LA Times News

LA Times News

China wary of U.S. military moves in Asia-Pacific

Posted: 16 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

As Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visits Beijing this week, the U.S. is forging closer defense ties to countries near China and renewing its focus in the South Pacific.

WASHINGTON — When a senior U.S. general met in Beijing recently with Lt. Gen. Cai Yingting, the deputy chief of China's armed forces, Cai forcefully objected to America's expanding military presence in Asia and the Pacific, describing it as an effort to encircle his country.

Pope Benedict calls for Christians, Muslims to unite against war

Posted: 16 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

Pope Benedict XVI's Lebanon visit is embraced by religious factions and Hezbollah militants. He praises the courage of Syrians in the audience as fighting continues in that country.

BEIRUT — Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday called on Christians and Muslims to forge a common front against warfare, even as battles raged in neighboring Syria and the new U.N. peace envoy to that country conceded that the situation there was deteriorating.

In Brazil, opportunity and obstacles for Africans flowing in

Posted: 16 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

African migrants find a culture friendlier to them than places such as crisis-ridden Southern Europe. But skin color still holds them, and African Brazilians, back.

SAO PAULO — Melanito Biyouha tries to remember the languages she's heard today at her restaurant in Sao Paulo's African corner.

Anti-U.S. protests jar Mideast with message of uncertainty

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 06:04 PM PDT

For some in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen, the chaos over an anti-Muslim video deflates hope of stability in the aftermath of the 'Arab Spring.'

CAIRO — As night fell Saturday and cars swerved around Tahrir Square tooting their horns, a stout woman in a black veil and robes screamed herself hoarse: "The president is an agent of the Americans!"

California Muslims hold vigil for slain ambassador

Posted: 15 Sep 2012 12:00 AM PDT

The Tustin vigil came as law enforcement personnel patrolled near Coptic Christian churches because of the role of Egyptian Christians in making the film that spurred violence in the Mideast.

About 60 Southern California Muslims gathered Friday evening at the intersection of Barranca Parkway and Jamboree Road in Tustin to mourn the loss of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and the three others killed earlier this week in an attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

Mideast upheaval stirs pot in presidential race

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 05:54 PM PDT

Mitt Romney could use it to try to cut into President Obama's advantage on foreign policy, but that strategy also carries risks.

WASHINGTON — Rioters storming U.S. embassy gates. American flags torn down and set ablaze. The latest scenes exploding across TV screens have particular resonance for those who remember the hostage crisis in Iran that helped cost Jimmy Carter his presidency and bring Ronald Reagan to power. And they are making at least some Democrats nervous about the potential impact on the election this November.