Fidel Castro makes rare speech

07/08/10 19:34 CET

| |

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has addressed the island’s parliament for the first time since he stepped down due to ill health four years ago.

It follows a number of public appearances by the 83-year-old, who was cheered as he entered the chamber.

The former leader called for a special meeting to talk about the danger of a nuclear war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Castro said all countries, except Israel, want Washington to exercise restraint in his dealings with Tehran.

He also warned conflict could break out if the US and its allies continued to put pressure on the Iranian regime.

Castro handed over power to his younger brother Raul when he fell ill and had intestinal surgery in 2006.

The elder Castro all but disappeared from public life, being seen only in videos and photographs.

| |

UN condemns Syrian government for Houla shelling

Protests have erupted across Syria after Friday’s massacre of at least 100 people, many of them children, in the town of Houla. With international…

Greek and French politicians are making political capital out of remarks made by the IMF chief…

This year’s jury president at Cannes, actor director Nanni Moretti announced the winner of…