FIdel Castro steps down as Cuban leader after 49 years in power; France, US, UK officially recognize Kosovo...

19 February :: At 81, Fidel Castro has announced his retirement as head of state, potentially opening door to political reform, after 49 years under the regime he founded when his revolution took power in 1959; Cuban exiles have expressed little enthusiasm as in past, due to his brother's apparently firm hold on power... US, France, UK, officially recognize new Kosovo independent state, with Sec. of State Rice saying the US "has today formally recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state"; Spain, however has rejected the Kosovo declaration, its foreign minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos saying "The government of Spain will not recognize the unilateral act proclaimed yesterday by the assembly of Kosovo", due to perceptions that Kosovo's regional assembly declaring independence without Serb approval could lead to similar actions in Spain's Basque region, or in Catalunya; EU in Brussels voted to allow member states to choose their own position toward Kosovar independence, has made no official joint declaration...