LA Times News

LA Times News

Somalia athlete chasing dream is among Africans who drowned at sea

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 04:38 PM PDT

Samia Yusuf Omar was an Olympic runner whose dream was to go to Europe to train and earn money to support her family. But the dream ended with her boat journey.

MOGADISHU, Somalia — When she was 17, Samia Yusuf Omar experienced a brief moment in the international spotlight when she ran a 200-meter race representing Somalia at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Russia activist sentenced to 8 years, says she was framed

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Taisiya Osipova says Russian police planted heroin in her apartment as retaliation for her antigovernment activism. Her defense plans to appeal.

MOSCOW — A Russian court Tuesday sentenced an opposition activist to eight years in prison on drug charges, doubling the time sought by prosecutors in a case government critics call trumped-up retaliation.

Israel judge rules Rachel Corrie responsible for her own death

Posted: 29 Aug 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Parents of American activist Rachel Corrie fail in their attempt to place blame on Israel after their daughter was killed by a bulldozer in Gaza at a protest.

JERUSALEM — Nine years after their daughter was crushed by an Israeli military bulldozer in the Gaza Strip, the parents of American activist Rachel Corrie lost their legal bid Tuesday to hold Israel responsible for her death and force authorities to reopen the investigation.

Pentagon finds soldiers who burned Korans ignored Afghan warnings

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 09:47 PM PDT

A report confirms that 474 Korans were taken to a burn pit, far more than previously known. Also, Marines who urinated on insurgents' corpses are disciplined.

WASHINGTON — A Pentagon investigation into the burning of Korans at a U.S.-run prison in Afghanistan in February found that American soldiers ignored warnings from an Afghan officer and an interpreter and incinerated dozens of Islamic holy texts in a pit, sparking days of deadly riots across the country.

Colombia leader discloses talks with FARC rebels

Posted: 28 Aug 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, mindful of previous failed peace talks, cautions the discussions would advance only under certain conditions.

BOGOTA, Colombia — President Juan Manuel Santos on Monday night said his government was in "exploratory discussions" to end more than four decades of conflict with Colombia's largest rebel group.

Turkey calls for international assistance to aid Syrian refugees

Posted: 27 Aug 2012 09:49 PM PDT

Turkey has taken in about 80,000 and can't handle many more, it says. Meanwhile, France's Hollande says his nation would recognize a 'provisional government.'

BEIRUT — Beleaguered Turkish officials called Monday for international assistance to aid escalating numbers of Syrian refugees arriving at Turkey's borders, and French President Francois Hollande said his country would recognize new Syrian leadership as soon as "it is formed."