LA Times News

LA Times News

In Tunisia, Ben Ali was 'big brother'

Posted: 15 Jan 2011 05:22 PM PST

One Tunisian recounts his run-ins with the party of President Zine el Abidine ben Ali, which asked him repeatedly to become a 'citizen watcher' and inform on friends, family and co-workers.

He remembers the form. You filled it out to become a "citizen watcher" for the party of Zine el Abidine ben Ali. It meant you would spy. Inform on your friends, your family, the people at work and get paid for it.

Will revolt in Tunisia inspire others?

Posted: 15 Jan 2011 12:23 PM PST

The ouster of Tunisian President Zine el Abidine ben Ali emboldens protesters in other Arab countries, but — lacking a galvanizing event — there is doubt that Internet-fueled movements can seriously challenge entrenched regimes in the Middle East.

Hours after riots forced Tunisian President Zine el Abidine ben Ali to flee his country, hundreds of Egyptians poured into the streets of Cairo with a warning to their own authoritarian president, Hosni Mubarak.

Tunisia gets another president, its third in 24 hours

Posted: 15 Jan 2011 05:52 PM PST

Fouad Mebazaa is sworn in less than a day after Zine el Abidine ben Ali fled the country and handed power to Mohamed Ghannouchi. Chaos and tension persist, and a prison fire reportedly kills dozens.

The leadership of this troubled country changed hands for the second time in less than 24 hours Saturday as security forces and ordinary Tunisians struggled to quell mayhem that some have attributed to henchmen loyal to ousted President Zine el Abidine ben Ali.

Three U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq

Posted: 15 Jan 2011 08:38 AM PST

Two American soldiers are killed when one or two Iraqi soldiers open fire on them at a training base. A third U.S. soldier dies in a separate attack.

Two American soldiers were killed when at least one Iraqi soldier opened fire at a military training base in northern Iraq, and a third soldier died in another incident, the U.S. and Iraqi military said Saturday.

Services held for Judge John M. Roll

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 11:26 AM PST

Thousands attend a service for Judge John M. Roll in Tucson, killed in Saturday's shooting. Among the mourners are Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, Sens. John McCain and Jon Kyl, and former Vice President Dan Quayle.

— Nearly a week after the deadly shooting spree that claimed six lives, Tucson on Friday mourned a federal judge, the second funeral of a victim of the attack that has rocked the nation.

Chronology shows Jared Loughner in hours before shooting rampage

Posted: 15 Jan 2011 12:06 AM PST

The suspect in the Arizona shootings bought ammunition, dropped off film and posted 'Goodbye friends' on his MySpace page.

Suspect Jared Lee Loughner spent a hectic 24 hours before the deadly Arizona shooting flitting across Tucson, buying ammunition, visiting convenience stores, getting film processed into provocative photographs and posting a farewell message, "Goodbye friends" on a social networking site.