World News - World Bank in corruption amnesty

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Firms which have defrauded the World Bank in the past will not be penalised if they admit their wrongdoing, the bank says. It is offering an amnesty to firms, NGOs and individuals if they fully disclose past malpractice and promise to stick with the rules in future. Under the new scheme, they could bid for work on future World Bank funded schemes if they meet strict criteria. World Bank boss Paul Wolfowitz said it would "prevent and deter corruption". The World Bank says it is trying to tackle corruption and weak governance, seeing it as a major obstacle to economic development in the world's least developed countries. It has barred 330 firms from working on projects it funds following fraud investigations by its Department of Institutional Integrity. ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk

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Editor - 09:59:00 08-07-06

Russia condemns US arms sanctions

Russia's state arms exporter has described US sanctions against it as an "unfriendly act" aimed at undermining the Russian defence industry. Rosoboronexport also denied that its dealings with Iran breached any international agreements. The US last week imposed sanctions on two Russian firms for allegedly passing on equipment to Iran that could be used to develop weapons of mass destruction. Five other firms in North Korea, India and Cuba were also penalised. "The sanctions should be seen as nothing other than an unfriendly act against the Russian state and an attempt to destabilise its defence co-operation with foreign countries," a statement by Rosoboronexport said. It said the company's co-operation with Tehran was "carried out strictly in accordance with international agreements and is limited exclusively to supplies of defensive armaments". ...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5252074.stm

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Editor - 09:49:00 08-07-06

U.S. may drop trade benefits for large developing countries like India, Brazil

The United States is reviewing whether to withdraw longtime trade benefits for India, Brazil and 11 other advanced developing countries, trade officials said Monday.The decision follows the recent collapse of world trade talks, which many members of Congress blame on the reluctance of large developing countries like India and Brazil to open their markets to more foreign goods.The United States imported $26.7 billion worth of goods from 133 developing countries under the Generalized System of Preferences program in 2005.The 32-year-old trade program, which must be renewed periodically, waives import duties on thousands of products from developing countries.The Bush administration will review whether to "limit, suspend or withdraw" the eligibility of 13 countries that either shipped more than $100 million worth of goods to the United States under the program in 2005 or accounted for more than 0.25% world goods exports, the U.S. Trade Representative's office said....
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/trade/2006-08-07-trade-benefits_x.htm?csp=34

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Editor - 09:35:00 08-07-06

Bush presses for comprehensive Mideast plan U.S. urges end to violence; Lebanon had rejected terms as favoring Israel

Bush on Monday said he anticipates that Hezbollah and Israel will not agree with all aspects of a Mideast cease-fire resolution but said “we all recognize that the violence must stop.”The president said the United States and its allies were pressing for a comprehensive solution that would restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and provide a lasting peace.Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke about the Mideast during a meeting with reporters at his Texas ranch. Rice is expected to go to the United Nations for deliberations on twin resolutions for a cease-fire and the establishment of a peacekeeping force. She called the resolutions “a reasonable basis that I think both sides can accept” once details are worked out. Bush said the goal was to find consensus quickly on a resolution calling for a cessation of violence....
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14228246/

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Editor - 09:29:00 08-07-06

100 Cheese Workers Win $208M Lottery

About 100 cheese-factory workers in the Wisconsin town of Saint Cloud have been celebrating — because they say they're $208 million richer. Wisconsin state lottery officials say no one has officially stepped forward to claim Saturday's Powerball jackpot. But a large contingent of employees from Sargento Cheese say they have the winning ticket locked in a safe. Eric Heimermann is one member of the celebrating group. He told the Fond du Lac Reporter that the mostly second shift workers had chipped in $1 apiece to a pool to purchase lottery tickets. ...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/07/national/main1868635.shtml?source=RSS&attr=U.S._1868635

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Editor - 09:26:00 08-07-06

Doctors Begin Separation Surgery for 4-Year-Old Conjoined Twin Girls in Utah

Doctors began separation surgery Monday on 4-year-old conjoined twins in what was described as the first separation attempt on twins with a shared kidney. Kendra and Maliyah Herrin are fused at the mid-torso and in addition to their kidney, share a liver, a pelvis, a pair of legs and part of the large intestine.The girls headed to the operating room at 7:15 a.m. after a tearful goodbye with their parents.The surgery at Primary Children's Hospital is expected to take between 12 and 24 hours, head pediatrician surgeon Dr. Rebecka Meyers said. Doctors at the hospital say it is the first known separation surgery attempted on twins with a shared kidney....
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207293,00.html

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