LA Times News

LA Times News

Mexico's president defends tenure in final state of union speech

Posted: 04 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Outgoing leader Felipe Calderon says that although the nation remains plagued by problems such as drug violence, his changes will leave Mexico stronger.

MEXICO CITY — Outgoing President Felipe Calderon told Mexicans in his final state of the union address Monday that although their country was still rife with problems, particularly drug violence, structural changes he championed would make it stronger in the long run.

South Africa withdraws murder charges against 270 miners

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The South African miners were charged under an apartheid-era law in the deaths of 34 co-workers killed during a strike.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The top prosecutor said Sunday that she is withdrawing murder charges against 270 miners in the deaths of 34 striking co-workers who were shot and killed by South African police.

In Egypt, state news anchor in head scarf causes a stir

Posted: 03 Sep 2012 12:32 AM PDT

Egypt's lifting of an implicit ban on veiled TV anchors is seen as an end to discrimination, but some worry it could lead to limits on women's freedoms.

CAIRO — Adorned with delicate makeup, an anchorwoman wearing a head scarf appeared Sunday on Egypt's state television for the first time in its five-decade history.