3/18 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

U.S. and NATO allies facing hard questions March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm At NATO's 60th anniversary summit meeting next month, the stage is set for celebrations and self-congratulations. But President Barack Obama may have to face some very uncomfortable questions about the alliance's future. Amid crisis, E.U. leaders feud over small change March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm E.U. leaders were meeting Thursday and Friday in an attempt to reassure nervous voters and markets, but the talks in Brussels are likely to be dominated by disputes over how to spend stimulus funds. Foreign companies would get majority stake in Iraq oil and gas projects March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm Iraq's new government for the first time is proposing to give foreign oil companies a majority stake in projects to develop oil and gas fields in an effort to greatly expand production at a time of falling oil prices. 5 ways to breathe new life into failed urban plans March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm City officials here have yet to announce the winning design for the Slussen project, which aims to remodel the urban heart of Stockholm. But the designs all seek to breathe new life into the dead zones created unwittingly by Modernist and postwar planners. A taste of the Wild West, for those who can stomach it March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm The oysters at the International Comstock Mountain Oyster Fry in Nevada are not of the classic Chesapeake or bluepoint variety. The pope on condoms and AIDS March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm Pope Benedict XVI deserves no credence when he distorts scientific findings about the value of condoms in slowing the spread of the AIDS virus. Maureen Dowd: No boiled carrots March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm President Obama is still having trouble summoning a suitable temper at the corrupt money magicians who continue to make our greenbacks disappear. Thomas L. Friedman: Obama's real test March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm The bank bailout plan makes sense and might even make profits for U.S. taxpayers. But it will take all of President Obama's political capital to sell it to Congress and the public. Reports show further weakness in British economy March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm A record number of Britons signed up for unemployment benefits last month and average pay shrank in January for the first time since at least 1991. A.I.G. asks employees to return part of bonuses March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm The chief executive, Edward M. Liddy, told a congressional panel that some bonus recipients had already offered to give up all of their payments. I.B.M. said to be in talks to buy Sun Microsystems March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm The proposed $7 billion takeover, if completed, would mark a major consolidation step in the market for server computers used in corporate data centers and one that could prompt an antitrust challenge. Filipino woman changes story on rape case March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm A Filipino woman who successfully sought the conviction of an American serviceman for raping her in 2005 has changed her story, saying she now has doubts about the events of that night. Obama to name retired general as special envoy to Sudan March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm President Barack Obama plans to appoint a close adviser and retired general to be his special envoy to Sudan as the administration ratchets up pressure against the government in Khartoum for expelling humanitarian relief organizations from Darfur, administration officials said. Studies doubt worth of key prostate tests March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm The P.S.A. blood test, the popular screening test for prostate cancer, saves few if any lives and exposes large numbers of men to risky and unnecessary treatment, two large and rigorous studies have found. Fed to pump another $1 trillion into U.S. economy March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm The Fed dramatically increased the amount of money it will create to thaw frozen credit markets. In about-face, Fritzl's homicide plea jolts Austrian court March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm The perverse soap opera that has played out in Austria over the past year still had several twists Wednesday for the worldwide audience following the incest-imprisonment trial of Josef Fritzl. Too many cooks and not enough pots March 18, 2009 at 3:03 pm After years of overexpansion, the New York restaurant scene is seeing a 'healthy correction,' according to one chef. Bankers' group to try self-regulation March 18, 2009 at 2:47 pm The Institute for International Finance has gathered a group of experts to monitor bank lending and warn of trouble spots. Britain tries to set pace on stricter banking rules March 18, 2009 at 2:37 pm Discussions at a meeting of leaders from the Group of 20 countries next month are expected to be shaped by a new blueprint from the British Financial Services Authority aimed at shaking up global banking regulations. UniCredit to seek new government aid March 18, 2009 at 1:10 pm The Italian bank said the funds would help it compete with rivals who were getting bailouts, while analysts suggested that Deutsche Bank would need a capital infusion as well. U.K. regulator suggests major changes to bank rules March 18, 2009 at 7:23 am Britain's financial services watchdog proposed sweeping changes to global banking regulations, including a crackdown on the the 'shadow banking' activities of hedge funds. In online forums, A.I.G. bonuses touch a nerve March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am Politicians and opinion leaders have made their outrage known, but the most passionate voices are on the Internet. Olmert rejects Hamas demands for soldier March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am The prime minister's commented dimmed the prospects for an imminent deal to release Corporal Gilad Shalit, but he pledged to continue rescue efforts. The iPhone is gaining some editing skills March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am Apple said its new iPhone software would be able to copy and paste text. World Bank lowers China 2009 growth forecast to 6.5% March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am Still, China is a relative bright spot in an otherwise gloomy global economy, the organization said. Outcry builds in Washington for recovery of A.I.G. bonuses March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am Lawmakers from both parties demanded that A.I.G. reverse $165 million in bonuses and promised legislation to reclaim the money, if necessary. U.S. may widen strikes in Pakistan March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am President Barack Obama and his advisers are considering expanding the war in Pakistan beyond the tribal areas to strike at a different center of Taliban power. Bank of Japan increases bond purchases after holding rates steady March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am The Bank of Japan will increase its monthly purchase of government debt to ¥1.8 trillion, or $18.2 billion, as it tries to keep credit flowing. China rejects Coke's $2.4 billion bid for juice maker March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am The Ministry of Commerce said the deal would have been bad for competition. At Russia's 2014 Olympic site, games begin March 18, 2009 at 3:12 am A political sideshow is gearing up as candidates are vying to become mayor of the Russian town of Sochi before the 2014 Winter Olympics. Paying workers more to fix their own mess March 17, 2009 at 10:19 pm Nothing highlights the fiction of performance-based pay quite so well as retention bonuses, particularly for executives. A.I.G.'s bailout priorities are in critics' cross hairs March 17, 2009 at 9:43 pm Some are upset over the distribution of almost 30 percent bailout funds to foreign companies. Reinstatement of Pakistan's chief justice ends a crisis, but it might lead to another March 17, 2009 at 8:42 pm Restored by a popular outpouring, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry could have more potential to further jolt Pakistan's politics, some of his supporters say. Medvedev announces plan to rearm Russia March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm President Dmitri A. Medvedev said Tuesday that Russia would begin a "large-scale rearming" in 2011 in response to what he described as threats to the country's security. Economic reports push markets higher March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm Another round of "less bad" economic news, this time from the slumping housing market, helped Wall Street finish strong. Benedict won't yield on anti-condom view March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm Pope Benedict XVI said that condoms were not the answer in the continent's fight against HIV, an issue that has divided even the clergy who work with AIDS patients. Drones: Weapon of choice in war on terror March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm War has taken on a video-game quality, as missiles are fired on enemy targets from consoles halfway around the world. 73 at A.I.G. got bonuses of more than $1 million March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm Among the new details provided Tuesday by the New York attorney general: The highest bonus was $6.4 million, and six other employees received more than $4 million. E.U. wants answers before accepting detainees March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm E.U. representatives said they presented a list of questions about U.S. plans to close Guantánamo Bay. In Madagascar, power changes hands - twice March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm President Marc Ravalomanana handed power to the military, and the military handed it to the opposition leader over international protests. UN warns EU to keep promise on climate aid March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm The top UN climate official reminded the EU to finance efforts by developing countries to manage global warming — or risk a setback in December at a climate conference in Denmark. Jurors' smartphones upset the scales of justice March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm The use of BlackBerrys and iPhones by jurors gathering and sending out information about cases is wreaking havoc on trials around the U.S. Violence returns to Peru's remote jungle March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm In a remote corner of southern Peru, a renewed military campaign, a resurgent rebel faction and a lucrative cocaine trade is bringing back a deadly terror. Despite downturn, airfares generally increasing in Europe March 17, 2009 at 4:12 pm Fuel prices have plunged but the total cost of a plane ticket for many fliers has not come down. Apple shows off next version of iPhone software March 17, 2009 at 2:36 pm In a shot across the bow of other cellphone makers who are rushing to emulate aspects of its popular iPhone, Apple previewed some features Tuesday that are due out in the next version of the phone's software. Investor sentiment in Germany takes surprising upturn March 17, 2009 at 11:22 am Investors are taking a surprisingly less dim view of prospects for the German economy, Europe's largest, this year, data from a research institute showed Tuesday.