Obama and Bush differ on relief to automakers
Even as the president is resisting emergency federal aid, his successor is taking the lead in seeking short-term help for the industry he calls "the backbone of American manufacturing."
- Volvo to cut 1,000 jobs in Sweden, North America
- Job cuts, and reality checks
- GM shares collapse after negative analyst comment
- Retired GM workers struggle to replace health care

As U.S. pushes NATO growth, Western ties to Russia hang in balance
Not just NATO membership for Ukraine and Georgia, but the tone of future relations between Russia and the West, will be at stake Wednesday and Thursday when the U.S. defense secretary, Robert Gates, joins NATO defense ministers in Estonia.

Sarkozy memorializes France's World War I dead, including the mutineers
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France paid tribute Tuesday to hundreds of World War I soldiers shot for disobeying orders in a mutiny in 1917.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac plan to help cut loan burden of homeowners
The two mortgage-finance giants will modify home loans - most likely by reducing the interest rate - for people who are at least 90 days behind on their payments.

Using the Internet to track flu's spread
Google Flu Trends is based on the simple idea that people who are feeling sick are likely to turn to the Web for information, searching for phrases like "flu symptoms" or "muscle aches."

NetHope bringing technology to humanitarian efforts
NetHope, a collaboration of nonprofit organizations and technology companies, is working to improve humanitarian aid around the world.

EU looks into blocking of Internet calls
Mobile phone companies may seek to stop customers from accessing applications, like eBay's Skype, to defend voice revenue from the less expensive Internet services.

Myanmar sentences 14 dissidents to 65-year sentences
The sentences were delivered by judges operating within the compound of Insein prison, which holds many of the country's estimated 2,000 political prisoners.

Pakistani Army struggles to make headway against a determined enemy
Outgunned, outmaneuvered, the army finds the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Pakistan's tribal belt a formidable foe.
- Hijackers in Pakistan seize supply convoy

Dean argues his 50-state strategy helped Obama win
Howard Dean's interest in making the argument is understandable. While the 50-state approach was applauded by state party chairs, it was strongly criticized by Democratic congressional leaders in 2006.
- Profiles of 2 officials likely to play a role in Obama adminstration
- Republicans try to find a position for the future

Maldives may buy dry land if seas rise
The Maldives, a nation of 1,200 low islands in the Indian Ocean, is planning to set aside tourism earnings so it can buy a haven for its citizens should global warming raise sea levels at a dangerous pace.

Venezuela markets itself as a hub for leftists
The government of President Hugo Chávez, flush with oil money, has been organizing meetings for diverse groups of leftist thinkers and advocates in luxury hotels symbolic of revolutionary change.

Group developing waste-powered fuel cell for Africa
The group hopes that eventually, as the technology becomes more refined, each household will be able to build a battery at a one-time cost of no more than $15.

In Paris, improv is U.S. chef's specialty
The improvisational, anything-can-happen ambiance at Spring, one of the hottest restaurants in Paris, may be charming, but it's not the reason the restaurant is fully booked until Feb. 9.

French creativity goes to extremes
The Vendée Globe is a quadrennial opportunity for Gallic sea dogs and landlubbers alike to reacquaint themselves with the iceberg-infested dangers of the southern oceans.