LA Times News

LA Times News

Youth sought in Mexico killings arrested

Posted: 03 Dec 2010 07:00 PM PST

Edgar Jimenez Lugo, who authorities said was born in San Diego, was wanted on suspicion of killing rivals — allegedly beheading some — as part of his work for a violent drug-trafficking cartel.

A 14-year-old boy who says he's been killing or working for drug cartels since he was 11 has been captured by the Mexican army after a monthlong hunt, authorities said Friday.

On Colombian minefields, rats may become man's best friends

Posted: 04 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

Scientists train the critters to sniff out explosives. They do the job better, and more cheaply, than dogs.

Rats may soon become heroic figures in this nation's struggle to detect and dispose of land mines.

Spain unveils new round of budget cuts

Posted: 04 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

The measures come on top of a $19-billion austerity plan introduced in May to help narrow a budget gap. Markets have pressed for further signs of the government's determination to cut public spending.

Spain unveiled a new round of austerity measures Friday to help bring its massive budget deficit under control and to convince nervous investors that it is not in need of an international bailout.

International help pours in as Israel battles forest fire

Posted: 04 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

From Bulgaria to Jordan and Greece, even Turkey, send firefighters, equipment, helicopters and other help as a fire rages in Carmel Forest. The toll rises to 41 as officials hope to control the blaze by weekend.

From Jordanian firefighters to Greek aircraft, a rare outpouring of international support for Israel helped the nation battle its worst-ever forest fire Friday, but the blaze continued to rage out of control.

Violence feared as Ivory Coast election results are reversed

Posted: 04 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

The country's Constitutional Council reverses results to give incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo victory over Alassane Ouattara, who was declared victor by the election commission. Opposition says it fears civil war.

Ivory Coast's highest electoral authority Friday overturned presidential election results that gave former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara a victory over President Laurent Gbagbo, a move that could spark violence in the troubled West African country.

Obama makes surprise trip to Afghanistan

Posted: 03 Dec 2010 02:27 PM PST

A dust storm prevents Obama from meeting in person with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The U.S. leader speaks to U.S. troops at Bagram airfield.

President Obama made a brief, unannounced visit Friday to Afghanistan. But in a scenario that seemed symbolic of star-crossed U.S. relations with the administration of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the two leaders were unable to meet face to face.

President Obama in Afghanistan on unannounced trip

Posted: 03 Dec 2010 08:09 AM PST

-President Barack Obama slipped unannounced into dangerous Afghanistan on Friday, one year after widening an ever deadlier war and just days before a pivotal review about the 9-year-plus conflict.

China to tighten its monetary policy next year

Posted: 03 Dec 2010 06:51 AM PST

The decision by the Politburo to shift to a 'prudent' monetary policy signals a likely slowdown of the world's second-largest economy in coming months as China acts to combat inflation and moderate its growth.

China will tighten monetary policy next year, the country's Communist Party leadership said Friday, signaling the world's second-largest economy will likely slow down in the coming months to combat inflation and settle into a more sustainable pace of growth.

South Korean defense nominee says North Korea would be bombed if it attacks again

Posted: 02 Dec 2010 10:53 PM PST

President Lee Myung-bak's choice for new defense minister said Friday that South Korean jets will bomb North Korea if Pyongyang stages an attack similar to last week's deadly artillery barrage.