LA Times News

LA Times News

Anti-American unrest spreads in Muslim world

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 07:28 PM PDT

U.S. embassies in Sudan and Tunisia are targeted, and police battle protesters in several capitals in the Middle East.

CAIRO — Anti-American violence erupted across the Muslim world for a third day, with enraged protesters scaling the walls of U.S. embassies in Sudan and Tunisia and hard-pressed police waging street battles with demonstrators in several Middle East capitals.

Russian opposition lawmaker ousted from parliament

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Gennady Gudkov's expulsion from the State Duma could set him up for arrest at opposition protests and signals that President Vladimir Putin will continue his crackdown on dissent.

MOSCOW — A prominent opposition activist was stripped of his seat in the lower house of the Russian parliament Friday, a move that heightens concern the Kremlin will continue its aggressive crackdown on political dissent.

India to open door to foreign investment in some sectors

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

India's government approves economic reforms aimed at invigorating the economy and announces plans to sell its stake in several public service companies.

NEW DELHI — After months of criticism over policy malaise, the Indian government on Friday announced a series of bold economic reforms allowing significant foreign investment in the retail, aviation and broadcasting sectors.

Visiting Lebanon, pope denounces arms transfers to Syria

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

At the start of a three-day visit in Lebanon, Pope Benedict XVI calls the movement of weapons from any country to Syria to be a 'grave sin.'

BEIRUT — Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the Lebanese capital on Friday as anti-U.S. protests convulsed the region and fighting with sectarian overtones raged in neighboring Syria.

China politics boost book industry, but not in mainland China

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

China's political scandals are turned into popular bodice-rippers and true-crime titles in Hong Kong, and mainland Chinese visitors can't resist buying them.

HONG KONG — As the final call for the flight to Beijing crackles over the public address system, Zhang Qian flips through the pages of a book on display across from the boarding gate at the Hong Kong airport.