General Politics

ROUNDUP: AIG, Obama under fire as Congress, public take aim

ROUNDUP: AIG, Obama under fire as Congress, public take aimWashington  - The US Congress tapped into growing public ire over bailed-out insurance giant AIG's payment of bonuses as legislators Wednesday explored ways to reclaim the 165 million dollars.

At the centre of the storm was American International Group (AIG), the world's largest insurance firm whose near failure in September 2008 over insuring questionable financial instruments helped push a teetering US financial system into rapid descent.

US trade representative Kirk approved by Senate

US trade representative Kirk approved by Senate Washington  - Ron Kirk's nomination as the United States's top trade official was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate on Wednesday, filling one of President Barack Obama's last remaining cabinet posts.

Kirk, a former mayor of Dallas, was confirmed as US trade representative by 92-5 in the Senate, which has to approve all cabinet nominees. He becomes the first African-American to hold the post.

Greek government freezes public sector salaries

Greek government freezes public sector salaries Athens - The Greek government on Wednesday froze the salaries of public sector employees earning more than 1,700 euros (2,208 dollars) per month in an effort to rein in public spending.

"The decisions we announce today are difficult," Finance Minister Yannis Papathanassiou said.

US legislators: IMF needs more money to keep nations from failing

US legislators: IMF needs more money to keep nations from failing Washington  - The International Monetary Fund must be given more resources to rescue poorer nations battered by the financial crisis, US legislators said Wednesday, calling the global recession a threat to national security.

Democratic Senator John Kerry, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned the economic crisis had the potential to create "failed states" that could become breeding grounds for terrorism, drug trafficking and other security threats.

Congress wants AIG bonuses back; AIG head rebukes suicide remark

Congress wants AIG bonuses back; AIG head rebukes suicide remark Washington - The US Congress Wednesday tapped into growing public ire over bailed-out insurance giant AIG's payment of bonuses as legislators explored ways to reclaim 165 million dollars from the company and its employees.

"There's a tidal wave of rage ... across America," said Representative Gary Ackerman at a hearing of the House Financial Services subcommittee.

Report: Kuwaiti parliament dissolved

Report: Kuwaiti parliament dissolvedKuwait City  - Kuwait's Emir has dissolved parliament following the resignation of the cabinet and interim prime minister, the Dubai-based satellite network al-Arabiya reported Wednesday.

Al-Arabiya said that Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah had dissolved the parliament Wednesday after the cabinet and prime minister resigned on Monday.

But National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi on Wednesday said he had not been notified of the decision, Kuwait's official KUNA news agency reported.

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