Ailing Senator Edward Kennedy has asked Massachusetts politicians to change the law to allow the governor to appoint an interim replacement for his US Senate seat, should he be unable to continue serving.

Ailing leader Fidel Castro today resigned as Cuba’s leader after nearly a half-century, saying he would not accept a new term when the newly elected parliament meets on Sunday.

Ailing Pope John Paul has sent a special blessing to Prince Rainier of Monaco, whose health continued to worsen today.

The people of Saudi Arabia have raised more than £43m (€61.2m) for the tsunami victims in Asia in a telethon staged by the government after accusations that the oil-rich kingdom was not doing enough for those affected.

Ailing Yasser Arafat performed Muslim prayers before dawn today, but his condition remains serious and a team of doctors flying in from Arab countries will decide whether he needs to be transferred from his compound to a hospital.