By Alvaro Vargas Llosa WASHINGTON -- The Cuban government has finally blocked access to a Web log written by Yoani Sanchez, a young woman who has caused a sensation on the communist-ruled island with her daily postings about life in Havana. But she says she has found a way to outsmart her censors.

By James C. McKinley Jr. A growing underground network of young people armed with computer memory sticks, digital cameras and clandestine Internet hookups has been mounting some challenges to the Cuban government in recent months, spreading news the official state media try to suppress.

By James C. McKinley Jr.

HAVANA _ Fidel Castro passed the mantle of president and top revolutionary leader Sunday to his younger brother, Raul, in an orderly succession between two men whose hold on Cuba began when they landed in a rickety boat full of guerrilla fighters half a century ago.

HAVANA _ Raul Castro, as expected, replaced brother Fidel as Cuba's president Sunday and made it immediately clear that he would continue to consult the longtime communist ruler on major decisions.