LA Times News

LA Times News

Huge Sumatran quakes in April a step in tectonic plate breakup

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 06:00 PM PDT

Scientists documented an episode in the breakup of the Indo-Australian plate into two pieces, an epic process that began roughly 50 million years ago and isn't done yet.

Planet Earth may be 4.5 billion years old, but that doesn't mean she can't serve up a shattering surprise now and again.

Syria rebels attack military headquarters in Damascus

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Gun battles followed two bomb blasts, witnesses say. The attack deals a blow to President Bashar Assad's claim to have the Syrian capital under tight control.

BEIRUT — Syrian rebels breached checkpoints and concrete barriers Wednesday to attack the country's military headquarters in an assault that left the facility scorched and abandoned, and punctured President Bashar Assad's claim to have his capital under tight control.

Mexico workers protest labor overhaul bill

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Workers oppose a bill that would change workplace and union rules, saying their rights are at risk. The bill's failure would be a blow to President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto.

MEXICO CITY — Mexicans took to the streets Wednesday to protest a proposed law that is aimed at modernizing rules in the workplace and making Mexico's powerful, corrupt unions more accountable.

Unfortunately for Germany, it's 'a wonderland for raccoons'

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 06:34 PM PDT

Germans can do nothing as the imported pests raid gardens, get into roofs and even ride the subway, filling an ecological niche unmolested by natural predators.

NIESTE, Germany — The masked intruders who come regularly after dark don't fill Marga Trautmann-Winter with dread so much as irritation — lots of it.

Greyhound bus makes one of its last overnight trips across Britain

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

An American takes a ride on Long Tall Sally, as this bus is nicknamed, to see how the quintessentially American experience translates across the Atlantic.

GLASGOW, Scotland — The other passengers aboard the late-night Greyhound bus weren't looking to get their kicks on route M6. Mostly they were just hoping to catch some Z's.

In U.N. speech, Egypt's Morsi rejects broad free speech rights

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 06:19 PM PDT

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi urges the U.N. to consider cracking down on expression that defames religions, and he outlines ambitions for his country's influence in the Mideast.

UNITED NATIONS — Egypt's recently elected President Mohamed Morsi on Wednesday rejected President Obama's view of free speech rights and made plain his ambition to seize greater influence for the Arab world's most populous country.

Russia prepares to crack down on drunk driving

Posted: 26 Sep 2012 06:38 PM PDT

The ruling party is preparing to introduce severe sanctions against drunk driving, which is blamed for 1,300 fatalities already this year. Some activists worry that the penalties may be counterproductive.

MOSCOW — The five caskets positioned next to one another in a common grave Wednesday showed the tragic results of another apparent drunk-driving accident in Russia.

China video of man beaten in anti-Japan riot spurs soul-searching

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Anti-Japan protests in China have hurt businesses and people, including a Chinese driver left partially paralyzed after an attack in Xian.

BEIJING — The $15,000 that factory worker Li Jianli saved up to buy his white Toyota Corolla turned out to be nowhere near the costliest part of the deal. He nearly paid with his life.

South Africa 'strike season' may get much worse after Lonmin deal

Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

This year's strike season could see increasing union militancy and pressure for wage gains after South African miners won concessions, leaving investors wary.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Last month, it was South African platinum miners out on strike. This month they have been followed by other platinum miners, gold miners, coal miners and truck drivers, as workers race to match last week's 22% wage gain won by Lonmin platinum workers after a wildcat strike at the company's Marikana facility.

In Damascus, Syria, life is disappearing from the streets

Posted: 25 Sep 2012 07:30 PM PDT

Though President Bashar Assad seems to have a grip on Damascus, it's unclear how strong it is as people go about their business behind closed doors.

DAMASCUS, Syria — Hours after two car bombs exploded recently in Syria's capital, the few residents still willing to venture out on what would normally be a lively Friday night were gathered at the Sham City Center mall, inside thick walls with entrances guarded by metal detectors.