AS the former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox must carry considerable weight when he presents us with a far different perspective of current world trends than that of established commentators and politicians in the developed world (Irish Examiner, January 2).

US President George Bush sets off today on a week-long tour of Latin America, aiming to challenge a widespread perception in the region of US neglect.

Mexico’s newly sworn-in president sent more than 6,500 soldiers, sailors and federal police to violence-plagued Michoacan state to crack down on drug turf wars that have left hundreds dead in a wave of execution-style killings and beheadings.

US President George Bush today signed a bill authorising 700 miles of new fencing along the US-Mexico border, hoping to give Republican candidates a pre-election platform for asserting they are tough on illegal immigration.

MEXICANS were flocking to the polls yesterday to decide whether to elect a free-spending leftist who pledges to put the poor first or a conservative career politician who says private investment and free markets are the road to prosperity.

Voters decide today whether to elect a free-spending leftist who pledges to put the poor first or a conservative career politician who says private investment and free markets are the road to prosperity.

MEXICO and four Central American nations have condemned a US plan to build hundreds of miles of triple-layered fencing on its southern border, saying it would not stop illegal immigration.

Laura Bush, wife of US President George Bush, said Tuesday the United States is ready to have a woman president – preferably a Republican.

Asia-Pacific leaders called on Europe to be more flexible at world trade negotiations as they opened an annual summit today, warning crucial talks next month on freeing markets could be a last chance to make progress toward that goal.

Asia-Pacific leaders opened their annual summit today where they were expected launch a bid to revive stalled global free trade talks and pledge unity in combating bird flu and terrorism.

Venezuela rejected Mexico’s demand for an apology today in a spat between President Hugo Chavez and Mexican leader Vicente Fox, calling it an unjustified ultimatum and saying Venezuela was recalling its ambassador.

A CROWD of 10,000 protesters chanting “Get out Bush!” swarmed the streets of the Argentine resort of Mar Del Plata yesterday, hours before the hemisphere’s leaders sat down to debate free trade, immigration and job creation.

In the Keys island chain, where Wilma’s storm surge caused extensive flooding, plans were announced to welcome tourists beginning today, as power was restored to nearly half the South Florida homes and businesses that lost it during Hurricane Wilma.

There was a violent shudder and a roar, and then the side of a volcano gave way, burying two villages under a rush of mud and flood waters.

Rescue workers in Guatemala say they have pulled at least 40 bodies from a massive mudslide and found 20 more dead in a swollen river, raising to 246 the number of people killed from five days of pounding rains in Central America and Mexico.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed condolences, Sweden’s Prime Minister said it was a “painful example” of challenges facing the world and the premier of tiny Mauritius pointed out that vulnerable islands could face the same fate as New Orleans.

WORLD leaders stood shoulder to shoulder with Tony Blair at the G8 summit yesterday to condemn the “barbaric” London bombings.

World leaders stood shoulder to shoulder with Tony Blair at the G8 summit today to condemn the “barbaric” London bombings.

More world leaders today began arriving at Gleneagles where the G8 summit got under way.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams suggested today an Irish priest should mediate in the Spanish government’s conflict with Basque terrorists.

A powerful car bomb exploded outside a Madrid convention centre where the Spanish king and queen were due to attend an arts fair today.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair is isn’t the only world leader facing doubts about his handling of the war on terrorism – people in Australia and Italy also harbour reservations about how well their nation’s leaders are holding terrorists at bay.

Six Britons detained in Mexico after being rescued from a waterlogged cavern were tonight facing another round of questioning by the authorities there.

President George Bush’s plan to grant legal status – at least temporarily – to millions of illegal immigrants working in the United States has provoked anger from all sides.

Millions of illegal migrant farmers, hotel maids and others working in the shadows of American society would be granted legal status and freed from the threat of deportation under an election-year proposal President George Bush wants Congress to approve.

Police set up chain-link barricades and warships patrolled off Cancun’s famed white-sand beaches as the Mexican resort braced for massive protests at a week long meeting of the World Trade Organisation.

Heads of state of leading developing countries gathered in Switzerland today for a series of meetings on the sidelines of the summit of Group of Eight leading world powers.

THE Taoiseach was at the centre of an embarrassing diplomatic gaffe in Mexico yesterday when his partner Celia Larkin was officially referred to several times as his wife.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is due to fly to Mexico this afternoon on an official six-day visit.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has signed an agreement with Mexican officials to open a UN human rights office in Mexico.

Latin American leaders today reacted furiously at the instalment of Pedro Carmona as Venezuela’s interim leader following a huge military revolt, calling the new government illegitimate.

Oklahoma governor Frank Keating has denied clemency for a Mexican citizen on death row, despite a personal appeal from Mexican president Vicente Fox.