Syria frees four French journalists

Syria frees four French journalists

PARIS

Ten months after their capture in Syria, four French journalists crossed the border into neighboring Turkey and reached freedom Saturday, though dozens more remain held in the country’s chaotic civil war.

Edouard Elias, Didier Francois, Nicolas Henin and Pierre Torres — all said to be in good health — were freed over the weekend in unclear circumstances in what has become the world’s most dangerous, and deadliest, conflict for journalists.

“We are very happy to be free ... and it’s very nice to see the sky, to be able to walk, to be able to ... speak freely,” said Francois, a noted war correspondent for Europe 1 radio

Holy fire ceremony

JERUSALEM

The dark hall inside Christianity’s holiest shrine was illuminated with the flames from thousands of candles Saturday as worshippers participated in the holy fire ceremony, a momentous spiritual event in Orthodox Easter rites.

Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected at the site where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher now stands in the Old City of Jerusalem. Though the source of the holy fire is a closely guarded secret, believers say the flame appears spontaneously from his tomb on the day before Easter to show Jesus has not forgotten his followers.

The ritual dates back at least 1,200 years.

Chrysler, Fiat plan operations in China

ROME

Fiat and Chrysler announced plans Saturday to build three new Jeep models in China for that market, the biggest for the vehicles outside the United States, as they attempt to boost sales in a country where they lag behind their competitors.

Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, who plans to complete the legal merger of Fiat and Chrysler by the end of the year, said in the statement that the deal represents the next phase in the “expansion on a global scale of the Jeep brand.”

Threats at Times

LOS ANGELES

A man suspected of making threatening statements about a shooting and forcing the lockdown of the Los Angeles Times building was being held Saturday for a mental-health evaluation.

A psychologist requested a 72-hour hold for the 28-year-old man at a hospital after he was detained Friday night, Sgt. Keith Green said. The sergeant didn’t identify the man.

The man works at a call center that rents office space in the Times building. Police said after he was reprimanded by his supervisor, he gave her a pillowcase containing ammunition and told her: “I’m not afraid to shoot people.”

Associated Press

but I don’t want to go to jail.”

Her goal has changed now.

But only a little.

“If I could have one wish, it would be to win this specific race on this specific day,” she said this week. “It basically would be the highlight of my career, for sure. If I could win this specific Boston: It has the most power, the most meaning behind it, of all the Boston Marathons that would be run.”

A year after two bombs at the finish line killed three and wounded 264 others, the 118th edition of the Boston Marathon has become a symbol of resilience for the running community, the city and a nation shocked by an attack on one of its beloved traditions. And Flanagan, a three-time Olympian who finished fourth in her Boston debut last year, is hoping an American victory in her hometown race will help heal the wounds caused by last year’s bombings.