Mexico and Astronauts

A NASA astronaut said he wants to help Mexican officials start the country's first space agency. That sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? He said he has no plans to leave his job at NASA, but hopes to help Mexico's program get off the ground. He is the U.S. born son of a Mexican migrant farm worker who spent much of his childhood moving between Mexico and the U.S. He has lobbied for a space program in meetings with Mexican lawmakers on Tuesday.

Attack on Prison Convoy Kills Eight

Gunmen ambushed a prisoner transfer convoy in western Mexico, in the latest of a series of brazen drug-elated attacks. They killed eight officers in a failed attempt to free a high level cartel member. This was reported by police on Sunday. At least 20 assailants launched a running gun battle again the dwindling column of vehicles escorting nine prisoners as it raced between an airport and penitentiary in the Pacific coast state of Nayarit.

Moderate earthquake Hits Mexico City

A moderate earthquake has rattled Mexico, but no major injuries of damages have been reported. The quake was given a preliminary magnitude of 5.8. It was centered 96 miles north of Acapulco.This quake caused office buildings to sway and sent many frightened residents into the streets of the capital, Mexico City. Helicopters immediately clattered overhead searching for damage.

Bush Eyes Mexico Drug Fight Funds

President Bush has asked the Congress for $500 m to help Mexico fight against illegal drugs. A White House spokeswoman said the US would do all it could to support Mexico's efforts to break the power and impunity of drug organizations there. The request, the first part of a $1.4 billion initiative, is due to be discussed by Congress in Washington on Thursday. Analysts have compared the package to the controversial and much larger, aid the US gives Columbia to fight drugs.

Mexico Deports Stranded Migrants

Hundreds of illegal immigrants have been deported from Mexico after they became stranded when a train route through the country was closed down. Up to 7,000 people, mostly from Guatemala and Honduras, got stuck in southern Mexico when a rail link to the US ceased operating. US train operators Genesee & Wyoming Ind, closed the line because of damage caused by a hurricane in 2005. The authorities said that around 350 people had been deported so far.