Governments have agreed to phase out the use of the toxic chemical HBCD, and restrict trade in four other dangerous substances, the head of the UN's anti-pollution division said Friday. "Adding these chemicals to the list is a good thing, because they are known to be quite bad chemicals," Jim Willis, executive secretary of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, told reporters as a two-week international conference wrapped up in Geneva.

Fitch Ratings upgraded Mexico's sovereign credit rating on Wednesday, citing what it called the country's strong economic fundamentals and commitment to structural reforms. The international ratings agency increased Mexico's credit score by one notch to BBB+ from BBB and stated that its rating outlook was stable. "The upgrade of Mexico's sovereign ratings reflects its strong macroeconomic fundamentals, including the absence of macro-financial imbalances, consistent adherence to its inflation targeting and flexible exchange rate regimes," Fitch said in a statement.

WASHINGTON - Caught between nervous Democrats and emboldened Republicans, President Barack Obama on Friday stepped up the sales pitch on his health care overhaul as the final elements of his top domestic achievement go into effect. With his legacy and the law's success at stake, Obama said: "The law is here to stay."

EDMONTON - Alberta students will be able to write their diploma exams online starting next year. Education Minister Jeff Johnson says the government is going electronic to give students more flexibility when taking tests. He says it will also allow more students to write the exams. A pilot project, including the use of an online system and digital marking, is to begin in the fall of 2014. The plan is to have all diploma exams offered online by 2017. Students will still have the option to write their tests using pen and paper.