Foreign Countries

Sony Pictures is spying a hit in its latest James Bond film, as "Skyfall" debuted at No. 1 in 25 foreign countries this weekend. The film, starring Daniel Craig in the 23rd entry featuring 007, collected an impressive $77.7 million overseas this weekend, according to an estimate from Sony, which is distributing the film internationally. "Skyfall," financed by Sony and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for just under $200 million, doesn't hit U.S. theaters until Nov. 9. Of the 25 international markets the film played in this weekend, it easily did best on Bond's home turf, the United Kingdom.

The heirs of the Budapest-based Jewish banker Baron Mor Lipot Herzog have cleared a major legal hurdle in their decades-long quest to force Hungary to return dozens of artworks from Herzog's collection that were looted during World War II. In 2010, Herzog's great-grandson David de Csepel of Altadena led his family in suing Hungary and three of its museums for the return of more than 40 artworks valued at $100 million, including masterpieces by...

One of George Bush's first acts as President was to pick up his 2-year-old granddaughter, Marshall, and give her a hug as he entered the inaugural parade reviewing stand Friday. Marshall, shoeless in white tights, a dark blue dress with white lace collar and a white bow in her blond hair, promptly planted a kiss on the cheek of "Gampy," which is what 10 grandchildren call the new leader of the Free World.

A bright spot in the local economy - tourism - continues to generate big numbers for Los Angeles County's hotels, restaurants and other hospitality businesses. Tourists spent $16.4 billion in 2012, most of it on lodging, food and drinks, according to a study commissioned by the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. By comparison, the group said, tourists spent $15.4 billion in 2011. Tourism last year also generated more than $2 billion in state and local taxes, according to the study by Los Angeles economics research firm Micronomics.

"The Avengers" is set to dominate the domestic box office next weekend with a massive opening of more than $150 million, but overseas the film's ticket sales are already soaring. The superhero action flick debuted in 39 foreign countries last week and has since raked in a phenomenal $178.4 million, according to an estimate from distributor Walt Disney Studios. By comparison, Universal Pictures' "Battleship" passed $170 million overseas this weekend after three weeks in international release.

Can you name the countries to which it is currently illegal for American citizens to travel? Cuba, Albania, North Korea, Libya, Cambodia, Nicaragua and Vietnam always seem to make most lists. How about Laos, Iran and Iraq? The correct answer is none of the above. The only country it is illegal for an American to visit (for the purpose of employment) is Lebanon. Surprised? Many people are when they discover that there are no U.S. government restrictions on travel to these countries.

Despite concerns about U.S.-made drones ending up in enemy hands, American military contractors are lobbying the government to loosen export restrictions and open up foreign markets to the unmanned aircraft that have reshaped modern warfare. Companies such as Northrop Grumman Corp.and other arms makers are eager to tap a growing foreign appetite for high-tech - and relatively cheap - drones, already being sold on the world market by countries such as Israel and China. "Export restrictions are hurting this industry in America without making us any safer," Wesley G. Bush, Northrop's chief executive, said at a defense conference this year.

The U.S. continues to be a hot destination for big-spending tourists, setting a new record of $168.1 billion in foreign visitor spending in 2012. The country last year welcomed 66 million foreign visitors, whose spending represents a 10% increase over 2011, said Rebecca Blank, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The greatest increase in visitors and spending came from countries with a burgeoning middle class, including China, Brazil and India. Spending by foreign tourists has been on the rise for the last three years, with tourist hubs such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco reaping much of the spending, Blank said.

Foreign countries most represented on WNBA rosters (16 countries have one player each): Australia 17 players Russia Eight Brazil Seven Yugoslavia Three Czech Republic Three Croatia Two Canada Two Portugal Two Source: WNBA

A sampling of political cartoons from foreign countries, published following the verdicts in the Rodney G. King trial and the eruption of violence in Los Angeles.

Re “ UAE to buy drones made in U.S. ,” Feb. 23 I am not sure why there is such a controversy about civilians getting killed accidentally by drones. What is the difference between that and civilians getting killed accidentally when we dropped bombs on munition factories in Germany in World War II (a declared war) or in Korea or Vietnam (undeclared wars), when military targets were targeted? Of course we were trying to kill soldiers and their leaders at times. It is unfortunate, but civilians are always hurt during wars, so why are drones different?

The U.S. continues to be a hot destination for big-spending tourists, setting a new record of $168.1 billion in foreign visitor spending in 2012. The country last year welcomed 66 million foreign visitors, whose spending represents a 10% increase over 2011, said Rebecca Blank, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The greatest increase in visitors and spending came from countries with a burgeoning middle class, including China, Brazil and India. Spending by foreign tourists has been on the rise for the last three years, with tourist hubs such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco reaping much of the spending, Blank said.

MEXICO CITY - In the six years of outgoing President Felipe Calderon's war against drug gangs, the U.S. became a principal player in Mexico, sending drones and sniffer dogs, police trainers and intelligence agents to a country long suspicious of its powerful neighbor. Calderon, who steps down Saturday, essentially rewrote the rules under which foreign forces could act here in matters of national security. There has been relatively little public protest, reflecting the severity of a conflict that has killed tens of thousands nationwide and spread violence south into Central America - without significantly reducing the flow of drugs.

Sony Pictures is spying a hit in its latest James Bond film, as "Skyfall" debuted at No. 1 in 25 foreign countries this weekend. The film, starring Daniel Craig in the 23rd entry featuring 007, collected an impressive $77.7 million overseas this weekend, according to an estimate from Sony, which is distributing the film internationally. "Skyfall," financed by Sony and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for just under $200 million, doesn't hit U.S. theaters until Nov. 9. Of the 25 international markets the film played in this weekend, it easily did best on Bond's home turf, the United Kingdom.

Regarding "It's Ripening on the Vine," by Christopher Reynolds, Oct. 7: As a visitor to the Santa Ynez Valley before the days of Indian gambling, before Neverland Ranch and before vineyards and wineries, I always thought of Solvang as the Danish Tijuana. The original Hitching Post in Casmalia is a true gem. But it takes time and effort to get there. Your readers should be warned that just showing up without prior arrangements [especially on weekends] is a recipe for disappointment.

Liam Neeson wouldn't let anyone take No. 1 from him at the box office this past weekend in the U.S. or overseas. "Taken 2," the kidnapping thriller starring the 60-year-old actor, dominated international ticket sales, raking in $41 million from 59 foreign markets. Overall, the movie has sold $132.8-million worth of receipts abroad - already far more than the $81.8 million the original "Taken" collected internationally in 2009. The movie, which sees Neeson's former CIA operative taken captive, is performing best in the United Kingdom, where it has grossed $23.4 million.

The heirs of the Budapest-based Jewish banker Baron Mor Lipot Herzog have cleared a major legal hurdle in their decades-long quest to force Hungary to return dozens of artworks from Herzog's collection that were looted during World War II. In 2010, Herzog's great-grandson David de Csepel of Altadena led his family in suing Hungary and three of its museums for the return of more than 40 artworks valued at $100 million, including masterpieces by...

WARSAW -- At the end of a rocky foreign tour, senior campaign strategist Stuart Stevens said he was confident that Mitt Romney's strengths as a candidate would matter more to voters than any controversial comments made on his trips to Britain, Israel and Poland.   Romney has been criticized for talking to a group of donors in Israel about the role culture plays in the economic success of different countries. He made the remarks after noting the disparities between Israelis and Palestinians.

Big-budget tent poles dominated the international box office this weekend, but there was one country that Spider-Man and the prehistoric "Ice Age" mammals couldn't conquer: Australia. Down Under, the potty-mouthed "Ted" ruled the multiplex, grossing a surprisingly strong $6.9 million during its second weekend in Australian theaters, according to an estimate from distributor Universal Pictures. After debuting in the No. 1 position in the country last weekend, Seth MacFarlane's raunchy comedy saw its ticket sales fall only 22% and has now collected a total of $24.5 million.