LA Times News

LA Times News

Trying to find beauty in the darkness of Iraq

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 06:33 PM PDT

Filmmaker Oday Rasheed wants his movie to rattle Iraqi society into healing, but few here have seen the haunting 'Qarantina.'

The hit man burns photos of the past in a copper bowl on his terrace as he waits, quiet as a ghost. His fixer arrives with a bag of groceries and too many jokes.

Mexico arrest may do little to change the drug cartel equation

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 05:32 PM PDT

The capture of Jose de Jesus 'El Chango' Mendez, La Familia's alleged leader, isn't likely to deal the cartel a fatal blow.

Shackled in chains, he grimaced in apparent pain as he heaved his hefty body from the back of a police van. Jose de Jesus "El Chango" Mendez was paraded before reporters Wednesday, a day after the reputed drug lord was captured by federal police.

Bahrain sentences activists to life in prison

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 05:32 PM PDT

In the latest crackdown against unrest, eight prominent dissidents receive the sentences from a military court. Protesters and police clash near Pearl Square in Manama, the capital.

Bahrain sentenced eight prominent activists to life in prison Wednesday in the latest crackdown on a 5-month-old rebellion in the island monarchy that has been criticized by international human rights groups for mass arrests, torture and shooting of protesters.

John Galliano blames drugs, alcohol for anti-Semitic outbursts

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 04:19 PM PDT

The fashion designer testifies in court that his addiction left him unable to remember anything about his racist rants at a Paris bar.

 

Libya rebels, Kadafi regime hold indirect talks

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 02:15 PM PDT

A spokesman says the opposition insists that the strongman cannot be involved in any future government, but it may allow him to live out his last years in Libya at an isolated location.

Indirect talks on the future of Libya have been taking place between representatives of Moammar Kadafi's government and rebels based in the eastern city of Benghazi, a spokesman for the opposition said Wednesday.

Syrian forces raid dorms; 3 students killed

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 06:31 PM PDT

Security forces launch the raid at Damascus University a day after President Bashar Assad made a speech there pledging reform. Twenty-one students are reported injured and 130 arrested. Violence continues in other parts of the nation.

Syrian security forces raided dormitories at the university where President Bashar Assad this week gave a speech on political reform after students refused to participate in pro-regime rallies, witnesses and opposition activists said Wednesday.

China frees artist Ai Weiwei on bail

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 07:29 PM PDT

The government cites 'good attitude in confessing his crimes' in its abrupt release of the acerbic dissident Ai Weiwei, who was in prison for two months without charges. He may now face a civil case.

After languishing for more than two months in prison without formal charges, China's most famous dissident artist was abruptly released on bail late Wednesday.

Bahrain sentences 8 activists to life in prison

Posted: 22 Jun 2011 05:56 AM PDT

Bahrain sentenced eight activists to life in prison Wednesday in the latest crackdown on a 5-month-old rebellion by the island monarchy, which has been criticized by international human-rights groups for mass arrests, torture and shooting protesters.

In Congress, divisions over Libya

Posted: 21 Jun 2011 09:47 PM PDT

House leaders seek to ban U.S. use of force in the country, while a Senate bill throws support behind it. The disagreement casts doubt over the future of America's role in the conflict.

The congressional standoff over military involvement in Libya sharpened markedly Tuesday when two senators introduced a bipartisan resolution authorizing continued use of U.S. forces, while House Republican leaders proposed to ban American airstrikes, unmanned aircraft and other hostile measures.

Singapore transforms into a gambling hot spot

Posted: 21 Jun 2011 09:47 PM PDT

The traditionally uptight Asian city-state is poised to eclipse Las Vegas next year as the world's second largest gaming destination after lifting a decades-old ban on gambling and opening two new casinos last year. At the same time, the government has enacted regulations that make it difficult for Singaporeans to gamble.

Thousands of gamblers filled the sprawling Marina Bay Sands casino here on a recent weeknight, placing bets on baccarat tables, roulette wheels and dice games under the glow of a seven-ton Swarovski crystal chandelier.

Greece's Papandreou gets some breathing room

Posted: 21 Jun 2011 07:48 PM PDT

After surviving a confidence vote in Parliament, the prime minister faces an even tougher challenge in the Greek debt crisis: getting a new austerity package approved so the bailout by Europe can continue.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou survived a crucial confidence vote, winning his gamble on the fate of his government and helping him contain a debt crisis that has rattled international markets and imperils Europe's single currency.