Colombia rebels seize 10 hostages

Colombia's left-wing Farc rebels have kidnapped 10 people in the north-west of the country. Guerrillas forced a boat load of people travelling along the Atrato River in Choco province to the shore, before seizing the hostages. Kidnappings for ransom remain the main source of income for the Farc, along with drug trafficking. Earlier this month their best-known hostage, ex-presidential hopeful Ingrid Betancourt, was rescued by troops. Despite the successful operation, it is clear that the Farc (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) has not abandoned its policy of kidnappings, the BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says. The rebels' latest attack in Choco also sends a defiant message to President Alvaro Uribe, our correspondent says. On Sunday, millions of Colombians are expected to take part in rallies against... [read full story]