Ta Ta Fidel

Fidel Castro has stepped down as Cuba's president. His brother Raul, the 76-year-old acting leader, is expected to replace him, though Vice-President Carlos Lage Davila, 56, is also a leading contender. The US (rather optimistically) are predicting that this is the beginning of a transition to democracy, though Raul Castro has been busy working to ensure a smooth political transition, keeping the army loyal to the regime and strengthening the Communist Party's hold by introducing reforms and weeding out corrupt officials. Cuba has also had the advantage of continued economic support from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the form of millions of barrels of cheap oil.