LA Times News

LA Times News

Dozens killed as Syria cease-fire ends within hours

Posted: 27 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Military shelling starts in the early morning in some towns. Rebels and the government of Bashar Assad trade accusations over a car bomb that explodes near a children's playground.

BEIRUT — The first day of a cease-fire in the Syrian conflict in observance of the Eid al-Adha holiday went as many observers had expected: It was violated within hours, and both sides blamed each other.

Taliban's attack on Pakistan education goes beyond one girl

Posted: 26 Oct 2012 06:03 PM PDT

Militants' attempt to kill rights activist Malala Yousafzai was just one small piece of a long campaign against the nation's schools system.

SWABI, Pakistan — Under a torrid sun on a parched patch of dirt, 65 young boys and girls wiped sweat from their foreheads and struggled to concentrate on their studies. There were no blackboards, no desks.

Dozens die as Buddhists, Muslims clash in Myanmar

Posted: 26 Oct 2012 04:33 PM PDT

More than 60 have been killed and thousands of houses burned as ethnic violence intensifies and the government struggles to restore order.

YANGON, Myanmar — More than 60 people have been killed and thousands of houses burned as ethnic and religious violence in western Myanmar intensifies, according to news reports and community activists.

Italy's Silvio Berlusconi convicted of tax fraud

Posted: 27 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The former prime minister is found guilty of tax fraud and sentenced to four years in prison. He reacts angrily, and is likely to appeal.

TURIN, Italy — Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was found guilty of tax fraud Friday and sentenced to four years in prison, a major setback for the media-mogul-turned-politician who has dominated Italy's political landscape for the last 20 years.

China faces tough decisions on its real estate market

Posted: 26 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The curbs aimed at cooling China's overheated housing sector worked, but they also put the brakes on rapid growth. But boosting home sales could trigger class tensions.

BEIJING — Rising home sales and prices are cheered in the U.S. as keys to an economic recovery. But in China, the prospect of a housing surge is fraying the nerves of policymakers.

Bo Xilai expelled from China's legislature

Posted: 26 Oct 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The move paves the way for the former politician, once on track for a top leadership post, to be tried in criminal court.

BEIJING — Purged Chinese politician Bo Xilai has been expelled from the legislature in a preliminary move that will allow him to be tried in criminal court on charges of corruption and covering up his wife's role in a bizarre murder plot.

Ford will close three European plants at a cost of $1.5 billion

Posted: 25 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT

Ford Motor Co. has launched a broad restructuring of its European operations, a move that will shutter plants in England and Belgium, cost  about 6,000 workers their jobs and will incur a $1.5-billion loss for its business in the region this year.