UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.25.08

Nader jumps into presidential race.

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader says he's running for president again. This run would be Nader's fifth consecutive bid for the White House. Many Democrats fear that Nader could draw votes from whoever gets the party's nomination. That move could help the nearly-cemented Republican nominee John McCain win the White House in November.

Meanwhile, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama traded sharp words over trade this weekend while campaigning in Ohio. The rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination have blamed trade agreements for the loss of manufacturing jobs. Clinton accused the Illinois senator of misrepresenting her record on the North American Free Trade Agreement. The New York Senator has said she's hesitant about NAFTA, blaming countries for shipping jobs overseas. But, Obama accused the New York Senator for supporting NAFTA when her husband was president.

The brother of former Cuban president Fidel Castro is the new president of the communist country. Raul Castro took to his post yesterday after running Cuba's military for at least 50 years. The news came five days after the 81-year-old elder announced his resignation, citing his critical health condition.

Classes are resuming today at Northern Illinois University where six students were killed nearly two weeks ago. But there won't be any meetings in Cole Hall this semester where a gunman burst in and shot five students before taking his own life. Officials haven't decided what to do about the building yet. Since the incident, memorial services have been held to honor the slain and the 16 others who were wounded.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.20.08

Obama's momentum grows after two state wins.

Senator Barack Obama is surging ahead in the Democractic presidential race after winning contests in Wisconsin and Hawaii yesterday. Those wins have solidified Obama's lead over rival Senator Hillary Clinton. That makes the contests in Texas and Ohio next month must-win battles for the New York Senator. On the Republican side, John McCain widened his lead yesterday in the GOP race for the presidential nomination. The Arizona senator won victories in Wisconsin and Washington State as expected.

White House hopefuls on both sides are taking a stance on Cuba following President Fidel Castro's resignation yesterday. Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton say the U.S. should be ready to respond to reforms in that country if the new regime indicates a willingness to change. Castro's brother Raul, who's expected to take over, has raised expectations for modest reforms. But Republicans are insisting that significant benchmarks be met before there's any response from the U.S.

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf says he intends to stay in office and work with the newly elected government. That's despite calls by the opposition to step down. The Pakistan People's Party of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto won most national assembly seats. The party affiliated with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif came in second. If those two big opposition parties form a coalition and grab the support of smaller groups and independents, they could gain the two-thirds majority needed to impeach Musharraf.

Space Shuttle Atlantis and its crew are back on the ground. The shuttles touched down earlier today after a 13-day journey to deliver a new European space station lab. NASA wanted Atlantis to return as soon as possible to clear the way for the Navy to shoot down a dying space satellite. That could happen as early as tomorrow.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 02.19.08

Castro resigns as president.

Fidel Castro is reportedly stepping down as president of Cuba. That's according to a letter he published in a state-run newspaper. Castro says his critical health condition is the main reason for his resignation. The 81-year-old commander in chief was treated for intestinal problems two years ago. Cuban leaders plan to elect a president in the next few days. Castro's brother, Raul, has been publicly named as his successor.

Early poll results indicate the rival party of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has won in yesterday's parliamentary election. The opposition parties of assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appear to have grabbed the majority of votes. As results trickled in, thousands of ecstatic Pakistanis took to the streets, waving signs and singing. Musharraf has said he would accept the results and work with the winner to build democracy in the country.

Senator John McCain got a President's Day endorsement from former President George Bush. Bush defended the Arizona senator's conservative positions, calling any attacks on his record absurd and grossly unfair. Many conservatives oppose McCain's stance on issues like immigration and campaign finance. McCain responded to the former president's backing, saying his endorsement would help him enormously to unite the party and move forward.

For many yesterday, it was just a day off from work. But for others, it was a day to celebrate George Washington's birthday. Mount Vernon, which is home to Washington's estate, held a number of events, including tours and a wreath-laying ceremony to honor America's first president. Washington would have been 276 years old.