Raúl Castro gives signals that Cuba will change
Most Cubans seem unwilling to believe it, but there are reasons to think that a turning point has come to the island and Castro plans to chart a different course than his older brother, Fidel.

U.S. home prices fall, but prices of everything else rise
The increase in inflation in a slowing economy puts U.S. policy makers in an increasingly difficult position.
- Bernanke to assure Congress that further interest rate cuts are possible

At landmark concert in North Korea, 'my heart is booming'
The New York Philharmonic performed Tuesday in Pyongyang, the first time a major American cultural organization had appeared there, with the largest contingent of U.S. citizens, since the Korean War.
- China to press North Korea on nuclear programs
- North Korea welcomes New York Philharmonic
- Philharmonic cellist seeks link to his youth in North Korea
- New York Philharmonic musicians become coaches in Shanghai
- North Korea invites Eric Clapton to play concert in Pyongyang

Czechs agree to electronic prescreening of travelers to U.S.
The Czech Republic broke ranks with other European nations Tuesday by becoming the first EU member to agree that its citizens traveling to the United States should submit personal data online in advance.

Obama and Clinton vie for blue-collar voters in Ohio
Presidential hopefuls have long made Youngstown, Ohio, a scrappy, blue-collar stronghold, an obligatory pit stop on the Democratic stump.
- A humbler Bill Clinton
- Senator Dodd of Connecticut backs Obama
- Clinton campaign starts 5-point attack on Obama
- Obama gains broader appeal, new poll finds
- Pieces of Texas turn primary into a puzzle
- McCain says prospects may hinge on Iraq
- So far, time has been on Obama's side
- Union spends heavily for Obama in primaries

Tax evasion case nets €28 million and 150 people, German prosecutors say
Liechtenstein bank records are now in the hands of numerous national revenue authorities.

Sarkozy calls on head of Sociéte Générale to resign over trading scandal
The French president said Daniel Bouton needed to "take responsibility" for the loss.
- Former Société Générale trader had big bets in place as early as July
- Kerviel affair shakes the ancien régime of corporate France

U.S. signals openness to a binding climate pact
A senior White House official said Tuesday for the first time that the United States could enter into a binding accord that could be tailored to the capabilities of individual countries.

UBS facing strong discontent ahead of extraordinary shareholder meeting
Shareholders are angry about the proposed sale of a roughly 10 percent stake to investors from Singapore and the Middle East.
- After subprime debacle, U.S. wrestles with question of bank bailouts

U.S. Democrats talk trade, but what would they really do?
Despite the rhetoric, neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Rodham Clinton are likely to repeal U.S. trade deals.
- Mandelson presses China to be more ambitious in trade talks

Annan, bypassing negotiators, to deal directly with Kenyan leaders
"We cannot continue on the current basis," Kofi Annan said. "It's important for the leaders themselves to take charge."
- Annan's patience wears thin as talks drag on in Kenya

Thaksin is expected to return to Thailand on Thursday
The Thai prime minister called for calm Tuesday after the imminent return of Thaksin Shinawatra was reported.

U.S. to expand 'eyes and ears' in Pakistani tribal areas
U.S., Afghan and Pakistani officials plan to meet daily to share intelligence about militants, an official said.
- Suspect arrested over Karachi bombing that targeted Bhutto and killed 150

Bosnian Serbs try to storm U.S. Consulate during Kosovo protest
The police fired tear gas at Bosnian Serb rioters Tuesday to prevent them from storming the U.S. Consulate in Banja Luka during a rally to protest Kosovo's declaration of independence.

Explosion near Mosul kills at least 9 Iraqi bus passengers
Turkish forces continued attacking Kurdish rebel bases in northern Iraq. Baghdad demanded an immediate end to the incursion.
- Turkey says it's not targeting Kurdish civilians in Iraq

An Obama for France? It won't happen soon
The rise of Barack Obama to the forefront of the race for the U.S. Democratic presidential nomination is holding a mirror to France as its citizens prepare to vote next month in 36,781 municipal elections.

Balenciaga -- austerity chic
Nicolas Ghesquière inked another page in the history of Balenciaga's revival, and it was brilliant in its super-shiny fabrics, its sparkling necklaces and bracelets - and in its concept.

Fishing appears to degrade Pacific reefs
Researchers who studied a string of Pacific Ocean atolls are painting the first detailed picture of pristine coral reefs and how they can be disrupted by people.