LA Times News

LA Times News

North Korea foreign trade falls sharply

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

The total in 2009 was $3.41 billion, down 10.6% from 2008, a report says. Sanctions over Pyongyang's nuclear program and icy relations with South Korea have hurt the North, analysts say.

Even before the deterioration last year of already tenuous relations between North and South Korea, Pyongyang was suffering from a severe foreign trade slump, analysts say.

Iran human rights lawyer's sentence criticized

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

Amnesty International says Nasrin Sotoudeh, who received an 11-year prison term, is a prisoner of conscience. France calls for her release.

The sentencing of a leading Iranian human rights lawyer to 11 years in prison has resulted in a chorus of international condemnation.

U.S., China pledge to improve military cooperation

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

Pentagon chief Robert Gates, on a three-day visit, emphasizes the importance of easing tensions and preventing misunderstanding between the two nations.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his Chinese counterpart said Monday that they would look for ways to increase military cooperation, but tensions over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and China's modernization of its armed forces remained unresolved.

Clashes leave at least 30 dead in volatile region of Sudan

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

The deadly disputes over the oil-rich Abyei region began in the run-up to southern Sudan's referendum on independence.

Clashes in recent days between Arab nomads and tribesmen have left at least 30 people dead and raised fears that the independence referendum in southern Sudan could lead to widespread violence in the disputed, oil-rich region of Abyei.

Basque separatists declare permanent cease-fire with Spain

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

The Spanish government reacts coolly to ETA's announcement, mindful of past failures. More than 800 people have died in the group's push for Basque independence.

The Basque separatist group ETA declared a permanent cease-fire with Spain on Monday, saying it was committed to abandoning its armed struggle for an independent homeland in favor of "dialogue and negotiation."

Suicide bombing kills 3 in Afghanistan

Posted: 11 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

The second such attack in four days signals Taliban's efforts to open a new front in volatile Kandahar. Separately, three policemen are killed in a friendly-fire incident as Vice President Joe Biden arrives for a visit.

Insurgents Monday staged the second suicide bombing in four days in a strategic border district in southern Afghanistan, signaling determination to open a new front in the battle with coalition forces in volatile Kandahar province. Two policemen and a civilian were killed in the attack, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility.

In Dubai, Hillary Clinton likens Tucson shooter to a terrorist

Posted: 10 Jan 2011 06:39 AM PST

Appearing on a TV show, the secretary of State says American society, like the Muslim world, suffers from extremism.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday joined the debate about the motive in the shootings in Arizona that targeted U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, comparing the shooter with an ideologically driven terrorist.

At Beijing talks, Gates falls short of goals

Posted: 10 Jan 2011 01:48 AM PST

The U.S. defense chief finds a willingness to boost military cooperation, but tensions remain over Taiwan and Chinese weapons.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and his Chinese counterpart said Monday that they would look for ways to deepen military cooperation, but tensions over Taiwan arm sales and China's modernization of its armed forces remained unresolved.

Profiles of the Arizona shooting victims

Posted: 09 Jan 2011 07:45 PM PST

Besides a federal judge, the slain are a congressional staffer, three retirees and a girl born on Sept. 11, 2001.

The bullets did not discriminate. Sprayed from the barrel of a 9mm Glock semiautomatic pistol by a man whose actions may never make sense, they killed six people and wounded 14 more.

Jared Loughner to be charged in Arizona shootings targeting Gabrielle Giffords

Posted: 09 Jan 2011 11:09 AM PST

Suspected shooter Jared Loughner is set to be charged formally in the shootings in Tucson that killed 6 and injured 14 including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Critically wounded U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was able to respond to simple commands after surgery, doctors said Sunday as authorities prepared to file formal charges against the man held in connection with the Arizona shooting rampage that left six people dead and 14 injured.

Vitriol focus of lawmakers after Arizona shooting of Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

Posted: 10 Jan 2011 12:00 AM PST

Political vitriol is cited by some politicians Sunday after the shooting rampage targeting Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Democrats point to bitter rhetoric while Republicans say the suspect is 'deranged' with no clear link to politics.

A day after a gunman opened fire at a public event in Tucson hosted by Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, political vitriol was the focus among some lawmakers, and the politics surrounding the violence broke down largely along partisan lines on the Sunday morning talks shows.