The euro hit new year-to-date lows against the dollar last week as the currency’s political sensitivity returned to the forefront of investor concern.

Members of Germany’s leading parties were expected today to approve the 143-page agreement that would see a left-right coalition take power, with Angela Merkel as the country’s first woman chancellor.

POPE John Paul II reached out to this embittered Balkan nation yesterday, asking God’s forgiveness for “so much suffering and bloodshed” inflicted by Roman Catholics and others.

Pope John Paul II reached out to the embittered people of Bosnia-Herzegovina today, asking God’s forgiveness for “so much suffering and bloodshed” inflicted by Roman Catholics and others.