POLITICS: Combative Wolfowitz Slams “Circus-like” Process

Embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, who is fighting for his job, warned Monday against a forced exit and called the Bank directors' description of his actions in a scandal besetting him and his girlfriend and co-worker "unjust and" and "hypocritical".

FINANCE: World Bank’s Corruption Fighters Complain of Collapsing Image

Dozens of World Bank employees in a department entrusted with charting anti-corruption policies weighed in Thursday on the nepotism scandal surrounding Bank president Paul Wolfowitz, saying that their credibility was wearing away because of the escalating controversy.

ARGENTINA: Civil Society Keeps Eye on First Lady’s Tours

A non-governmental organisation in Argentina is monitoring the trips made by Senator Cristina Fernández, President Néstor Kirchner's wife, who travels with a large entourage and an appointments schedule worthy of a head of state.

POLITICS: World Bank’s Wolfowitz Pushes Back

World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz is uncloaking new measures at the institution apparently designed to appease his critics and regain the initiative after weeks of fast retreat in the face of accusations of nepotism and an international downpour of criticism for his management style.

POLITICS: Crisis Mode Grips World Bank Headquarters

There is a crisis atmosphere at World Bank headquarters here in Washington, with dozens of emergency staff meetings, more calls for the embattled president Paul Wolfowitz to step down, and clearer displays of rebellion inside the Bank.

POLITICS-BANGLADESH: No More a Battle of the Begums

With Bangladesh's two main political figures, Sheikh Hasina Wajed and her arch rival Begum Khaleda Zia, facing indefinite exile, people in this impoverished country expect a spell of governance devoid of corruption, political chicanery, religious fundamentalism and violence.

POLITICS: Pentagon Official “Directed Hiring” of Wolfowitz’s Girlfriend

An unidentified U.S. Defence Department official directed subordinates to hire four specific outside contractors for Iraq-related work, including Shaha Riza, the girlfriend of then-Deputy Secretary of Defence and current World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz, newly disclosed documents show.

POLITICS: Call to End Wolfowitz’s Reign Goes Global

The calls for embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to step down have gone global, coming from newspapers, officials, activists and even Internet bloggers from across the world.

POLITICS-U.S.: Wolfowitz Defenders Double Their Standards

Some of the same neoconservative institutions that are defending World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz against charges that he unethically promoted the career and compensation of his romantic partner were among the most aggressive in attacking former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for alleged nepotism on behalf of his son.

SPAIN: Activists Support Investigation of NGOs for Embezzlement

Activists are worried about the impact of investigations of two non-governmental organisations in Spain for embezzlement, but want immediate and in-depth inquiries into any suspicions of mishandling of donor funds. They also underline that such cases are an exception.

BANGLADESH: Long Break From Party Politics

While the head of the military-backed interim government in Bangladesh has announced that rescheduled polls may be held only by the end of next year, he has offered no timetable for a return to party politics and democracy in this country that is home to world's third largest Muslim population.

POLITICS: Wolfowitz Deflects Questions About Role in Scandal

As the World Bank handed out a communiqué that talked about "transparency" and "equity", beleaguered Bank President Paul Wolfowitz deflected a barrage of questions from journalists seeking more information about allegations of nepotism involving a Bank employee who is personally involved with him.

POLITICS: Wolfowitz’s Allies Regroup but Leave Questions Unanswered

Paul Wolfowitz, the embattled World Bank president, is receiving new support from conservative politicians and right-wing publications that previously backed his notorious role as an architect of the war in Iraq, but missing from the regrouping attempts are answers to two important questions.

POLITICS: Top Wolfowitz Postings Went to Iraq War Backers

Of the top five outside international appointments made by embattled World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz during his nearly two-year tenure, three were senior political appointees of right-wing governments that provided strong backing for U.S. policy in Iraq.

ENVIRONMENT: World Bank Failing to Rein In DRC Logging

The World Bank is failing in its efforts to bring the Democratic Republic of Congo's rainforest logging industry under control, leading to negative implications for climate change, and rampant corruption, according to a new report.

RIGHTS-CHILE: Justice on Trial in Fujimori Case

The Chilean justice system must not condone impunity and should promptly extradite former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, say relatives of people who fell victim to abuses under his 1990-2000 administration and human rights activists who are organising a week of activities in Santiago.

POLITICS: World Bank Staff Seek Wolfowitz’s Ouster

The World Bank's Staff Association, which represents 10,000 employees, asked Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to step down Thursday amid charges that he gave his girlfriend, a Bank employee, improper pay raises and attempted to cover it up.

POLITICS: New Questions Emerge About Wolfowitz’s Influence

The nepotism controversy besetting World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz and his long-time partner and colleague Shaha Riza heightened Monday with new revelations that Riza may have had a history of flouting Bank rules while financially benefiting from jobs associated with Wolfowitz's former post at the Pentagon.

PERU: Fujimori Denies Knowledge of Military Abuses

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) is blaming the commanders of the armed forces during his regime for the criminal acts of which he stands accused, in an attempt to avoid extradition from Chile to Peru to face the charges against him.

POLITICS: Wolfowitz Accused of Nepotism at World Bank

A controversial raise for a World Bank employee who has been romantically involved with the Bank's President Paul Wolfowitz was not the work of the Bank's Ethics Committee, as originally alleged by Wolfowitz's office, according to the watchdog group that leaked the information.

WORLD HEALTH DAY: Profits Soar, Along With U.S. Uninsured

The U.S. is said to offer gold-standard health care, but as the most expensive health system in the world, some here say that only people with a pot of gold can get that care.