2/6 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

Japan's big-works stimulus is a lesson for the United States February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm Over two decades, Japan accumulated the largest public debt in the developed world while failing to generate a convincing recovery. In China quake, a man-made or natural disaster? February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm Last year's devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province may have been triggered by the weight of a reservoir less than a mile from a major fault. From Russia, a few kind words and a punch in the nose February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm The Obama administration may have a tough time creating an effective policy toward Russia, as Moscow's messages toward the U.S. veer from cooperative to arm-twisting. China's unemployment swells as exports falter February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm The holidays over, millions of workers are returning to the Guangdong industrial region but cannot find jobs. Accurate red, creative blue: Color counts, study says February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm Trying to improve your performance at work or kick-start that novel you want to write? Maybe it's time to consider the color of your walls. U.S. senators draft list of cuts in stimulus plan February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm A bipartisan set of senators was working in backroom negotiations to cut the cost of the plan, and Democratic leaders said they would await the outcome of those talks before holding a vote. White House faith office to expand February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm President Barack Obama signed an executive order to create a new White House office, building upon the initiatives started by the Bush administration. Ginsburg has surgery for pancreatic cancer February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg apparently has early-stage pancreatic cancer, the court said. Japanese businessman accused of $2.5 billion fraud February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm The police have arrested the chairman of a bedding company on suspicion he swindled investors out of $2.5 billion, in what local media said would be the biggest financial scam in Japanese history. Iraqi Prime Minister's party dominates vote February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm The overwhelming winner of Iraq's provincial elections was the party of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. News Corp. reports $6.4 billion loss February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm The media company, controlled by Rupert Murdoch, reported a quarterly loss of $6.41 billion on a write-down of Dow Jones & Co. and other assets, as the recession hit advertising revenue. Phelps disciplined over marijuana pipe incident February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition for three months over pictures showing him inhaling from a pipe. An alternative to NATO membership February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm Extending NATO membership to Ukraine and Georgia is not a realistic possiblity, but other options for aid are possible. Philip Bowring: Neighbors who should be friends February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm A trip to Bangladesh shows why India should seek to be a benign, not overbearing, regional leader. Appreciation for a great appreciator February 5, 2009 at 9:52 pm I think of John Updike, who illuminated private lives and wrote so lovingly of the world, who called snowfall "an immense whispering." Republicans seize on Obama nominees' tax problems February 5, 2009 at 7:27 pm The succession of Obama nominees who failed to pay all of their taxes handed the Republicans a simple, powerful argument. Chile struggles to improve health of farmed-salmon industry February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm The Chilean government is hashing out tougher sanitary and environmental regulations to combat a deadly virus killing fish stocks. U.K. defends court ruling on terror case suspect February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm The British government Thursday defended the decision not to release information about a terrorism suspect who says he was tortured in American custody. Justice Ginsburg diagnosed with cancer February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent surgery at in New York on Thursday for what was apparently early-stage pancreatic cancer, according to a statement released by the U.S. Supreme Court. Bitter rivals, bigger companies February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm Martin Sorrell of WPP and Maurice Lévy of Publicis Groupe are possibly the fiercest rivals in the business, building gigantic companies designed to outdo the other and moving advertising's center of gravity from Madison Avenue to Europe in the process. Swedes reconsidering nuclear reactors February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm Sweden has proposed refreshing its nuclear reactors, making it the latest to consider putting the technology in the forefront of its energy plans. U.S. Senate dilutes "Buy American" provision February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm International protest has yielded a major U.S. concession, as the Obama administration prevailed on lawmakers to dilute the provision in the $900 billion stimulus plan. Up to $500 million pledged for microloan institutions February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm The World Bank and the German government on Thursday said they would inject as much as $500 million into microcredit banks, fledgling institutions in the developing world that are being starved of funding as financial markets in rich nations constrict. France may take NATO command post in U.S. February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm France is in talks on taking control of two NATO command posts, including a prestigious one in the United States that has never been led by a foreign commander, defense officials said Thursday. ECB steady, while U.K. cuts rates amid gloom February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm The European Central Bank left its benchmark rate unchanged Thursday even as the Bank of England cut its rate to 1 percent in its fifth consecutive monthly reduction. Swiss Re to get capital from Warren Buffett February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm Swiss Re, based in Zurich, said it would get 3 billion Swiss francs, or about $2.6 billion, of capital from Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett's holding company, and that it would consider raising another 2 billion francs in equity if the market would bear it. Gunman kills former Chechen official in Moscow February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm A former deputy mayor of the capital of Chechnya was shot and killed in Moscow on Thursday, a police spokesman said, the third high-profile killing of a Chechen emigré since September. Snowboarding event brings the mountain to the masses February 5, 2009 at 3:44 pm <strong>SNOWBOARDING IN NEW YORK</STRONG> These daredevils are set to fly off a 50-foot ramp in Manhattan. No mountains involved, but lots of cash. <b>Breakingviews.com</b>: The Bank of England's conservative strategy February 5, 2009 at 12:16 pm The central bank may be thinking that conventional rate cuts will gradually work, while unconventional medicine is risky. Vatican move on bishop exposes fissures of church February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am After global outrage, the church called on a rehabilitated bishop to take back his statements denying the Holocaust. Somali pirates said to be leaving ship February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am After four months of negotiations, the Somali pirates who hijacked a ship filled with weapons seemed ready to let go. Israel seizes ship bound for Gaza Strip February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am The Israeli Navy intercepted a ship headed for Gaza on Thursday and diverted it to the Israeli port of Ashdod where its crew members were to be questioned, the military announced. Chinese learn limits of online freedom February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am The recent censoring of a tongue-in-cheek variety show has provoked howls from China's so-called netizens, critical of their government's control of the Web. U.S. Senate agrees to dilute 'buy America' provisions February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am The action came a day after President Barack Obama warned against sending a "protectionist message" in the economic stimulus bill. Britain cuts rate; Euro area stands pat February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am The European Central Bank left its key rate unchanged on Thursday even as the Bank of England cut its benchmark interest rate for a fourth month to 1 percent. Swiss Re to get capital from Warren Buffett February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am Swiss Re said it would get $2.6 billion of capital from Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett's holding company, and that it would consider raising more in equity if the market would bear it. As sales decline, Lenovo chief exits February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am The Chinese computer maker reported that its chief executive, William Amelio, had stepped down as part of a major management shake-up. Science found wanting in U.S. crime labs February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am Forensic evidence is often the product of shoddy scientific practices that should be upgraded, a report found. Sweden considers keeping nuclear plants February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am The Swedish government Thursday proposed refreshing its fleet of nuclear reactors, making the Scandinavian nation the latest to consider putting the technology in the forefront of its future energy plans. Digital pirates winning battle with Hollywood studios February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am Many downloading and streaming sites are in countries with lackluster piracy enforcement efforts, like China, and are hard to monitor. Rotating presidency puts Europe in a bind February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am Ask a random sample of Britons, Danes, Latvians and Italians who the president of the United States is, and you'll hear an Obama chorus. Ask them who the president of the European Union is, and you will probably draw a blank. Dieting? Put your money where your fat is February 5, 2009 at 8:55 am Recent studies show that diet bets work for many people who couldn't seem to shed pounds any other way. Macquarie forecasts profit will fall by half February 5, 2009 at 8:06 am The biggest Australian investment bank warned of its first drop in profit in 17 years. Deutsche Bank posts record loss in fourth quarter February 5, 2009 at 1:15 am Deutsche Bank, the biggest German bank, reported a record loss of €4.8 billion in the fourth quarter after stock and bond trading was battered by the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Scrutiny of bankers' perks will grow February 4, 2009 at 9:34 pm In announcing a salary cap for some institutions receiving government financial aid, President Barack Obama also called for review of "excessive or luxury items" for executives. A pay ceiling could blunt the lure of a Wall Street job February 4, 2009 at 8:36 pm With tighter regulations on risk-taking and greater public scrutiny, the pay for top bankers could fall into line with pay for other professions, like doctors and lawyers.