LA Times News

LA Times News

Former 'Sarkozettes' slug it out

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

Two glamorous members of French President Sarkozy's first government have found themselves in a very public spat.

They were once on the same side, singing from the same political song-sheet as the so-called Sarkozettes, glamorous female members of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's first government.

Risking life and limb for hot pizza

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

South Korea's motorcycle deliverymen speed, run red lights and drive on the sidewalks to make it. Now an increase in accidents is leading the nation to rethink the need for such quick arrivals.

They're on the streets at all hours, the motorcycle deliverymen slicing through traffic in their race against the clock, defying both the law and common sense to get their cargo delivered on time.

Activists in Nepal make inroads against servitude for girls

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 06:23 PM PST

Girls as young as 6 from the Tharu ethnic group have been handed over under a bondage system known as kamlari . The legacy of crushing poverty, caste and debt has left many victims scarred by abuse.

The scrubbing, cooking and sweeping started as early as 3 a.m. When the landlord's children awoke hours later, the 9-year-old girl got them ready for a school she could only dream of attending.

Southerners in northern Sudan going home despite fears of new violence

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

A Jan. 9 referendum is expected to split the country and may spark another civil war. But many say they'd rather take a chance than live in the hostile north.

They carry all they own from desert slums and stack it near big trucks. They're packing to go home to southern Sudan, even those who have never been there but have heard stories of tribal chiefs and cattle herds roaming the grasslands.

Iran hangs alleged spy, militant

Posted: 29 Dec 2010 12:00 AM PST

The two were arrested years ago. Critics say the executions are part of an attempt by the government to send a message as the public outcry increases over cutbacks in fuel and food subsidies.

Iran on Tuesday executed a man accused of spying for Israel and another for allegedly distributing CDs and leaflets promoting an outlawed opposition group. The hangings come amid a crackdown on activists that has coincided with unpopular economic austerity measures.

Iranian convicted of spying for Israel hanged

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 11:43 PM PST

Iran's official news agency says Ali Akbar Siadati was accused of providing Israel with classified information on Iran's military capabilities.

Iran on Tuesday hanged an Iranian convicted of spying for the country's archenemy Israel, the official IRNA news agency reported.