LA Times News

LA Times News

In Pakistan, Islamic hard-liners expanding their grip on society

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 07:37 PM PST

The killing of a governor opposed to the nation's blasphemy law, and the warm reception for his accused killer, has exposed Islamic fundamentalists' growing sway over the nation.

Above a dank, darkened teahouse pungent with the aroma of green chili peppers, a bright blue banner depicts a neighborhood cleric, Qari Hanif Qureshi, declaring: "Anyone opposing laws protecting the sanctity of the prophet Muhammad is condemned!"

Chinese president listens to U.S. lawmakers' complaints

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 05:44 PM PST

President Hu Jintao meets with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill. The lawmakers voice grievances on China's approach to trade, military expansion and human rights.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was toasted Wednesday evening at a White House state dinner, met with a harsher reality Thursday as he heard congressional leaders recite grievances on China's approach to trade, military expansion and human rights.

A new round of Iran nuclear talks, and some optimism this time

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 04:57 PM PST

Some diplomats are hopeful that talks in Istanbul, Turkey, involving Iran, the U.S. and five other nations will be more fruitful than a similar gathering in Geneva last month.

Western diplomats meeting with Iranian officials in Turkey beginning Friday are hoping for at least modest gains in trying to get the Islamic Republic to limit its nuclear development program.

Tunisia's former ruling party disbands leadership, joins with new government

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 03:32 PM PST

The RCD party of ousted President Zine el Abidine ben Ali is the focus of continuing angry protests by Tunisians. Some RCD members have resigned their posts in the transitional government, but citizens are demanding a purge.

The country's former ruling party announced the dissolution of its leadership committee and has voiced support for the new government, state television reported Thursday, as thousands rallied against the party in the capital and other cities.

Leader confounds both sides with plans for Palestinian state

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 03:32 PM PST

Salam Fayyad believes in nonviolence and is well thought of in the international community. But Israelis don't get him and Palestinians lack faith in him.

No one seems to know what to make of him. Israelis puzzle over the cleanshaven technocrat who denounces violence. Palestinians see an outsider who never cut his teeth on the tear-gas-choked streets of intifadas.

Tunisian news media relish new freedom

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 03:32 PM PST

With Ben Ali's regime gone, newspapers and TV stations that served as official mouthpieces are revamping, reflecting reality rather than a dictator's vanity. 'Before, it was just empty words,' says one happy journalist.

The revolution didn't come just to the streets. It came to the beaten-down newsroom of an ousted ruler's meek mouthpiece, a newspaper where journalists didn't believe the news releases they were spoon-fed and passersby didn't believe the headlines they read on newsstands.

Iraq suicide car bombings kill 56

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 11:16 AM PST

The attacks target Shiite pilgrims marching to the shrine city of Karbala for a major religious holiday. At least 189 people are injured in the third major attack in as many days.

At least 56 people were killed Thursday in a pair of suicide car bombings that targeted pilgrims marching on foot into the Shiite Muslim shrine city of Karbala ahead of a major holiday.

South Korea to hold high-level talks with the North

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 06:53 PM PST

The announcement comes soon after a summit at which Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Obama urged the nations to resume dialogue. North Korea has reportedly agreed to discuss an attack on a South Korean warship.

Signaling a possible diplomatic thaw after months of tension on the Korean peninsula, South Korea on Thursday agreed to hold high-level military talks with North Korea despite a November attack by the North that killed four people on a disputed South Korean island.

Bombs kill 50, wound scores at Iraqi security checkpoints

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 05:33 AM PST

The attacks are aimed at Shiite pilgrims headed to the holy city of Karbala, officials say.

Iraqi police and hospital officials say 50 people have been killed in bombings at security checkpoints targeting pilgrims headed to a Shiite holy city for rituals.

South, North Korea to convene high-level defense talks

Posted: 20 Jan 2011 05:06 AM PST

South Korea says it has accepted a North Korean offer to hold high-level defense talks.