LA Times News

LA Times News

Incoming President Enrique Peña Nieto inherits a bruised Mexico

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 05:58 PM PST

He and the PRI want to shift the focus away from the battle against drug cartels that consumed and ultimately haunted outgoing President Felipe Calderon.

MEXICO CITY — When Enrique Peña Nieto assumes the Mexican presidency on Saturday, returning to power a once-autocratic party that ruled for seven decades, he will immediately confront a sluggish economy and a bloody war against drug gangs.

Egypt protests intensify after passage of draft constitution

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 03:43 PM PST

People stream into Tahrir Square in Cairo and into the streets of other cities in outrage over the growing power of President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.

CAIRO — Egypt awoke to widening protests Friday from a resurgent opposition testing a president who refuses to rein in his power while he presses for an unpopular constitution drafted by an Islamist-dominated assembly.

Russian he-man Vladimir Putin apparently trying to hide an injury

Posted: 30 Nov 2012 03:41 PM PST

Along with canceled visits, there are rumors and reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has a back problem. His spokesman denies all.

MOSCOW — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda canceled a trip to Russia expected in mid-December, citing the health of famously tough Russian President Vladimir Putin, officials said Friday.

Egypt adopts draft constitution after marathon session

Posted: 29 Nov 2012 11:02 PM PST

The draft aims to rein in presidential authority and limit Islamists' clout, but liberal critics fear it might allow a more rigid form of Islamic law to prevail.

CAIRO — Egypt's Islamist-dominated constitutional assembly passed a rushed draft of a constitution early Friday to ease public anger against President Mohamed Morsi's expanded powers and preempt an expected court decision to disband the chamber this weekend.