LA Times News

LA Times News

Syria's Cabinet proposes lifting emergency law as violent crackdown continues

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 04:38 PM PDT

The Cabinet promises reforms to broaden civil liberties, but at the same time security forces warn Syrians not to protest.

Syria's newly appointed Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed proposals that appear to broaden civil liberties in the highly restricted one-party state, an attempt to stave off a burgeoning protest movement that threatens President Bashar Assad's regime.

Libyan city of Misurata pleads for NATO ground forces

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 04:38 PM PDT

'If they don't come, we will die,' Nouri Abdul Ati, a member of the local government, says as the rebel-held city is pounded by Moammar Kadafi's forces.

Misurata, the only rebel-held city in western Libya, has asked that NATO troops be sent to fight alongside the rebels holding off Libyan forces, a local government representative said Tuesday.

Libyan rebels on front line frustrated by stalemate

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 02:04 PM PDT

Fighters are stuck in Ajdabiya, on the border of eastern and western Libya. They could be there for a while.

 

Fidel Castro officially removed as head of Cuban Communist Party

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 04:25 PM PDT

The end of an otherwise extraordinary congress sees senior party stalwarts appointed to top posts and leaves the Politburo little changed.

It became official Tuesday: Fidel Castro was formally removed from the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party for the first time since its formation nearly 50 years ago.

Syrian forces open fire on protesters, killing 3 and arresting many

Posted: 19 Apr 2011 05:29 AM PDT

The crowd had gathered in the city of Homs in memory of at least 20 others said to have been killed in demonstrations against President Bashar Assad. Unrest also continues elsewhere.

At least three people were killed and a large number were arrested early Tuesday after Syrian security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters in Homs, the country's third-largest city, said a resident who participated in the demonstration.

Pentagon report contradicts article that led to Gen. Stanley McChrystal's ouster

Posted: 18 Apr 2011 07:15 PM PDT

An inspector general's review says there's insufficient evidence that the general made disparaging remarks about Obama administration officials. Rolling Stone defends its reporting.

A Pentagon report made public Monday disputed the accuracy of a magazine article that forced Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal to resign last year as U.S. commander in Afghanistan.