hostage – News Stories About hostage - Page 11

Jul 4, 2008 11:08 AM CDT

Betancourt Arrives in Paris

Sarkozy welcomes freed hostage home

(Newser) - Ingrid Betancourt returned to France today after 6 years in captivity in Colombia, CNN reports. "I have been dreaming for 7 years for this moment," the French-Colombian politician said at Villacoublay airport outside Paris. "I owe everything to France. You all shared my despair, my family's despair....

Disorganized Rebels Duped By Hostage Rescuers

Jul 4, 2008 2:15 AM CDT

Disorganized Rebels Duped By Hostage Rescuers

'Movie-plot' op exploited reb chaos

(Newser) - The Colombian military's daring rescue of FARC guerilla hostages relied on increasing disarray within the rebel ranks, the New York Times reports. Latin America's longest-running insurgency has suffered a near-total communications breakdown in recent months. With the command structure in chaos and rebels depending on "medieval" communications methods, the...

Military Doc: Contractors
In Good Condition

Jul 3, 2008 9:30 PM CDT

Military Doc: Contractors In Good Condition

Freed Americans "in great spirits" at Texas military base

(Newser) - The three American hostages rescued after more than five years in captivity in Colombia are in good physical and psychological shape, the Washington Post reports. The defense contractors, who arrived at a military base in Texas last night, were held by Colombian rebels in “very cruel and very spartan”...

Freed Hostages Back in US

UPDATED

Jul 3, 2008 10:48 AM CDT

Freed Hostages Back in US

Contractors flown to medical centers for tests, reunions

(Newser) - Three American hostages are back on US soil today for the first time in five years, CNN reports, after a late-night landing at an Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas. The men were taken to an Army medical center, where, after undergoing tests and debriefings, they are expected to...

Betancourt
Hails Release
as a 'Miracle'

Jul 3, 2008 9:17 AM CDT

Betancourt Hails Release as a 'Miracle'

Freed hostage praises 'perfect' operation, still wants to be president

(Newser) - For Ingrid Betancourt, the French-Colombian politician freed after more than 6 years in captivity, her release yesterday was a “miracle.” Colombian soldiers, posing as NGO officials, tricked FARC rebels and rescued Betancourt and 14 other hostages without gunfire. “There is no historical precedent for such a perfect...

Contractors' Families Prepare for Joyous Reunions

Jul 2, 2008 9:04 PM CDT

Contractors' Families Prepare for Joyous Reunions

Three men expected to arrive in Texas after Colombian ordeal

(Newser) - The families of three military contractors captured by Colombian rebels more than five years ago had no inkling they were about to be freed, McClatchy Newspapers reports. "It's a miracle today," said Amanda Howes, niece of Thomas Howes. Her uncle and his fellow former captives, Marc Gonsalves and...

'Mom, You Don't Have
to Cry Anymore'

Jul 2, 2008 8:10 PM CDT

'Mom, You Don't Have to Cry Anymore'

Betancourt reunited with family; US contractors on their way home

(Newser) - Ingrid Betancourt embraced her family today after six years of captivity in the Colombian jungle, the Washington Post reports. "Mom, you don't have to cry anymore," said Betancourt, one of 15 hostages freed from FARC rebels. "This is a miracle." Betancourt appeared thin but healthy at...

Trickery Brings Colombia
Hostages to Safety

Jul 2, 2008 5:49 PM CDT

Trickery Brings Colombia Hostages to Safety

Betancourt, others freed by soldiers posing as aid workers

(Newser) - A simple ruse led to the freedom of the high-profile hostages held for years by Colombia's FARC rebels, Reuters reports. Government soldiers duped guerrillas into believing they were humanitarian aid workers and offered to fly the hostages from their jungle hideaway to meet with FARC boss Alfonso Cano. Instead, they...

Spain Speeds to Save
Pirate Hostages

Apr 21, 2008 9:26 AM CDT

Spain Speeds to Save Pirate Hostages

Fishing boat is latest target of Somali brigands

(Newser) - A Spanish naval frigate is steaming to the waters off Somalia to rescue crew members of a tuna boat seized by pirates, reports the BBC. The boat was grabbed just days after French commandos freed hostages from a luxury yacht comandeered by Somali pirates. The tuna boat's 26 crew members...

Somali Pirates Free
French Yacht Hostages

Apr 11, 2008 11:03 AM CDT

Somali Pirates Free French Yacht Hostages

No word on whether ransom changed hands

(Newser) - Somali pirates have freed the crew members of the French yacht they commandeered last week, AFP reports. All 30 hostages, including 22 French nationals, were handed over “without incident” in a deal negotiated by the military, Nicolas Sarkozy said.

Sarko: Betancourt Near Death

Apr 1, 2008 3:20 PM CDT

Sarko: Betancourt Near Death

French president renews call for FARC ro release hostage

(Newser) - Nicolas Sarkozy today reiterated his call for FARC to free hostage Ingrid Betancourt, saying the Colombian-French politician is "in danger of imminent death," Reuters reports. After 6 years in the rebel guerrillas' custody, Betancourt reportedly began a hunger strike Feb. 23. "Free Ingrid Betancourt and the weakest...

Israeli Hostage Alive: Hamas

Mar 31, 2008 7:52 AM CDT

Israeli Hostage Alive: Hamas

Offer to avoid civilian targets

(Newser) - Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is alive, Hamas leader Khalid Meshaal tells Britain's Sky News. "Gilad is alive and we are treating him well but Israel is treating the Palestinian prisoners they hold very badly," he said in an interview in Damascus, offering the first word in almost...

Colombia Offers Swap: Hostages for Prisoners

Mar 28, 2008 10:43 AM CDT

Colombia Offers Swap: Hostages for Prisoners

FARC must release ailing Betancourt for deal to go through

(Newser) - After more than 6 years in captivity, Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt will go free if FARC agrees to a deal Alvaro Uribe signed off on last night, the Guardian reports. The Colombian president issued a decree saying the country will release imprisoned rebel fighters in exchange for Betancourt, a onetime...

Colombia:
FARC Was
After Uranium

Mar 4, 2008 11:35 AM CST

Colombia: FARC Was After Uranium

Ecuador cuts ties, says slain rebel leader was key in hostage deal

(Newser) - Colombia has accused Ecuador and Venezuela of cooperating with FARC guerrillas who were trying to buy uranium, the BBC reports, even as Ecuador cut ties with Colombia and Venezuela expelled its diplomats. “FARC is taking big steps in the world of terrorism to become a global aggressor,” said...

FARC Hostage Near Death
in Jungle

Feb 28, 2008 8:21 PM CST

FARC Hostage Near Death in Jungle

Former presidential candidate gravely ill, says released captive

(Newser) - A high-profile hostage still held by Colombian rebels is near death because of mistreatment and a lack of medicine, a former fellow captive said today. Ingrid Betancourt, seized by FARC rebels six years ago while campaigning for the presidency, is sick with hepatitis and liver problems, says Luis Eladio Perez,...

FARC Rebels Free 4 Hostages

Feb 27, 2008 2:56 PM CST

FARC Rebels Free 4 Hostages

Prisoners were politicians, who had been held for more than 6 years

(Newser) - Colombian FARC rebels today set free four former Colombian legislators who had been held hostage for more than six years. The deal was brokered by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, and three of the four will fly to Caracas to speak with him. The fourth is in poor health and may...

British Hostage Appears on
Arab Television

Feb 27, 2008 10:27 AM CST

British Hostage Appears on Arab Television

One of 5 missing since May asks for prisoner exchange

(Newser) - One of the five British men kidnapped in Baghdad eight months ago appeared on Arab television last night, begging Prime Minister Gordon Brown to free nine Iraqi prisoners in exchange for the Britons. “Release their people so that we can go home. It’s as simple as that,"...

Radical London Cleric Will Face NY Terror Trial

Feb 7, 2008 5:47 PM CST

Radical London Cleric Will Face NY Terror Trial

'Hook' linked to 1998 Yemen attacks; preached martyrdom

(Newser) - Radical Islamic cleric Abu Hamza, known to FBI agents as “hook” because of his metal hand, will be sent to New York to face terrorism charges, ABC News reports. British officials said today they plan to extradite within 28 days the former leader of a London mosque, who faces...

Colombia's FARC to Free 3 More Hostages

Feb 3, 2008 1:00 PM CST

Colombia's FARC to Free 3 More Hostages

Health reasons, Chavez's diplomatic role cited in release

(Newser) - Colombia’s FARC rebel group will release three lawmakers for health reasons after more than 6 years in captivity, the BBC reports. Taking a pointed side in the dispute between Hugo Chavez and Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, the rebels said in a statement to local media that they were releasing...

Chicago Cops Seek Killer of 5

UPDATED

Feb 2, 2008 2:00 PM CST

Chicago Cops Seek Killer of 5

Alleged killer fled after robbing Lane Bryant store

(Newser) - Police are searching for a stocky black man who reportedly shot five women dead in a Chicago mall burglary this morning, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Police surrounded the Tinley Park mall after shots were reported at a Lane Bryant store just before 11 a.m. “There is no question...