Today: October 10, 2024
Today: October 10, 2024

Latest From The Los Angeles Post

World

New report points to homicide rate declines in U.S. cities after pandemic-era spike

Homicides are declining in a cross-section of American cities, though their numbers remain higher than before the coronavirus pandemic took hold, according to a new report analyzing data from 30 U.S. cities. Homicides on average dropped 9.4% during the first half of 2023 as compared to the same period last year, the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice found in a report released this week. The numbers remained about 24% higher than they were in 2019, and motor vehicle thefts were up sharply in the analyzed cities. “We’re seeing a continuing decline in homicides, but most cities are

New report points to homicide rate declines in U.S. cities after pandemic-era spike
World

Myanmar's generals unveil giant Buddha statue as they seek to win hearts and minds during civil war

The military-controlled government of strife-torn Myanmar on Friday showed off a new giant statue of a sitting Buddha that is scheduled to be consecrated on Aug. 1, a powerful symbol of nationalism in a very devout nation. Journalists were given a preview of the 228-acre (92-hectare) site in the capital, Naypyitaw, which includes small pagodas, ordination halls, rest houses, water fountains, lakes and a park. The military government’s head, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who is also the project’s patron, supervised installation of various parts of the project, even as a civil war has raged, killing thousands,

Myanmar's generals unveil giant Buddha statue as they seek to win hearts and minds during civil war
World

'Help me' sign leads to rescue of kidnapped Texas girl in Southern California

A 13-year-old girl kidnapped in Texas was rescued in Southern California when passersby saw her hold up a “help me” sign in a parked car, police said. The rescue occurred July 9 in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, when officers responded to a trouble call and found the “visibly emotional and distressed girl,” police said in a press release Thursday. “Through their investigation, officers learned the Good Samaritans were in a parking lot when they saw the victim in a parked vehicle holding up a piece of paper with ‘help me’ written on it.

'Help me' sign leads to rescue of kidnapped Texas girl in Southern California
World

Harman matches British Open records at Hoylake to build a big lead

Brian Harman found himself in elite company through two rounds at Royal Liverpool, tying the 36-hole record also held by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Even better was having no company at all atop the leaderboard Friday in the British Open. Harman seized control early with four straight birdies, and saved his best for the final hole. He ripped a 5-iron to 15 feet for eagle, giving him a 6-under 65 and setting a daunting target for Tommy Fleetwood and everyone else in the afternoon to catch. The 65 matched the lowest score for Royal Liverpool,

Harman matches British Open records at Hoylake to build a big lead
World

UN expert decries the practice of taking boys from their mothers at detention camps in Syria

A U.N.-backed human rights advocate says hundreds of boys — some as young as 11 — held in detention camps run by U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces in northeastern Syria have been wrongly separated from their mothers on the “unproven” belief that they pose a security risk. Fionnuala Ni Aolain, an independent U.N. rapporteur on the protection of rights while countering terrorism, aired concerns Friday about lingering “mass arbitrary detention” in the infamous al-Hol camp and others like it that she saw during her trip to the region this week — billed as the first visit of its kind

UN expert decries the practice of taking boys from their mothers at detention camps in Syria
World

Top swimmers missing world championships as they deal with mental, physical issues

Caeleb Dressel failed to qualify for the biggest swim meet of the year. Simone Manuel didn’t even try. Adam Peaty is taking an extended break to deal with mental health issues. Kristóf Milák decided he was in no shape — mentally or physically — to compete this summer. Some of the world’s greatest swimmers are missing the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan, as they deal with burnout and the enormous toll the sport takes on their bodies and minds. “It’s hard to see when people go down with mental health and are not happy with themselves,” English swimmer James Guy

Top swimmers missing world championships as they deal with mental, physical issues
World

A sex offender freed in Zimbabwe's amnesty gains social media fame. His victim's family is dismayed

When Zimbabwe released more than 4,000 prisoners in May in a nationwide amnesty, one man with a white beard and without front teeth stood out among those vigorously celebrating as they walked out of a jail. He grinned and waved his hands in the air, and shouted the praises of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who ordered the amnesty for some offenders to ease congestion in prisons. “Mnangagwa is honey, my friend. Mnangagwa is sweet,” the man yelled as he attracted the attention of television news cameras at Harare Central Prison in the capital city. But what

A sex offender freed in Zimbabwe's amnesty gains social media fame. His victim's family is dismayed
World

Economics website is filled with racist and sexist speech, some blame the nation’s top universities

Anonymous comments with racist, sexist and abusive messages that were posted for years on a jobs-related website for economists originated from numerous leading U.S. universities, according to research released Thursday. Some economists have long condemned the website, Economics Job Market Rumors, for its toxic content. The site, known by its acronym EJMR, is run by an anonymous individual and is not connected to a university or other institution. That fact had fed speculation that those who posted hateful messages on it were mostly online cranks who might not be economists. Yet the new research indicates that users

Economics website is filled with racist and sexist speech, some blame the nation’s top universities
World

Russian authorities detain a hard-liner who accused Putin of weakness in Ukraine

A prominent Russian hard-liner who accused President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine was detained Friday on charges of extremism, a signal the Kremlin has toughened its approach with hawkish critics after last month’s abortive rebellion by the Wagner mercenary company. Igor Strelkov, a retired security officer who led Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and also was implicated by the Netherlands in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that year, has argued that a total mobilization is needed for Russia to achieve victory. He recently criticized Putin as a “nonentity.” The

Russian authorities detain a hard-liner who accused Putin of weakness in Ukraine
World

American freestyler Katie Ledecky faces youth as the world championships open in Japan

Katie Ledecky has almost never gone home with anything other than a gold or silver medal in the Olympics or world championships dating from the 2012 London Games. But it might happen again Sunday in the women’s 400-meter freestyle on the opening night in the pool of the World Aquatics Championships. This is perhaps the most anticipated race of the entire eight-day program. One of the greatest freestylers the sport has ever seen, Ledecky is up against two younger stars: 16-year-old Summer McIntosh of Canada, and 22-year-old Ariarne Titmus of Australia. “Of course Summer and, of

American freestyler Katie Ledecky faces youth as the world championships open in Japan
World

American Express profit rises, but it sets aside more money for possible defaults

American Express saw its profit and revenue climb in the second quarter and credit card use is climbing, but the company’s stock slipped before the market open as it set aside more money for possible defaults on payments. American Express earned $2.17 billion, or $2.89 per share, topping Wall Street expectations for $2.80, according to analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research. A year earlier the company earned $1.96 billion, or $2.57 per share. Total provisions for credit losses were $1.2 billion. In the prior-year period it was $410 million, theNew York company said, citing higher net write-offs and a net

American Express profit rises, but it sets aside more money for possible defaults
World

He killed his ailing wife. A Cyprus court ruled it was manslaughter, not murder

A Cyprus court on Friday found a British man who killed his ailing wife in their home guilty of manslaughter, saying that the prosecution didn’t prove beyond reasonable doubt that the 76-year-old man committed premeditated murder. In a unanimous decision, the three-judge bench said that David Hunter’s decision to suffocate his 74-year-old wife Janice as she was sitting in a recliner in December 2021 was a spur-of-the-moment decision: he snapped as he could no longer stand seeing her weeping in pain. The court accepted witness testimony that Janice feared her blood ailment would develop into full-blown

He killed his ailing wife. A Cyprus court ruled it was manslaughter, not murder
World

Amsterdam wants ships to moor less, votes to move terminal out of city in latest hit to tourism

Amsterdam wants to move a cruise liner terminal out of the heart of the historic capital city as the latest step in its ongoing battle against pollution and hordes of tourists clogging its narrow, cobbled streets. The Dutch capital is one of the many picturesque European cities — from Rome to Venice to Paris — grappling with how to manage visitor numbers that are again soaring in the aftermath of shutdowns during the coronavirus pandemic. Aldermen at Amsterdam’s municipality voted Thursday in favor of a motion calling on the city to move the terminal away from its

Amsterdam wants ships to moor less, votes to move terminal out of city in latest hit to tourism
World

US navy secretary says Australian multination military exercise demonstrates unity to China

U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said Friday that the major multination military training exercise launched in Australia sends a message to China that America’s allies are cooperating to defend their security and democratic values. Talisman Sabre began in 2005 as a biennial joint exercise between the United States and Australia but has expanded this year to 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel. Del Toro and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, welcomed ever-closer closer bilateral military ties as they launched the exercise at a Sydney naval base. Del Toro said land, sea and air

US navy secretary says Australian multination military exercise demonstrates unity to China
World

Sri Lankan president's visit to India signals growing economic and energy ties

Sri Lanka and India signed a series of energy, development and trade agreements on Friday, signaling growing economic ties between the neighboring countries. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi a day earlier for the official visit, his first since taking up the top job last year after an economic meltdown forced his predecessor to flee. On Friday, he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders unveiled agreements on technology, renewable energy and greater connectivity designed to deepen bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. “My visit to India

Sri Lankan president's visit to India signals growing economic and energy ties
World

A notorious Indonesian animal market has ended its brutal dog and cat meat trade, campaigners say

Authorities on Friday announced the end of the “brutally cruel” dog and cat meat slaughter at a notorious animal market on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi following a years-long campaign by local activists and world celebrities. The Tomohon Extreme Market will become the first such market in Indonesia to go dog and cat meat-free, according to the anti-animal cruelty group Humane Society International, or HSI. Images of dogs and cats being bludgeoned and blow-torched while still alive had sparked outrage. The permanent end of the slaughter and trade was announced on Friday by the mayor of

A notorious Indonesian animal market has ended its brutal dog and cat meat trade, campaigners say
World

Rapinoe's farewell begins with the U.S. team's opening Women's World Cup match against Vietnam

Megan Rapinoe’s final run on the global stage begins Saturday when the United States opens its quest to win an unprecedented third consecutive Women’s World Cup title. The 38-year-old American said this month she will retire after the tournament — an announcement timed to help the squad avoid distracting questions about Rapinoe’s future. “I’m just grateful to be able to do it in this way,” Rapinoe said. “I understand that it is incredibly rare for athletes of any stature to be able to go out in their own way, on their own terms, at the

Rapinoe's farewell begins with the U.S. team's opening Women's World Cup match against Vietnam
World

Russia aims missiles at Ukraine's farm storage after days of hitting port facilities

Russian cruise missiles, flying low and hugging the terrain to dodge Ukrainian air defenses, destroyed farm storage buildings in the Odesa region early Friday, Ukrainian officials said, as the Kremlin’s forces expanded their targets following three days of bombardment of the region’s Black Sea port infrastructure. Two missiles struck the storage facility, starting a fire, and while workers fought to put it out another missile hit, destroying farm and firefighting equipment, the southern Odesa region’s Gov. Oleh Kiper said. The attack injured two people and destroyed 100 metric tons of peas and 20 metric tons of

Russia aims missiles at Ukraine's farm storage after days of hitting port facilities
World

Hong Kong court to decide whether to ban broadcast and distribution of protest song

A Hong Kong court will hand down a closely-watched decision over whether to ban the broadcast and distribution of “Glory to Hong Kong,” a protest song after the government asked it to do so in the name of national security. The song was written during the 2019 anti-government protests and its lyrics call for democracy and liberty. But it has been mistakenly played at several international sporting events instead of China’s national anthem, “March of the Volunteers.” The decision is expected next Friday. Critics worry a ban will further shrink the city’s freedom of expression, which

Hong Kong court to decide whether to ban broadcast and distribution of protest song
World

Live updates | Rain and wind greet Day 2 of British Open

Goodbye, sun. Hello, traditional British Open weather. Thick clouds, wind and a few rain drops greeted the second round at Royal Liverpool on Friday. The demanding test remains the same. Emiliano Grillo, Tommy Fleetwood and South African amateur Christo Lamprecht shared the lead at 5-under 66. Grillo was the only one playing in the morning. The wind is typical, and so is the rain this year. The test after one day is the bunkers. They must be avoided at all costs. Rory McIlroy also plays in the morning. He

Live updates | Rain and wind greet Day 2 of British Open
World

Thousands march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to protest Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan

Thousands of Israelis joined a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Friday in the latest protest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vow to push through a controversial overhaul of the judiciary system. Hundreds of protesters became thousands as Israelis joined the 70-kilometer (roughly 45-mile) march throughout the day in a demonstration against one of Israel’s most far-right governments in history. The demonstrators planned to camp overnight at Shoresh, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Jerusalem, before making their way to Israel’s parliament on Saturday, the Jewish holy day of Shabbat. The march comes a day after

Thousands march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to protest Israeli government's judicial overhaul plan
World

U.S. second gentleman Emhoff meets New Zealand's Ardern to discuss online hate as World Cup begins

Doug Emhoff, the husband of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, met with former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Friday to discuss ways to combat online hate and extremism. Emhoff was in Auckland to lead a delegation to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and meet with officials. He told a meeting of the Christchurch Call the world was witnessing a “global epidemic of hate.” Emhoff, who is Jewish, said he was “working against this scourge of anti-Semitism and this epidemic of hate in general. So this work is very, very personal to me.” “But my

U.S. second gentleman Emhoff meets New Zealand's Ardern to discuss online hate as World Cup begins
World

Muslim-majority nations express outrage and plan street protests over Quran desecration in Sweden

Muslim-majority nations expressed outrage Friday at the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden. Some prepared for street demonstrations following midday prayers to show their anger. In Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, protesters planned demonstrations after Swedish police permitted a protest Thursday in which an Iraqi Christian living in Stockholm kicked and stood on a Quran, Islam’s holy book, outside of the Iraqi Embassy. Hours before that, demonstrators in Baghdad broke into the Swedish Embassy and lit a fire to show their anger at his threats to burn the book. Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani has

Muslim-majority nations express outrage and plan street protests over Quran desecration in Sweden
World

'Lioness' on the loose? More experts join police in second-day search for elusive animal

Experts on animal tracks joined the hunt Friday for an elusive and potentially dangerous animal — suspected to be a lioness — spotted on the edge of Berlin as the search stretched into a second day, authorities said. Police used helicopters, drones and infrared cameras to search for the animal, with a vet and hunters also part of the effort. They were first alerted to the animal in Kleinmachnow, just outside Berlin’s city limits, around midnight on Wednesday when people reported what appeared to be a big cat chasing a wild boar. The informants also provided a

'Lioness' on the loose? More experts join police in second-day search for elusive animal
World

2 men killed in New Zealand shooting were co-workers of gunman, who had violent past

The two men who were killed at a New Zealand construction site were in their 40s and had worked alongside the gunman before he went on his rampage, police said Friday. Court records also detailed the gunman’s violent past. New Zealanders were still in shock at Thursday’s shooting, which closed part of downtown hours before the opening game of the Women’s World Cup soccer tournament, which was held under increased security. The gunman stormed the high-rise building in the early morning, opening fire on terrified workers before dying after a police shootout. An officer who

2 men killed in New Zealand shooting were co-workers of gunman, who had violent past

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