Somalians caught in crossfire as US bank withdraws cash lifeline
The plight of millions facing starvation is to be made worse by America's new anti-terror legislation
There were urgent warnings yesterday that a decision by a large American bank to stop allowing money transfers from Somali-Americans to relatives and friends in Somalia – a vital lifeline for much of its famine-struck population – could lead to a worsening of the already dire humanitarian crisis there.
Hundreds of Somali-Americans were due to march through Minneapolis last night to protest against the decision by Sunrise Community Banks to back out of executing remittances to Somalia for fear it may find itself in violation of US government anti-terror regulations.
North Korea names Kim Jong-un army commander
North Korea's new leader, Kim Jong-un, has been formally named supreme commander of the country's armed forces, state media said.
31 December 2011
Kim Jong-un, who took over after the death of his father Kim Jong-il earlier this month, was appointed at a meeting on Friday, KCNA news agency said.
The move is seen as a clear sign that the young leader is fast consolidating power over North Korea.
Kim Jong-il, who had ruled since 1994, died of a heart attack on 17 December.
| Hungary passes contentious central bank law |
Parliament approves law seen as increasing political influence over central bank, in move seen as contrary to EU laws.
Last Modified: 31 Dec 2011 06:54
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Hungary's parliament has approved a controversial central bank law that may affect upcoming talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Union about financial support.
Parliament approved the law on Friday, which increases political influence over the bank, after adopting several modifications to comply with requests from the European Central Bank (ECB).
The new law gives the prime minister the power to name the central bank's three vice-presidents. Earlier, the bank's president nominated his two deputies.
The country's monetary council, which sets interest rate
Mexico's days of the dead
Paul McGeough
December 31, 2011
In the past, a parade of bold-face names sallied to this resort city on Mexico's balmy Pacific coast. Frank Sinatra sang about it. The Kennedys honeymooned and the Nixons holidayed here. Howard Hughes ended his days here, Elvis Presley made a movie and John Wayne and Johnny ''Tarzan'' Weissmuller opened the fabled Hotel Los Flamingos, one of scores that now stand sentinel by Acapulco Bay's emerald waters.
Seven women who shaped the world in 2011
Women played some significant roles this past year, from making peace to crafting economic policy in the midst of a crisis. Here are seven who shaped 2011:
Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany
Running the country with the fourth largest gross domestic product in the world is reason enough to be deemed one of the most prominent women in the world. But as theEuropean Union struggles to contain its debt crisis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has also become the de facto leader of theeurozone. Because of Germany’s economic strength, no eurozone decisions can be made without her support.
Organic farming may be outgrowing its ideals
Products moving away from emphasis on local growing, sustainability
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL
TODOS SANTOS, Mexico — Clamshell containers on supermarket shelves in the United States may depict verdant fields, tangles of vines and ruby red tomatoes. But at this time of year, the tomatoes, peppers and basil certified as organic by the Agriculture Department often hail from the Mexican desert, and are nurtured with intensive irrigation.
Growers here on the Baja Peninsula, the epicenter of Mexico’s thriving new organic export sector, describe their toil amid the cactuses as “planting the beach.”
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