French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has been chosen to head the International Monetary Fund. Lagarde is an attorney and has been France’s finance minister since 2007. Previously, she was her country’s minister for foreign trade for two years. The IMF’s Executive Board made the selection Tuesday after Lagarde received the endorsement of the United States, […]
Former Afghan Bank Chief Faces Charges
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:20 pm (UTC-5)
Afghanistan’s deputy attorney general says the former head of the country’s central bank, who resigned and fled the country, faces charges and will be prosecuted. Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir Fitrat left Afghanistan for the United States and stepped down from his post Monday, saying he feared for his life after investigating the corruption scandal […]
US, EU Condemn Violence in Northern Nigeria
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. and European diplomats have jointly condemned a spate of violent attacks in northern Nigeria that have killed 28 people this week. On Monday, three people were killed and at least three injured in an attack in the northeastern city of Maiduguri. A day earlier, a bombing by suspected Islamic militants in the same city […]
Saudi Plans Troop Reduction in Bahrain
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia plans to withdraw some of its 1,000 soldiers who entered Bahrain in mid-March to help the Gulf island bring calm amid anti-government demonstrations. Media reports from Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday say the pullout will begin next week, but do not specify how many troops will leave. Bahrain is connected to Saudi […]
Japanese Utility at Heart of Nuclear Crisis Survives Shareholder Revolt
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
The Japanese utility at the heart of the country’s nuclear crisis has won shareholder backing to maintain operations in the face of widespread anger from stockholders seeking an end to nuclear energy. Tokyo Electric Power Company shareholders defeated a key motion Tuesday aimed at ending the use of nuclear reactors, in a fiery six-hour meeting […]
Lagarde To Head IMF
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:55 pm (UTC-5)
French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde has been chosen to head the International Monetary Fund. The 24-member IMF Executive board made the decision Tuesday in Washington. The top IMF post is vacant because former Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned after being arrested in New York on charges of sexual assault. He denies the allegations. The IMF […]
Afghan, NATO Forces Capture Militant Dressed as Woman
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:50 pm (UTC-5)
More and more male militants are dressing as women to escape capture from security forces in Afghanistan. NATO says in the latest instance, an Afghan and coalition force detained a senior militant leader who attempted to disguise himself as a female wearing a burqa . The coalition says the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader was […]
US Urges Reforms to Boost Trade With India
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:40 pm (UTC-5)
The United States is calling on India to complete necessary financial reforms in order to boost trade between the two countries, and increase U.S. firms’ access to the Indian consumer market. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Tuesday that American companies still face barriers in India in sectors such as banking, insurance, manufacturing and retail. […]
Dutch Move Toward Ban on Ritual Slaughter of Animals
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:40 pm (UTC-5)
The Dutch parliament has taken a step toward a ban on the ritual slaughter of livestock, a move vocally opposed by the country’s Muslim and Jewish minorities. The lower house of parliament voted Tuesday to approve a bill that would ban killing animals without first stunning them. The bill still must be approved by the […]
Nigerian President Submits Cabinet Nominees
Posted June 28th, 2011 at 1:35 pm (UTC-5)
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has submitted a list of 34 cabinet nominees to the Senate for approval. Senate President David Mark read the list, which did not specify portfolios, to the upper house of parliament Tuesday. Some of the proposed ministers include ex-finance minister Olusegun Aganga, a former Goldman Sachs executive. Former oil minister Deziani […]
