12 inmates escape from prison in northern Mexico

Mexican authorities on Monday informed that 12 inmates escaped from a prison facility in northern Mexico.

The twelve criminals broke out from the Aquiles Serdan prison in Chihuahua State located approximately four kilometers (two miles) from the state's capital of Chihuahua. The prison break took place at about 5.00 a.m. local time.

Local officials said that a loud blast was heard and initially it was thought that a grenade had exploded. However, it was later determined that the explosion was only a distraction while a vehicle demolished a wire fence.

The vehicle left a hole with one meter and a half of diameter through which the twelve inmates fled. At about 8.20 a.m., police forces managed to capture one of the twelve criminals who escaped through the west side hole.

U.S. cancels 'virtual' fence along Mexican border

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has canceled the controversial project to build a virtual wall to secure the U.S. border with Mexico, the El Universal newspaper reported.

After almost five years, the virtual fence project, which had already consumed more than one billion dollars, was not meeting the objectives according to internal reports of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of Government Accountability Office.

Three killed including one officer in series of attacks in drug-plagued north Mexico

At least 3 people were killed, including a traffic official, while 2 police officers were injured in a series of attacks in the country's drug-plagued northern state of Nuevo Leon, officials said Wednesday.

The first incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. local time in the small town of Santiago, Nuevo Leon, when a group of gunmen carrying AR-15 and AK-47 rifles attacked two men traveling on a truck. No further details were available, but the two men reportedly died during the attack.

Three killed including one officer in series of attacks in drug-plagued north Mexico

MONTERREY, MEXICO -- At least 3 people were killed, including a traffic official, while 2 police officers were injured in a series of attacks in the country's drug-plagued northern state of Nuevo Leon, officials said Wednesday.

The first incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. local time in the small town of Santiago, Nuevo Leon, when a group of gunmen carrying AR-15 and AK-47 rifles attacked two men traveling on a truck. No further details were available, but the two men reportedly died during the attack.

In Santa Catarina, initial reports confirmed that a Mexican Federal Police convoy confronted several gunmen of an organized crime group who conducted the attack in an attempt to free four drug dealers, who had been previously captured.

Santa Catarina's Secretary of Security, Rene Castillo, said two federal police officer suffered injuries during the attack. Both officers were transported to a local hospital where they have been reported to be in stable condition.

A third incident was reported at around 8:20 p.m. local time when another group of armed men attacked and killed a traffic officer in Apodaca, Nuevo Leon. The officer was on his motorcycle when the group of men fired against him.

UN's Ban concerned with Australia's ongoing floods, at least 9 dead

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday voiced his concern at the heavy toll the ongoing floods have taken on lives and property across much of north-eastern Australia.

According to media reports, more than 200,000 people in an area larger than France and Germany combined have been affected since flood waters began rising in the state of Queensland in December.

The floods have reportedly claimed at least nine lives and caused damage worth billions of dollars, as well as destroying vital food crops and forced much of the state’s mining industry to a halt.

"The Secretary-General is concerned by the danger to life and the destruction of property following the ongoing floods," Ban’s spokesperson said.

"He extends his condolences to the families of those who have been affected and stresses the readiness of the United Nations to assist in any way necessary," the spokesperson added.