LA Times News

LA Times News

Prosecutors seek Kadafi arrest warrant at International Criminal Court

Posted: 16 May 2011 07:46 PM PDT

Prosecutors accuse Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi, son Seif Islam and a brother-in-law of killing civilians in a bid to crush protests. They say Kadafi planned to respond with violence even before the first protest took place.

Prosecutors asked judges of the International Criminal Court on Monday to issue arrest warrants for Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi, his son and brother-in-law, further isolating the autocratic ruler who has proved hard to dislodge despite NATO airstrikes and popular uprisings.

IMF chief denied bail in sexual assault case; France in shock

Posted: 16 May 2011 06:05 PM PDT

Dominique Strauss-Kahn will remain in custody in New York even as a second possible sexual assault case, from 2002 in France, looms. In France, some speculate the N.Y. case could be a set-up to torpedo the Socialist leader's political career. Others say they have faith in American justice.

As Dominique Strauss-Kahn was denied bail on sexual assault charges in New York, the International Monetary Fund chief's native France, along with European financial markets, continued to reel over the lurid allegations that could result in a 25-year prison sentence.

Mass grave reportedly discovered in Syria

Posted: 16 May 2011 05:15 PM PDT

The grave, which may contain the bodies of as many as 40 antigovernment protesters, is found near the city of Dara, where Syria's unrest began. Activists also say security forces continue to attack the city of Tall Kalakh.

A mass grave allegedly filled with the bodies of as many as 40 antigovernment protesters killed by Syrian forces was discovered Monday near the southern city of Dara, where an uprising began two months ago, according to activists and accounts from others.

European finance ministers meet without Dominique Strauss-Kahn

Posted: 16 May 2011 05:12 PM PDT

The IMF chief has been one of the most respected financial voices arguing in favor of rescuing debt-burdened European nations. Now Strauss-Kahn is being held in New York on sexual assault charges, and his absence in Brussels is glaring.

Of all the voices arguing in favor of rescuing European nations submerged in debt, Dominique Strauss-Kahn's has been one of the strongest and most respected.

Israeli leader's upcoming U.S. trip loses steam

Posted: 16 May 2011 06:15 PM PDT

Netanyahu's visit was earlier said to include a bold peace announcement, but that looks unlikely now. Meanwhile, the U.S. administration is deeply split on whether to offer an 'Obama plan.'

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to embark on a U.S. trip his aides once said would include a "historic" announcement designed to jump-start the Middle East peace process, there's a growing consensus that neither Israel nor Washington is ready to make any bold moves after all.

Kerry seeks to mend fences in Pakistan

Posted: 16 May 2011 04:01 PM PDT

Sen. Kerry, head of the Foreign Relations Committee, reaches an agreement for cooperation in getting 'high-value targets,' but delivers a stern warning that the U.S. won't tolerate Pakistan providing a haven to terrorists.

Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts and top Pakistani officials on Monday agreed that Washington and Islamabad would work together against "high-value targets," a move to ease intensely strained relations following this month's killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. commandos.

In Japan, a seaside mayor rebuilds his life by rebuilding his town

Posted: 16 May 2011 04:53 PM PDT

Rikuzentakata's top official, whose wife was killed in the tsunami, throws himself into his work. 'I'm too busy to grieve,' he says. 'I'm not the only one who has lost family here.'

Futoshi Toba arrived at the hillside Buddhist temple just after dawn, hours before the other mourners, on the April day he bid farewell to his wife, Yumi.

IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn denied bail in sex-assault case

Posted: 16 May 2011 10:47 AM PDT

Dominique Strauss-Kahn pleads not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted a maid in his hotel room in New York. Strauss-Kahn was prepared to post $1 million in bail, but the judge agreed with the Manhattan district attorney's office, which argued he was a flight risk.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the beleaguered head of the International Monetary Fund, on Monday was ordered held without bail on sexual-assault charges in New York.

Hague prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Kadafi, his son

Posted: 16 May 2011 06:28 AM PDT

The International Criminal Court prosecutor has asked its judges to indict the Libyan leader, his son Seif Islam Kadafi and the chief of military intelligence on charges of crimes against humanity in the crackdown on rebels.

The International Criminal Court prosecutor at the Hague on Monday requested arrest warrants for Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi, his son Seif Islam Kadafi and his military intelligence chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity.

John Kerry points up 'disturbing' signs about Pakistan's knowledge of insurgent activity

Posted: 16 May 2011 01:00 AM PDT

In an address from Kabul, Afghanistan, Sen. John Kerry says Pakistan seems to know that insurgents are crossing from the nation into Afghanistan. He adds that U.S. lawmakers have 'deep reservations' about Pakistan.

There are "disturbing" signs Pakistan's government knows about insurgents crossing from their country into Afghanistan, U.S. Sen. John Kerry said Sunday as he toured the region.

Massacre leaves 27 dead in northern Guatemala

Posted: 15 May 2011 09:16 PM PDT

Witnesses say an attack by 200 gunmen killed at least 27 farmworkers in Guatemala's Peten province, an area used by Mexican-based drug cartels. The victims were decapitated.

At least 27 people were slain early Sunday in a remote area of northern Guatemala that has become a key base for Mexican drug-trafficking groups, authorities said.

8 killed in Syrian crackdown near Lebanon border

Posted: 15 May 2011 09:50 PM PDT

Syrian troops raid homes in Tall Tekalakh and open fire on residents fleeing to Lebanon, leaving eight dead and five wounded. Lebanon sends troop reinforcements to its border with Syria.

Syrian security forces Sunday stormed homes in the town of Tall Kalakh and fired on people at a nearby Lebanese border crossing as they tried to flee the country's violent crackdown, killing at least eight people and wounding five, news agencies and activists reported.

Dozens hurt in Egypt as Copts are attacked

Posted: 15 May 2011 09:50 PM PDT

Riot police stand aside as motorists and residents in Cairo attack Coptic Christian demonstrators who set up a roadblock to press for more security after deadly sectarian clashes a week ago.

Scores of mostly Coptic Christian protesters were injured when their weekend demonstration blocking a street near the heart of downtown Cairo was attacked by motorists and residents as riot police stood by, prompting new questions about the ability and willingness of Egypt's military-led government to maintain security.

IMF chief's sexual assault inquiry shakes Europe

Posted: 15 May 2011 11:07 PM PDT

IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn, accused of attacking a hotel maid in New York, had been considered a leading candidate for president in France and is a major figure in the European economy. He's expected to plead not guilty to the charges.

Accusations that the powerful French politician who heads the International Monetary Fund sexually assaulted a Manhattan hotel maid unleashed a crisis in his homeland, where he had been considered a leading candidate for president, and added to the jitters of European economies in need of financial support.