New Canadian prime minister vows to improve ties with United States
TORONTO -- Stephen Harper, who promises to mend Canada's frayed relations with the United States, was sworn in as the nation's 22nd prime minister Monday, marking the first time in more than 12 years that the Conservative Party will rule this traditionally liberal nation.
The 46-year-old economist has pledged to cut taxes, clean up government corruption and reconsider such hot-button issues as gay marriage. He takes over for outgoing Liberal Party leader Paul Martin, whose 18-month government was marred by indecision and the inability to rise above an ethics scandal that outraged many Canadians.
Harper's personal politics are in line with that of many Republicans south of the border. He is anti-abortion and against gay marriage and big government -- and many believe rocky relations will now improve with the White House.
Harper said during his campaign he intends to introduce another vote on same-sex marriage -- passed by the House of Commons last year -- and reconsider Martin's rejection of President Bush's offer to join a continental anti-ballistic missile shield.
Britian, Ireland pursue deal to revive Northern Ireland power-sharing
HILLSBOROUGH, Northern Ireland -- Negotiations to revive a Catholic-Protestant administration for Northern Ireland resumed Monday after a 14-month hiatus caused by the IRA's alleged record-breaking robbery of a Belfast bank.
In the interim, the Irish Republican Army handed over its weapons stockpiles to disarmament officials and pledged never to resume "armed struggle," major achievements on the road to lasting peace in this long-contested British territory.
The governments of Britain and Ireland, which jointly oversaw Monday's discussions with rival local leaders at Hillsborough Castle near Belfast, hope such reconciliatory actions by the IRA will eventually permit Protestants to work again with Sinn Fein, the IRA-linked party that represents most of Northern Ireland's Roman Catholic minority.
Mules deliver election materials on eve of Haiti's elections
GONAIVES, Haiti -- Mules laden with sacks of ballots were led into Haiti's countryside Monday to reach a remote village on the eve of elections aimed at putting Haiti's experiment with democracy back on track.
Hours before polls open today, thousands of U.N. peacekeepers fanned out to guard against attacks by heavily armed gangs, some of them loyal to Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the president ousted in a rebellion two years ago.
Authorities Monday urged Haitians to turn out in large numbers to vote, and rejected the possibility that fraud could taint the results.
