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Bill easing travel ban to Cuba withdrawn***WASHINGTON - Opponents of U.S. restrictions on travel to Cuba suffered a defeat Wednesday when an amendment that would have denied funding for enforcement was withdrawn from a House of Representatives bill, the first such setback in five years.

Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., the sponsor of the initiative, blamed election-year politics for his decision to withdraw the amendment.

''Unfortunately, the timing of this legislation this year does not lend itself to a reasoned and thoughtful debate about our policy toward Cuba,'' he said.

The setback marks a shift from previous years, when a growing number of lawmakers has backed initiatives to roll back travel restrictions. A similar amendment passed the House and Senate last year, but was later dropped in a conference committee under a veto threat from the White House. ***

Castro falls, possibly breaking leg*** HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- President Fidel Castro fell, possibly breaking his leg, after giving a graduation speech Wednesday in the central Cuban city of Santa Clara.

Sending a buzz through the crowd, the 78-year-old leader appeared to trip as he was walking away from the podium.

In an effort to calm the crowd, Castro took the microphone after a few minutes, saying: "Just so that there won't be any speculation, it seems that I broke my knee." He apologized for any concerns he may have caused for those who care about him and then joked how his spill was likely to make headlines in the international media.

Looking shaken, the Cuban leader of 45 years was taken to the hospital where he said he would probably get a cast, promising to get back to normal as soon as possible.

.....Castro's state of health is considered a state secret and is not discussed by the government.***