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Patrick J. McDonnell

Syrians carry their belongings as they cross into Lebanon at the border crossing point in Masnaa, eastern Lebanon, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Damascus, Syria, Friday, July 20, 2012. Private cars as well as taxis and buses carried thousands of people fleeing the violence in the Syrian capital. Syrian troops regained control of a rebellious neighborhood in Damascus Friday as more than 300 people were reported killed the day before in a sharp escalation of the country's civil war. (AP Photo)

Stream of refugees escape strife in Syria

Last updated Friday, July 20, 2012 - 1:44pm

BEIRUT - Escalating violence in Syria has prompted a new surge of refugees fleeing the strife-torn nation, with as many as 30,000 people escaping to neighboring Lebanon in the last 48 hours, the United Nations said Friday.

Syria violence, International Read more Comments

In this Sept. 27, 2000 file photo, an Iranian oil worker repairs a pipe at an oil refinery in Tehran. Iran has halted oil shipments to Britain and France, the Oil Ministry said Sunday, in an apparent pre-emptive blow against the European Union after the bloc imposed sanctions on Iran's crucial fuel exports. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

Iran says it's cutting oil exports to France, Britain

Patrick J. McDonnell Los Angeles Times

Last updated Monday, February 20, 2012 - 12:01pm

BEIRUT -- Iran said Sunday that it was cutting off oil exports to France and Britain in a pre-emptive strike against European economic sanctions, while top U.S. and British officials warned against a military attack on Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Iran's retaliatory oil ban was the latest instance of high-stakes brinkmanship surrounding Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Iran says its program is solely for peaceful purposes, but the U.S. and many of its allies suspect the goal is to develop weapons.

Business, Britain, France, Global Economy, Iran, Oil exports, European Union Read more Comments

Libyan city proud of its role in revolt

Patrick J. McDonnell Los Angeles Times

Last updated Monday, September 26, 2011 - 9:47am

MISRATA, Libya -- Its principal commercial drag, Tripoli Street, could be the Hollywood set for an urban warfare action thriller: Charred tanks and pulverized shipping containers sit in front of blackened buildings pockmarked with rounds from bullets, rockets and sundry other lethal ordnance.

But the hellish scene in the western port city of Misrata has nothing to do with fiction. More than a thousand people were killed here and many more injured in a months-long series of street battles that ousted the forces of Moammar Gadhafi from the city and eventually, its environs. No one has cataloged the vast scope of damage to homes and factories, businesses and infrastructure.

Gadhafi, Libya unrest, International Read more Comments

(The Associated Press) Chilean soldiers patrol the streets of Concepcion, Chile, Monday. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck central Chile early Saturday.

Chile's army arrests curfew violators; more bodies recovered

Patrick J. McDonnell, Tracy Wilkinson Los Angeles Times

Last updated Monday, March 1, 2010 - 8:44pm

SLLIDESHOW: Chile Earthquake

SANTIAGO, Chile -- The Chilean army, enforcing emergency decrees aimed at containing widespread looting, arrested scores of people Monday for violating an overnight curfew as the country reeled from the weekend's devastating earthquake.

Earthquake, International Read more Comments