■ Mexico
Kingpin blamed for drug war
Reputed kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has launched a bloody offensive to control drug smuggling along the entire US border, Attorney General Daniel Cabeza de Vaca said Friday. The country's top law enforcement official said Guzman was to blame for a grinding wave of violence that has killed hundreds of suspected drug smugglers, hitmen, police, soldiers and civilians. Guzman escaped from a Mexican prison in 2001, and US authorities have offered a US$5 million reward for his capture.
■ Canada
Aid given to Palestine
Prime Minister Paul Martin announced US$9.7 million in aid for Palestinians following a meeting Friday with leader Mahmud Abbas that aimed to re-energize the Middle East peace process. The money will be used for judicial reform, border management, to build houses for Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and to help Palestinian women in Lebanon pursue university education. Canada will also deploy 50 observers for the upcoming Palestinian Legislative Council elections.
RSS