3/20 International Herald Tribune - World News, Analysis, and Global Opinions

London police fear violent protests at G-20 economic meeting March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm The British police are preparing to deal with violent protests as anarchists threaten to bring chaos to the Group of 20 summit meeting in London. Millions strike in France in 2nd recent work stoppage March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm The French train network, airports, utilities and the public sector were hit by work stoppages Thursday, the second major strike in two months, as unions mobilized against government's response to the downturn. Natasha Richardson, English actress, 45 March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm Natasha Richardson, a Tony Award-winning actress whose career melded glamorous celebrity with the bloodline of theater royalty, had suffered head injuries in a skiing accident. E.U. rejects U.S. stimulus stance in favor of welfare spending March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm Seeking to quash American hopes of more stimulus spending, European leaders on Thursday hit on a new argument: Unlike the United States, Europe will spend huge sums during the recession through its generous welfare systems. Untried soldier carries the weight of Guinea's desperate hopes March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm The warmth with which many Guineans have welcomed Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara following a coup is testament to how low the impoverished country has sunk. Polar bears' greatest peril: Global warming March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm Five countries that created a treaty nearly four decades ago to protect polar bears through controlled hunting issued a joint statement on Thursday identifying climate change as "the most important long-term threat" to the bears. Zimbabwe's perilous revival must overcome an entrenched Mugabe regime March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm On his first day as education minister in a government so broke that most schools were closed and millions of children idle, David Coltart said he got a startling invitation. U.S. 'wise men' on diplomatic mission to Russia March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm Trying to pull America's relations with Russia out of a tailspin before the presidents of the two countries meet for the first time next month, three former U.S. secretaries of state and a former secretary of defense were in Moscow on Thursday for informal meetings with top officials. In Poland, EU gets something right March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm With banks restricting credit across most of Eastern Europe, the European Commission is now, for the first time, allowing advance payments for infrastructure and other projects. A new subway station in a drab part of northwestern Warsaw is a case in point. House passes bill to punish AIG bonus recipients March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm Spurred on by a wave of public anger over bonuses, the U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to get back most of the money by taxation. Richardson died of 'blunt impact,' medical examiner says March 19, 2009 at 5:44 pm An autopsy of Natasha Richardson indicated that she died of a brain hemorrhage caused by "blunt impact" to her head. Natasha Richardson's death prompts questions March 19, 2009 at 1:48 pm There are several explanations for how a seemingly minor accident could have caused such a grave injury. Leaders should push to expose tax scofflaws March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm Big countries should use the opportunity of the global meltdown to rein in business conducted in tax havens. Strikers protest French economic strategy March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm Rail service, airports, utilities and the public sector were hit by work stoppages Thursday, the second major strike in two months, as French unions mobilized against government's response to the global economic crisis. Natasha Richardson, English actress, dies at 45 March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm Natasha Richardson, a Tony Award-winning actress whose career melded glamorous celebrity with the bloodline of theater royalty, had suffered head injuries in a skiing accident. Nicholas D. Kristof: The Daily Me March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm As we ignore traditional news media more and more and go online for "news," we become our own editors. A prison of words March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm President Obama's policies may not be all that different from those of the Bush administration. Gail Collins: The grievance committee March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm Anger is in. I hate those bankers. I hate everybody in the world of finance. I also hate senators who Twitter. China uses vouchers to spur consumer spending March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm Hangzhou officials hope the coupons will stimulate buying and avert the worst of an economic downturn that has eviscerated factory after factory. U.S. to aid auto industry with $5 billion for suppliers March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm The Obama administration announced a fund to guarantee payments to suppliers for products shipped to automakers. U.S. plan would more than double Afghan forces March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm A plan awaiting final approval by President Barack Obama would set a goal of about 400,000 Afghan troops and national police officers, according to senior administration and Pentagon officials. Israeli military to investigate Gaza shootings March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm The inquiry will look into published accounts from Israeli soldiers about the killing of Palestinian civilians during the recent military offensive in Gaza. Malaysia is roiled by a crisis of democracy March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm A slew of political scandals gripping the country and a transfer of power fraught with uncertainty have embroiled the elite here with exquisitely poor timing. In Mexican drug war, soccer remains an oasis March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm The harsh environment in Cuidad Juárez has not deterred soccer fans from filling the city's stadium on game days. Fed's move still shaking up markets March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm Stocks fluctuated in early trading, a day after the Fed announced plans to buy up $750 billion in mortgage-backed securities and $300 billion in Treasury debt. Austrian gets life sentence in incest case March 19, 2009 at 12:08 pm The sentence for Josef Fritzl, 73, brought to a close a sensational tale of incest in a homemade basement dungeon. As bullfighter gains honor, peers perceive a grave loss March 19, 2009 at 12:01 am Spain's bullfighters have reacted with uproar over Francisco Rivera Ordóñez's receipt of a coveted bullfighting prize. A race is on in Sochi before 2014 Games March 19, 2009 at 12:01 am The season's most sensational Russian political sideshow is gearing up in the southern city of Sochi, where a series of national figures are bidding to become mayor leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympics. Treasury secretary facing a defining moment March 19, 2009 at 12:01 am Questions about why Timothy F. Geithner did not know sooner about the A.I.G. bonuses and act to stop them could threaten the president's economic agenda. Croatia courts old enemy and its tourism spending March 19, 2009 at 12:01 am For the first time in decades, businesspeople are publicly appealing to Serbian tourists to help rescue the economy, a reflection of desperate economic times. Is a global rebranding what Israel needs? March 19, 2009 at 12:01 am Some Israeli officials believe what their country needs is to "rebrand" itself. They say Israel spends far too much time defending actions against its enemies. Obama seeks vastly expanded Afghan security force to help stabilize the nation March 19, 2009 at 12:01 am A costly program would more than double the number of soldiers and national police officers in Afghanistan in the hope of filling a void left by the central government. Natasha Richardson, actress, dies at 45 March 19, 2009 at 12:01 am Ms. Richardson, a Tony Award-winner whose career melded glamorous celebrity with the bloodline of theater royalty, died Wednesday after a Monday skiing accident. Hired to salvage A.I.G., Liddy becomes a target March 18, 2009 at 10:19 pm Testifying before a House panel, Edward M. Liddy, the insurer's chief, became a lightning rod for critics. After Gaza, Israel grapples with crisis of isolation March 18, 2009 at 8:37 pm Israel's Foreign Ministry is embarking on a campaign to improve Israel's image via cultural diplomacy.