Morning Buzz: Feb. 25, 2008

Students returned to classrooms this morning at Northern Illinois University for the first time since the deadly February 14 shootings, when former NIU graduate student Steve Kazmierczak opened fire on a classroom, killing five and wounding 16. More than 12,000 people gathered last night for a memorial service held at the school's Convocation Center.

Raul Castro  promised Cubans that he would defer to brother Fidel and the Communist Party's old guard on major matters as he takes over the presidency, crushing hopes that the first change in the country's leadership in almost 50 years would reshape the country's future. He picked 77-year-old revolutionary leader José Ramón Machado for the government's No. 2 spot.

The Cohen brothers, Joel and Ethan, racked up four Oscars, including best picture, for their crime drama "No Country for Old Men," at last night's Academy Awards. All four acting awards went to Europeans actors and actresses, including the best actress distinction to French actress Marion Cotillard for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose."