China pledges crackdown on smuggling into Mexico
Mexico City – Chinese President Hu Jintao promised Mexican President Vicente Fox on Monday that his country would crack down on the millions of dollars’ worth of Chinese contraband entering this country, goods that undermine Mexican businesses from sandal-makers to religious-icon sellers.
During his three-day state visit, his first since Fox took office in December 2000, Hu pledged that his government would investigate all complaints Mexico passed along, including tracking down and punishing specific companies that allegedly smuggle in the goods, a Fox spokesman said on customary condition of anonymity.
Fox mentioned the promise, without giving details, in a joint news conference with Hu after private meetings between the two leaders.
Mexican industries from traditional handicrafts to assembly-for- export plants have complained about an influx of low-priced Chinese goods and jobs lost to lower wages in China.
Not including clandestine goods, China ran a trade surplus with Mexico of about $14 billion in 2004.
BOSTON
No charges to be filed in Sox fan’s death
No criminal charges will be brought against the officers involved in the fatal shooting of a college student at a raucous celebration by Red Sox fans last fall, prosecutors said Monday.
“There is no evidence that any officer on Lansdowne Street acted with any intent to commit a crime,” said Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley.
Victoria Snelgrove, a 21-year-old Emerson College student, was shot in the eye socket with a pepper-spray pellet outside Fenway Park on Oct. 21. Officers were trying to calm the crowd that had filled the streets following Boston’s victory over the archrival New York Yankees to win the American League pennant.
GREENBELT, Md.
Arsonist’s motive remains a mystery
As victims of serial arsonist Thomas Sweatt spoke at his sentencing Monday, they said they don’t understand what led him to set random fires that terrorized the Washington area for two years.
Sweatt, 50, admitted setting 45 arson fires in the Washington area. Investigators know how he did it – using jugs of gasoline and wicks made from clothing. But the reason why went unanswered as a federal judge sentenced him to life in prison plus 136 years Monday.
SANTA ANA, Calif.
Two plead not guilty in terrorism plot
Two men pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges alleging they planned terrorist attacks against military facilities, the Israeli Consulate and other targets in the Los Angeles area.
Levar Haley Washington, 25, and Gregory Vernon Patterson, 21, were ordered held without bail after their pleas in U.S. District Court.
“In the name of Allah, I plead not guilty,” Washington said.
Prosecutors contend the plot was orchestrated by Washington, Patterson and Hammad Riaz Samana, 21, at the behest of Kevin James, an inmate of the California State Prison in Sacramento. James founded the radical group Jamiyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh, or JIS.
BOGOTA, Colombia
Father, son hijack airliner in protest
A father in a wheelchair and his son used two grenades to hijack an airliner Monday but peacefully surrendered five hours later after allowing the crew and passengers, including one American, to leave the plane, authorities said.
The older man in the wheelchair was a former civil servant who said he hijacked the plane because he was angry after not receiving state compensation for an injury.
PARIS
Chirac back at work after hospital stay
French President Jacques Chirac was back at work Monday after a week-long hospital stay, seemingly in good form and going out of his way to show it.
The 72-year-old leader hosted Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in his first official engagement since his hospital discharge Friday. Chirac suffered what doctors called a “small vascular accident” that impaired his vision.
Presidential aides said Chirac’s vision was still slightly troubled but was otherwise fine.
