LA Times News

LA Times News

Hezbollah's role in Syria fighting threatens to spread holy war

Posted: 22 Jun 2013 06:56 PM PDT

The involvement of the Lebanon-based Shiite militant group has infuriated Sunni-led Arab states, which have jockeyed against Shiite-dominated Iran for dominance.

CAIRO — Hezbollah's march into the Syrian civil war on behalf of President Bashar Assad is adding to tension along sectarian fault lines in a region increasingly roused by geopolitical maneuverings that are fueled by religious passions.

Snowden extradition in hands of Hong Kong government

Posted: 22 Jun 2013 06:51 PM PDT

Hong Kong authorities give no sign how they will respond to the U.S. request. An extradition treaty exists, but includes exceptions that might prevent the return of the NSA leaker.

BEIJING — With U.S. prosecutors having filed criminal charges against Edward Snowden, attention turned Saturday to Hong Kong, whose authorities now must decide how to proceed with the case of the self-proclaimed National Security Agency leaker believed to be holed up in the Chinese territory.

Pakistan assassination inflames political feud

Posted: 22 Jun 2013 06:40 PM PDT

Imran Khan's Movement for Justice party, whose growing popularity is seen as a threat to Muttahida Qaumi Movement's hold on Karachi, blames MQM for the slaying of one of its leaders.

KARACHI, Pakistan — To members of Imran Khan's upstart Movement for Justice party, the assassination of one of their top officials last month here in the nation's largest city sent a blunt message: Welcome to Karachi, where power, armed thugs and turf wars combine to transform politics into blood sport.

Opposition to extraditing Edward Snowden builds in Hong Kong

Posted: 22 Jun 2013 08:46 AM PDT

BEIJING -- The case of Edward Snowden, who is accused of criminal theft of government property and other charges in the U.S., has galvanized civic groups in Hong Kong where the self-proclaimed leaker has been holed up for weeks.

Brazil's leader again reaches out to protesters

Posted: 21 Jun 2013 08:18 PM PDT

But the demonstrations continue, with more planned for Saturday. President Dilma Rousseff presents initiatives addressing some of the diverse demands.

SAO PAULO, Brazil — A day after 1 million Brazilians took to the streets in protests that left two dead, President Dilma Rousseff again sought to reach out to demonstrators, praising the unexpected movement and presenting a program that would respond to some of its diverse demands.