WORLD
March 26, 2012 | Tracy Wilkinson
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday told Mexican Catholics that renewed faith and a pure heart will help them stand up to "distressing times of human suffering" in a nation stalked by drug violence, crime and uncertainty. At a vast, sunbaked open-air Mass, with several hundred thousand people arrayed before him, the pope said Mexico faced "times of sorrow as well as hope" and he reiterated a call for the special protection of children. Of particular significance here, Benedict repeatedly invoked the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico and Latin America.
BUSINESS
February 13, 2012 | By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times
Passengers who fly American Airlines out of Los Angeles International Airport may feel uneasy about the future of the Fort Worth carrier because it filed for bankruptcy a few months ago and announced plans to lay off 13,000 workers. But representatives of the nation's third-largest airline are touring the country trying to allay the fears of passengers and others by spreading the message that American will come out of bankruptcy stronger than ever. Top American officials visited Los Angeles last week to tell reporters that, once the airline emerges from bankruptcy, it plans to add up to 20% more flights from its five most important hubs: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami.
SPORTS
November 11, 2011 | Wire reports
A surprising visit by Albert Pujols is sending the message: The Miami Marlins will be a much different franchise from the Florida Marlins. Pujols began his free-agent tour Friday when he was courted in Miami by the Marlins, only hours before they officially changed their name during a ceremony at their new ballpark. Pujols had lunch with team officials, checked out the stadium and received a contract offer. The notoriously thrifty franchise, suddenly in the mood for a spending spree, declined to disclose details of the proposal.
CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
July 11, 2011 | Alexandra Zavis and Kate Mather and Tony Barboza
Growing up poor in South Los Angeles, Lorenzo Perez never imagined he would one day dance for British royalty. "I didn't think there was still kings and queens," said Perez, 19, who got his chance on Sunday. "It's like a Disney movie. " On the last day of their whirlwind visit to the United States, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, saw a less glitzy side of Southern California, visiting a children's arts center in the heart of downtown Los Angeles' skid row and a job fair for military veterans and their families in Culver City.
CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
July 10, 2011 | Catherine Saillant and Nicole Santa Cruz
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took in a sweep of Southern California on their state visit Saturday, helicoptering up the coast to Carpinteria for a charity polo match and capping off their evening surrounded by Hollywood celebrities on the red carpet in downtown Los Angeles. The newlyweds took a break from their packed schedule to bring Californians a bit of British sport, participating in the polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. William -- naturally -- played on the winning team, and the thrilled onlookers cheered wildly whenever he made a goal.
WORLD
June 21, 2011 | By Katherine Skiba
First Lady Michelle Obama arrived in South Africa on Monday night as she launched an official visit that will see her embrace this nation's elders as she tries to inspire its young. Obama, who is spending the week in South Africa and neighboring Botswana, will give a keynote speech to young African female leaders Wednesday in Johannesburg. She is scheduled to meet with Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 79, but no meeting is currently scheduled with Nelson Mandela, 92, the country's first black president.