World datelines

Argentina: Legalized libel

BUENOS AIRES — President Cristina Fernandez on Friday proposed decriminalizing libel and slander as a way of "guaranteeing even more" freedom of expression in Argentina.

"I prefer a billion lies to shutting someone's mouth," Fernandez said in an address to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission.

Guatemala: Officers held

GUATEMALA CITY — Authorities in Guatemala arrested seven suspects Friday, including five police officers, in the killing of a prominent lawyer who accused President Alvaro Colom of involvement in his death in a posthumously released video.

The arrests were announced by the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, which was invited by the government to probe the May 10 slaying of lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg.

Iraq: Prison riot continues

BAGHDAD — Abu Ghraib prison inmates rioted for a second straight day Friday to demand better conditions, setting fire to mattresses and seizing an assault rifle from a guard before authorities said the situation was brought under control.

Lawmaker Zeinab al-Kinani, who was part of a delegation that negotiated with the prisoners, said they demanded pardons and also the replacement of prison staff who they said were mistreating inmates.

Mexico: 1,400 closures

CULIACAN — Officials have closed 1,400 schools in the city of Culiacan in northern Mexico after a suspected rise in swine flu cases.

The education secretary of Sinaloa state says 19 students have been tested for swine flu after showing symptoms. Officials are awaiting the results.

Mexico: $5.4M cache

MEXICO CITY — Mexican authorities say they have found at least $5.4 million hidden in a shipment of ammonium sulfate at a Pacific coast port and are still counting the cash.

The Mexican navy says the bundles of cash were hidden in large sacks of the granular chemical, most commonly used as a fertilizer. The navy said Friday the shipment was found at the Manzanillo seaport in two freight containers bound for Colombia.

Mexico: Pastor charged