In the World

MEXICO

6 suspected in theft of radioactive cobalt

Six people being tested for possible radiation exposure in a hospital in central Mexico are suspects in the theft of highly radioactive cobalt-60, a government official said Friday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the six were arrested Thursday and taken to the general hospital in Pachuca for observation and testing for radiation exposure. Once they are cleared, they will be turned over to federal authorities in connection with the case of a cargo truck stolen Monday at gunpoint that was carrying the extremely dangerous material.

Hidalgo state Health Minister Pedro Luis Noble said Friday that the six suffered from skin irritations and dizziness, but that none are in grave condition and may be released soon. Only one was vomiting, a sign of radiation poisoning.

- AP
UKRAINE

Leader, Putin meet

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych met with his Russian counterpart Friday to discuss closer cooperation, while protests clung to the capital over Ukraine's decision to scrap a deal with the EU. Yanukovych met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian city of Sochi. A sizable tent camp for protesters - including field kitchens for the long haul - has been set up on Kiev's main square.

- AP
CUBA

Gross gets visitors

Cuban Jewish leaders said Friday that they celebrated Hanukkah with U.S. government subcontractor Alan Gross this week, two days after he marked four years in custody. A statement from Beth Shalom Temple said community president Adela Dworin and vice president David Prinstein met with the Maryland man for two hours on Thursday, the last day of Hanukkah.

- AP