2/27 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

Obama plans major shifts in spending February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm President Barack Obama's budget plan tries to trim a deficit estimated at $1.75 trillion for 2009 as it redirects wide streams of spending. In shift, imprisoned Al Qaeda follower faces civilian trial February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm The move to bring charges against an alleged al Qaeda follower would eliminate the possibility of a military tribunal, government officials said. In book, an unflattering portrait of ex-hostage in Colombia February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm Ingrid Betancourt, a Colombian politician, is depicted as selfish and haughty in a memoir by fellow hostages held with her. EU wants U.S. to open files on Guantánamo detainees February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm European governments have decided to ask the United States to open all its files on individual detainees at Guantánamo Bay before they agree to accept inmates and help close the camp. Pro-Sharif demonstrations spread across Punjab February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm Thousands of supporters of the opposition leader Nawaz Sharif protested the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a ruling barring him from holding elected office. In budget arbitrage, a test of Obama's political skills February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm For the president to translate his vision into a budget, he needs to create coalitions issue by issue, while holding together the Democrats and curbing Republican attacks. UBS turns to former chief of rival Credit Suisse in dire hour February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm UBS replaced its chief executive with a former head of Credit Suisse after a tax scandal that rocked the banking world. Japanese output in January falls at record pace February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm Production at Japanese factories fell by a record 10 percent last month, and new jobs proved harder to find, showing Japan's worst recession since World War II is deepening. Pentagon to allow photos of soldiers' coffins February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm In a reversal of policy, the Pentagon will allow the press to photograph the flag-draped coffins of America's war dead. U.S., Pakistan and Afghanistan to hold regular talks February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm The plan was announced after three days of meetings, which touched on sensitive issues like American airstrikes in Pakistan, and the scope of the American commitment in Afghanistan. Palestinian rivals talk peace in Egypt February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm The rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah began long-awaited reconciliation talks under Egyptian auspices on Thursday. 5 top Serbs found guilty of war crimes in Kosovo February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm The officials from the government of Slobodan Milosevic were given long sentences, but former Serb president, Milan Milutinovic, was acquitted. Some Democrats say Obama's plan would leave too many troops in Iraq February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm Legislative leaders signaled skepticism about the prospect of keeping a residual force of up to 50,000 troops in Iraq beyond the summer of 2010. Footprints of Homo erectus suggest modern gait February 26, 2009 at 9:43 pm Footprints uncovered in Kenya show that as early as 1.5 million years ago an ancestral species, almost certainly Homo erectus, had already evolved the feet and walking gait of modern humans. Obama's budget plan sweeps away Reagan ideas February 26, 2009 at 9:30 pm The budget proposals seek to reverse the rapid increase in economic inequality over the last 30 years. U.S. helps Palestinians build force for security February 26, 2009 at 8:42 pm With American help, guardsmen in the West Bank are training to enforce law and order. In aid filing, GM reduces fuel economy estimate February 26, 2009 at 6:36 pm A request for U.S. government aid included a downward revision from an earlier application. Obama's budget plan calls for huge shifts in spending February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm President Barack Obama's new budget plan includes sweeping changes in spending priorities while trying to trim a deficit estimated at $1.75 trillion for 2009. Obama reaps diplomatic windfall as goodwill lingers February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm President Barack Obama's honeymoon period may be running its course in Washington. But abroad, the romantic flame is still flickering. U.S. envoy back in Mideast as Hamas and Fatah talk February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm The rival Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah began long-awaited reconciliation talks here under Egyptian auspices on Thursday, adding another twist to a complex political situation as President Barack Obama's Middle East envoy arrived in Israel to meet Israeli and Palestinian officials. Fellow captive lashes 'haughty' Betancourt February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm Three Americans held captive by Colombia's leftist rebels for 5½ years published a memoir Thursday full of wrenching survival stories and unkind words by one of the three about Ingrid Betancourt, the most famous hostage who shared their jungle prisons. At UBS, time for a change at the top February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm UBS, after a tax scandal that has rocked the banking world and soured relations between Switzerland and the United States, replaced its chief executive with a former head of Credit Suisse. GM, its cash dwindling, reports huge loss for 2008 February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm General Motors posts $9.6 billion loss for the fourth quarter, going through $6.2 billion in cash while seeking government loans. Royal Bank gets U.K. insurance for toxic assets February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm After reporting the biggest annual loss in British corporate history, Royal Bank of Scotland became the first bank to sign up for the government's protection plan. Challenge for agencies getting U.S. funds for energy efficiency: Spend wisely - and fast February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm Experts say they are worried that government money allocated for energy efficiency will go to beneficiaries, especially cities, that are not ready to oversee the huge sums of money. Former Serbian president acquitted of Kosovo war crimes February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm Former Serbian president Milan Milutinovic was acquitted on Thursday by the Yugoslavia war crimes tribunal of crimes committed against ethnic Albanians during the violent break-up of the Balkans in the 1990s. In Italy, home sales with a twist February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm The worst recession since 1975 is eroding the wealth of elderly Italians and requiring them to do something they had never before considered: sell family homes to strangers at a discount on the condition that they can stay on until they die. Dutch investigator suspects engine trouble caused Turkish Airlines crash February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm Pieter van Vollenhoven said the Boeing 747-800 plane had fallen almost directly from the sky, which pointed toward the plane's engines having stalled. The 'Slumdog' effect: Afflict the comfortable February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm If India's well-to-do ran the world, the film that dominated the Academy Awards this week might simply have been called "Millionaire." Now that the pricing dam has burst February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm Can big brand retailers ever go back to the heady days of full price tickets on luxury goods? The way forward February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm Afghanistan is the archetypal international problem requiring a multilateral solution. Storm over Germany February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm The financial crisis threatens to hit Germany --and the rest of the EU -- with hurricane-like force in the next three to six months. Nicholas D. Kristof: Africa's 'Obama' school February 26, 2009 at 1:41 pm Darfur refugees hope that the Obama administration can help bring an end to the slaughter in Sudan by backing an arrest warrant for the country's president. <b>Breakingviews.com</b>: Britain's bad bank may do a good job February 26, 2009 at 1:14 pm The government's proposal looks capable of regenerating the industry without fully nationalizing banks or putting too big a strain on public finances. GM faces mass protests in Europe February 26, 2009 at 12:54 pm European labor unions from the Opel, Vauxhall and Saab divisions gathered to rebuff any moves to eliminate jobs and close plants. More than one way to take over a bank February 26, 2009 at 12:52 pm With private markets failing, there are rising calls to nationalize banks — but not the way Chávez and Mitterrand did. Panetta indicates strikes will continue in Pakistan February 26, 2009 at 12:20 pm Leon Panetta, the new director of the CIA, indicated that missile strikes against Al Qaeda leaders in Pakistan will continue or even expand. Bloggers and unions form group to push Democrats to the left February 26, 2009 at 8:20 am Organizers of Accountability Now said their intention is to enable Obama to seek more liberal policies without fear of losing support from the more conservative members of his party. U.S. factory orders fall for a sixth month February 26, 2009 at 8:18 am Manufacturers saw orders for big-ticket goods plunge by a bigger-than-expected 5.2 percent in January as a global slowdown cut into demand from customers both in the United States and abroad.