■ United States
Arabic mag boosts US image
The US State Department has launched an Arabic language magazine dedicated not to promoting American policies but focused instead on US culture and values in an effort to boost the image of the US among young people in Arabic countries. The August issue of the glossy magazine, called hi, is full of images of famous Americans and sells for about US$2 in more than a dozen Arabic countries. The publication is marketed toward people 18 to 35 and addresses topics ranging from entertainment and education to technology, careers, health and life in the US for Arabs and Arab Americans.
■ Argentina
Amnesty laws annulled
Argentine lawmakers voted to annul a pair of 1980s laws that ended the prosecution of human rights abuses stemming from the military dictatorship era. The vote came hours after thousands of marchers demanded Congress repeal the amnesty laws. By a show of hands, the 186 members present in the lower House of Deputies supported the annulments and sent the measure to the Senate for final congressional debate. The Senate will begin debate on Wednesday. Fireworks lit the night sky outside the legislative palace, where dozens of human rights activists cheered raucously after the vote.
■ Cuba
Castro celebrates birthday
Fidel Castro, the world's longest ruling head of government, turned 77 yesterday after a year that saw his communist nation grow more isolated as he lashed out at his European allies and jailed some of his most vocal critics. But despite recent rumors that he was in poor health, the bearded revolutionary has shown in recent weeks he still has the energy to give his traditional hours-long speeches and keep up a work schedule that would exhaust a much younger man. No official celebrations of the leader's birthday were announced.
■ United Kingdom
No `Paki,' we're British
A British man has become the first in the country to be given an antisocial behavior order banning him from using the racist term "Paki." Michael Guilfoyle, 31, of Ardwick, Manchester, was made the subject of the order after he made a series of abusive phone calls to staff at his local council over his application to be rehoused. If he utters the word again in public, or on the phone to council staff, he could face up to five years in jail. One officer was called a "Paki bitch" and another was branded a "homo." The order also prevents him from acting antisocially, or using threatening, insulting, abusive or homophobic language in public.
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