LONDON - The British government revealed sweeping plans yesterday to toughen terrorism laws, including a proposal to hold suspects for up to 42 days without charge. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's plan would increase the limit for detaining suspects without charge from 28 days to 42 days and urge judges to impose stiffer sentences on criminals whose offenses are linked to terrorism. The proposal also calls for creation of a national database to store DNA samples from suspected terrorists. Human rights groups oppose proposals to increase the maximum time terrorism suspects can be held by police. (AP)
brazil
Church raps city's birth-control plan
SAO PAULO - The northeastern city of Recife will be the first to hand out morning-after birth control pills during this year's festive Carnival, prompting condemnation from the church yesterday in the world's largest Roman Catholic country. Pills will be given out at public health centers throughout four days of wild partying that begin Feb. 2. "The church has nothing against having fun during carnival, but the banalization of human sexuality is something we cannot tolerate," said Bishop Antonio Augusto Dias Duarte. (AP)bolivia
Police chief decries his agency's spying
LA PAZ - Bolivia's national police commander said yesterday that his department's intelligence service had spied on politicians and journalists, and he angrily accused a subordinate of directing the "dirty work." The announcement by General Miguel Vasquez was prompted by materials sent anonymously to several Bolivian media outlets this week, which appeared to document efforts to follow opposition state governors, a reporter, and congressmen aligned with President Evo Morales. Vasquez demanded that the national police intelligence service be held accountable for the alleged covert operations. (AP)
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
