LA Times News

LA Times News

China's disabled exploited as slaves

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 06:16 PM PST

In an economy where manual labor is in demand, ruthless recruiters often prey on the mentally disabled. One man, held at a brick kiln, is one of countless slaves who endured torture and deplorable living conditions.

At 30, Liu Xiaoping is more boy than man, with soft doe eyes that affix visitors with the unabashed stare of the very young and glisten with reluctant tears when his bandages are changed.

Gates warns against future land wars like Iraq, Afghanistan

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 05:01 PM PST

The Defense secretary, who leaves office this year, says the U.S. must not forget the lessons it learned since 2001 and that government must try to solve 'festering problems' before they become crises.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates warned Friday that the U.S. should avoid future land wars like those it has fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, but should not forget the difficult lessons it has learned from those conflicts.

Violent deaths in Mexico activist's family know no end

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 06:16 PM PST

The Reyes family has become a case study of the unrelenting violence. Surviving kin angrily blame government officials for failing to protect a family 'so historically aggrieved.'

First they killed activist Josefina Reyes. Then her brother. Then they burned her mother's house. Two and a half weeks ago, gunmen dressed in black kidnapped Reyes' sister, sister-in-law and another brother.

Iran increases uranium stockpile, U.N. agency says

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 06:08 PM PST

Despite international pressure and claims that a computer virus has slowed its program, the country continues to produce low-enriched material, the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency reports.

Iran increased its stockpile of low-enriched uranium in recent months despite intense international pressure and claims that a computer virus had slowed its program, a report Friday by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog agency indicates.

Tensions rise between U.S., Pakistan spy agencies

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 05:16 PM PST

Several high profile disputes, including over an undercover U.S. contractor who shot dead two men, have deepened mistrust between the CIA and ISI. However, both sides say cooperation continues on antiterrorism efforts.

American and Pakistani intelligence services have become deeply estranged in recent weeks after several high-profile disputes, though senior officials from both countries say they continue to cooperate against Al Qaeda militants.

Protesters across Iraq clash with security forces

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 03:45 PM PST

A 'day of rage' inspired by movements in Tunisia, Egypt and elsewhere ends with at least 11 dead and buildings in flames. Demonstrators try to push into the heavily protected Green Zone in Baghdad.

Anti-government protests across Iraq on Friday led to violent clashes between some demonstrators and security forces, leaving at least 11 people dead and many buildings in flames.

Obama seeks a new approach on Mideast

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 03:35 PM PST

President Obama has asked his aides to formulate a Mideast foreign policy that emphasizes democratic reforms without alienating longtime allies.

President Obama is challenging his administration to formulate a new Middle East policy that emphasizes political and economic reforms to bolster U.S. allies now threatened by the protest movements sweeping the region.

Angry Irish voters expected to pummel ruling party

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 01:09 PM PST

Faced with a severely damaged economy and an international bailout, voters in Ireland are likely to take out their frustration on Fianna Fail, the party that has governed 61 of the last 79 years.

An angry populace, a longtime ruler running scared, a major political shift in the making: You don't have to look for this combustible mix only in the Arab world.

Defiant Libyans flood streets of Tripoli to protest against Moammar Kadafi

Posted: 25 Feb 2011 07:14 PM PST

Thousands of demonstrators take to the streets of Libya's capital after Friday prayers and Kadafi loyalists reportedly open fire. White House imposes sanctions, and Britain and France ask the U.N. Security Council to do likewise.

Chaos gripped the Libyan capital and its environs Friday as the central government's authority continued to crumble in the western half of a nation already split in two.

New Zealand's 'Earthquake Mayor' rallies a shaken city

Posted: 24 Feb 2011 08:40 PM PST

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, whose city has seen two devastating quakes in six months, has seemed to be everywhere, all the time, offering news, safety tips and unflagging optimism.

He has been there in front of the news cameras almost from the moment the deadly earthquake struck this tourist city.