3/28 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

Baltic governments try to keep small businesses going despite economic pain March 27, 2009 at 5:04 pm The Baltic economic crisis, the deepest in the European Union, is hitting entrepreneurship in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, former Soviet republics with few large companies to provide employment. U.K. investigators cite progress in Madoff case March 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm The British authorities said Friday that they were making progress in their investigation into whether workers in London helped Bernard L. Madoff carry out his Ponzi scheme. Suicide bomber kills scores in Pakistan mosque March 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm The attack, which killed about 50 people according to most accounts, was unleashed in an area that has seen intense activity by Pakistani security forces aimed at protecting the critical Khyber Pass supply route for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. Israeli officers defend troops against abuse charges in Gaza March 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm Officers are stepping forward, some at the urging of the top command, others on their own, to dispute the accusations. Obama vows to defeat Al Qaeda March 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm President Barack Obama announced Friday that he planned to further bolster U.S. forces in Afghanistan, increase aid to Pakistan, and set strict standards for measuring progress in fighting Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Police find DNA link to killings of U.K. soldiers March 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm The prominent Irish republican was the first person charged in connection with the March 7 shooting — the first deadly attack on British soldiers in Northern Ireland since 1997 British investigators find signs that Madoff may not have acted alone March 27, 2009 at 1:12 pm British regulators said Friday that the London office of disgraced financier Bernard Madoff played a large part in his sweeping Ponzi scheme. IAEA fails to elect new leader March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am Diplomats say the board of the International Atomic Energy agency has failed in its initial attempt to elect a new head for the U.N. nuclear monitor. Punishment or aid? March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am Humanitarian assistance is not compatible with punishing war criminals. North Dakota town evacuates neighborhood as waters rise March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am The evacuation was ordered after signs of erosion in a dike built to hold back the rising Red River in North Dakota. The Formula One rules have changed, and a season's up in the air March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am The season begins as one of the least predictable ever, after one of the biggest rules overhauls in the sport's history. David Brooks: The winnable war March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am At the end of a trip to Afghanistan, it was hard not to be infected by the optimism of the people who are working there. As drug war drags on, U.S. needs new strategy March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am Why have billions of dollars and thousands of anti-narcotics agents around the world failed to throttle the global traffic in cocaine, heroin and marijuana? Blame wrong-headed policies and what experts call the balloon effect. Paul Krugman: The market mystique March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am The top officials in the Obama administration still believe in the magic of the financial marketplace and in the prowess of the wizards who perform that magic. U.S. investors pull back after a strong week March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am Wall Street's recent bear-market buying spree hit a bump in early trading as investors peeled back some gains from a day earlier. Dyson, pre-eminent physicist, challenges consensus on climate change March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am Increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may even be a good thing, according to the scientist whose intelligence is revered by other scientists. But his stand has led to anger and ridicule. Where old airplanes go to die March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am A windswept airport in the center of France is where the issues plaguing global aviation, from high oil prices to delays in new aircraft, are played out. Obama unveils Afghan plan to add troops and set goals March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am President Barack Obama on Friday announced a strategy that sets benchmarks as it aims to quell the insurgency and build institutions. Australia blocks Chinese purchase of Oz Minerals March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am Citing national security, Australia on Friday blocked one of several acquisitions China is seeking in the country's vast natural resources sector. The strangest book titles of the year March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am "The 2009-2014 World Outlook for 60-Milligram Containers of Fromage Frais" was acknowledged as this year's oddest book title. U.S. consumer spending up slightly March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am Consumer spending rose for the second consecutive month in February, in line with expectations. Suicide bomber kills 45 in Pakistan March 27, 2009 at 9:42 am The apparent scale of the attack on a mosque dwarfed other recent attacks in the region. Text of President Barack Obama's remarks March 27, 2009 at 9:41 am Obama's remarks on his new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. EU promises more cash and police trainers for Afghanistan March 27, 2009 at 8:41 am America's European allies pledged Friday to send more police trainers and cash to Afghanistan, but shied away from deploying more troops on a long-term basis. Industrial orders slump in Europe March 27, 2009 at 8:31 am European industrial orders dropped the most on record in January as the global recession forced manufacturers to cut production, reducing demand for equipment and machinery, data showed Friday. Stocks ease in Europe as traders book profits March 27, 2009 at 7:13 am But reports that British bank Barclays may get the financial all-clear from the country's financial regulator gave the banking sector a lift. New concern about cuts in oil investment March 27, 2009 at 4:52 am Sharp reductions in investments and low oil prices could curb future supplies, leaving the world to face a new energy shock when the economy picks up, according to a new study. Students give up wheels for their own two feet March 27, 2009 at 4:52 am To confront childhood obesity, traffic and car emissions, a city in Italy is encouraging its children to walk to school. 8 hours a day spent on screens, study finds March 27, 2009 at 4:52 am The average American adult spends eight hours a day in front of screens, and computer use has replaced radio as the second most common media activity. U.S. officials say Israel struck in Sudan March 27, 2009 at 4:52 am Israeli warplanes bombed a convoy of trucks in Sudan in January that was believed to be carrying arms to be smuggled into Gaza, according to American officials. 60 die as dam breaks near Jakarta March 27, 2009 at 4:52 am Heavy rains caused an Indonesian dam to burst, sending a cascade of water and mud through hundreds of houses. Top Irish republican charged with killing soldiers March 27, 2009 at 4:52 am Northern Ireland police say a prominent Irish republican dissident has been charged with murdering two British soldiers and trying to kill five other people. When stars Twitter, a ghost may be lurking March 27, 2009 at 4:52 am The need for constant updates has created a cottage industry that fans may not be aware of: Twitter ghostwriters. Europe, aided by safety nets, resists stimulus push March 27, 2009 at 12:34 am European governments say their job protections and unemployment benefits automatically provide spending that the U.S. Congress has to legislate. Plan for U.S. financial oversight draws a mixed response March 27, 2009 at 12:34 am The wide-ranging plan subjects hedge funds and traders of exotic financial instruments to potentially strict new supervision. With isolation over, Syria is happy to talk March 27, 2009 at 12:34 am Diplomatic openings have raised hopes in the West and in the region, but it remains difficult to say where this new dialogue will lead. Inquiry asks why A.I.G. paid banks March 26, 2009 at 9:57 pm Lawmakers and the New York attorney general began inquiries into tens of billions of taxpayer dollars that A.I.G. made to several dozen big banks.