3/13 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

The problem? Bankers point to the rules March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am Bankers are wrongly blaming mark-to-market accounting for the current financial crisis, but there are three steps regulators can take to improve accounting rules. Obama calls for military dialogue with China March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am President Barack Obama told China's foreign minister he wanted to avoid issues like the naval confrontation this week. Bidders step up for Satyam March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am The Indian government and a new board scramble to save the outsourcing company, crippled by fraud. Orders for 'Aretha's hat' still going strong March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am After Aretha Franklin wore one of Luke Song's hats to sing at President Barack Obama's inauguration, interest in his work has exploded. LV's effervescent '80s March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am The Louis Vuitton show by Marc Jacobs was a sugar rush homage to 1980s haute couture. Drone strike kills 21 in Pakistan March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am Missiles thought to have been fired from U.S. aircraft struck a Taliban camp in northwestern Pakistan, according to a local official and news reports. Obama on spot as rulings aid gay partners March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am President Barack Obama must decide whether to provide health insurance to same-sex partners of federal employees. China 'worried' about safety of U.S. Treasuries March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am China, the biggest holder of U.S. government debt, expressed concern about the assets' safety. Europe's way of encouraging solar power arrives in U.S. March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am The strategy is to pay homeowners and businesses top dollar for producing green energy. As Indian growth soars, child hunger persists March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am Child malnutrition rates are worse in India than in many sub-Saharan African countries, a paradox in a proud democracy. A besieged Bank of America, and its hometown, look inward March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am In Charlotte, North Carolina, where Bank of America casts a long shadow, there is concern about the bank's leadership. Japanese finance minister backs U.S. call for more stimulus March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am Finance Minister Kaoru Yosano of Japan said the government would have the outline of a new economic package to be ready by the Group of 20 summit in London in April. Beijing exhibition paves over much of Tibet's history March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am The only way to get a glimpse of contemporary Tibet these days is at an exhibition at the Cultural Palace of Nationalities in Beijing, a propagandist tour de force. Police in Germany dispute Internet posting signaling school rampage March 13, 2009 at 5:45 am The police disputed the authenticity of a reported posting to a chat room in which someone warned of an attack on the school in Winnenden. Japanese regulator to inject $1.2 billion in three banks March 12, 2009 at 11:28 pm It is the first handout of public money in Japan since the start of the global financial crisis. TV paparazzi turn cameras to corporate titans March 12, 2009 at 9:59 pm The tabloid media is expanding beyond celebrities, tapping into populist anger at corporate America. Views on Israel behind intelligence pick's withdrawal March 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm Charles W. Freeman Jr., a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, withdrew his name from consideration for a top intelligence post after a campaign by pro-Israel lobbyists. Iraqi who threw his shoes at Bush sentenced to 3 years in prison March 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm The verdict came after a short trial in which Muntadhar al-Zeidi, 30, pleaded not guilty to the charge and said his action at a December news conference was a "natural response to the occupation." Madoff pleads guilty to vast fraud and is jailed March 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty Thursday to all the charges against him and expressed remorse for a vast Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of billions of dollars. For Sweden, tiny Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are too big to fail March 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm A deep sense of ownership of the Baltic success story is driving Sweden to spend ever-more money in the name of preventing a financial collapse. France and Germany resist calls from U.S. for more aid March 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm Putting aside months of tension over how to deal with the global financial crisis, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France joined forces Thursday to reject calls by the United States that Europe spend more to overcome the recession. School killings shake Germany to the core March 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm After a teenager shot and killed 15 people, Germany embarked on a new round of soul-searching Thursday as many asked whether true security would ever be possible in schools. UBP makes offer to Madoff victims March 12, 2009 at 2:25 pm Union Bancaire Privée, one of the largest European hedge-fund investors, offered to buy $700 million of Madoff-related investments from its clients at half their cost. Swiss central bank takes drastic measures to fight deflation March 12, 2009 at 1:17 pm The Swiss National Bank is cutting interest rates and intervening to weaken the Swiss franc as it forecast a deep recession. U.S. retail sales drop not as bad as feared March 12, 2009 at 12:25 pm Sales at the nation's retailers fell slightly less than expected in February, suggesting that the economic deceleration may at least be slowing. 'There' and 'here' blend in journalists' world March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am Foreign correspondents no longer cover one place for the exclusive benefit of readers in another place. U.S. stocks shrug off GE downgrade March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am Wall Street extended its rally into a third straight session Thursday as investors took in stride a cut in General Electric's credit rating. For Israeli children, a playground shielded from rockets March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am In a city often under fire from Gaza, playing outdoors is unsafe, so a Jewish fund builds a recreation center in a bunker. Chloé: It's in the male March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am The house of Chloé, home of fluidity and femininity, offered a break dance between the sexes. Defensible missile defense March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am How the United States can counter the threat of ballistic missile attacks from Iran without offending Russia. A tsunami of excuses March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am Bankers may insist that unstoppable forces caused the meltdown, but confidence in the banking system won't return until they come clean. Nicholas D. Kristof: Our pigs, our food, our health March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am Cases of MRSA, a type of staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics, have raised concerns that agricultural practices in hog farms could be fueling a public health threat. Italian court deals setback to CIA case March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am The highest court in Italy ruled that prosecutors had violated state secrecy in their case against U.S. and Italian intelligence operatives charged with seizing suspected terrorists. U.S. prosecutors plan an attack on financial fraud March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am Responding to rising public anger, state attorneys general have already begun indicting financial officials, and the Obama administration has hinted it may add to the effort. Liechtenstein pledges tax openness March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am Liechtenstein said it would adopt global standards on transparency and information exchange in tax matters, turning up the heat on other tax havens to follow suit. North Korea notifies agencies of coming launch March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am North Korea notified international authorities that it would launch a communications satellite, which the South said it would be in early April. The launch is thought to be a missile test. Pakistan titans duel amid a crackdown March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am The ban on a national protest march and arrest of hundreds of political workers evoked the sweeping security restrictions of the former military dictator. Teenage gunman warned of rampage on Internet March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am A teenage gunman who killed himself and 15 people in a rampage that began at his former school had apparently signaled his plans on an Internet chat room hours before embarking on the murderous spree. Obama seeks to get past differences on global financial plan March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am He is calling on foreign governments to increase their domestic spending to stimulate their economies and is asking for greater coordination of oversight. Madoff's bail revoked after guilty pleas to all charges March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am Bernard Madoff, who expressed remorse for a vast Ponzi scheme as he plead guilty to all charges against him, was sent to jail Thursday to await sentencing. Roche agrees to buy Genentech March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am The Swiss drug giant will buy out shareholders of Genentech for $95 a share, ending an effort to take over the American biotechnology company that began last summer. U.S. weighs Iran route for NATO supplies March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am The effort is aimed at developing alternatives to routes through the Khyber Pass in Pakistan and to prepare for the possible loss of an air base in Kyrgyzstan. For Berlin museum, makeover preserves wounds of war March 12, 2009 at 10:58 am The modern restoration of the Neues Museum in Berlin, reopening after decades of neglect, includes elements of the war-damaged original building. <br> China objects to U.S. resolution on Tibet March 12, 2009 at 8:16 am China complained to the Obama administration over a congressional resolution that calls on China to "cease its repression of the Tibetan people." Asian stocks pull back as fears resurface March 12, 2009 at 12:00 am Asian markets were on the defensive Thursday as investors viewed rare gains this week as excessive in light of a shaky global economy and financial system.