WORLD NEWS BRIEFS

MEXICO / Flood death toll rises to at least 16

Mexican authorities say at least 16 people have been killed in several days of flooding and mudslides across southern Mexico. President Felipe Calderon says the death toll in the Gulf coast state of Veracruz rose to 12 over the weekend as the remnants of Hurricane Karl caused flash floods and mudslides. Local officials say two people were killed when their homes collapsed in Guerrero and Oaxaca states. Calderon spoke Monday during a visit to Veracruz state, which had already been suffering from weeks of widespread flooding. Looting broke out in parts of Veracruz, with people carrying huge bags of food out stores in waist-deep water. State Public Safety Secretary Sergio Lopez said at least 11 people were arrested.

UNITED NATIONS / Flotilla-raid talks scrapped

Israeli President Shimon Peres says plans to meet with his Turkish counterpart have been scrapped because Peres won't apologize for the deadly commando raid on a Turkish-led flotilla that tried to breach Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. Nine people, including eight Turks and a Turkish-American, were killed. Peres told reporters Monday that he agreed to join Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Manhattan, then accepted Gul's invitation to meet on the sidelines. But Peres said Gul then demanded Israel publicly apologize for the May raid, and he refused. Gul blamed the canceled meeting on a scheduling problem.

RUSSIA / Gates fears arms sale to Syria

A spokesman says Defense Secretary Robert Gates shares Israel's concerns that Russia plans to sell Syria anti-ship cruise missiles. Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said Gates told Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in a private meeting Monday that he worried the sale could further destabilize the region. Israeli leaders have said the sale poses a major threat to Israel because Syria backs the Lebanese Hezbollah, which has used Russian-made weapons against Israel in the past.

NORTH KOREA / Meeting may name Kim successor

North Korea will hold its biggest political meeting in 30 years next week, state media said Tuesday, as observers watch for signs that the secretive regime's aging leader will appoint his son to succeed him. Now 68, and reportedly in poor health two years after suffering a stroke, Kim Jong Il is believed to be setting in motion a plan to tap a son to take the Kim dynasty into a third generation by appointing his heir to top party posts at the Workers' Party convention. Delegates will meet Sept. 28 to elect new party leaders, the official Korean Central News Agency said.