LA Times News

LA Times News

Victims' mothers drawn into Egypt protests

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 05:56 PM PST

'Egypt is my real mother. I must go save her,' said one of the men killed in the early days of the protests. Organizers are using images of the 'martyrs' and their mothers to keep passions stoked.

Day laborer Mohammed Badr clearly didn't expect trouble when he left home to join the pro-democracy protests in Tahrir Square early on Jan. 29. He took his 5-year-old son, Mahmoud, and promised to return for dinner.

Colombia's FARC rebels free hostage

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 07:37 PM PST

The leftist Colombian rebels release the first of five political hostages they have promised to set free amid hope in some quarters that the rebels and government will launch peace negotiations.

Colombian rebels released the first of five political hostages they have promised to set free amid renewed hope in some quarters that the insurgents and the government will launch peace negotiations.

South Korean father searches for son he gave up

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 07:02 PM PST

After Lee Jae-keun's wife died of starvation, he struggled to care for his infant son. Then he made a decision that has haunted him for decades.

Each morning when he opens his eyes, and at odd moments throughout his day, Lee Jae-keun thinks of the boy.

Obama's advisors split on when and how Mubarak should go

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 06:33 PM PST

White House aides acknowledge that the differing views among Obama's team of advisors has resulted in a mixed message on Egypt.

The Obama administration's shifting response to the crisis in Egypt reflects a sharp debate over how and when Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak should leave office, a policy decision that could have long-term implications for America's image in the Middle East.

Protests against Hosni Mubarak fracture friendships in Egypt

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 05:06 PM PST

As demonstrators pack Tahrir Square and state TV promises stability, the most stinging debates come in conversations among longtime friends. 'This is revealing things about their characters I never suspected,' one man says.

Their friendship is falling apart amid a nation's revolt.

Reporter loses job after saying Calderon should respond to alcoholism claims

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 03:40 PM PST

Carmen Aristegui, a Mexican radio and TV anchor, was fired after saying President Felipe Calderon should respond to allegations that he is a 'drunk.' Calderon's conduct has never suggested inebriation.

Carmen Aristegui, one of Mexico's best-known news hosts, likes to stir the pot. But did she go too far by saying the president should answer unsubstantiated rumors of a drinking problem?

Omar Suleiman warns of coup as tensions rise between Egyptian demonstrators, army

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 09:51 AM PST

Protesters occupy new territory near the Egyptian parliament building, sparking a temporary confrontation with troops. Vice President Omar Suleiman warns of tougher measures to prevent a possible coup.

Tensions rose in Egypt's capital Wednesday as the army confronted protesters occupying new territory in front of the parliament building and the vice president warned of a possible coup, saying demonstrations must end or "the dark bats of the night" would emerge to terrorize the nation.

Talks between North, South Korea collapse

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 06:43 AM PST

Meetings to prepare ground for higher-level military talks end in acrimony as North Korean negotiators walk out.

North Korean negotiators walked out Wednesday on the second day of talks with their South Korean counterparts, renewing doubts that the two sides can ease deep tensions that linger following two deadly attacks attributed to the North last year.

3 car bombs kill 7 in northern Iraq

Posted: 09 Feb 2011 06:43 AM PST

Nearly 70 are wounded as the car bombs shatter months of relative calm in Kirkuk. Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens all claim the oil-rich region of Iraq but are at odds over the province's future.

Three car bombs exploded Wednesday in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing seven people and wounding 67, Iraqi police said.