LA Times News

LA Times News

'Distrust lingers on both sides,' Clinton says of U.S.-China relations

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 05:06 PM PST

The East Asian nation must overcome reluctance to build a 'military-to-military relationship,' the Secretary of State Clinton says in a speech leading up to the Chinese president's visit to Washington.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that the U.S.- China relationship does not fall "neatly into black-and-white categories like 'friend' or 'rival.' "

Dozens killed in stampede near Indian shrine

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 05:06 PM PST

An out of control vehicle spurs a panic on a road leading to a major Hindu festival in the south of the country. At least 60 are dead and 100 injured in the remote area.

An out of control vehicle on a road used by worshipers attending a major Hindu festival caused a stampede late Friday, leaving at least 60 people dead and 100 injured near the Sabarimala shrine in southern India.

14 killed in army raid in Mexico's Veracruz state

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 02:58 PM PST

The shooting, in which 12 suspects and two soldiers were killed, spanned at least two neighborhoods in the normally quiet Veracruz state capital of Xalapa, Mexico news reports say.

Mexican soldiers clashed with gunmen for hours in the capital of the coastal state of Veracruz, leaving at least 12 suspects and two soldiers dead, authorities said Friday.

New scandal for Italy's Silvio Berlusconi

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 12:21 PM PST

Italy Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is under investigation for alleged sexual encounters with a 17-year-old girl. Officials are also investigating charges that he attempted to conceal the liaison.

Italian prosecutors are investigating accusations that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi paid a 17-year-old girl for sex and abused the powers of his office by trying to cover up the liaison, officials said Friday.

Hillary Clinton keeps speech on China relations in familiar territory

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 10:10 AM PST

In advance of China President Hu Jintao's U.S. visit next week, the secretary of State calls for a transparent military relationship and urges China to 'send a clear message to Iran's leaders' regarding nuclear activity.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday that the U.S.- China relationship does not fall "neatly into black-and-white categories like 'friend' or 'rival.' "

Tunisia protests force president from power

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 06:32 AM PST

Tunisia's prime minister announces that he is replacing President Zine el Abidine ben Ali, who flees the country after weeks of massive protests over widespread unemployment and corruption under his 23-year regime.

Weeks of violent protests fueled by corruption, widespread unemployment and a lack of liberty toppled one of the Arab world's most entrenched leaders, who fled this North African country Friday after 23 years of rule.

Vatican moves to beatify John Paul II in May

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 05:20 AM PST

Pope Benedict XVI certifies a miracle attributed to the late pontiff — a nun cured of Parkinson's disease — and sets May 1 for his elevation, making it the fastest beatification in modern times.

The good news reached Maria Helena Pambo as she stood in line in St. Peter's Square to pray at the tomb of Pope John Paul II.

Pope John Paul II to be beatified May 1

Posted: 14 Jan 2011 04:16 AM PST

Current Pope Benedict XVI approves a miracle attributed to John Paul's intervention, putting him a step closer to sainthood.

Pope Benedict XVI has approved a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II's intercession and set May 1 as the date for the beloved pontiff to be beatified.

Electoral loss a blow to British coalition

Posted: 13 Jan 2011 08:11 PM PST

The Labor party easily wins a parliamentary seat in northern England, seen as a test of the new Conservative-Liberal Democratic coalition government as it faces increasing discontent over its harsh austerity measures.

Voters gave a thumbs-down to Britain's ruling coalition Thursday, electing a new member of Parliament from the opposition Labor Party in a sign of brewing discontent over the harshest government austerity plan in decades.