2/13 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

49 killed after plane crashes into house near Buffalo February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am <strong>49 KILLED IN PLANE CRASH </strong> A Continental Express flight from Newark crashed near Buffalo Niagara International Airport, an official said. Flight 3407 struck a house, which was still engulfed in flames two hours later. Global economy top threat to U.S., spy chief warns February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am Dennis Blair said that the global economic turmoil and the instability it could ignite had outpaced terrorism as the most urgent threat facing the United States. Starting at home, Iran's women fight for rights February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am Iranian women are displaying a growing determination to achieve equal status in a country where male supremacy is still enscribed in the legal code. Pakistan says Mumbai attack partly planned on its soil February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am A senior security official also said that Pakistan was holding six new suspects, including "the main operator." Cure for the common cold? Not yet, but possible February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am Researchers said that they had decoded the genomes of the 99 strains of common cold virus and developed a catalog of the virus's vulnerabilities. Mexican mayor aims to add spark to flagging sex lives February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am With midterm elections looming in July, Mexico City's Mayor has set up a program to give Viagra away for free to poor men age 60 and above. Large U.S. banks on edge of insolvency, experts say February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am Finance experts say the situation at some of the American banks require a more direct government role than in the plan outlined this week. Gregg withdraws bid for U.S. commerce post, citing conflict February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am Senator Judd Gregg, Republican of New Hampshire, said there were "irresolvable conflicts" between him and the Obama administration. Question of control over banks awaits Geithner at G-7 meeting February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am While the Obama administration says it is not seeking to control financial institutions, there is a growing sense in Europe that banks should be put on a tight leash. Brazilian police arrest dozens in drug rings February 13, 2009 at 1:41 am The Brazilian police said Thursday that it arrested 55 people involved in two crime rings that were smuggling drugs into the country from Europe. Obama's special envoy arrives in Afghanistan February 12, 2009 at 9:56 pm Richard Holbrooke came the day after a coordinated series of Taliban suicide attacks in Kabul. Japan sees U.S. repeating its mistakes on bank plan February 12, 2009 at 9:33 pm For all the money the United States and Europe have committed to rescuing banks so far, the veterans of Japan's own banking crisis have two words: More, faster. Evoking Abraham Lincoln February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm Barack Obama is not the first president to feel a kinship with Abraham Lincoln, but he has taken the identification with the 16th president to a new level. Pakistan arrests 6 over Mumbai attacks February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm Pakistan acknowledged Thursday for the first time in public that parts of the Mumbai terror attacks had been planned on its soil and said six new suspects were being held, including "the main operator." Bugarian businessman claims officials demanded kickbacks February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm As the European authorities prod Bulgaria once more to root out corruption, the wealthy chairman of a pharmaceutical distribution company is accusing Bulgarian health officials of demanding monthly cash kickbacks totaling up to €2.8 million. U.S. intelligence chief issues a bleak outlook on Afghanistan February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm The new director of national intelligence warned Thursday that Afghanistan's weak and corrupt government is failing to halt the spread of Taliban control and said that public support for the Taliban and local warlords was increasing. Obama's victory on stimulus package marks big transition February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm The deal underscored the scale of the challenges facing the United States and how different a political climate this is from the early stages of recent administrations. Gregg withdraws as commerce secretary nominee February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire abruptly withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary Thursday, citing "irresolvable conflicts" with President Barack Obama's handling of the economic stimulus and 2010 census. Hijacked Ukrainian arms ship limps into port February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm The Ukrainian arms freighter held by pirates off Somalia's coast for more than four months docked Thursday at port in Mombasa, Kenya. Genetic researchers find common cold's vulnerable spots February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm Curing the common cold, one of medicine's most elusive goals, may now be in the realm of the possible. It has long defied treatment because the rhinovirus, which causes the majority of colds, has so many strains and presents a moving target for any drug or vaccine. Peugeot chief's strategy ruffles feathers in government February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm Two days after President Nicolas Sarkozy granted Peugeot Citroen €3 billion to safeguard local jobs, Peugeot's chief executive said he would seek to reduce the home work force by 3,000 and pledged to continue building cars abroad. Britain deports Dutch 'provocateur' February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm A member of the Dutch Parliament who has compared the Koran to Hitler's "Mein Kampf" and blamed Islamic texts for inciting the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and other terrorist atrocities was detained by immigration officials at London Heathrow Airport on Thursday and forced within hours to board a return flight to Holland. India's case of Obama envy February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm India, the largest democracy in the East, peers these days at America, the largest democracy in the West, and feels itself wanting. Italy's fruit of the vine is ripe for picking February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm Few regions offer a wider selection of singular wines in the $10 to $20 price range - the sweet spot for great wine values - than Italy. The fewer the healthier, fertility watchdogs urge February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm To the U.S. government and fertility industry, large multiple births have begun to look like problems. Oil industry ready to work on global warming February 12, 2009 at 4:17 pm Confronted with a change of priorities in Washington, international oil executives are expressing an eagerness to work with President Barack Obama to tackle global warming. GM in talks with Chinese partner on selling stake February 12, 2009 at 1:45 pm GM approached SAIC Motor of China in recent weeks with an offer to sell some of its stake in their 50-50 joint venture, which builds and markets Buick, Cadillac and Chevrolet models in China, sources say. Nissan pins hope for growth on China, with 4.6% target February 12, 2009 at 1:45 pm Nissan Motor aims to expand its Chinese vehicle sales this year in a market that has become one of the few remaining hopes for the embattled automotive industry. Obama's envoy lands in a Kabul shaken by Taliban assault February 12, 2009 at 1:44 pm President Barack Obama's special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan landed here Thursday to help chart the president's strategy for peace in this volatile country, a day after a bold Taliban assault demonstrated the insurgency's ability to wreak havoc even in the tightly guarded capital. Details of stimulus bill emerge February 12, 2009 at 10:30 am The new stimulus package seemed to defy Washington's laws of physics, where numbers that go up don't often come back down. Nationalization is inevitable -- U.S. should get on with it February 12, 2009 at 10:23 am Like it or not, the United States will be forced to nationalize large swaths of its banking system by the time the leaves fall from the trees in Washington. U.S. Navy seizes 9 suspected pirates in Gulf of Aden February 12, 2009 at 9:40 am For the second day in a row, U.S. forces have apprehended pirates in the Gulf of Aden, treacherous waters off the Somali coast where American and international forces have been battling pirates preying on international vessels. Obama weighs adding troops in Afghanistan February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am President Barack Obama is facing a choice on whether to grant requests for more troops in Afghanistan before he has chosen his new strategy there. Satellites collide in space February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am Scientists report large amounts of debris going into higher and lower orbits and a possible threat to the International Space Station. 2 museums broach China-Taiwan conciliation February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am Divided for 60 years by war and political turbulence, the imperial art collection of China is now the focus of negotiations that could lead to at least a few of the works being exhibited together again in a historic moment. Phelps tells Chinese fans he's sorry February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am The American swimmer Michael Phelps appeared in a video in which he apologized to his Chinese supporters over a photo of him smoking from a marijuana pipe. With Obama's first victory, new challenges February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am The question now is whether the stimulus plan is the opening act for a more ambitious domestic agenda or a harbinger of reduced expectations. Pakistan says Mumbai attacks partly planned on its soil February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am Pakistan said six new suspects were being held, including "the main operator" behind the attacks, offering the fullest public accounting so far of its investigation. Retail sales in U.S. post slight rebound February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am The upturn came despite rising jobless claims. But even though consumers showed some buying power, sales are still down 9.7 percent from the same time last year. Pope says Holocaust denial is unacceptable February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am Pope Benedict XVI has told Jewish leaders that any denial of the Holocaust is intolerable and unacceptable, especially if a priest does it. Corporate results sting stocks in Asia and Europe February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am In Asia, investors expressed unease about the continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S. financial sector. Aluminum Corp. of China agrees to Rio investment February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am For Rio Tinto, the deal provides a much-needed cash injection as it seeks to reduce $39 billion of debt amassed through its 2007 purchase of the Canadian aluminum maker Alcan. U.S. expects something in return for its goodwill toward Europe February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am European officials were fulsome in their praise of the new administration in Munich last week. But along with all of the bonhomie, there was some trepidation. Laid-off foreigners flee as Dubai declines February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am With Dubai's economy in free fall, debt-ridden foreign workers are fleeing, leaving parts of the once booming city looking like a ghost town. Even selling or abandoning their cars. At uneven Berlin film festival, notions of globalism abound February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am Film after film sounded an internationalist message, as if filmmakers were measuring the worth and seriousness of their work mainly in terms of geographic scope. Nicholas D. Kristof: Escaping the bust bowl February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am America's horror of "nationalization" could be defused by handing out shares to all American households. Darwin and Darwinism February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am Charles Darwin's writings were not intended to be scriptural. They were meant to be tested. You're under arrest, Mr. President February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am The first ICC arrest warrant against a sitting head of state is an historic moment. Ancient city's Nazi past seeps out after stabbing February 12, 2009 at 8:49 am The stabbing of the police chief and its aftermath in Passau, Germany, has dredged up a reputation for ties to Nazism that civic leaders had worked hard to shed. Security tightened in Kabul as envoy visits after attacks February 12, 2009 at 8:06 am Heavily armed government troops thronged the streets of Afghanistan's capital on Thursday, increasing security before the arrival of the new U.S. envoy to the region the day after fatal Taliban attacks showed how easily the city's defenses could be breached. Viacom profit falls for quarter February 12, 2009 at 7:50 am Media conglomerate Viacom said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit fell 69 percent as the recession hurt growth and as it recorded $454 million in restructuring and other charges. Coca-Cola 4th quarter profit falls 18 percent February 12, 2009 at 7:40 am The Coca-Cola said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit fell 18 percent as it dealt with the global recession and volatility in the currency markets. Lawyer says South Carolina police making arrests in Phelps case February 12, 2009 at 6:20 am A defense lawyer in South Carolina says police in the county where Michael Phelps was photographed smoking from a marijuana pipe have been arresting people as they seek to make a case against the superstar swimmer. Compromise whittles leaner stimulus package February 12, 2009 at 6:16 am House and Senate leaders struck a deal on a $789 billion economic stimulus bill after little more than 24 hours of rapid-fire negotiations with the Obama administration, clearing the way for final congressional action later this week. In Pakistan, special envoy from U.S. finds discontent February 11, 2009 at 10:27 pm Richard Holbrooke, heard a familiar list of requests for more money and arms from Pakistan's leadership, and a litany of complaints about American airstrikes. Geithner rebuffs critics on banking rescue plan February 11, 2009 at 9:33 pm The Treasury secretary said that it would have been a mistake to provide details on the plan prematurely.