Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretary To Resign

Jorge Castaneda, Mexico's Foreign Relations Secretary, has decided to step down from the post, according to government officials interviewed Wednesday.

Castaneda had angered Cuba's Fidel Castro with his pro-US policies and with Mexico's vote in favor of a UN human rights resolution targeting Castro's government. Castaneda had long been under pressure from lawmakers who called from him to be fired, but he had a good relationship with President Vicente Fox during his two years in the office.

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Britain Adopts Tougher Asylum Rules

This week Britain introduced tough new immigration measures designed to combat abuse of its support and benefits system in an effort to shed its image as being too soft on asylum seekers.

Under the new rules, immigrants making asylum claims in Britain must explain how they entered the country and why they didn't claim at the port of their arrival. They will also have to make a case showing eligibility for benefits, and will have a slim chance of being granted permission to remain in Britain if their claim is rejected.

Immigration Minister Beverley Hughes said the move was needed to prevent immigrants from claiming asylum after working in the country illegally.