Cuba is bringing forward the start of the national assembly session where a new president to succeed Raul Castro will be selected, Cuban state-run Radio Rebelde said on Monday. The assembly had originally been set to meet on Thursday but will now meet on Wednesday. "This decision has been adopted to facilitate the development of the steps that a session of such importance requires," Radio Rebelde wrote on its website. On Thursday, 86-year-old Raúl Castro will step down as Cuba's president, the first time in more than 40 years the country won't be led by a Castro brother. Now all eyes are on Miguel Díaz-Canel — seen by many as Raúl’s hand-picked successor as the nation's next leader, NBC News reported.

Source: dna April 16, 2018 13:52 UTC