LA Times News

LA Times News

Mexico cartel attacks on press take toll on drug war coverage

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 04:52 PM PDT

The Mexican press, as evidenced in recent attacks on two newspaper offices, grapples with decisions about how — and whether — to cover the drug war in ways that won't endanger lives.

MEXICO CITY — The nearly simultaneous attacks on the offices of the two newspapers were disturbingly similar: Gunmen armed with automatic rifles and grenade launchers opened fire, shattering glass and terrifying those inside.

Syria says chemical arms only for use on foreign attackers

Posted: 23 Jul 2012 05:00 PM PDT

The embattled government says the weapons are secure and that it will not utilize them against domestic rebels, but only in the case of 'external aggression.' Western nations condemn the threat.

BEIRUT — With mounting international alarm about Syria's cache of chemical and biological weapons, the embattled government in Damascus said Monday that its "unconventional" arms stockpiles were secure and vowed not to use them — unless provoked by an outside attack.

Egypt's workers, newly emboldened, seek reforms

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:14 PM PDT

After decades of corporate corruption and fear of retaliation by police, unions are demanding higher pay and better conditions in post-Mubarak Egypt.

SUEZ, Egypt — The name of his brand is Cleopatra and he calls himself one of the "noblest businessmen in the world." But Mohamed Abul-Enein is at the center of a strike that epitomizes worker unrest seething across Egypt and threatening its new president and an economy already in turmoil.

South Africa teens often become moms

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:13 PM PDT

Tens of thousands drop out of the education system annually because of pregnancy. One was studying law when 'one stupid night' changed her life.

MAVELA, South Africa — Her grandmother was an alcoholic and her mother was a prostitute, strangled by a client. The child of another of her mother's customers, Nicolene Marx grew up in a poor Durban neighborhood with scant hope of escaping.

Russia Bible museum sees the books as national treasures

Posted: 22 Jul 2012 09:08 PM PDT

At the St. Joseph of Volokolamsk monastery, the new Bible museum is a project dear to the heart of professor Irina Pozdeyeva.

TERYAYEVO, Russia — As she tried to remove the priceless Bible from its glass case, Moscow University professor Irina Pozdeyeva could barely lift the almost 2,000-page book.