LA Times News

LA Times News

U.S. vehicles targeted in Pakistan car bomb blast

Posted: 20 May 2011 09:36 AM PDT

A Pakistani bystander is killed and Americans inside two U.S. consulate vehicles are slightly injured by the car bomb detonated in Peshawar. The Pakistani Taliban, who had vowed revenge for the killing of Osama bin Laden three weeks ago, claims responsibility for the blast.

A car bomb blast targeted two U.S. consulate vehicles in the northwest city of Peshawar on Friday, killing a Pakistani bystander and slightly injuring Americans inside the cars.

Judges recommend Britain issue fewer gag orders

Posted: 20 May 2011 10:40 AM PDT

Civil liberties advocates hail the British judges' report on the practice of banning some allegations and information from publication. The report recommends media be allowed to contest gag orders beforehand.

Britain's most senior judges recommended Friday more sparing use of "super injunctions" and other controversial gag orders after news organizations and rights groups complained of closed-door justice and unfair suppression of information.

Obama and Netanyahu, after a long meeting, insist U.S.-Israel ties are strong

Posted: 20 May 2011 11:46 AM PDT

The White House meeting between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lasts more than 90 minutes longer than had been planned. 'Obviously there are some differences between us,' Obama says afterward. 'That's going to happen between friends.'

President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday held a longer-than-expected meeting at the White House, and afterward they acknowledged their differences on Mideast peace policy but insisted that the close relationship between the countries remains sound and will continue.

North Korea's Kim Jong Il reportedly in China

Posted: 20 May 2011 09:31 AM PDT

It would be the third trip to China in 12 months for reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. Speculation about the reason for such a visit includes joint economic projects and/or requests for food and economic aid.

Kim Jong Il was reported to be visiting China on Friday, the third trip in 12 months for the reclusive North Korean leader.

Car bomb targets U.S. consulate vehicles in Pakistan

Posted: 19 May 2011 11:28 PM PDT

The Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility for the attack, which killed a bystander. The bombing comes nearly three weeks after Bin Laden's death.

A car bomb blast targeted two U.S. consulate vehicles in the northwest city of Peshawar on Friday, killing a Pakistani bystander and slightly injuring Americans inside the cars.

Embattled Japan utility chief resigns

Posted: 20 May 2011 01:13 AM PDT

Accused of mishandling the post-quake nuclear disaster, Masataka Shimizu steps down on the same day Tepco announces $15.3 billion in net losses.

Tokyo Electric Power Co. President Masataka Shimizu resigned Friday in the face of increasing allegations that the utility has mishandled the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, damaged in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

China, South Korea set to visit Japan's quake-tsunami region

Posted: 19 May 2011 11:24 PM PDT

The tour, which will come amid the nations' fourth annual summit, could go a long way toward improving the rocky relations Beijing and Seoul have with Tokyo.

In a gesture that experts believe may improve the often testy relations between Japan and two of its neighbors in Northeast Asia, the leaders of China and South Korea this weekend will visit areas devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

Obama: U.S. has chance to pursue the 'world as it should be'

Posted: 19 May 2011 08:38 PM PDT

After decades of 'accepting the world as it is' in the Middle East, President Obama in his Middle East speech says the U.S. has a chance to 'speak to the broader aspirations of ordinary people.'

For six months, we have witnessed an extraordinary change taking place in the Middle East and North Africa. Square by square, town by town, country by country, the people have risen up to demand their basic human rights. Two leaders have stepped aside. More may follow. And though these countries may be a great distance from our shores, we know that our own future is bound to this region by the forces of economics and security, by history and by faith.…