Castro Emerges to Address Parliament

Eighty-three year-old revolutionary Communist leader Fidel Castro made a rare appearance on Saturday to address the Cuban National Assembly and warn them of the dangers of nuclear war. Castro expressed fears that the U.S. and Israel are planning to unleash nuclear weapons on Iran. The leader said that if President Barack Obama truly understood the implications of such an action, "He would not take it," also adding, "We are making a contribution to that persuasive effort." Castro did not address, however, the economic and human-rights issues plaguing his own nation. Castro stepped down in 2006, handing the presidency over to his brother Raul after a gastrointestinal illness sidelined him.