3/26 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

Budget has Obama courting fellow Democrats March 25, 2009 at 10:11 pm The President is grappling with a paradox: as his party expands its reach, it becomes harder to hold it together. As Chinese investments in Africa drop, hope sinks March 25, 2009 at 10:11 pm As commodity prices drop and several African partners falter, Beijing is backing away, seeking stability. Cost of broadband and mobile access fell in Europe March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm Europeans are now paying far less for broadband Internet access and for cellphone calls than in previous years, contributing to a increase in use and helping the telecommunications sector to grow faster than the rest of the economy, the European Commission said Wednesday. Romania to receive €20 billion bailout March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that it would come to the rescue of Romania as part of a €20 billion financing package to help it weather the financial crisis. Technology companies seeking overhaul of U.S. patent laws March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm Big companies face costly litigation to defend their patents, though they have already made some headway through court victories. 10 civilians killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm A roadside bomb killed 10 civilians Wednesday in a van along a route used by foreign troops in eastern Afghanistan while another wounded three Australian troops — highlighting a tactic increasingly favored by Taliban militants. Netanyahu vows to continue peace talks March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm The commitment came after the Labor Party agreed to join his Israeli government coalition. Failed parolee falls back into a life of crime March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm The police and witnesses have painted a savage picture of Lovelle Mixon, who killed four police officers before being killed himself. Others have portrayed him as a man failed by an overloaded and flawed California penal system. Tempers flare as pain spreads in Europe March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm While incidents of violence are scattered so far, the angry mood threatens to overshadow the Group of 20 summit meeting in London next week. Poles feel snubbed by West in multinational organizations March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm It may be that Poland never had a serious chance at winning NATO's top political job, but that has not stopped Poles from sensing another snub from their big European neighbors to the West, analysts and officials in Europe say. Falling exports in Japan hit small companies hardest March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm Small firms, withering in the downturn, employ almost 90 percent of workers in Japan's manufacturing sector. Scientists track an asteroid and match its remnants March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm Scientists who for the first time tracked an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, and watched as it exploded in the atmosphere, have now picked up some of the remnants on the ground. E.U. hustles to control damage after outburst March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm The comments by the Czech prime minister revealed the rising transatlantic tension over the economic crisis. Glimmers of hope for a feeble U.S. economy March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm Two new reports from the housing market and manufacturing sector underscored fragile wisps of optimism Wednesday. Georgian opposition reeling from videos March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm In a video released by authorities, a political organizer says a prominent opposition leader is prepared to use violence to force Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili from office. Afghan strikes by Taliban get Pakistan help, U.S. aides say March 25, 2009 at 5:33 pm The support consists of money, military supplies and planning guidance to Taliban commanders who are gearing up to confront an international force in Afghanistan. Dollar will remain dominant currency, Geithner says March 25, 2009 at 2:42 pm The Treasury secretary said the dollar would remain the world's dominant reserve currency for some time to come, clarifying earlier remarks that sent the dollar tumbling. True environmentalism, or mountains of vanity? March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm Sign on a shop window in this idyllic ski resort: "Save the Environment Special. Eco-friendly Swiss beverage bottle, made of light weight aluminum, FDA vegetable-coated interior, leaves no residual flavor like plastic." Staying in touch internationally, on the cheap March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm Over the past few years of traveling internationally, I've developed a system that not only lets me make inexpensive local calls but also allows friends and family back home to reach me cheaply. It's a little complicated, but bear with me and I'll explain. Roger Cohen: The fierce urgency of peace March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm Pressure on President Obama to recast the failed American approach to Israel-Palestine is building. Thomas L. Friedman: Secrets of a pollster March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm The world's best leaders learn from their crashes, adjust, persist and succeed. Dear A.I.G., I quit March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm We have been betrayed by A.I.G. and are being unfairly persecuted by elected officials. Vandals hit home of ex-chief of Royal Bank of Scotland March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm Fred Goodwin, the former chief executive of ailing Royal Bank of Scotland, was criticized for keeping his $1 million pension despite a string of ill-timed acquisitions under his reign. Egypt backs Sudanese president March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm Egyptian officials welcomed President Omar Hassan al-Bashir of Sudan on Wednesday, undeterred by the arrest warrant that has been issued against him by an international court. Obama turns lecturer in news conference March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm The president tried to reassure the nation that he could solve the economic crisis. In Russia, a nostalgic return to public patrols March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm The druzhiniki are often a nostalgic reminder of the citizen patrols of students and grandmothers walking the streets in red armbands to keep a lookout for hooligans and petty criminals. U.S. Treasury chief campaigns for broader control of financial firms March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said the plan could help avoid future threats to the financial system. I.M.F. approves Romanian rescue March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that it would come to the rescue of Romania as part of a $27 financing package to help the country whether the financial crisis. Netanyahu promises peace effort March 25, 2009 at 12:17 pm Israel's prime minister-designate, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the coalition he is forming would be a "partner for peace." Afghan TV executive arrested over dance videos March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am The manager of an Afghan television network refused to censor images of women in short skirts and plunging necklines. Swear off splurging? You may regret it March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am Now that shoppers have sworn off credit cards, we're risking an epidemic of a hitherto neglected affliction: saver's remorse. U.S. turns attention to frayed relationship with Mexico March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am The bloody drug war has become the principal sore point between the countries, but there are other difficult problems. Clothes make the (wo)man, but not the musical March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am That "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" isn't more satisfying on other levels is both a disappointment and a surprise. I.M.F. approves rescue plan for Romania March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that it would come to the rescue of Romania as part of a $27 financing package to help the country weather the financial crisis. EU president blasts U.S. economic stimulus March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am The prime minister of the Czech Republic, which holds the European Union presidency, described the U.S. stimulus measures as the "way to hell." Bomb kills 9 civilians in Afghanistan March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am An explosive device ripped through a minibus on Wednesday, killing nine Afghan civilians and wounding seven others on a road frequently using by Afghan security forces and international troops in eastern Afghanistan, the police said. Nawaz Sharif emerges as a Pakistan power broker March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am The Obama administration must decide whether the former prime minister is likely to be a reliable ally or an obstructionist force in Pakistan. Google says YouTube is blocked in China March 25, 2009 at 7:09 am Traffic on the site has dropped to nearly zero, the company said, adding that it didn't know the reason for the block. Humiliation for Czech in vote of no confidence March 25, 2009 at 6:44 am The Czech government's loss of a parliamentary vote of no confidence is an embarrassing defeat midway through its presidency of the European Union and casts doubt on the country's ability to shepherd the world's biggest trading bloc during a time of economic crisis. Obama's next foreign crisis could be next door March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am Drug violence, the recession and immigration are some of the issues straining United States-Mexican relations. Russian volunteers keep eye on citizens, and the police March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am Russia's Parliament is pushing legislation that could enhance the authority of existing volunteer police patrols. On spring break, cricket gets serious March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am Cricket, which counts its fans by the billion worldwide, is trying to register a pulse in the U.S. with the American College Cricket spring break championship.<br/> The start of a crisis, through the lens of car rental businesses March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am Policy makers keep trying to connect the financial crisis to the day-to-day economy, but their examples tend to be hypothetical. Dissecting bank plan for a way to profit March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am Bankers and traders have begun the complex financial calculus of the latest bank rescue plan, with a goal of finding ways to profit from it. U.S. taking steps to control border violence March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am The Obama administration announced sharp increases in the number of federal agents and the use of technology on the border. U.S. weighs Sharif as possible partner March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am The Obama administration must decide whether Nawaz Sharif is likely to be a reliable ally or an obstructionist force. Top hedge fund managers do well in a down year March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am Alpha magazine's annual list of the top 25 hedge fund managers shows that they reaped $11.6 billion in pay by trading above the pain in the markets last year. James Simons, pictured, earned $2.5 billion in 2008. Blockbuster and TiVo join to deliver digital movies March 25, 2009 at 1:07 am The Blockbuster chain hopes its digital future lies with a movie delivery partnership with TiVo. Transcript of Obama's news conference March 24, 2009 at 9:09 pm Following is a complete of President Obama's prime-time press conference on March 24, as transcribed by Federal News Service. Obama tries to rally nation to his agenda March 24, 2009 at 9:08 pm President Obama said he saw "signs of progress" in the economy at a news conference Tuesday.