From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

The U.S. and communist Cuba are saying goodbye to Fidel.

Hello again, I'm Aronalini, and this is To the Point.

Hundreds of thousands of Cubans are turning out as the late Fidel Castro's remains are paraded across the island nation before Sunday's funeral.

Much has changed since Videl seized power in 1959.

The Obama administration has begun to normalize diplomatic relations and relax economic sanctions.

But Donald Trump says he'll demand more change from Castro's

surviving brother Raul. That's created uncertainty in Cuba itself, for Cuban Americans,

and for recent investors. What role do hardliners in both countries still have to play?

On today's talking point later, Mad Dog Mattis and civilian control of the

Pentagon. First, the news.

Check out KCRW's All News Channel, News 24, programming from KCRW, NPRW, NPR, the BBC, and more 24 hours a day.

Go to KCRW.com slash News24, or you can listen on KCRW's app.

Support for To the Point comes from the members of KCRW and from the Public Radio International Program Fund.

Hello again, Warren Olney, back with To the Point. As the U.S. and Cuba remember the late Fidel Castro,

all eyes are on his surviving brother Raul and on America's next president, Donald Trump.

Will the relaxation of tensions continue? Or will hardliners reverse course?

On today's talking point later, retired General James Mattis is adored by federal Marines and

respected by both parties on Capitol Hill. But would Donald Trump's choice as defense

secretary being order or chaos to the Pentagon? First, this news update, the latest Labor Department report on employment makes it more

likely than ever that the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates in a couple of weeks,

even though workers are not being paid, but they should be in an improving economy.

...