LA Times News

LA Times News

As Beijing air pollution worsens, some American expats clear out

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 06:19 PM PDT

Business opportunities abound in China, but some U.S. executives working in the capital say the health of their families is more important.

BEIJING — After nearly two decades in Beijing, David Wolf knew it was time for a change when his 11-year-old son, Aaron, somberly asked him, "Dad, when you were growing up, did you ever have PE outdoors?"

A blushing bride, a crushing debt for Afghan grooms

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 06:12 PM PDT

Custom requires men to pay $20,000 and more to their future in-laws before they can marry. This in a nation where the average worker makes $35 a month.

ANDKHOY, Afghanistan — When Esmatullah got engaged in 1999, he was a 26-year-old day laborer eager to wed, through an arranged marriage, a young girl from a village near his native Andkhoy, in western Afghanistan. Fourteen years later, Esmatullah is still waiting.

Afghan Taliban makes politically savvy moves

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 05:26 PM PDT

The media-savvy and image-conscious Taliban has put Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the defensive even as it has remained an unrelenting military adversary.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Even as Afghan President Hamid Karzai this week canceled security negotiations with the Obama administration and suspended his involvement in the U.S. attempt to revive peace talks with the Taliban, the insurgents made some political moves as fleet-footed as some of their guerrilla tactics, analysts said.

Brazil protests tap into frustration of have-nots

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 02:52 PM PDT

A bus fare increase in Sao Paulo became a catalyst for nationwide protests for broad causes, as police violence and social media emboldened people to speak out.

SAO PAULO, Brazil — On Thursday night last week, Brazil's left-wing Free Fare Movement held the fourth of its street protests against a 10-cent hike in bus fares. A few thousand people turned out.

No alternative to two-state solution, visiting leaders tell Israel

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 01:46 PM PDT

JERUSALEM -- With conservative Israeli politicians increasingly dismissing the idea of a Palestinian state, the voice from international leaders gathered in Israel this week has been clear: negotiating a two-state solution is the only option.

In office two weeks, Palestinian prime minister submits resignation

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 08:52 AM PDT

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, in office for only two weeks, submitted a resignation on Thursday citing "infringement on his authority" as the reason, sources at his office have confirmed.

Afghan talks apparently delayed after Karzai's complaints

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 08:26 AM PDT

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Peace negotiations between U.S. officials and Afghanistan's insurgent Taliban movement expected to begin Thursday apparently were delayed after the South Asian nation's leader lashed out about how the talks were unfolding.

Global Voices: An immigrant's uphill push for a greener Greece

Posted: 20 Jun 2013 05:00 AM PDT

Sixty years after leaving destitute Greece to pursue the quintessential immigrant's dream of striking it rich in America, Eftichios "Van" Vlahakis is back trying to do business in his again-impoverished homeland.