Comment from FT.com

View an online version of this email here.  All times are London time: Monday Mar 02 2009 FT.com - Comment and analysis The budget reveals the liberal Obama Mar 01 2009 19:07 The US president's outreach to Republicans is no sham; his civility is not a front. He respects people who disagree with him, is capable of liking them and is always willing to listen – but then stays true to his beliefs. This is a rare and devastating combination, writes Clive Crook Read more » America must treat its Swiss friend with care Mar 01 2009 19:20 Harsh unilateral US policy could lead to additional hardship during a worldwide crisis widely perceived as largely the US's fault, writes Faith Whittlesey Read more » How Washington can prevent 'zombie banks' Mar 01 2009 19:38 America may be repeating Japan's mistake in the 1990s by viewing our current banking crisis as one of liquidity and not solvency, writes James Baker Read more » Global policy shortcomings will cost us dear Mar 01 2009 19:30 Speculators, once more, are getting ready to deconstruct a European edifice but this time it will be one on a bigger scale, writes Wolfgang Münchau Read more » Printing money is the logical way ahead for Tories Mar 01 2009 20:22 Quantitative easing is a coherent and genuine alternative to the governing mantra that only fiscal stimulation can save the day, writes Phillip Blond Read more » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You have received this email because you have signed up for this briefing on FT.com Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Change your email address Change whether you receive this email as HTML or plain text | Forward this email to a friend Privacy policy | Advertise | Contact © Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009. "FT" and "Financial Times" are trademarks of the Financial Times. The Financial Times Limited, registered in England and Wales number 227590. Registered office: Number One Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL. VAT number GB 278 5371 21.

Comment from FT.com

View an online version of this email here.  All times are London time: Monday Mar 02 2009 FT.com - Opinion Printing money is the logical way ahead for Tories Mar 01 2009 20:22 Quantitative easing is a coherent and genuine alternative to the governing mantra that only fiscal stimulation can save the day, writes Phillip Blond Read more » How Washington can prevent 'zombie banks' Mar 01 2009 19:38 America may be repeating Japan's mistake in the 1990s by viewing our current banking crisis as one of liquidity and not solvency, writes James Baker Read more » America must treat its Swiss friend with care Mar 01 2009 19:20 Harsh unilateral US policy could lead to additional hardship during a worldwide crisis widely perceived as largely the US's fault, writes Faith Whittlesey Read more » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You have received this email because you have signed up for this briefing on FT.com Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Change your email address Change whether you receive this email as HTML or plain text | Forward this email to a friend Privacy policy | Advertise | Contact © Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009. "FT" and "Financial Times" are trademarks of the Financial Times. The Financial Times Limited, registered in England and Wales number 227590. Registered office: Number One Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL. VAT number GB 278 5371 21.

Lucy Kellaway from FT.com

View an online version of this email here.  All times are London time: Monday Mar 02 2009 FT.com - Lucy Kellaway Management metaphors are out for the count Mar 01 2009 20:09 I have seen an article that marks the first evidence from the management guff industry that 'soft' is finally on its way out and 'hard' is on its way in, writes Lucy Kellaway Read more » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You have received this email because you have signed up for this briefing on FT.com Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Change your email address Change whether you receive this email as HTML or plain text | Forward this email to a friend Privacy policy | Advertise | Contact © Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009. "FT" and "Financial Times" are trademarks of the Financial Times. The Financial Times Limited, registered in England and Wales number 227590. Registered office: Number One Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL. VAT number GB 278 5371 21.

The 6am Cut

View an online version of this email here.

Today's Topics:

• AIG agrees to break itself up • HSBC scales back US lending • Worst year for Buffett's Berkshire • Abu Dhabi reviews Citi investment • UBS to raise pay amid bonus cuts • TPG in bankruptcy aid clash • Banks cash in on state-backed bonds • UK's £10bn loan suffers delays • UK to lose 140,000 jobs: EEF • Swiss-US talks focus on bank secrecy • Hedge funds slash borrowing • TowerBrook to acquire French company • Deutsche Bank loses key bankers • Weekend catch-up • Overnight markets: Down

AIG agrees to break itself up In Categories: Capital markets Posted at 04:54 by Gwen Robinson AIG will on Monday announce a radical plan to break itself up as a global insurance conglomerate by ceding control of its two largest divisions to the US government in exchange for a $30bn-plus lifeline. It is the third time in five months that AIG has been bailed out by the authorities. Coming just after the third government rescue of Citigroup, the AIG decision could fuel mounting public anger. The latest plan, approved by AIG's board Sunday, spells the end of any hopes the company could survive as a standalone insurance group. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53068/aig-agrees-to-break- HSBC scales back US lending In Categories: Capital markets Posted at 04:54 by Gwen Robinson HSBC is scaling back its US consumer finance operations as the bank launches a £12bn-plus rights issue. The bank is set to announce on Monday it will further shrink HSBC Finance Corp, its US-based credit card and mortgage lender, and is also expected to write off much of the goodwill on its balance sheet associated with the business, bought for $14bn in 2003. The capital-raising, which was being finalised on Sunday, is aimed at raising $16bn-$18bn through a deeply discounted issue of new shares. HSBC will also slash its Q4 dividend from 39 cents in 2007 to about eight cents. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53067/hsbc-scales-back-us- Worst year for Buffett's Berkshire In Categories: Capital markets, People Posted at 04:52 by Gwen Robinson Warren Buffett has conceded that his holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, turned in its worst performance on record last year. In his annual letter to Berkshire shareholders, Buffett recounted how frozen credit markets dovetailed with tumbling home and stock prices to produce "a paralysing fear that engulfed the country". Buffett said Berkshire would maintain its "Gibraltar-like" financial strength and make new acquisitions to bolster earnings. For 2008, net income dropped 59% in 2008 to $4.99bn, plunging 96% in the fourth quarter to $117m. Read Buffett's letter here. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53066/worst-year-for-buffe Abu Dhabi reviews Citi investment In Categories: Capital markets Posted at 04:51 by Gwen Robinson Abu Dhabi is assessing its $7.5bn investment in Citigroup as the bank's problems deepen amid talk of possible nationalisation, reports Reuters. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority invested $7.5bn last year in Citi through convertible bonds that pay 11% in interest, but must start converting the bonds into 235.6m Citi shares from March next year. ADIA's returns as a bondholder have been unaffected by Citi's troubles, but the dramatic fall in Citi's share price has eroded the conversion value of the mandatory convertible bonds. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53065/abu-dhabi-reviews-ci UBS to raise pay amid bonus cuts In Categories: Capital markets, People Posted at 04:49 by Gwen Robinson UBS is increasing the base salary of senior investment bankers after reducing many bonuses sharply and to align overall compensation more closely with other financial services jobs, reports the NYT. The move comes as the Swiss bank seeks new ways to compensate its  investment bankers and is part of a bigger overhaul of UBS's compensation system, said people briefed on the matter. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53064/ubs-to-raise-pay-ami TPG in bankruptcy aid clash In Categories: M&A, Capital markets, Private equity Posted at 04:48 by Gwen Robinson TPG is stirring controversy on Wall Street by offering to provide bankruptcy financing for a company that it owns, a strategy that could put it in the ironic position of being paid before some other creditors. If successful, TPG might be able to recover some of its investment in Aleris, a maker of aluminium products it acquired in 2006. But  the proposal raises questions about the implications it could have for buy-out firms in other deals that are going bust. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53063/tpg-in-bankruptcy-ai Banks cash in on state-backed bonds In Categories: Capital markets Posted at 04:46 by Gwen Robinson The world's biggest have earned more than $900m in fees in less than four months by selling government-guaranteed bank debt to investors. JPMorgan earned almost $130m from selling 51 bonds, while Bank of America/Merrill Lynch has netted $105m in fees from 34 issues since October, according to Thomson Reuters and Freeman & Co. UK banks such as Barclays, Lloyds and HBOS led the way, followed by other European banks and financial agencies. Bond issues under these government-guarantee programmes have now reached a total of $367bn – 15% of total global debt issuance. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53062/banks-cash-in-on-sta UK's £10bn loan suffers delays In Categories: Capital markets Posted at 04:44 by Gwen Robinson The UK government's flagship £10bn business lending guarantee scheme, due to commence Monday, is weeks behind schedule. The delay will fuel business and union concerns about the pace of government measures to combat the recession. The scheme is designed to support up to £20bn of existing short-term bank lending to mid-sized companies and requires state aid clearance from Brussels. Although it was unveiled Jan 14, however, it was only submitted last week to the European Commission for approval. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53061/uks-10bn-loan-suffer UK to lose 140,000 jobs: EEF In Categories: Capital markets, People Posted at 04:42 by Gwen Robinson About 140,000 jobs will be lost in British manufacturing this year, according to the EEF industry group, which has raised its forecast by more than half, reports The Times. The warning comes amid evidence of a dramatic collapse in UK business confidence, with more job losses and business failures due to be announced this week. The EEF manufacturers' organisation raised its prediction on job losses after the worst figures on record from a survey of members. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53060/uk-to-lose-140000-jo Swiss-US talks focus on bank secrecy In Categories: Capital markets Posted at 04:41 by Gwen Robinson Switzerland's justice minister will on Monday meet her US counterpart in a crucial week in UBS's efforts to fight demands from US authorities for more names of rich American clients with undeclared accounts. The meeting comes amid belated efforts by Bern to counter the impact of the US legal onslaught against bank secrecy after UBS last month agreed a $780m deal with the US Justice department to settle criminal charges about its private banking activities. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53059/swiss-us-talks-focus Hedge funds slash borrowing In Categories: Capital markets, Hedge funds Posted at 04:39 by Gwen Robinson Hedge funds cut their borrowing to almost nothing in the wake of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, according to the UK's FSA. Data compiled by the financial services watchdog show leverage fell to just 1.15 times hedge fund net assets in October, down from almost twice a year earlier. The survey also found that hedge funds had their highest level of "dry powder", or ability to borrow, since the research started in 2005. But prime brokers, the bankers who service hedge funds, say borrowing has fallen even further since the survey was carried out, and many hedge funds now have more assets than debt, or less than one times leverage. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53058/hedge-funds-slash-bo TowerBrook to acquire French company In Categories: M&A, Private equity Posted at 04:38 by Gwen Robinson TowerBrook Capital Partners, a UK-based private equity group, will this week announce plans to take over Autodistribution Group, the French car parts supplier, in a restructuring deal to slash its debts in return for a €110m ($139m) cash injection. The deal, designed to save the company's 6,500 jobs, would be France's first attempt at a "pre-pack", or pre-packaged administration, via its new procédure de sauvegarde, which is similar to US Chapter 11 protection. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53057/towerbrook-to-acquir Deutsche Bank loses key bankers In Categories: Capital markets, People Posted at 04:36 by Gwen Robinson Two bankers who led Deutsche Bank's successful distressed debt trading businesses have resigned, highlighting how banks are losing key people in profitable businesses. Martin Dent, 43, and Julian Nichols, 36, were respectively global and European heads of the bank's distressed products group. Together they built up a team widely seen as a leading force in distressed debt trading and investing. The pair are now on leave but are expected to return to the industry at some point to set up their own distressed debt business. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53056/deutsche-bank-loses- Weekend catch-up In Categories: Capital markets, Private equity, People Posted at 04:33 by Gwen Robinson In case you  missed these stories: - Blackstone reveals $827m quarterly loss Blackstone on Friday revealed a Q4 loss of $827m, reflecting extensive markdowns in the value of its private equity and real estate investments, and told investors it would not pay a dividend for the quarter. - GE cuts dividend General Electric cut its quarterly dividend for the first time since 1938, in a reversal of the group's repeated defence of the pay-out. - Top Stanford lieutenant appears in court Laura Pendergest-Holt, Stanford Financial Group's chief investment officer, appeared in court in Houston on Friday to face obstruction of justice charges in the first criminal case spawned by the alleged $8bn fraud in Sir Allen Stanford's business empire. See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53055/weekend-catch-up-26 Overnight markets: Down In Categories: Capital markets Posted at 04:27 by Gwen Robinson Asian stocks slid on Monday, dragging the Nikkei 225 down the most in five weeks, and US futures fell as declines in Japanese wages and South Korean exports fanned concerns about deepening global recession. Futures on the S&P500 dropped 1.4% after the gauge fell 2.4% on Friday to a 12-year low after news that the US economy shrank in the quarter to December by the most since 1982. Asian markets (Mon) 04:22am GMT Nikkei  down 119.15 (-1.66%) to 7,062.93 Topix down 13.63 (-0.98%) 732.43 Hang Seng down 472.81 (-3.69%) at 12,338.76 US markets  (Fri) DJIA down 119.15 (-1.66%) at 7,062.93 Nasdaq down 13.63 (-0.98%) at 1,377.84 S&P500 down 17.74 (-2.36%) at 735.09 European markets (Fri) FTSE100 down 85.55  (-2.18%) at 3,830.09 Eurofirst 300 down 13.07  (-1.78%) at 719.40 Currencies 04:18 GMT €/$ 1.2559  (1.2725) $/¥ 97.64 (97.56) £/$  1.4212 (1.4282) Commodities (updated) 04:20 GMT Brent Crude (Apr09) down $0.93 at $45.42 Light Crude (Apr09) down $1.01 at $43.75 100 Oz Gold (Apr09) up $8.50 at $951.00 Copper (3M 24hr) down $60.00 at $3,365.00 10-year government bond yields (%) US 2.99  (2.98) UK  3.61 (3.63) Germany 3.12 (3.13) Japan 1.28 (1.28) Sources: FT, Reuters See this article online. http://ftalphaville.ft.com/blog/2009/03/02/53054/overnight-markets-do

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In today's FT

View an online version of this email here.  All times are London time: Monday Mar 02 2009 Financial Times - UK Homepage HSBC to scale back US lending Mar 01 2009 19:03 The bank is expected to announce plans to shrink its US lending operations as it unveils a $17bn-plus rights issue to re-establish its position as one of the best capitalised banks in the world Read more » £10bn loan guarantee scheme hit by delays Mar 01 2009 23:32 The government's flagship £10bn business lending guarantee scheme is weeks behind schedule. The delay will fuel business and union concerns about the pace of government measures to combat the recession Read more » Gandhi memorabilia could go back to India Mar 01 2009 23:32 The Los Angeles-based owner of Mahatma Gandhi's possessions up for auction in New York this week has offered to sell the rare collection to India to advance the cause of non-violence. Read more » Financial Times - US homepage AIG agrees to break itself up Mar 01 2009 23:34 AIG will announce a radical plan to break itself up after 90 years as a global insurance conglomerate by ceding control of its two largest divisions to the US government in exchange for a $30bn-plus lifeline Read more » HSBC to scale back US lending Mar 01 2009 19:03 The bank is expected to announce plans to shrink its US lending operations as it unveils a $17bn-plus rights issue to re-establish its position as one of the best capitalised banks in the world Read more » UN scours corridors for lost art Mar 01 2009 23:37 Staff are scouring corridors to try to locate valuable art works that have gone missing as the United Nations prepares to vacate its New York headquarters for a four-year, $2bn renovation Read more » Financial Times - Europe homepage HSBC to scale back US lending Mar 01 2009 19:03 The bank is expected to announce plans to shrink its US lending operations as it unveils a $17bn-plus rights issue to re-establish its position as one of the best capitalised banks in the world Read more » EU summit pledges aid for eastern states Mar 01 2009 19:47 European Union governments have rejected a €180bn plan to recapitalise central and eastern European banks from Hungary in favour of a case-by-case approach to the crisis Read more » Germany to spend stimulus funds on defence Mar 01 2009 19:42 The German government is to spend part of its €50bn economic stimulus package on supplies for its armed forces, possibly including submachine guns, military vehicles and underwater mine detectors Read more » Financial Times - Asia homepage AIG agrees to break itself up Mar 01 2009 23:34 AIG will announce a radical plan to break itself up after 90 years as a global insurance conglomerate by ceding control of its two largest divisions to the US government in exchange for a $30bn-plus lifeline Read more » HSBC to scale back US lending Mar 01 2009 19:03 The bank is expected to announce plans to shrink its US lending operations as it unveils a $17bn-plus rights issue to re-establish its position as one of the best capitalised banks in the world Read more » US and China to hold defence talks Mar 02 2009 03:04 The United States and China have agreed to hold a series of defence talks as the Obama administration seeks a new start in the bilateral military-to-military dialogue which had been disrupted over the past half year Read more » FT.com - World EU summit pledges aid for eastern states Mar 01 2009 19:47 European Union governments have rejected a €180bn plan to recapitalise central and eastern European banks from Hungary in favour of a case-by-case approach to the crisis Read more » US and China to hold defence talks Mar 02 2009 03:04 The United States and China have agreed to hold a series of defence talks as the Obama administration seeks a new start in the bilateral military-to-military dialogue which had been disrupted over the past half year Read more » UN scours corridors for lost art Mar 01 2009 23:37 Staff are scouring corridors to try to locate valuable art works that have gone missing as the United Nations prepares to vacate its New York headquarters for a four-year, $2bn renovation Read more » Gandhi memorabilia could go back to India Mar 01 2009 23:32 The Los Angeles-based owner of Mahatma Gandhi's possessions up for auction in New York this week has offered to sell the rare collection to India to advance the cause of non-violence. Read more » Narrow election loss for Basque moderates Mar 01 2009 23:30 Basque nationalists appeared to have lost power in Spain's Basque country for the first time since the current democratic system was introduced three decades ago Read more » FT.com - Companies HSBC to scale back US lending Mar 01 2009 19:03 The bank is expected to announce plans to shrink its US lending operations as it unveils a $17bn-plus rights issue to re-establish its position as one of the best capitalised banks in the world Read more » AIG agrees to break itself up Mar 01 2009 23:34 AIG will announce a radical plan to break itself up after 90 years as a global insurance conglomerate by ceding control of its two largest divisions to the US government in exchange for a $30bn-plus lifeline Read more » Motorola upbeat on troubled mobile unit Mar 01 2009 23:40 Motorola expects the performance of its troubled mobile phone business to start improving in the second quarter, according to Greg Brown, joint chief executive of the US handset maker Read more » Worst year for Buffett's Berkshire Mar 01 2009 19:34 Warren Buffett conceded that his holding company turned in its worst performance as the financial crisis drew the world's economy into a deepening recession Read more » TPG in bankruptcy aid clash Mar 01 2009 23:37 TPG, the private equity firm, is stirring controversy on Wall Street by offering to provide bankruptcy financing for a company that it owns, a strategy that could put it in the ironic position of being paid before some other creditors Read more » FT.com - Financial Markets News Asian shares slide to 3-month low Mar 02 2009 04:30 Asian equities slid after data last week showed a sharp drop in US fourth-quarter growth, and on worries the US government may need to extend additional help to an ailing financial sector Read more » Banks earn $900m with state-backed debt Mar 01 2009 18:29 Fees come as a relief to lenders which have seen their revenues collapse in the credit crisis Read more » FT.com - Comment and analysis The budget reveals the liberal Obama Mar 01 2009 19:07 The US president's outreach to Republicans is no sham; his civility is not a front. He respects people who disagree with him, is capable of liking them and is always willing to listen – but then stays true to his beliefs. This is a rare and devastating combination, writes Clive Crook Read more » America must treat its Swiss friend with care Mar 01 2009 19:20 Harsh unilateral US policy could lead to additional hardship during a worldwide crisis widely perceived as largely the US's fault, writes Faith Whittlesey Read more » How Washington can prevent 'zombie banks' Mar 01 2009 19:38 America may be repeating Japan's mistake in the 1990s by viewing our current banking crisis as one of liquidity and not solvency, writes James Baker Read more » Global policy shortcomings will cost us dear Mar 01 2009 19:30 Speculators, once more, are getting ready to deconstruct a European edifice but this time it will be one on a bigger scale, writes Wolfgang Münchau Read more » Printing money is the logical way ahead for Tories Mar 01 2009 20:22 Quantitative easing is a coherent and genuine alternative to the governing mantra that only fiscal stimulation can save the day, writes Phillip Blond Read more » FT.com - Business Life Space to breathe Mar 01 2009 20:09 The chief executive of Bosch is capitalising on the company's culture and cash position Read more » Book scheme set for overseas chapters Mar 01 2009 20:09 The word is out among employees about the benefits of literacy Read more » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You have received this email because you have signed up for this briefing on FT.com Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Change your email address Change whether you receive this email as HTML or plain text | Forward this email to a friend Privacy policy | Advertise | Contact © Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009. "FT" and "Financial Times" are trademarks of the Financial Times. The Financial Times Limited, registered in England and Wales number 227590. Registered office: Number One Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL. VAT number GB 278 5371 21.

The Week Ahead

View an online version of this email here.  All times are London time: Monday Mar 02 2009 The week ahead March 2-8 The growth of the EU is put under the microscope; Gordon Brown jets to Washington DC to meet Barack Obama; Combating voter apathy with IT is the goal of European eParticipation Day; the US Senate opens an inquiry into state aid to AIG; a moratorium on mortgage foreclosures by big US lenders ends; the Communist party of India (Marxist) prepares its election manifesto; postponed elections take place in North Korea Monday MARCH 2 EU enlargement conference The effects of the European Union's 2004 enlargement will be examined at a ministerial meeting in Prague. Economic and labour market developments in the "old" and "new" member states will be reviewed. Clinton in the Middle East Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, will attend a meeting of international donors in Egypt that aims to raise funds to rebuild Gaza following the Israeli offensive this year. Mrs Clinton begins an official visit to the Middle East region on Tuesday. She then travels to Brussels for Thursday's Nato summit. Nuclear safeguards The International Atomic Energy Agency's policymaking board meets for five days of talks in Vienna. Reports by Mohamed ElBaradei, the agency's director-general, on nuclear safeguards in Iran and Syria will be discussed. Tuesday MARCH 3 Obama-Brown summit Barack Obama, US president, will welcome Gordon Brown, UK prime minister, for two days of talks at the White House. The two leaders will discuss the global financial crisis, strategy in Afghanistan, and next month's 60th anniversary Nato summit. On Wednesday, Mr Brown will address the US Congress. The troubled world economy and environmental issues are likely to feature in his speech. China's leaders gather The annual Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, an advisory body of members from different political parties, begins a two-week meeting in Beijing. The National People's Congress, the Chinese government's legislative body, meets for its annual session on Thursday. Chinese premier Wen Jiabao is expected to deliver a policy address on health and education later this week. Fortune Forum London's Dorchester Hotel is the venue for the Fortune Forum Summit, which is campaigning for more tax breaks to encourage the wealthy to support humanitarian causes. CNN founder Ted Turner will address the invited guests. IT fair CeBit, one of the world's biggest IT fairs, kicks off seven days of exhibitions and discussions in Hanover, Germany. Themes include the use of IT in healthcare delivery. Arab women's forum Christine Lagarde, France's finance minister, hosts the three-day Arab International Women's Forum in Paris. Growth report published Klaus Schmidt-Hebbel, OECD chief economist, launches the organisation's latest report, Going for Growth 2009, in Paris. This identifies reforms designed to boost economic demand in the short term. Businesswomen's conference The second Everywoman Conference in Glasgow aims to attract businesswomen hoping to find ideas to boost their businesses and increase sales and create networking opportunities. Rate decisions The Bank of Canada and the Reserve Bank of Australia will announce their latest decisions on interest rate movements. Wednesday MARCH 4 eParticipation Day EU commissioner Viviane Reding Combating voter apathy with IT is the goal of European eParticipation Day in Brussels. The European Commission event will also consider how IT can reconnect younger voters with politics. Viviane Reding, European telecoms commissioner, will give the closing address. Historical watch sale A timepiece that belonged to John F. Kennedy, and later Aristotle Onassis, and a pocket watch that belonged to Mahatma Gandhi will be among items on offer at New York auction house Antiquorum (to March 5).More than 400 unusual and historic watches will be on sale. Sudanese judgment The International Criminal Court in the Hague has said it will decide by today whether to issue an arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir, Sudan's president, over allegations of war crimes in Darfur. Thursday MARCH 5 AIG inquiry The US Senate banking committee will examine the government aid given to insurer AIG and question regulators, including Donald Kohn, Federal Reserve board vice-chairman, and Eric Dinallo, superintendent of the New York State insurance department, about what went wrong and the implications for future regulation. Auto expo Carmakers from across Europe will be displaying their wares until March 15 at the Geneva International Motor Show. More than 900 makes of car from 35 countries will be showcased. Hip-hop jewellery auction Rings, necklaces and other jewellery worn by rap artists such as Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G, 50 Cent and Missy Elliot go under the hammer at Phillips de Pury in New York. Search for life in space Nasa is scheduled to launch its Kepler telescope from Cape Canaveral. It is the first mission with the ability to find Earth-like worlds where liquid water – believed to be essential for the formation of life – could be found on the surface. Nato ministers meet Foreign ministers from the member countries of the Nato alliance gather in Brussels. À la mode à Paris Buyers and trade journalists will attend Paris Fashion Week to preview the latest women's ready-to-wear collections. Rate decisions The Bank of England and the European Central Bank will announce their latest decisions on interest rate movements. Friday MARCH 6 Foreclosure ban ends A moratorium on mortgage foreclosures by US lenders JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley ends. The temporary move was to give the government time to develop a mortgage-relief plan. Last month, Barack Obama, US president, outlined a $75bn scheme to help hard-hit homeowners. Lavrov-Clinton meeting Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, is expected to meet Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov for talks in Geneva. Saturday MARCH 7 Manifesto decisions The Communist party of India (Marxist) begins a two-day meeting in New Delhi to finalise its manifesto for the general election, due to take place by mid-May. Sunday MARCH 8 North Korean elections Parliamentary elections postponed from August will take place in communist North Korea. Jewellery trade show The two-day Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America expo opens in New York. US daylight saving time Clocks in the US go forward one hour at 2am. preview@ft.com Read more » ABOUT THIS EMAIL You have received this email because you have signed up for this briefing on FT.com Manage subscriptions | Unsubscribe | Change your email address Change whether you receive this email as HTML or plain text | Forward this email to a friend Privacy policy | Advertise | Contact © Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2009. "FT" and "Financial Times" are trademarks of the Financial Times. The Financial Times Limited, registered in England and Wales number 227590. Registered office: Number One Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HL. VAT number GB 278 5371 21.