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.

UPI VIDEO NEWS 01.31.08

Schwarzenegger to endorse McCain.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to announce today that he'll endorse Republican White House hopeful John McCain. The governor's backing could be key to the Arizona senator winning California in next week's Super Tuesday nominating contest. McCain is also set to receive endorsements from Georgia's two Republican senators in the next few days. Georgia will also participate in Super Tuesday.

Meanwhile, John McCain and his rival Mitt Romney traded fire in last night's debate in California as they fought for their party's top spot. Romney accused McCain of using dirty tricks and misrepresenting his position on the Iraq war. McCain said the former Massachusetts governor lacked the experience and judgment to be commander in chief. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee complained about the time given to McCain and Romney, saying he didn't come to umpire a ballgame between the two.

Voters for former Senator John Edwards are up for grabs. Yesterday, Edwards dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. At the time, he didn't endorse either of his rivals, Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But one of his aides says he may back one of them in the future. Political analysts say an endorsement from Edwards would have a significant impact on the race.

The Senate could debate an economic stimulus package passed by the Senate Finance Committee as early as today. The package would inject nearly $200 billion into the economy over two years to help ward off a recession. It's reportedly similar to a bill passed earlier this week by the House. But there are some differences. The Senate's eligibility caps are double those in the House version. President Bush backs the House version of the bill and has urged the Senate to abandon its efforts to pass a different measure.