2/28 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

U.S. economy shrinks faster than expected February 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm The U.S. economy shrank in the fourth quarter at an even faster pace than previously estimated as consumer spending plunged, companies cut inventories and exports sank. Obama lays out plan for Iraq pullout February 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm President Barack Obama declared Friday that the U.S. had now "begun the work of ending this war" in Iraq, as he announced the withdrawal of most American combat forces by the summer of next year while leaving behind as many as 50,000 troops for more-limited missions. East-West divide plagues Europe February 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm The convening of a highly unusual "pre-summit summit" meeting underlines the divisions and disarray among politicians as Europe confronts its greatest economic challenges since the end of the Cold War. CEO at a banking giant -- who would want the job? February 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm Across corporate America, the imperial chief executives of yesteryear are disappearing as this recession deepens. But nowhere is that more apparent than in the beleaguered financial sector, where executives are striving to keep increasingly thankless jobs. More protests flare for Pakistan's Sharif February 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm Protests against a court order barring a former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, from holding office continued in major Pakistani cities Friday. U.S. agency aims to undo Bush's abortion rule February 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm The Obama administration moved Friday to undo a last-minute Bush administration rule that granted broad protections to health workers who refuse to take part in abortions or provide other health care that goes against their consciences. Missoni and Ballantyne February 27, 2009 at 4:09 pm With soft shades of peach, apricot or powder pink, touched with blue, there was something sweetly appealing about Angela Missoni's exploration of the family heritage: knitting. Predicting fate of Ireland turns into a shouting match February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am What separates Ireland from Iceland? According to a local joke, the letter C. According to Morgan Kelly, about six months. U.S. agrees to raise its stake in Citigroup February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am The Treasury Department announced on Friday that it would vastly increase its ownership of the struggling company. Democrats line up behind Obama's budget February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am Usually leery of their tax-and-spend label, many congressional Democrats are open to President Barack Obama's spending plan. Mass grave found in Bangladesh February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am Police combing through the headquarters of mutinous border guards here found a mass grave on Friday containing around 30 bodies, an official said. Obama says Iraq 'combat mission' to end in August 2010 February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am At Camp Lejeune on Friday, President Barack Obama unveiled plans to withdraw combat forces while leaving behind a "transition force" through the end of 2011. U.S. economy shrinks faster than expected February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am The U.S. economy shrank in the fourth quarter at an even faster pace than previously estimated as consumer spending plunged, companies cut inventories and exports sank. As jobs dry up in Southeast Asia, a return to the safety of the countryside February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am Southeast Asia economists predict that one hallmark of the downturn will be the exodus of workers back to the family farm. Sony's chief gains power as executives are shuffled February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am Sony said Friday that Howard Stringer, its chief executive officer, would replace Ryoji Chubachi as president in a move that would give Stringer a freer hand in restructuring the electronics giant. International organizations pledge €24.5 billion to shore up Eastern Europe February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am With the former communist nations of eastern and central Europe reeling from the global economic crisis, three major lenders said on Friday they would inject some €24.5 billion, or $31 billion, over two years into the region's banks. Facing German suffering, and not looking away February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am The discovery of a World War II mass grave in Poland is revealing signs that an understanding of the civilian suffering in former German territories is beginning to gain traction. Vatican says bishop's holocaust apology is insufficient February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am The Vatican said Friday that a recent apology by Richard Williamson, who has denied the scope of the Holocaust, was not sufficient to restore him to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Zimbabwe fails in bid for $2 billion economic rescue package February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am Zimbabwe has come away empty-handed from a regional meeting at which it asked for a $2 billion economic rescue package. The right to criticize (and offend) is one held dear February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am Opinions differ on how awful The New York Post's chimpanzee cartoon was, but calls for the government to get involved are misguided, Clyde Haberman writes. Paris auction reflects a major turning point for art market February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am The auction of the Yves Saint Laurent-Pierre Bergé collection has put the global art market in an entirely new perspective. More taxes planned for rich Americans February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am Coming after recent years in which wealth in the United States has become more concentrated at the top of the income scale, President Barack Obama has introduced a politically volatile edge to the U.S. congressional debate over his new budget by proposing tax increases on the affluent to help pay for his promise to make health care more accessible and affordable to everyone else. Paul Krugman: Climate of change February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am President Obama's budget represents a huge break from policy trends. If he can get it through Congress, he will set America on a fundamentally new course. David Brooks: The uncertain trumpet February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am President Obama described in his speech the rot that is ingrained and pervasive in America, but what will he really do to change all that? Iraq's year of living dangerously February 27, 2009 at 11:52 am President Obama's decision to withdraw the bulk of American troops by 2010 cannot be carried out rigidly. There are still real challenges ahead. Bank chiefs sit in jobs turned sour February 26, 2009 at 10:47 pm Across corporate America, executives like Citigroup's Vikram Pandit are striving to keep increasingly thankless jobs.