Cuba, U.S. to resume direct mail service
HAVANA – Cuba and the United States announced Friday they have struck a deal to re-establish direct mail service, which was cut in 1963 at the height of Cold War tensions.
Both countries said that they would launch a pilot program to test direct service. They gave no date for the permanent resumption of service, but indicated that it would not be imminent, saying that technical, operational and safety aspects remained under discussion.
The announcement came six days before the anniversary of the announcement by Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro that they were re-establishing diplomatic relations.
Putin seeks to work with U.S. in Syria
MOSCOW – Russia has provided air cover to a leading Western-backed opposition group in Syria, President Vladimir Putin said Friday, calling for closer coordination with the U.S.-allied coalition, comments that may reflect Moscow’s desire to narrow its differences with the West over the Syrian crisis.
At the same time, Putin vowed to further modernize Russia’s military and said its forces in Syria will “immediately destroy” any target threatening them, a strong warning to Turkey following its downing of a Russian warplane at the Syrian border.
Speaking at a meeting with top Defense Ministry officials, Putin said while supporting the Syrian government forces, Russia has backed some units of the Free Syrian Army, a Western-backed opposition group fighting Syrian President Bashar Assad’s army.
Swiss police arrest 2 Syrians in Geneva
GENEVA –The Swiss public broadcaster is reporting that two men of Syrian origin have been arrested in Geneva with traces of explosives found in their vehicle.
Broadcaster RTS reports on its website Friday that it was not clear whether the two men had any connection with the four suspects with alleged ties to the extremist Islamic State group that Geneva authorities have been hunting in the region.
Police declined to say where the vehicle was stopped.
Associated Press
