Deadly Mexico storms kill 42, floods strand thousands

Two powerful storms pummeled Mexico as they converged from the Pacific and the Gulf on Monday, killing at least 42 people and stranding some 40,000 tourists in the Pacific resort of Acapulco amid some of the worst flooding in decades.

source reuters.com

U.S. and Cuba talk about resuming direct mail service

The United States and Cuba concluded on Monday their second round of talks aimed at re-establishing direct mail service between the two countries after a 50-year ban, but left for later the most sensitive issue - Cuban planes landing on U.S. soil.

source reuters.com

Syrian navy on 24-hour combat alert

The Syrian naval forces have been placed on high alert and are conducting naval drills off the Mediterranean Coast in anticipation of a possible US led strike, the Syrian navy of 10,000 strong is based out of the docks of Baniyas, Latakia, Minat al Bayda, and Tartus

source rt.com

India boosts arsenal with nuclear-capable missile test

India has conducted a second test firing of a nuclear-capable missile with a range of 5,000 kilometers. New Delhi is struggling to challenge Beijing in the race for missile dominance in Asia.

"The country has established ICBM capability with the successful second test," said Avinash Chander, a scientific advisor to Defense Minister AV Antony, adding that the next launch would be canister-based.

'Agni-V' long-range ballistic missiles are about 17 meters long, with a diameter of 2 meters and a launch weight of about 50 tons, The Indian Express reported. It can carry a nuclear warhead of over 1 ton.

source rt.com

Obama says U.S. remains prepared to act on Syria if diplomacy fails

President Barack Obama vowed on Saturday that Syria will be held to account if it fails to live up to its promises to surrender chemical weapons as he faced questions about how a deal brokered by U.S. and Russian diplomats would be enforced.

source reuters.com

US troops overwhelmingly disapprove of Syria strikes - poll

US servicemembers oppose military strikes in Syria by a three-to-one margin, according to a poll by Military Times. An online survey of more than 750 active-duty troops found 75 percent of respondents were not in favor of airstrikes against the Assad regime. A slight percentage more said it is not in the US national interest to get involved in the country’s civil war. Military Times said money and a war-weary isolationist streak were top reasons for the soldiers’ disapproval.

Philippine troops advance into rebel-held villages

Fifty-six people have died in a six-day standoff between government troops and rebels in the Philippines, AP reported local officials as saying. Government troops have started to make their way into coastal villages in the south of the country, where Muslim rebels from the Moro National Liberation Front have held dozens of residents as hostages. The standoff has led to 60,000 residents fleeing their homes.