L.A. Times - The Courts

January election in Iraq? Doubtful

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:51:00 -0800

Shiite Muslim and Kurdish wrangling over an election law will likely push the voting to February, violating Iraq's constitution and jeopardizing Obama's vow to bring U.S. troops home by August 2010.

Hopes for a January election in Iraq faded today after Shiite Muslim and Kurdish legislators teamed up to vote for a new version of an election law that in effect takes seats away from Sunnis and is almost certain to draw another veto from the country's Sunni vice president.

At least 30 killed in 'gruesome massacre of civilians' in the Philippines

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:52:00 -0800

The victims -- many of them beheaded -- include 13 women, one of whom was an official's wife carrying papers to nominate him for governor.

Reporting from Seoul and Zamboanga City, Philippines -- Authorities discovered the bodies of at least 30 people who had been kidnapped early today in the southern Philippines and called the incident politically motivated slaughter.

Chivas USA needs a makeover; Galaxy needs a goal

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:22:00 -0800

The local MLS teams enter the off-season requiring changes large and small. Chivas is without a coach and also seems to be lacking direction; the Galaxy must find motivation for another title run.

The 2009 Major League Soccer season has been inked into the record books, the final entry written in the claret red, cobalt blue and real gold colors of new champion Real Salt Lake.

Weak dollar, home sales data carry stocks higher

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:21:00 -0800

NEW YORK -- Investors halted a three-day losing streak on the stock market, sending prices broadly higher on a weaker dollar and better-than-expected home sales numbers.

October home sales rise 10.1% from September

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:14:00 -0800

WASHINGTON -- Home sales surged for the second month in a row in October, climbing to the highest level in 21/2 years as first-time buyers rushed to take advantage of an expiring tax credit.

Support grows to limit the size of financial institutions

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:52:00 -0800

Alan Greenspan, Paul Volcker and a House committee are among those advocating restrictions on size. Critics say that mega corporations need the services of mega institutions.

Momentum is growing in the United States and abroad to deal with the problem of gigantic financial institutions deemed too big to fail by breaking them up preemptively.