Americas - International Herald Tribune
News from the Americas from The International Herald Tribune, the world's daily newspaper online.

• Analysis: In statements and ads, Romney presents something of a candor gap
  As a presidential contender, Mitt Romney has the looks, the money and the campaign machine. He also has something of a candor gap.
• Authorities say Sumatran orangutan, believed to be world's oldest, dies in Miami zoo
  A 55-year-old Sumatran orangutan, believed to be the world's oldest, has died at the Miami zoo.
• Amid low-key day, Giuliani avoids the political fray involving his rivals
  Largely out of the political debate in Iowa and New Hampshire, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani tried to turn the bickering among his rivals to his advantage, arguing that voters appreciate candidates who stay positive.
• 4 days of rain saves Atlanta area from driest-year-on-record title; 1954 record stands
  Rain fell in the city for a fourth consecutive day, assuring that 2007 would not go down as the driest year on record for the drought-stricken Atlanta area.
• 4 days of rain saves Atlanta area from driest-year-on-record title; 1954 record stands
  Rain fell in the city for a fourth consecutive day Sunday, assuring that 2007 would not go down as the driest year on record for the drought-stricken Atlanta area.
• Chelsea Clinton guards her words while on the campaign trail with mother
  It's one thing for Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign to turn down interview requests for the candidate's daughter, Chelsea. But can't a 9-year old reporter catch a break?
• Chelsea Clinton guards her words while on the campaign trail with mother
  It's one thing for Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign to turn down interview requests for the candidate's daughter, Chelsea. But can't a 9-year old reporter catch a break?
• Regardless of date, U.S. wants free and fair elections in Pakistan
  The Bush administration and presidential hopefuls from both parties said that it is crucial for Pakistan to hold free and fair elections either as scheduled or fairly soon.
• US military deaths in Iraq at 3,902 Sunday, according to count by The Associated Press
  As of Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, at least 3,902 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes eight military civilians. At least 3,175 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
• Sumatran orangutan choked to death after brain hemorrhage
  A 55-year-old Sumatran orangutan, believed to be the world's oldest, choked to death at the Miami Metro Zoo, according to necropsy results.
• McCain, Huckabee criticize Romney; Clinton says she was involved in husband's administration
  Republican presidential rivals joined to criticize Mitt Romney during campaign stops in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire as the rhetoric heated up in the most wide-open U.S. presidential race in half a century.
• Champagne, Auld Lang Syne and plenty of politics to dine on in Iowa, New Hampshire
  A bit of bubbly, a few verses of Auld Lang Syne and candidates, candidates and more candidates.
• Head of Katrina recovery for FEMA to retire this week; agency names interim replacement
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency official who for the past two years led the agency's troubled Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts will retire Thursday, the head of FEMA announced in an internal memo.
• California man saves all his trash for a year in statement about consumerism
  Ari Derfel leads a trashy life. He just wants to remind everyone else that they do, too.
• US girl who survived Panama plane crash leaves hospital
  A U.S. girl who was the sole survivor of a plane crash in Panama was released from a hospital Sunday but will remain with her parents in the Central American country for a few days and possibly meet some of her rescuers.
• Monday, January 7
  Today is Monday, Jan. 7, the 7th day of 2008. There are 359 days left in the year.
• Berkeley, Calif., man saves all his trash for a year in statement about consumerism
  Ari Derfel leads a trashy life. He just wants to remind everyone else that they do, too.
• Former Utah governor discussed ways of incorporating Mormon principals into policy
  Former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt and members of his staff discussed how to incorporate Mormon principles into state policy, according to public documents obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune.
• Centrists, including Bloomberg, to discuss need for an independent presidential candidacy
  New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other potential independent presidential candidates are joining prominent Republican and Democratic centrists at a meeting that will consider the merits of a third-party bid for the White House.
• Amid low-key day, Giuliani avoids the political fray involving his rivals
  Largely out of the political debate in Iowa and New Hampshire, Republican Rudy Giuliani tried to turn the bickering among his presidential rivals to his advantage, arguing that voters appreciate candidates who stay positive.
• Taylor amasses 21 points to help UCF defeat N.J. Tech
  Jermaine Taylor amassed 21 points and Tony Davis recorded his second-career double-double to help Central Florida defeat New Jersey Institute of Technology 82-50 in a semifinal game of the UCF Holiday Classic on Sunday.
• Times Square New Year's Eve ball goes green on 100th anniversary
  The Times Square New Year's Eve ball is celebrating its centennial by going green.
• AP Interview: Edwards dismisses criticism that his populist message is too divisive
  Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Sunday defended his relentless assault on corporations and special interests, dismissing criticism that his pointed populist message is too divisive.
• Police find 37 suspected illegal immigrants hidden in truck near Phoenix
  Authorities on Sunday found 37 suspected illegal immigrants concealed in a truck, some hiding behind pallets of bell peppers.
• Times Square New Year's Eve ball goes green on 100th anniversary
  The Times Square New Year's Eve ball is celebrating its centennial by going green.
• AP Interview: Edwards dismisses criticism that his populist message is too divisive
  Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards on Sunday defended his relentless assault on corporations and special interests, dismissing criticism that his pointed populist message is too divisive.
• Police find 37 suspected illegal immigrants hidden in truck near Phoenix
  Authorities on Sunday found 37 suspected illegal immigrants concealed in a truck, some hiding behind pallets of bell peppers.