government, but he asserted that his brother Raul is fully in charge as the new president. In his first comments since his brother assumed the presidency last weekend, the elder Castro appeared to be trying to quash speculation that he would continue directing his brother — and the nation's affairs — from his sickbed.

Members of Cuba's National Assembly elected Raul Castro to succeed his brother, Fidel, last night. But there was little suspense in Havana yesterday anyway, as most people doubted the newly elected body would dare do anything but salute the legacy of Fidel by selecting his 76-year-old brother to take over.

government partnership, a top Palestinian official said as the Islamists of Hamas fought on to drive their Fatah rivals out of the Gaza Strip(AFP/Abbas Momani)" border="0" />AFP - Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas was to make a "conclusive" announcement Thursday on the stricken Hamas-Fatah government partnership, a top Palestinian official said as the Islamists of Hamas fought on to drive their Fatah rivals out of the Gaza Strip.

Cuba's future.(AFP/Rodrigo Arangua)" border="0" />AFP - Cuba has capped 80th birthday celebrations for Fidel Castro without a sign of the ailing leader, while his brother Raul, the interim president, invited arch-foe United States to negotiations.

Reuters - The United States urged Cubans on Friday to seize the opportunity to rid themselves of Communist rule as ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro and his designated successor and brother Raul remained out of public view, fueling anxiety over what could happen in the next days or weeks.

AFP - Cuban authorities tightened security in the Caribbean nation gripped by uncertainty with Fidel Castro and his replacement, Raul Castro, still out of view two days after their unprecedented handover of power.