MIAMI _ Fidel Castro spent his birthday Monday very much as he did last year's: fighting illness amid rumors that he is at death's door. According to official accounts, he just turned 81.

By Caren Bohan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush called for democratic change on Thursday in light of Fidel Castro's illness but a U.S. desire for regime change in Cuba may be tempered by concerns about instability and a possible immigration surge.

By Caren Bohan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush has long had a goal of hastening Cuban President Fidel Castro's departure but fears of instability and an immigration surge are likely to temper U.S. enthusiasm for sudden regime change.

MIAMI _ Funeral music is playing on Cuban state radio, and riots are breaking out in the eastern city of Guantanamo. It is Valentine's Day 2008, and Fidel Castro has died.

By Anthony Boadle HAVANA (Reuters) - American anti-torture activists who marched through southeastern Cuba to protest the detention of terror suspects at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay had to settle last week for a prayer vigil five miles away.