World Economy

Developing economies key players in global system, IMFC head says

Developing economies key players in global system, IMFC head says Cairo - Egyptian Finance Minister Youssef Boutros Ghali on Tuesday said that choosing him to head the International Monetary Fund's top decision-making body reflects developing countries' increasing involvement in the global economy.

Ghali's pick, announced by the IMF late Monday, marked the first time a minister from an emerging market or developing country had been chosen to chair the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC).

Brazil's Lula questions role of IMF in global financial crisis

Brazil's Lula questions role of IMF in global financial crisis Rio de Janeiro - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday criticised both the International Monetary Fund and the United States for their role in the ongoing global financial turmoil.

"Where is the IMF now?" Lula asked, before 3,000 metal workers at the seaside resort of Angra dos Reis.

Whenever there was financial turbulence in Brazil or Argentina, the IMF "always drew up recommendations and dictated what should or should not be done," he said.

UN leader urges world economies to meet pledges to the poor

UN leader urges world economies to meet pledges to the poor New York - The world is reeling from the "earthquake on Wall Street" but the United Nations remains confident that governments will keep their promises to assist the earth's poorest, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Monday.

At the UN General Assembly in September, nations pledged 16 billion dollars toward programmes to fight poverty and disease. With the world economy tumbling in the past weeks, there have been doubts whether donors will deliver what they promised.

Bernanke suggests rate cut as Fed announces new liquidity measures

Bernanke suggests rate cut as Fed announces new liquidity measuresWashington - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke suggested another interest rate cut was on the way, while the US central bank Tuesday announced fresh moves to inject liquidity into the struggling US financial system.

Bernanke said the ongoing financial turmoil meant the outlook for economic growth had "worsened" in recent weeks as the availability of credit to banks, consumers and businesses has threatened to dry up completely.

Irish Nationwide fined 50,000 euros after controversial e-mail

Irish Nationwide fined 50,000 euros after controversial e-mail Dublin - Ireland's Financial Regulator has fined the Irish Nationwide building society 50,000 euros (67,950 dollars) following the circulation of an e-mail soliciting new deposits based on Ireland's bank guarantee, a statement said Tuesday.

The Financial Regulator said it had "reasonable cause to suspect that Irish Nationwide breached a regulatory requirement in relation to General Principle 1, Chapter 1 of the Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code," the statement added.

Greece moves to guarantee bank deposits up to 100,000 euros

Greece moves to guarantee bank deposits up to 100,000 euros Athens/Luxemburg - Greece's finance ministry on Tuesday said that it will guarantee all bank deposits up to 100,000 euros (135,000 dollars), assuring nervous savers across the southern Mediterranean country that their banks were safe.

"We intend to submit the relevant amendment to Parliament really soon and raise the limit from 20,000 to 100,000 euros," National Economy and Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis said following a meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxemburg.

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