Cuba to begin legislative session on transition a day early – state media

A legislative session that will see a political transition in Cuba is going to start one day earlier than expected, state media said. The government has moved forward the beginning of a National Assembly session, in which President Raul Castro reportedly plans to step down and hand over the office to a younger successor. The session will now begin on Wednesday instead of Thursday. The change was due to steps required for such a transition, according to website Cubadebate. Castro is expected to pass the presidency to 57-year-old Vice-President Miguel Diaz-Canel, AP reported. Raul Castro took over from his brother Fidel in 2008.