| IFC Brings Global Expertise, Competitive Solutions to Support Rwanda ...
IFC also aims to support small and medium enterprises in the country through advisory programs that promote leasing, build entrepreneurial skills, improve the business climate, and increase access to finance. About IFC IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries by financing private sector investment, mobilizing private capital in local and international financial markets, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. IFC�s vision is that poor people have the opportunity to escape poverty and improve their lives. In FY07, IFC committed $8.2 billion and mobilized an additional $3.9 billion through loan participations and structured finance for 299 investments in 69 developing countries.
Computerworld's Mac gift guide
Since we mentioned Time Machine as a reason to give Apple's latest operating system, let's move on to another smart gift idea for Leopard users (or as a companion gift to the operating system): a large-capacity external hard drive. Time Machine makes backing up easy, but it's best to use it with an external hard drive. The bigger the drive, the better the safety net Time Machine can provide. So, how big is too big? There's no such a thing as too big when it comes to data storage. However, a 500GB drive is probably ample for most Mac users to maintain solid backups of their systems and digital media such as photos, movies and music. Apple's online store currently offers a deal on a 500GB USB 2.0 drive from Iomega —priced at $169.95—that's worth considering. iLife '08 Many Apple fans went out and bought copies of iLife '08 when it shipped in August, but as with Leopard, there are no doubt a number of Mac users who didn't upgrade immediately, figuring that they'd get a new version of iLife with their next Mac.
Comment: Currituck to bid on garbage removal
Almost six years ago Pasquotank County assumed duties over its trash collection and hauling business, and officials say they have no regrets. Mike Etheridge, Pasquotank's solid waste director, said the county has had substantial savings since taking over the job, which also was previously contracted out to a private company. "I think it was an excellent move on the county's part," Etheridge said. "When we have problems with something at the (recycling) site, we can handle it directly, rather than call somebody to deal with it," he said. "When we make changes at the site, we can make changes for the better, and do it without having to meet with someone." Pasquotank first had to make a substantial investment before getting into the business.
Stumbo leaves office with 'no regrets'
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Attorney General Greg Stumbo says he's leaving office with no regrets. His office is best known for its investigation of former Governor Ernie Fletcher for alleged hiring violations. Stumbo says he believes the governor election's outcome may have been different if Fletcher's administration had cooperated in the probe.
Stumbo bypassed a second term as attorney general to run for lieutenant governor alongside Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford, but lost to Beshear and Daniel Mongiardo.
The Democrat was nominated yesterday in a race for a vacancy in the House district -- the same one he represented before becoming attorney general.
The special election is Feb. 5. ©2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Analysis: World’s top deposit-taker gets a new stamp
The tiny post office in Hyotanbuchi, a farming community in south-western Japan, is hardly a financial powerhouse. But postmaster Taketoshi Iki and his two colleagues are now part of the world's biggest bank, which opened its doors to business on Monday. The launch is part of the largest privatisation in Japanese history, transforming the country's 136-year-old postal service into a holding company, with a bank, insurer and two mail services operations under its umbrella. The post office's banking service is now Japan Post Bank, with Y189,000bn ($1,630bn, £798bn, €1,146bn) in deposits and a network of 24,000 post offices, making it the world's largest bank by those measures. .
CEO out at American Medical Systems
Martin Emerson, who could not be reached for comment Monday, had worked at the Minnetonka medical-device company for more than seven years, the last three as CEO. The company said Ross Longhini, executive vice president and chief operating officer, has been named interim CEO. Both analysts and the company said the company's disappointing financial performance had taken a toll on its CEO. The change had been widely anticipated on Wall Street because of the missed forecasts, said Thomas Gunderson, an analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co. in Minneapolis. "The company reduced earnings guidance three times in 2007, and that did not sit well with Wall Street," Gunderson said. "Emerson's credibility was low, and clearly the board and Emerson thought a change was needed." Added Bruce Jackson, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets in Minneapolis, "There were too many earnings misses.
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