Jose Lopez Portillo, former leader, dies

MEXICO CITY -- Jose Lopez Portillo, 83, president from 1976 through 1982, died yesterday at Angeles del Pedregal Hospital, where he was being treated for pneumonia. Lopez Portillo, who took office as Mexico was bogged down in its worst economic recession since World War II, promised to bring better times for all -- especially to the millions of people struggling on the edge of poverty. He did -- for a while. New oil exploration during his term brought increasing prosperity, but that was followed by a severe economic slump. Lopez Portillo wept during his last state-of-the-nation address, apologizing that he had not done enough for the poor. (AP)

President's wife says she won't seek office

MEXICO CITY -- Under intense criticism for promoting her presidential aspirations, first lady Marta Sahagun is withdrawing from party politics and returning to her high-profile social work, for now. Sahagun has been at the center of a scandal over the alleged use of presidential resources to further her political career and her private charity "Vamos Mexico," which commentators said was harming her husband and his party. After weeks of attacks from rival politicians, local media, and commentators, Sahagun, 50, said she would not seek a place on the national governing council of the ruling National Action Party. "For now, she will not dedicate a single minute to party political work, but will concentrate totally on social work and offer all her support to the national project headed by President Vicente Fox, which has always been her only project," her office said in a statement late Monday. (Reuters)

SAUDI ARABIA

Yemen airs concerns over barrier on border

RIYADH -- The leaders of Saudi Arabia and Yemen met yesterday in a bid to resolve tensions over a barrier being built by Saudi Arabia on their common border aimed at curbing a flow of weapons fueling militant violence. More than 50 people were killed in suicide bombings of residential compounds in Riyadh last year blamed on Saudi-born Osama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network. Much of the militant arsenal is believed to have been spirited across the Yemeni border. The official Saudi Press Agency said President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen met King Fahd and the de facto ruler, Crown Prince Abdullah, in Riyadh for discussions. Sources close to the talks said they focused on efforts to overcome tension over the barrier. Diplomats say that Yemen claims the barrier violates a 2000 border accord that set up a 13-mile demilitarized zone on either side of the border reserved for livestock grazing. (Reuters)

ITALY

Leader says evading high taxes `acceptable'

ROME -- Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said yesterday that it was "morally acceptable" for citizens to avoid paying excessively high taxes. The media mogul-turned-premier, who faces elections in 2006, said he plans to cut taxes next year. "With taxes that are too high it is morally acceptable to evade them," Italy's richest man said in Rome. "We will announce a first cut of taxes in the 2005 budget and a second in 2006." (Reuters)

PORTUGAL

Seven women charged over abortions cleared

LISBON -- A judge acquitted seven women yesterday who had abortions deemed illegal in Portugal, where the laws are among the strictest in Europe. Ten "accomplices," including their husbands, boyfriends, and the doctor who performed the abortions in 1997, also were cleared. Judge Paulo Brandao, ruling in Aveiro, about 110 miles north of Lisbon, found there was insufficient evidence to convict the defendants, and said, "The decision is a healthy signal for society," according to the state news agency Lusa. The case dates to 1995 when charges were brought against 42 defendants, including 17 women who were accused of having abortions. Most of the charges were dropped before trial. Abortion is illegal in this mostly Roman Catholic country except under strictly defined medical circumstances, or in cases of rape. (AP)

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