Los Angeles Times http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/?track=hpleftnav-world News feeds provided by Newslookup.com en Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:00 EDT Deadly contractor incident sours Afghans http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-contractors13-2009aug13,0,4756623.story Four men with the U.S. firm once known as Blackwater are said to be under investigation in the deaths of two Afghans. A U.S. report found serious fault with private security firms in Afghanistan. As water and power dry up in India, the people revolt http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-monsoon-rage13-2009aug13,0,3636835.story Hundreds of times a week across the nation, frustrated residents block roads and demand resources. But there's simply not enough to go around. Iran opposition leader decries 'show trials,' allegations of violence http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-abuse13-2009aug13,0,117405.story Iran's parliamentary speaker, however, dismisses allegations of sexual abuse of detainees as false even as a statement said to be from a group of Tehran judges condemns the treatment of prisoners. Marines assault Taliban town in Afghanistan http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-fighting13-2009aug13,0,423257.story Helicopter-borne U.S. Marines backed by Harrier jets stormed a Taliban-held town in southern Afghanistan before dawn today, the launch of a new operation to uproot Taliban fighters from a longtime base and provide security for next week's presidential election. Iraq horse track defies the odds http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-horses12-2009aug12,0,2172046.story The Baghdad Equestrian Club saw its glory days in the '40s and survived through extremism and anarchy. Now Iraqis are coming to the races again in large numbers and the club is turning a profit. Iran roiled by prison abuse claims http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iran-abuse12-2009aug12,0,7330964.story A reformist politician's letter claiming jailed protesters have been abused brings details of such allegations to the fore. The parliamentary speaker has promised to investigate. Abbas emerges stronger from Fatah gathering http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-abbas12-2009aug12,0,7256184.story Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas engineers a refreshing of his Fatah movement's leadership at a convention in Bethlehem while curbing younger activists' criticism of his record. World reaction to Suu Kyi's house arrest highlights divisions http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-suu-kyi12-2009aug12,0,5260250.story Western powers criticize the court decision to add 18 months to her sentence -- which will keep her from campaigning in the next election -- but neighboring China and India remain quiet. Taliban drug proceeds lower than thought, U.S. report says http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-drugs12-2009aug12,0,5770763.story A Senate committee report says U.S. spy agencies believe that about $70 million flows to the Taliban annually from drugs -- enough to finance the militants' relatively low-cost insurgency. Three U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-violence12-2009aug12,0,5904052.story The latest deaths, which bring the number of American military personnel killed this month to 18, come as the country prepares for elections next week. Aid organization leader shot to death in Chechnya http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-chechen-activist12-2009aug12,0,5524649.story The bodies of Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband are found stuffed in their car. Many attribute a new wave of reported disappearances, torture and other abuses to the republic's security services. Pakistan accuses Pervez Musharraf of illegally detaining judges in 2007 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-musharraf12-2009aug12,0,5399418.story The exiled dictator faces arrest and possible imprisonment if he returns to Pakistan. A high court ruling that Musharraf had violated the constitution could lead to treason charges. Baghdad bombings kill at least 8 http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-bombing12-2009aug12,0,4586515.story Nearly simultaneous attacks in Iraq's capital occur in a Shiite area. Thailand won't extradite Russian arms dealer to U.S. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-arms-smuggler12-2009aug12,0,1510953.story Viktor Bout, who allegedly sought to sell weapons to Colombia's FARC rebels, could go free this week. His alleged crimes are political offenses not subject to an extradition treaty, a judge rules. Brazil church founder is charged http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-brazil12-2009aug12,0,5589082.story Evangelical Bishop Edir Macedo is accused of siphoning off billions of dollars from his mostly poor followers. Papua New Guinea plane wreck found http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-papua12-2009aug12,0,7696562.story The chartered flight that crashed was carrying 13 people to a tourist region. It is unclear whether there are survivors. Shrine a litmus test for Japan's premiers http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-shrine11-2009aug11,0,4778528.story The press will be staking out the Yasukuni shrine to Japan's war dead to see whether Prime Minister Taro Aso visits on the date of Japan's World War II defeat. Premiers do and don't. Afghanistan's presidential election campaign an exercise in peril http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghan-security11-2009aug11,0,1429233.story The security problems exacerbate the logistical challenges in a country where road conditions are so poor and districts so remote that a 3,000-strong donkey corps is helping deliver ballots. Iraq attacks raise fears of renewed ethnic tensions http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-iraq-bombing11-2009aug11,0,3800081.story With 112 people killed in attacks in the last few days in Mosul and Baghdad, fears are mounting again that insurgents are trying to kindle ethnic tensions, especially among Arabs and Kurds. At Mexico summit, Obama says immigration reform will have to wait http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico-summit11-2009aug11,0,1370688.story The president, noting he has 'a pretty big stack of bills' to deal with, says pushing through a bill to overhaul immigration is unlikely before 2010. Typhoon buries Taiwan village in mud http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-taiwan-landslide11-2009aug11,0,3610299.story Hundreds are believed missing. The storm also topples a building and sweeps away hikers in China. Overheated Chinese stock exchange on a four-day losing streak http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-china-markets11-2009aug11,0,5827028.story The benchmark Shanghai composite index, which has risen about 80% this year, dives Monday before recovering to close down 0.3% as notoriously jittery investors react to tightening credit. South Korean corporate leader goes to North seeking freedom for five captives http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-korea-detainees11-2009aug11,0,3338954.story Hyun Jung-eun, chairwoman of Hyundai Asan, hopes to win the release of a Hyundai employee and four fishermen held by Kim Jong Il's regime. Thousands in Central African Republic flee their homes http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-united-nations11-2009aug11,0,3696639.story U.N. humanitarian official says more than 25,000 are living in the bush to escape government forces and bandits. U.S. plan worries South Americans http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-ecuador11-2009aug11,0,3944939.story Six presidents express unease over the idea of U.S. forces having access to at least seven bases in Colombia. Tonga ferry captain says authorities to blame for sinking http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-tonga11-2009aug11,0,3235513.story He says he was pressured into sailing the Princess Ashika even though it was known to have problems. The sinking left 93 missing and presumed dead. 1 million evacuated as typhoon hits China http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-china-typhoon10-2009aug10,0,3289618.story A typhoon slammed into China's east coast today, flooding entire villages, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of nearly a million residents, after lashing Taiwan with torrential rains that caused the island's worst flooding in 50 years. Manila's Hobbit House bar: Full of little people and a big love http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-hobbit-house10-2009aug10,0,7657518.story Ex-Peace Corps volunteer Jim Turner rescued dwarfs from the Philippine capital's harsh streets and gave them a place to call home. Now they can't imagine life without him. Pakistani Taliban preys on youths to bolster forces http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-taliban-boys10-2009aug10,0,5494826.story Pakistani teenagers in the Swat region tell of being abducted and forced to train at militant camps in harsh conditions. They managed to escape, but say some other recruits were there voluntarily. U.S., Mexico, Canada to tackle thorny issues http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-mexico-summit10-2009aug10,0,584254.story The trio will meet at a time when relations are strained by disputes over trade and travel. None expects the issues to be resolved easily. In Ciudad Juarez, young women are vanishing http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-juarez-missing9-2009aug09,0,4357807.story Amid the drug war's bloodshed, the Mexican border city has been shaken by the disappearances of at least two dozen teenage girls and young women. Officials have few leads.