LA Times News

LA Times News

In Haiti, good intentions have unexpected and unfortunate results

Posted: 13 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

Some of the international community's aid efforts have caused problems, including an increase in housing prices, political turmoil and perhaps even the cholera epidemic.

The wood-frame Carousel grammar school survived the earthquake that destroyed much of this city in January. Beatrice Moise had taught there for five years and hoped she would continue when schools reopened in spring.

Suicide bomber kills 13 in Iraq's Anbar province

Posted: 13 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

An explosives-packed SUV tries to ram the gates of the government compound in the provincial capital, Ramadi, as militants continue attacks ahead of the formation of a new government.

A suicide car bomb killed at least 13 people Sunday in the western province of Anbar as militants continued a campaign of periodic attacks ahead of the formation of Iraq's next government.

Historic 747 reaches grim end in South Korea

Posted: 13 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

The frustrated South Korean owners of the first 747 jetliner to carry commercial passengers, unable to profit from their piece of aviation history, have it demolished.

There will be no more takeoffs for the Juan T. Trippe.

Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan

Posted: 12 Dec 2010 04:46 PM PST

NATO officials say the troops were killed in the south, but give no details. A news report says all six were Americans, killed in a suicide attack on a remote outpost in Kandahar.

Taliban insurgents killed six members of the American-dominated international military force in southern Afghanistan in a single attack Sunday, Western officials announced.

U.N. pacts contain small steps but no broad accord on climate change

Posted: 12 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

Delegates agree to measure greenhouse gases and help vulnerable countries gird for worsening sea levels, droughts and hurricanes. The role of China and other developing economies remains a point of contention.

Delegates from 190 countries ended two weeks of diplomatic brinksmanship over climate change Saturday in a stalemate between rich and poor countries over cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but they pledged to move forward on a set of broad technical measures.

Historic 747 reaches a grim destination

Posted: 13 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

The frustrated South Korean owners of the first 747 jetliner to carry commercial passengers, unable to profit from their piece of aviation history, have it demolished.

There will be no more takeoffs for the Juan T. Trippe.

Corruption sweep in Mexico's Michoacan unravels in the courts

Posted: 12 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

An examination of the sealed case file shows prosecutors relied on evidence that didn't hold up under judicial scrutiny and on three anonymous paid informants whose testimony was largely hearsay.

When 35 mayors, prosecutors, police chiefs and other officials in the state of Michoacan were hauled into jail and accused of taking bribes from a cartel last year, it looked as if the federal government was finally attacking the political collusion that has long nurtured the drug gangs.

South Koreans at sword's point over hero's statue

Posted: 12 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

Those critical of the statue in Seoul of 16th century naval commander Yi Sun-sin ask: Isn't the admiral's armor more Chinese in style? And the sword, they say, looks much more Japanese than Korean.

For four decades, the statue of Adm. Yi Sun-sin has gazed out from its pedestal in downtown Gwanghwamun Plaza, sheathed sword clutched proudly in the fighter's right hand as he grasps the waistcoat of his battle uniform with the other.