US & World News, Tuesday 2/19

US & World Summary: Expert Says Fidel Castro Still Holding On To Some Political Influence (Miami, FL) -- Fidel Castro has stepped down from the presidency of Cuba. That announcement comes in a Cuban state-run newspaper. The long-time dictator may, however, continue to influence politics in the island nation. Former CIA analyst and Cuban expert Brian Latell points out Castro appears to still be holding on to his role as head of the Communist Party in Cuba. President Bush said Castros announcement should mark the beginning of a transition to Democracy in the island nation. --- Primaries And Caucuses Slated In Three States Today Voters of both parties are casting ballots for their Presidential choices today in Wisconsin and Washington state, while Democratic caucuses are being held in Hawaii. The latest Rasmussen Reports poll in Wisconsin shows Senator Barack Obama in a near dead-heat with Senator Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side, 47 percent to 43 percent. For the Republicans, Rasmussen says Senator John McCain has a commanding lead over Mike Huckabee in Wisconsin, 51 percent to 30 percent. A record turnout is expected for the Washington state primary. --- Researchers Stumped Over High Suicide Rate In Middle-Aged (New York, NY) -- The high rate of suicide among middle-aged Americans has researchers stumped. According to "The New York Times," suicides among 45-to-54-year-olds increased by nearly 20-percent between 1999 and 2004. One researcher noted theres a "social-issue bias," because prevention hotlines are targeted toward those 19 or younger and 65 or older, but not at those in middle-age. Suicide often signals long-brewing troubles such as mental illness, drug use, unemployment or personal failures. --- Banks Facing Write-Downs As Result Of Slow Economy (New York, NY) -- "The New York Times" reports high-risk loans used in corporate buyouts have gone down in value, as have securities backed by commercial real estate mortgages. Banks have already written off more than 120-billion-dollars worth of losses due to the credit market crisis. One analyst said economic recovery could be difficult because banks are now more cautious in providing loans that could help bolster the economy. She said, quote, "Banks are all about self-preservation at this time." --- California Boy Scout Falls To Death During Hike In Yosemite (Yosemite NP, CA) -- A Boy Scout from California died Saturday after falling about 300 feet while on a hike in Yosemite 1/81/8 YO-sem-eh-tee 3/83/8 National Park. Park officials have not released the 12-year-olds name or the troop to which he belonged. A National Park Service spokeswoman said the boy had wandered away from his group on Yosemite Falls Trail when he fell. Saying there was no indication the boy did anything wrong, she characterized his death as "a horrible accident." --- Lunar Eclipse Takes Center Stage (Miami, FL) -- A total lunar eclipse will take place over North America tomorrow night. Starting at around 10 p.m. Eastern time, the full moon will gradually darken until its fully shrouded by Earths shadow. Total eclipses, which occur when the sun, Earth and moon perfectly align, are rare and this one will be visible across most of North America. If you miss it, youll have to wait until December of 2010 for the next one. --- Man Uses Fire Extinguisher To Put Out Cigarette (Berlin) -- A German man was so angered about his girlfriends cigarette smoking, he chose to put out her cigarette with a fire extinguisher. The 42-year-old became hostile when his girlfriend decided to light up in their apartment even after he asked her not to. He then unloaded the entire, powdery contents of a fire extinguisher on her, their apartment and the cigarette. Police said the man wasnt bothered by the damage he caused, adding he has now broken up with his girlfriend. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-02-19-08 0942CST