Rice foreshadows Bush speech by talking of 'long process' in Iraq

On the eve of an expected presidential announcement that the United States will retain a powerful force in Iraq 10 months from now, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pointed Wednesday toward a much more distant horizon, saying that in Iraq and its region, "we're at the beginning of a long process."

NASA gives Google founders a coveted parking place for their private jet
In the annals of perks enjoyed by American corporate executives, the founders of Google may have set a new standard: an un-crowded, federally-managed runway for their private jet.

Possible U.S. economic downturn draws concern of world's central bankers
Jean-Claude Trichet, the ECB chief, said the current situation "calls for close observation and monitoring," of the economic situation.

Abe, losing support, steps down as Japanese leader
Shinzo Abe, the nationalist leader whose vision of an unapologetically strong Japan sank amid scandals, incompetence and gaffes, said Wednesday that he would step down.

Strong quake hits Indonesia
The 8.2-magnitude earthquake killed at least seven people, injured scores and triggered a small tsunami in western Indonesia on Wednesday, witnesses and officials said.

Bank of England warns against bailing out struggling banks
Governor Mervyn King criticized other major central banks for injecting hundreds of billions of liquidity to help stabilize credit markets.

In electoral maneuver, Putin appoints a new prime minister
The move took many by surprise, and analysts and diplomats said they were perplexed by what Putin's pick meant for the question of who might succeed him if he steps down next spring.

In test of his power, Sarkozy targets pensions
The French president is preparing to ask a small but powerful group of unionized workers to relinquish jealously guarded pension privileges, the opening gambit in a series of controversial labor reforms.

British discover new foot-and-mouth case
The department of environment, food and rural affairs instantly imposed a national ban on the movement of cattle, sheep, pigs and other livestock to prevent further spread of the disease.

Irreverent protest movement unnerves Italian establishment
Inspired by the blogging iconoclast Beppe Grillo, 300,000 people rallied Saturday to demand a purge of the country's political class.

Letter from Europe: Local terrorism suspects puzzle Germany
What fascinates and deeply disturbs Germans is that two of the three suspects detained in the alleged plot to bomb U.S. installations are pretty much like them - ordinary Germans, Katrin Bennhold writes.

New York fashion week gets the red carpet blues
This season's gowns were simple, subtle and rendered in muted shades - not characteristics usually associated with celebrity dressing.
- Hilfiger looks to the sea
- Donna Karan goes for the top

The end user: Food chain of products
Early adopters know how the system of computer technology works — and how expensive it is. But what about the next level of user?