LA Times News

LA Times News

For the Arab world, the revolution will be televised, on Al Jazeera

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 06:10 PM PST

Al Jazeera's rapid-paced, visceral coverage of the Tunisian upheaval has riveted viewers across the Middle East. Many see it as a big voice in a landscape of burgeoning Arab dissent. But governments accuse it of bias.

In cafes and living rooms across the Middle East, the whirling montages and breathless journalists of Al Jazeera are defining the narrative of Tunisia's upheaval for millions of Arabs riveted by the toppling of a dictator.

Haiti detains 'Baby Doc' Duvalier for questioning

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 05:55 PM PST

Deposed dictator Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier, back in Haiti after 25 years of exile, is taken from a luxury hotel to a courthouse. Human rights groups demand he be charged with crimes against humanity. But many Haitians cheer him and demand he be freed.

Inside the courthouse shaded by mango trees, the deposed dictator sipped coffee as lawyers and judges conferred.

Mexico says Zetas drug gang figure arrested

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 04:40 PM PST

Flavio Mendez Santiago allegedly was in charge of smuggling drugs and migrants in the south.

Mexican authorities said Tuesday that they have arrested a founding member of the notorious Zetas gang who oversaw the smuggling of drugs and migrants in southern Mexico.

Afghan fuel shortage spreads to Kabul

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 02:52 PM PST

Iran's month-old blockade has brought higher prices and shorter tempers, along with resentment toward NATO forces, which Afghans blame for Tehran's decision to restrict supplies.

Winter in Afghanistan is always a hardscrabble time, but this year the season's bite has been sharpened by a growing shortage of fuel. And because the dwindling supply is due to an Iranian blockade, the dispute is further tangling complicated dealings with a powerful neighbor.

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrives for talks with Obama

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 02:41 PM PST

The seemingly bland Hu Jintao wields enormous power and should not be underestimated, analysts say. He'll have dinner with Obama and Hillary Clinton and attend more meetings Wednesday and Thursday.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, arguably the most powerful world leader after President Obama, arrived at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington on Tuesday for his first visit to the U.S. capital since 2006.

Tunisian unity government loses 4 former opposition figures

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 03:58 PM PST

Demonstrators keep up the pressure against allowing members of former President Zine el Abidine ben Ali's ruling party in the government. Four former opposition members quit the Cabinet.

The deep divide in Tunisia over the status and fate of the deposed dictator's ruling party threatened the fragile unity government on Tuesday just a day after it was announced.

60 Iraqis killed when suicide bomber attacks police applicants

Posted: 18 Jan 2011 09:46 AM PST

The attack takes place in Hussein's hometown of Tikrit. It's the deadliest such strike since the nation's new government was formed.

At least 60 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up by a line of people applying for jobs with the police in the late dictator Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit, officials said.