IHT Quick Read: Dec. 18 NEWS Shinzo Abe, Japan's presumptive new prime minister, whose earlier term ended in failure in 2007, is in many ways a changed man, shifting his focus from nationalism to the economy. Hiroko Tabuchi reports from Tokyo. If marriage is for better or worse, richer or poorer, then these are the worst of times for a poorer Spain. Couples are paying the emotional price, especially when they cannot afford the price of divorce. Dan Bilefsky reports from Sabadell, Spain. The Pentagon quietly notified Congress this month that it would reimburse Pakistan nearly $700 million for the cost of stationing 140,000 troops on the border with Afghanistan, an effort to normalize support for the Pakistani military after nearly two years of crises and mutual retaliation. Eric Schmitt and David E. Sanger report from Washington. Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in, the top candidates in the South Korean presidential election, say they would take a softer approach toward North Korea than the departing president. After a ferocious national debate that pitted family members against one another, and some faithful Catholics against their church, the Philippine Congress passed legislation on Monday to help the country's poorest women gain access to birth control. Banco Santander said Monday it would absorb Banesto, its main domestic subsidiary and once one of Spain's leading banks, as part of a plan to cut 700 branches, or about 15 percent of its retail network. When the automaker Fiat said recently that it would lay off a third of the work force in Tychy, Poland, or about 1,500 people, it was a harsh reminder: Even with the healthiest big economy in Europe, Poland cannot escape the Continent's economic downturn. Jack Ewing reports from Warsaw. FASHION Livia Firth, eco-fanatic, "facilitator" and wife of the actor Colin Firth, has a mission to motivate celebrities to environmental action. Suzy Menkes reports. ARTS A compilation of the Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera's music was released just days after her death. It makes abundantly clear why she was so beloved as a singer, symbol and spitfire. Jon Pareles reviews the album. SPORTS Barcelona could have the league title wrapped up before Christmas after it beat Atlético Madrid on the same day that Real Madrid tied Espanyol at home.