LA Times News

LA Times News

4 New York Times journalists missing in Libya

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 08:20 PM PDT

The newspaper says two reporters and two photographers were apparently picked up by Libyan forces near Ajdabiya.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that four of its journalists covering the fighting in Libya were missing.

Japan launches new efforts to avert nuclear meltdown

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:40 PM PDT

As survivors of last week's earthquake and tsunami criticize Japan's relief efforts, authorities desperately try to complete a new power line that could restore cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Police plan to use a water cannon truck to spray an overheated spent-fuel pool.

Japanese authorities embarked Thursday on a series of desperate new measures to try to avert full reactor meltdowns at a stricken nuclear complex. At the same time, survivors of last week's earthquake and tsunami said shortages of food, water, medicine and other essentials were becoming extreme and called government relief efforts woefully inadequate.

Bahrain crackdown dashes U.S. hopes for negotiated solution

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 06:07 PM PDT

The U.S. has been urging Bahrain's king and protesters to reach a power-sharing deal. The Obama administration moves to distance itself from the violence even as it seeks to preserve ties with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

-- The violent crackdown on protesters in Bahrain sounded a virtual death knell to the Obama administration's efforts to negotiate an end to the political crisis in the strategically vital Persian Gulf.

Isolated and angry amid Fukushima nuclear crisis

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:18 PM PDT

An awful reality is setting in for those trapped near the stricken nuclear plant: People are afraid to help them.

An awful realization is setting in for those trapped in the vicinity of the crippled Fukushima nuclear complex: People are afraid to help them.

For one quake survivor, self-help in the face of seeming helplessness

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 04:36 PM PDT

Hideaki Akaiwa, in Miyagi prefecture, has decided not to wait for rescue workers. With a scuba suit on, he waded through flooded streets to rescue his wife, and later his mother. He continues to look for more survivors.

Most of the dozens of tsunami-battered towns along Japan's northeastern coast remain mired in mud, but the situation in Ishinomaki is a bit different. Nearly a week after the massive earthquake and tsunami hit the city of 162,000, large portions remain underwater, an instant lake clearly visible on NASA satellite photographs.

New power line could restore cooling systems at Fukushima Daiichi plant

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 03:49 PM PDT

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant's operator says it is nearing completion on a new power line to the complex that would revive electric-powered pumps, allowing officials to maintain a steady water supply to troubled reactors and spent fuel pools. Meanwhile, the U.S. urges its citizens in Japan to stay at least 50 miles away from the complex.

A new power line that could restore the electric cooling systems at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant is nearing completion, its operator said Thursday, as international concern mounted over the crisis.

Authorities crack down on protesters in Yemen, Algeria, Syria

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 02:32 PM PDT

Thugs attack with sticks, knives and guns, and police use tear gas and batons to break up demonstrations across the region.

Unrest continued throughout the Arab world Wednesday as protesters calling for government reform were met with harsh tactics in Yemen, Algeria and Syria.

Emperor Akihito's speech underlines gravity of Japan's nuclear crisis

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:42 AM PDT

Emperor Akihito addresses the Japanese with unusual directness amounting to an imperial pep talk. He insists that the broadcaster interrupt his recorded speech if there are key developments in the crisis.

His voice was measured, his language formal, his demeanor somber. It was perhaps the clearest sign yet of just how grave Japan's nuclear crisis had become: The emperor spoke.

Police, soldiers rout protesters in Bahrain

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:42 AM PDT

Pro-monarchy forces in Bahrain wield tear gas and shotguns in a violent crackdown at Pearl Square, reportedly leaving at least three dead.

They made their stand in a traffic circle known as Pearl Square a month ago, putting up tents, arming themselves mostly with sticks and rocks, and creating a bulwark of noisy protest that brought this tiny island nation nearly to a standstill and threatened its monarchy.

CIA contractor Raymond Davis freed in Pakistan killings

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 07:42 AM PDT

Raymond Davis is released after the families of the two men he fatally shot pardon him in exchange for financial compensation. Analysts call the resolution the best possible option.

A CIA contractor charged with murdering two Pakistani men was freed Wednesday after the victims' families pardoned him and accepted financial compensation. The resolution was viewed by many analysts as the best option to salve strained relations between the U.S. and Pakistan while minimizing the potential for a volatile reaction from Pakistanis who wanted the American tried and convicted.

Pakistan court acquits CIA contractor Raymond Davis of double murder

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:43 AM PDT

A Lahore trial court acquitted CIA contractor Raymond Davis on charges of killing two Pakistani men in late January. Authorities said the 36-year-old American had been released from custody.

A Lahore trial court Wednesday acquitted CIA contractor Raymond Davis on charges of killing two Pakistani men in late January, and Pakistani authorities said the 36-year-old American had been released from custody.

Moammar Kadafi's forces bomb Benghazi

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:43 PM PDT

Warplanes attack a military airport in the Libyan rebel stronghold. It's the first assault on the city since the uprising began a month ago. Meanwhile, fighting is intense in Ajdabiya as Kadafi moves to crush the rebellion.

Moammar Kadafi's warplanes bombed a military airport in Benghazi on Wednesday, the first assault on the eastern rebel stronghold since a revolt by inexperienced fighters with looted weapons began one month ago in an attempt to topple the Libyan leader.

Pakistan court acquits CIA contractor of double murder

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 05:17 AM PDT

Raymond Davis was acquitted and released today after a deal to pay "blood money" to the victims' families was reached, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told Reuters.

A CIA contractor indicted earlier in the day on two murder charges in Pakistan was acquitted and released on Wednesday after a deal to pay "blood money" to the victims' families was reached, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told Reuters.

Radiation spikes add to nuclear peril in Japan

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 02:40 AM PDT

Officials face another setback in their struggle to contain the Fukushima nuclear reactor crisis. In a rare address, Emperor Akihito says he is praying for his people.

A series of grim developments hit a shaken Japan on Wednesday, including reports that high-level radiation may have leaked from a second damaged nuclear reactor and that emergency workers were forced to temporarily scramble for safety.

In Bahrain, forces move against protesters in capital

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 01:45 AM PDT

Military units and police push into Pearl Square early Wednesday; shooting is heard, but there is no word on casualties. A day earlier, Bahrain's king imposed a three-month state of emergency and ordered the military to battle the unrest.

Military troops and police moved against thousands of anti-government protesters occupying a landmark square in Bahrain's capital after the king declared a three-month state of emergency and instructed the military to battle unrest in the strategic nation.

Troops, police assault protesters in Bahrain's capital

Posted: 16 Mar 2011 03:54 AM PDT

The security forces push into Pearl Square with tear gas and shotguns, and at least two demonstrators are killed witnesses say. A day earlier, Bahrain's king imposed a three-month state of emergency and ordered the military to battle the unrest.

Military troops and police moved against thousands of anti-government protesters occupying a landmark square in Bahrain's capital early Wednesday after the king had declared a three-month state of emergency and instructed the military to battle unrest in the strategic nation.

U.S. may lose either way in Bahrain crisis

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 06:09 PM PDT

As a standoff in Bahrain teeters near violence, the U.S. faces a hard choice between maintaining support for an unpopular monarchy or pushing for change that could weaken the U.S. strategic position.

As a standoff between troops and protesters in Bahrain teeters near violence, the Obama administration is facing a difficult choice between maintaining support for an increasingly unpopular monarchy or pushing for change that could weaken the U.S. strategic position in the vital Persian Gulf.

U.S. stands by nuclear power, Energy secretary says

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 11:50 PM PDT

The Obama administration is 'committed to learning from Japan's experience,' says Steven Chu. The White House had proposed billions of dollars to help expand nuclear power.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Tuesday restated the Obama administration's commitment to keeping nuclear power in the mix of renewable sources under development in the U.S., but treaded carefully around questions of how the nuclear disaster in Japan might affect that effort.

Bahrain's troops begin assault on protesters

Posted: 15 Mar 2011 10:21 PM PDT

Military troops and security forces moved Wednesday against thousands of anti-government protesters occupying a landmark square in Bahrain's capital, a day after emergency rule was imposed in the violence-wracked Gulf kingdom.