MEXICO CITY - Mexican officials say they have struck a major blow against a faction of the hyper-violent Zetas cartel after arresting one of the country's most-wanted drug traffickers, Ivan Velazquez Caballero, known as "El Taliban", and placing him on display in a press conference. Velazquez Caballero has allegedly been fighting a bloody internal battle with top Zetas leader Miguel Angel Trevino Morales. Officials say the split was behind a recent surge in massacres and shootouts, particularly in northern Mexico. Velazquez Caballero is the third alleged cartel leader to be arrested this month. All are accused of leading factions of the Gulf Cartel or Zetas, former allies now feuding over smuggling territory along the US border. AP
BAGHDAD - Iraqi security forces have arrested an insurgent allegedly involved in more than 30 attacks, a security spokesman said as the number of people killed across the country this month reached 200. The insurgent, who was not identified by name, "admitted to carrying out more than 30 assassination and bombing operations", including setting off a car bomb in Baghdad earlier this month, Baghdad Operations Command spokesman Colonel Dhia al-Wakil said. AFP