The World

1 | Washington Every Country for Itself Despite a pledge not to enact new protectionist policies--which economists say could worsen the global recession--17 of the G-20 countries have implemented such measures in recent months, according to the World Bank. Individual nations' attempts to preserve jobs and industries through tariffs or subsidies "can lead to a negative spiral of events," according to the bank's president. In its report, the bank says 47 separate isolationist measures have been put in place since November.

A sampling of new protectionist measures

RUSSIA Higher tariffs on imported used automobiles, most of which come from Japan

U.S. Billions in loans to GM and Chrysler--dubbed a "direct subsidy" by the World Bank

INDONESIA New limits on imports of food, electronics, footwear, clothing and toys

EUROPEAN UNION Reinstated subsidy payments for exports of dairy products like butter and milk powder

SOURCE: WORLD BANK

2 | Pakistan Chief Justice Reinstated In a move widely seen as a victory for Pakistan's judiciary and for opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari agreed to reinstate the country's Chief Justice, relenting in the face of mass protests. Zardari had previously vowed to let Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, first removed by former President Pervez Musharraf nearly two years ago, resume his job; Zardari reportedly stalled over fears the judge would revive corruption charges against him.

3 | Cameroon A Pontiff in Africa On his 11th trip abroad, Pope Benedict XVI is traveling in Africa, where Catholic ranks have swelled some 20% since 2002. His Holiness courted controversy at the start of his voyage by reiterating the church's stance against condoms, saying their use "increases the problem" of HIV and AIDS. The Pope's trip is intended to solidify relations with his growing flock on the continent and will include meetings with Christian and Muslim leaders.

[The following text appears within a chart. Please see hardcopy or PDF for actual chart.]

Catholics in Africa, 2002-07, in millions

2002 2007

SOURCE: BRITANNICA

4 | Jerusalem Rewriting History? An Israeli biblical scholar claims that the Essenes, the 1st century Jewish community commonly believed to have written the Dead Sea Scrolls, may never have existed. Rachel Elior contends that the story of the virtuous Essenes was fabricated by a former priest as a "rebuttal to anti-Semitic literature" of the time. The scrolls, she says, may have been written by members of a priestly caste banished from Jerusalem in the 2nd century B.C.

5 | Tehran A Reformer Withdraws Former President Mohammed Khatami dropped out of Iran's presidential race on March 17 to avoid splitting the pro-reform vote in upcoming elections. Khatami, the West's favored candidate, has thrown his support behind fellow reformist Mir-Hossein Moussavi, uniting the opposition against incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the current front runner.