LA Times News

LA Times News

In Syria, Assad's hold weakens, fueling fears of greater chaos

Posted: 19 Jul 2012 05:59 PM PDT

Syrian rebels appear to be gaining the upper hand. The U.S. and allies reach out to the opposition to seek a peaceful transition if Bashar Assad is toppled.

WASHINGTON —

In Russia, attacks in Tatarstan kill cleric, injure another

Posted: 20 Jul 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The cleric's fatal shooting and the bombing that injured Tatarstan's Islamic leader appear to be coordinated attacks. Some say organized crime may be involved.

MOSCOW — A senior Muslim cleric was killed and another seriously injured in what appeared to be coordinated attacks Thursday in centralRussia's Tatarstan republic.

Israeli tourist bus bombing in Bulgaria possible suicide attack

Posted: 20 Jul 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The man suspected of being a suicide bomber carried a U.S. passport that may have been fake. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls for international action against Iran.

JERUSALEM — As Israeli victims of the Bulgarian bus bombing arrived back home Thursday, security officials said they now believe the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber with a fake American passport.

Syria rebels seize key border crossings

Posted: 19 Jul 2012 06:23 PM PDT

As battles continue in Damascus, rebels storm major crossings along Syria's Turkish and Iraqi borders. Holding such transit points would allow rebels to ferry in supplies and personnel more easily.

BEIRUT — As fighting continuing for a fifth day in the Syrian capital, rebels on Thursday stormed major crossings along the Turkish and Iraqi borders that could serve as strategic links for supplies and personnel in the battle to oust President Bashar Assad.