LA Times News

LA Times News

U.S. can't justify its drug war spending, reports say

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 07:40 PM PDT

Government reports say the Obama administration is unable to show that billions of dollars spent in the anti-drug efforts in Latin America have made a significant difference.

As drug cartels wreak murderous havoc from Mexico to Panama, the Obama administration is unable to show that the billions of dollars spent in the war on drugs have significantly stemmed the flow of illegal narcotics into the United States, according to two government reports and outside experts.

Apparent NATO bombing of Kadafi rural retreat raises questions

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 06:35 PM PDT

Libya has long accused NATO of targeting leader Moammar Kadafi in contravention of its U.N. mandate to protect civilians under attack by government forces. It was unclear whether he was in the area.

A tattered tent, shreds of carpet and other scorched debris were all that were left of a favored retreat of Moammar Kadafi just outside the Libyan capital, the aftermath of what appeared to be a NATO bombing run.

Syrian reports suggest divisions in security forces

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 06:35 PM PDT

An official Syrian news report says the gunmen who killed soldiers in Jisr Shughur were wearing military uniforms. If true, it lends credence to reports of clashes between security forces loyal to Assad and others who oppose the crackdown on protesters.

Gunmen in "military uniform and government cars" were responsible for the recent killings of as many as 120 Syrian security forces in the northwestern city of Jisr Shughur, the official Syrian Arab News Agency said Wednesday.

Militants said to gain ground in south Yemen

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 06:35 PM PDT

A local official says fighters, including foreigners and Al Qaeda affiliate members, have descended on Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province. A self-described Al Qaeda member claims it is the first step to an Islamic state.

Hundreds of Yemeni and foreign fighters, including members of an Al Qaeda affiliate, are pouring into a provincial capital after government forces fled in chaos, according to a local official and a fighter who described himself as an Al Qaeda member.

Gates calls for more NATO allies to join Libya air campaign

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 04:47 PM PDT

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates names five alliance members that he says should do more to share the burden of NATO's air campaign against Moammar Kadafi. Only seven nations are carrying out airstrikes.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Wednesday urged more NATO allies to join the air campaign against Libya, arguing that it was putting a strain on the seven members of the 28-nation alliance that are carrying the burden in a conflict that shows few signs of ending soon, U.S. officials said.

Mexico authorities return former mayor to Tijuana to face arms charges

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 05:39 PM PDT

Jorge Hank Rhon, a controversial casino magnate seen by many critics as an emblem of impunity in Mexico, and 10 other suspects were moved from the capital to a prison in the border city of Tecate.

Former Tijuana Mayor Jorge Hank Rhon returned to Baja California on Wednesday as a federal prisoner facing weapons charges.

Syria's ambassador to France denies resigning

Posted: 08 Jun 2011 02:53 PM PDT

Paris-based Ambassador Lamia Shakkour says that the woman who gave a phone interview to France 24 denouncing the crackdown in Syria and stepping down was an imposter. Shakkour says she will pursue legal action against the TV station.

A French television station believed it had a scoop when a woman identifying herself as Syria's ambassador to France announced her resignation during an on-air telephone interview, saying she opposed her country's violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.

Japan says it was unprepared for post-quake nuclear disaster

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 09:48 PM PDT

In its report, Japan says, it needs to revise its nuclear safety preparedness and response in light of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant crisis. It also says the damage and radiation leak were worse than previously thought.

— Japan acknowledged Tuesday that it was unprepared for a severe nuclear accident like the tsunami-generated Fukushima disaster and said damage to the reactors and radiation leakage were worse than it previously thought.

Obama, Merkel pledge to cooperate on Libya, economy

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 08:52 PM PDT

Despite differences between Washington and Berlin, the president and the chancellor jointly demand that Moammar Kadafi give up power.

For two allies passing through rocky times, the leaders of the United States and Germany on Tuesday put on a show of unity at the White House, demanding that Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi relinquish power and pledging to cooperate on issues as diverse as the war in Afghanistan and the global economy.