3/27 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

Obama takes questions in an online video forum March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm The president stood before a live audience of Washington-area residents but answered questions that had been submitted, in writing or on video, to the official White House Web site. 2 top executives at A.I.G. French unit resign March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm The departures follow the uproar over bonuses paid by the insurer after the U.S. bailed it out. Clash of subways and car culture in Chinese cities March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm Auto sales are jumping while immense subway systems are being built for commuters in China's metropolises. Corruption trial of Taiwan's former president begins March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm The trial began hours after Chen Shui-bian blasted the proceedings as a "tool for political suppression and persecution" by his successor. Toppled Czech government was liability, opposition leader says March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm Jiri Paroubek, the Social Democratic leader who brought down the Czech government midway through its EU presidency, also said the prime minister was blind to the global financial crisis. Pakistani and Afghan Taliban unify in face of U.S. influx March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Afghan Taliban leader, persuaded the Pakistani Taliban to focus their efforts on the fight in Afghanistan against American troops. Pakistani and Afghan Taliban unify in face of U.S. influx March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm Mullah Muhammad Omar, the Afghan Taliban leader, persuaded the Pakistani Taliban to focus their efforts on the fight in Afghanistan against American troops. Taiwan's former president goes on trial for corruption March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm The corruption trial of Taiwan's former president, Chen Shui-bian, opened in a heavily guarded Taipei courtroom. Sudan report of January attack raises questions March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm American officials denied a Sudanese minister's claim that U.S. jets struck a truck convoy bound for Gaza. Obama to set benchmarks in fight against militants March 26, 2009 at 6:43 pm The president will for the first time set benchmarks for progress in fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan in Pakistan, the Obama administration told congressional leaders. Voting inconclusive so far in search for new I.A.E.A. chief March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm Officials from 35 nations failed in initial voting on Thursday to choose a successor to Mohamed ElBaradei as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog. U.S. sees Chinese military rise March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm China is seeking technology and weapons to disrupt the traditional advantages of American forces, according to a Pentagon study released Wednesday. U.S. official denies Karadzic account March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm A member of the American team that negotiated to remove the Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic from power in 1996 said that he was never promised immunity from prosecution as part of a deal to step down, contradicting several accounts cited in an article on Sunday in The New York Times. Nicholas D. Kristof: Want to play some darts? March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm The marketplace of ideas doesn't clear out bad pundits and bad ideas partly because there's no accountability. Protectionism resurgent March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm Rather than merely condemning protectionism, the G-20 should go further and take affirmative trade-creating and trade-liberalizing actions. Gail Collins: Everything bad is good again March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm Thank God we didn't elect somebody who was all charisma and exciting speeches. I.R.S. to offer deal to offshore tax evaders March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm The agency drafted a plan that lowers a penalty for wealthy Americans who hide money overseas in secret accounts. North Korea has missile ready for test, report says March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm Spy satellites detected what appeared to be a Taepodong-2 missile in place Tuesday at the Musudan-ri launching site near North Korea's northeastern coast, reports said. Geithner calls for major overhaul of financial rules March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm The wide-ranging plan subjects hedge funds and traders of exotic financial instruments to potentially strict new supervision. Sudan says U.S. airstrike killed dozens in convoy March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm The accusations about the bombing two months ago, immediately denied by American officials, came amid several Internet news reports that said Israeli warplanes in January had bombed several trucks ferrying weapons across Sudan on their way into Egypt. Data illustrates weak state of euro zone economy March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm Italian business morale fell to a record low in March and consumers' gloom refused to lift in France and Germany. Obama telephones Afghan president March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm President Barack Obama called to share the main elements of the American strategic review of policy in Afghanistan, a statement from the presidential palace said. Russian rocket carries space tourist March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm The Soyuz rocket blasted off Thursday, headed for the International Space Station carrying two fresh crew members and a wealthy space tourist. Bomb in parked card kills 16 in Baghdad March 26, 2009 at 2:23 pm A bomb in a parked car exploded on a street lined with market stalls in this city's Shaab district early Thursday afternoon, killing 16 and wounding 35, mostly women and children, according to the Ministry of Interior. Workers release manager held at 3M plant in France March 26, 2009 at 2:07 pm Workers at a factory operated by the U.S. firm 3M released the French manager they had held hostage for over 24 hours on Thursday after a deal on conditions for laid-off staff. Canary Wharf owner sees property values fall March 26, 2009 at 1:22 pm Songbird Estates, owner of much of Canary Wharf, warned that it risks breaching loan covenants in the next 12 months due to a sharp fall in the value of its properties. Behind Facebook's success: It takes a village March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am Village sociability is not about sharing feelings. It doesn't dwell on you. It asks for little. It just buzzes. And what do the Internet's social networks offer if not this village buzz? 16 killed in Baghdad bombing March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am A bomb in a parked car exploded near a bus station in Baghdad's Shaab district early Thursday afternoon, killing 16 and wounding 35, according to the Ministry of Interior. Mitsubishi UFJ and Morgan Stanley to merge Japan units March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am Joining their securities businesses will build on Mitsubishi UFJ's $9 billion investment in Morgan Stanley last year. Saudi women boycott lingerie shops over male staff March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am Embarrassed at having to buy intimate apparel from men, they want the shops to employ women. It's time to buy, the oracle of Hong Kong says March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am The rare comments made Thursday by Li Ka-Shing come at a time when world stock markets have rallied on hopes that the economic slump may be bottoming out. Atomic agency to choose new head March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am Officials from 35 nations gathered to vote for a successor to Mohamed ElBaradei as head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a watchdog against nuclear proliferation. Budget has Obama courting fellow Democrats March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am The U.S. president is grappling with a paradox: as his party expands its reach, it gets harder to hold it together. U.S. cities deal with a surge in shanty towns March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am Reminiscent of the Great Depression, encampments of homeless people are growing in such cities as Fresno, California. China trying to disrupt U.S. military advantages, study says March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am The annual report from the Defense Department to Congress catalogs efforts by China to supply its armed forces with weapons that can be used to intimidate and attack Taiwan and blunt the superiority of American naval and air power. U.S. to lay out plan to rein in finance world March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama intends to overhaul regulation by subjecting hedge funds and traders of exotic financial instruments to potentially strict new government supervision. U.S. 4th quarter growth rate revised down March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am The U.S. economy shrank at a 6.3 percent pace at the end of 2008, the worst showing in a quarter-century, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Online age quiz is a window for drug makers March 26, 2009 at 9:05 am Takers of the popular online RealAge test are handing out valuable data to drug companies. Taliban attacks in Afghanistan kill 9 police officers March 26, 2009 at 7:10 am The attacks, coming a day after a bomb killed nine on a bus, seemed to underline the gathering pace of the war in Afghanistan. U.S. sees Chinese military rise, and a need for more contact March 26, 2009 at 3:10 am A new Pentagon study says the secrecy surrounding China's military creates the potential for miscalculation on both sides. Fashion's new and bigger role in India March 26, 2009 at 3:10 am It's Fashion Week in India, and it's clear that the mainstream of India's vast middle class are seen as the new target market. Your online clicks have value, for someone who has something to sell March 26, 2009 at 3:10 am Two new Internet companies, BlueKai and eXelate Media, are tracking who is interested in what through a cookie. N. Korea moves missile to launch pad March 26, 2009 at 3:10 am North Korea has placed a long-range missile on a launch pad before a test that the U.S., Japan and South Korea said would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution, a news report said Thursday. Palestinians serenade survivors in Israel March 26, 2009 at 3:10 am A group of Palestinian musicians 12 to 17 years old from the Jenin refugee camp performed at a Tel Aviv club for elderly Holocaust survivors. U.S. to detail plan to rein in finance world March 26, 2009 at 3:10 am Hedge funds and traders of exotic financial instruments could be under stricter supervision, officials said.