A Cuban retiree says the country's toilet paper shortage has created a lucrative business for seniors -- buying and reselling newspapers as an alternative. The Havana retiree said he and other seniors line up before dawn to buy surplus newspapers from distribution points for factories and offices that have closed for economic reasons and shortages of electricity and raw materials, The Miami Herald reported Thursday. The man, who requested anonymity to prevent trouble with authorities, said the seniors buy the newspapers, including the Communist party's Granma, for 20 Cuban cents -- about .007 U.S.

Cuban energy officials have said the communist island may have more than 20 billion barrels of oil in offshore deposits. Their estimate is more than twice that made by the U.S.

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has appeared on television for the first time in five months.

By JAMES C. MCKINLEY JR. By James C. McKinley Jr. The New York Times HAVANA If anyone thought Fidel Castro was going to slip into quiet retirement, he dispelled that notion Friday when he published a broadside against American politicians who have called for democracy in Cuba.

Cuban President Fidel Castro said he is glad to be retiring follow his announcement this week that he would not seek re-election.