LA Times News

LA Times News

Protests continue in Brazil as thousands rally in Sao Paulo

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 05:40 PM PDT

The group behind the protests said it would stay on the streets until the Sao Paulo government revoked a recent bus fare increase.

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- An estimated 50,000 people took to the streets of Sao Paulo on Tuesday, continuing protests in Brazil aimed at lowering public bus fares and improving public services.

Obama welcomes Taliban assent to Afghanistan talks

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:46 PM PDT

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland -- Calling for an "Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace process," President Obama expressed cautious optimism about the Taliban's surprise agreement to negotiate directly with U.S. officials toward ending America's longest war and decades of bloodshed in Afghanistan.

Authorities in Brazil reduce bus fares in response to protests

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:30 PM PDT

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- A number of cities in Brazil announced reductions in public bus fares Tuesday as authorities grappled with some of the largest street protests in years.

Mali signs peace deal with Tuareg rebels

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:32 PM PDT

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Mali's government reached a peace deal Tuesday with Tuareg fighters who rebelled last year and seized most of the country's north.

G-8 leaders vow to crack down on tax evasion

Posted: 18 Jun 2013 02:39 PM PDT

The Group of 8 nations agree on a 10-point plan to swap financial information and expose companies that use elaborate schemes to hide profits.

LONDON — With many of their governments strapped for cash, leaders at a summit of rich nations vowed Tuesday to crack down on tax cheats by swapping financial information and exposing companies that set up elaborate structures to hide their profits.

Iran president-elect strikes conciliatory tone toward U.S.

Posted: 17 Jun 2013 08:47 PM PDT

Hassan Rowhani says strained ties with the U.S. are 'an old wound that needs to be … healed.' But he also sets conditions for direct talks.

TEHRAN — Iran's president-elect called his nation's strained relations with the United States "an old wound" that would take time to heal but signaled Monday that Tehran was ready to work to reduce tensions with Washington and the West.

Obama, Putin differ on Syria during tense talks

Posted: 17 Jun 2013 08:15 PM PDT

In Northern Ireland for the G-8 summit, the U.S. and Russian leaders have little common ground on Syria, other than hopes for peace negotiations.

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland — President Obama differed sharply with Russia's leader over the Syrian civil war in an icy encounter Monday illustrating how difficult it may be to drive Syrian President Bashar Assad from power, even after some rebel groups begin to receive U.S. weaponry.