Cigar festivities Cigar festivities

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 27, 2008 | by Compiled

Cuba: High-level church meeting

HAVANA -- Raul Castro met behind closed doors with the Vatican's No. 2 official Tuesday, in his first encounter with a foreign dignitary as Cuba's president.

The talks with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Pope Benedict XVI's secretary of state, came two days after the 76-year-old Castro succeeded his older brother Fidel to become the first new Cuban head of state in 49 years.

Iran: Rocket a domestic product

TEHRAN -- President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Tuesday that the research rocket Iran recently launched was built in just nine months without using any foreign models.

Iran's launch of a rocket in early February provoked unease in an international community already suspicious over the Islamic Republic's nuclear program since the technology involved can also be used to deliver warheads.

Israel: Comatose Sharon is 80

JERUSALEM -- Former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon turned 80 on Tuesday, more than two years after he was rendered comatose by a stroke while serving in Israel's top job.

Dov Weisglass, formerly Sharon's top adviser, said there had been little change in his condition over the past year. He is breathing without the help of machines and his vital signs are good, which means his current state could continue for some time.

DESERET MORNING NEWS, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27, 2008