Mexico City

Top drug suspects nabbed

Authorities said Monday they captured two of the top leaders of one of Mexico’s most feared drug gangs, men ranked among the most-wanted suspects on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Efrain Perez and Jorge Aureliano Felix are “Nos. 1 and 2 in the command structure of the Arellano Felix cartel,” after family members themselves, Atty. Gen. Rafael Macedo de la Concha said.

He said they had shared command with the youngest brother in the Arellano Felix family after the arrest or death of other brothers.

“The Arellano Felix organization is now in ruins,” Karen P. Tandy, administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, said in a statement released in Washington.

“One of its leaders is in jail, one is dead, and with these arrests, two of their criminal viceroys will be brought to justice,” she added.

Jerusalem

Sharon survives political test

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon survived no-confidence votes in parliament Monday, a sign that his coalition is in no immediate danger of collapse, despite Cabinet approval of a divisive Gaza withdrawal plan a day earlier.

However, Sunday’s historic vote to pull out of Gaza by the end of 2005 left Sharon’s coalition increasingly brittle and could lead to new political alliances, or even elections, in the coming months.

“Without doubt, the political ground is shaking today,” said legislator Avraham Burg of the moderate opposition Labor Party.

In Sunday’s meeting, the Cabinet approved a Gaza withdrawal in principle, but in a nod to hard-liners imposed a freeze on the actual dismantling of the 21 Gaza settlements for nine months.

Bulgaria

Activists buy freedom for dancing bears

They had an unbearable life, but some of Bulgaria’s famed dancing bears now have it made in the shade.

Animal rights activists — moved by the plight of 13 brown bears that were forced to dance on the streets to amuse tourists and enrich their Gypsy owners — have purchased the animals’ freedom.

The furry giants since have been moved to a new, more natural life in a leafy, mountainous park.

The bears are getting some deserved rest in their new home on Mount Rila, a 30-acre sanctuary 110 miles south of Sofia that’s being touted as Europe’s biggest bear park, project spokesman Krasimir Nikolov said.