2/18 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

For uninsured young adults, do-it-yourself health care February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am <strong>UNINSURED IN AMERICA </strong>People in their 20s who lack insurance may try everything from self-diagnoses to borrowing medications to stay healthy. Hopes for U.S. military ties with China February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific hopes that the visit by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will lead to high-level military exchanges with China. U.S. accuses Texas financial firm of $8 billion fraud February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am The Securities and Exchange Commission said it could not account for $8 billion in assets held by the Stanford Financial Group. Egypt's critics have a voice, but never the last word February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am In Egypt, there is relative freedom to criticize the government, but not to act against it. Many bloggers have been arrested, beaten or have disappeared, including Diaa Eddin Gad. Clinton arrives in Indonesia February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Indonesia saying she wanted to pay tribute to its hard-won democracy. World markets follow Wall Street down February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am Stock markets in Europe and Asia mostly fell again Wednesday after a bad day on Wall Street and as investors fled to the safest assets on fears that the financial crisis is taking another turn for the worse. 1 killed in unrest on French island Guadeloupe February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am A protester was shot to death on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe as weeks of strikes and labor unrest degenerated into violence, the region's top official said Wednesday. Facebook withdraws changes in data use February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am After a wave of protests from its users, Facebook said it would withdraw changes to its so-called terms of service concerning the data supplied by its users. Letter from Europe: French defense hopes lie in rejoining NATO February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am By deciding that France will finally play a full role in NATO, President Nicolas Sarkozy is trying to end decades of suspicion that have hampered NATO and paralyzed European defense efforts. Debate rages over elk feeding program in U.S. February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am In Wyoming, did human kindness backfire, setting the mighty elk herds of the West up for disaster? With turbines, Alaska is frontier for green power February 18, 2009 at 6:46 am Alaska is fast becoming a testing ground for new technologies and an unlikely experiment in oil-state support for renewable energy. Asia stocks drop following U.S. decline February 18, 2009 at 2:20 am The main index in Japan dropped to a four-month low Wednesday and Shanghai stocks were down 4.7 percent. Obama's war on terror may resemble Bush's February 17, 2009 at 11:49 pm The Obama administration is quietly signaling continued support for some major elements of its predecessor's approach to fighting Al Qaeda. As U.S. stimulus bill becomes law, partisan fight endures February 17, 2009 at 9:43 pm Leaders of both parties readied for a battle over who was responsible for the economy's problems and whether the $787 billion stimulus legislation was the solution. A painful departure for some GM brands February 17, 2009 at 9:22 pm General Motors's expansive lineup was once its primary weapon. But it had to decide to cut down in its brand from eight to four — among them its Saturn brand. Afghan civilian deaths rose 40 percent in 2008 February 17, 2009 at 9:01 pm A UN report promised to deepen concern about the American effort in Afghanistan, as President Barack Obama considers adding more troops. Antiguans express shock over billionaire's fraud charges February 17, 2009 at 8:25 pm Antiguans expressed shock at news their top investor, the Texas billionaire Allen Stanford, was charged with fraud, and their prime minister said it could be "catastrophic" for the nation. Obama signs huge stimulus bill February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm President Barack Obama signed his $787 billion recovery package into law on Tuesday saying it would "set our economy on a firmer foundation." Obama to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm The increase this spring and summer would come on top of 36,000 U.S. troops now there, for an increase of nearly 50 percent. U.S. regulators accuse Houston fund firm of fraud February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm The Securities and Exchange Commission said it could not account for $8 billion in assets held by the Stanford Financial Group. Eastern Europe showing new vulnerability February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm A warning from a major credit rating agency on Thursday served as a stark reminder to investors that the financial situation in Central and Eastern Europe is deteriorating alarmingly. As auto talks progress, Chrysler seeks more money February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm Chrysler released its restructuring plan as the UAW announced that it had reached tentative agreements with Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. As war's end nears, Sri Lanka struggles to define peace February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm After a string of victories, the Sri Lankan military is closing in on separatists in what it calls the climactic battles of the country's long-running civil war. Strike in Guadeloupe escalates into rioting February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm A month-long general strike on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has escalated into widespread rioting, raising fears that political violence would spread to other French territories. G-7 gaffe leads Japan minister to resign February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm Japan's finance minister, who slurred and yawned his way through a news conference at the Group of 7 meeting in Rome, resigned Tuesday, posing fresh problems for the country's embattled leadership. Justice Dept. readies report on interrogation methods February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm The U.S. Justice Department's ethics office is in the final stages of a report that sharply criticizes Bush administration lawyers who wrote legal opinions justifying harsh interrogation methods. Major studies question value of vitamin supplements February 17, 2009 at 5:11 pm Today about half of all adults in the United States use some form of dietary supplement, at a cost of $23 billion a year. But are vitamins worth it? Life outside the euro zone proves tough for businesses February 17, 2009 at 1:15 pm The global financial crisis means times are tough all over. But in Europe it has also highlighted new divisions between those companies safely in the euro zone, and those struggling on the outside. Two sides of Republican Party on stimulus plan February 17, 2009 at 1:09 pm President Barack Obama must wish governors could vote in Congress: While just three of the 219 Republican lawmakers backed the $787 billion economic recovery plan that he is signing into law Tuesday, that trifling total would have been several times greater if support among the 22 Republican state executives counted. Afghan conflict taking higher toll on civilians February 17, 2009 at 12:36 pm Civilian casualties in Afghanistan rose by 40 percent last year, the highest level since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 that dislodged the Taliban government, a United Nations report said Tuesday. Daimler reports €1.5 billion quarterly loss February 17, 2009 at 12:03 pm The German automaker suffered as the economic slowdown intensified and the fallout from its foray into the U.S. market continued. Chávez looks ahead as he faces serious challenges February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Major obstacles to the Venezuelan president's revolutionary dream lie ahead, in the form of sagging oil prices and a sizable opposition. Cambodia begins painful look back with Khmer Rouge trials February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am The first trial of a senior Khmer Rouge cadre opened Tuesday, 30 years after the end of the brutal Communist regime that took the lives of as much as one-fourth of Cambodia's population. A "propellor-head" at full throttle in the White House February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am For the chief White House economics adviser, finely honed theories about how to bring the United States back from the brink have collided with messy realities of Capitol Hill and Wall Street. Japanese finance minister steps down February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Shoichi Nakagawa, under fire for an embarrassing performance at a Group of 7 news conference, stepped down and was immediately replaced as Japan discusses its budget. Papal decisions touch off global firestorm among Catholics February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Two separate affairs have engendered a storm of criticism of Benedict XVI and the church hierarchy and led to frantic efforts to mollify angry parishioners around the globe. Clinton hails alliance with Japan February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton offered reassurance to Japan, calling its alliance with the U.S. a "cornerstone" of American foreign policy. Daimler reports €1.5 billion quarterly loss February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am The automaker lost €1.53 billion, or $1.93 billion, for the fourth quarter as the slowdown intensified and the company continued to feel the fallout from its partnership with Chrysler. U.S. markets fall sharply at opening February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Stocks in Europe followed Asian indexes lower on continued concern about the health of the corporate sector and the widening effects of the financial crisis. British lawyer convicted in Berlusconi case February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am British lawyer David Mills has been convicted of corruption and sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison in a case that involves Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. Pet chimpanzee attacks woman in Connecticut February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am A 200-pound chimpanzee in Stamford, Connecticut,viciously mauled a woman he had known for years, leaving her critically injured with much of her face torn away. The police shot and killed the pet. China pressures Christie's to hand over sculptures February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Beijing is increasing pressure on Christie's auction house to withdraw two bronzes from its sale of Yves Saint Laurent's collection in Paris, saying they were looted from the imperial Summer Palace nearly 150 years ago. China pushes 'soft power' February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am In an attempt to boost its international reputation, China is investing in media and participating in aid programs overseas. A big wall falls in China to make room for Mickey February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Trading snow dragons for Snow White, a Disney licensing company took over the Harbin Ice Lantern Festival, China's most popular wintertime attraction. Marc Jacobs offers the audacity of hope February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am At last! Optimism, color and energy have broken over the New York runways, which had seemed mired in the financial gloom and doom. David Brooks: I dream of Amsterdam February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Americans may indeed be gloomy and hunkered down. But they are still drawn to virgin ground, still restless against limits. H.D.S. Greenway: France v. terrorism February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am The French pay a great deal of attention to what one policeman called the 'genealogy' of terror. Asia still likes America February 17, 2009 at 9:08 am Unlike in the rest of the world, America's reputation in Asia remains robust. A subsidy by any other name February 17, 2009 at 7:32 am The plan for a public-private fund to buy up toxic assets in the United States is likely to amount to a fig leaf with which to hide subsidies to failing banks. Stocks slide in Europe and Asia February 17, 2009 at 6:03 am Stocks in Europe followed Asian indexes lower Tuesday on continued concern about the health of the corporate sector and the widening effects of the financial crisis. Likely U.S. auto adviser has strong union ties February 17, 2009 at 12:28 am Ron Bloom, expected to be senior adviser to the Treasury Department on the auto industry crisis, walked away from Wall Street to work for the United Steelworkers. In Detroit, the end of a road February 16, 2009 at 10:53 pm The resolve of Detroit's white-collar workers has given way to grim resignation as General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler have announced more and more job cuts.