COLUMN ONE
After seeing shops close, his customers flee, his wares droop in power outages, Yousif Mohammed still loves a good bloom. But please, don't make him sell you the plastic lilies.

latimes.com
Pro-Western parties seek diplomatic or even military intervention amid Hezbollah's military onslaught, but the West appears unwilling to respond. >>

The agreement clears the way for Iraqi soldiers to operate in the Baghdad slum largely controlled by a radical cleric. But will all groups adhere to the accord? >>

Hamas contends the captive is a separate case. Militants kill one in a rocket attack. >>

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says his Pakistan Muslim League-N party will relinquish its Cabinet posts but continue to negotiate with the Pakistan People's Party. >>

May 12, 2008
The Future movement used a security firm to assemble a private force, officials say. But the fighters were no match for the Shiite group Hezbollah. >>

The Baghdad slum has seen weeks of bloody fighting. U.S. forces say they will still kill anyone seen engaging in criminal activity. >>

The Iraqi-Canadian citizen is accused of stabbing another contractor during a fight. >>

Arab foreign ministers at an emergency meeting here urged warring Lebanese factions to immediately cease fighting and said Sunday that they would send a delegation to try to broker a settlement between the Hezbollah-led opposition and U.S.-backed government. >>

May 11, 2008
Despite last year's troop buildup, cleric Muqtada Sadr's influence remains strong and clashes are frequent in his militia stronghold. >>

The Shiite militia pulls out of the western part of the capital, further easing tensions. But violence continues. >>

But both sides disagree on the terms of the pact. Baghdad government begins offensive in Mosul to root out Sunni Arab militants. >>

Tension in Lebanon's capital climbs as Sunni mourners attack a shop and the owner opens fire, killing two and wounding 15. >>

May 10, 2008
The Iran-backed militia trounces ill-equipped Sunni fighters loyal to the pro-U.S. government. Analysts say Hezbollah's long- term goal is bolstering itself in its conflict with the U.S. and Israel. >>

FROM THE BLOGS
A routine patrol joins a soldier and an injured Iraqi girl, and neither's life will be the same. >>

The Venice artist creates an unusual instrument to help celebrate the Jewish state's birthday. >>

Israeli missiles hit Hamas militants after mortar rounds slam into a communal farm. >>

Military sources said that at least 20 Kurdish separatists and two Turkish soldiers were killed after militants of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, attacked a military base in southeastern Turkey on Friday. >>

May 9, 2008
The roads out of the Lebanese capital are blocked and panicked residents are stocking up supplies as fear of civil war grows. >>

A Senate committee wonders whether the bureau can transform itself. Gaps in training and vacancies in key positions are among the issues cited. >>

As Israel celebrates its 60th birthday, polls show that internal issues worry the populace as much as the threat of war. >>

Human rights groups unveil a touring exhibit to draw attention to conditions at the U.S. detention facility. >>

The jump coincides with the extension of combat tours from 12 to 15 months. >>

Ehud Olmert says he accepted political donations from Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky. He vows to quit if indicted. >>

Militants fired rockets into a British base in Iraq's southern oil town of Basra, killing two contractors and wounding four other civilians, the U.S. military said Thursday. >>

May 8, 2008
Frustrated by years of failed peace talks for a two-state solution, some are giving up hope of independence and pushing the idea of a single democratic state with equal rights for all. >>

BOOK NEWS
Anti-Israel groups say Italy's decision to honor Israeli writers ignores Palestinians' plight. >>

May 8, 2008
Sunni and Shiite Muslims target each other with rocks and gunfire in Lebanon's capital. Many roads are closed. >>

BOOK EVENT
On May 12 at Vroman's, and May 13 at Book Soup >>

May 6, 2008
COLUMN ONE
One Palestinian decided to give up his weapons in hopes of gaining amnesty and a new start. His younger brother followed a different road. >>

May 5, 2008
DISPATCH FROM CAIRO
A train station in Egypt's capital becomes a vantage point on the tableau of humanity coming and going on a night thick with untold dreams and stories. >>

May 4, 2008
ART
Foreign, contemporary artists are getting a bigger stage. Nudity is rare, and themes of oppression are common. >>

May 2, 2008
The keeper of the memorial where the vigils are held takes Old Glory down beforehand, to demonstrators' consternation. >>

Photo Gallery
Violence flares in Beirut
Violence flares in Beirut
May 7, 2008
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Syria FM
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