Here’s Joe Biden this morning telling us all that we’re going to die if we travel in confined spaces (2:35 in). Hooray! And better yet, the swine flu has finally “come home” to our nation’s capital, Washington, after some slob at the World Bank (*shakes fist at World Bank*) went to Mexico, fucked a pig, and came back to our fairest city with this Pig AIDS. So hey people in DC, liquidate yr bank accounts and buy booze and we’ll hold a big orgy on the Mall tonight before we all die tomorrow. On the upside, this will fix the economy! The death of all humans, that is. [AP]

The Jacobin fury over the IMF and World Bank having some meetings this weekend continues! As we mentioned last week, a disorganized (but furious) band of marauders called the October coalition has been holding protests and demonstrations since Thursday, most notably the “Disrupt Georgetown!” rally last Friday which targeted flaneuring Victorian plutocrats and their soily “silk-lined bedsheets.” No joke, blood was spilled outside of an Abercrombie & Fitch! And they’re outside Capitol Hill today! And the IMF and World Bank don’t give a shit! Photos (via the Georgetown Voice) and mild commentary after the jump. MORE »

A band of roving progressive pirates have planned a series of events from today through Sunday to “confront Neoliberalism in Washington.” Clearly displaced from all liberal contexts itself, this “October coalition” has the goal in mind of pissing off the IMF and World Bank as much as possible. This weekend’s events will overlap with the IMF and World Bank’s annual meetings, where officials will be devising evil Ponzi schemes to fuck over Uruguay, redefining foreign AIDS relief as “send rat poison to Africa” and championing usury over debt amnesty. The main event, “Disrupt Georgetown!” comes Friday, Oct. 19 at 9 p.m. (after the 5-7 p.m. “Snack” time). We’re still not really sure what it is, but it looks like raping, pillaging and general marauding will be involved, money will die etc etc. MORE »

You’ve just written a book called Evaluating a Decade of World Bank Gender Policy: 1990-99. Problem: how to get people to read something called Evaluating a Decade of World Bank Gender Policy: 1990-99? Solution: subliminal cover photography. [Amazon]

Robert Zoellick has been in charge of the World Bank for less than two weeks and already everyone hates him. China, Russia, Mexico, Argentina, and a couple other countries we don’t give a shit about are all pissed at Bob for publishing a report mentioning how shittily all of those countries are governed. MORE »

Today, the world mourns as the proud leader of its bank, Paul Wolfowitz, forever leaves the institution he single-handedly reformed and revived.

Wolfowitz, beloved architect of America’s Eternal Victory in Iraq, tells the Financial Times that for his next disastrous job, he’s got a number of disadvantaged countries in his sights. If you live in any of these places, you might want to consider moving soon:

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PNAC pnabob Robert Zoellick has been pnominated to replace Paul Wolfowitz at the World Bank. MORE »

While we’re waiting for Alberto Gonzales to either resign or declare himself Caesar, let’s examine the latest theory as to why Paul Wolfowitz’s girlfriend Shaha Riza is (reportedly) such a World Class Bank bitch. MORE »

Has there ever been anyone so wronged as poor Shaha Ali RZA? The poor woman was forced into a promotion and a hefty raise, and she has to sleep with Paul Wolfowitz. It’s no wonder she’s lashing out. MORE »

Paul Wolfowitz, tragic hero.

The friend who saw Mr. Wolfowitz’s term at the bank as a second chance said: “It was not that he was looking for a redemption from Iraq per se. But he was certainly looking for something to do as a great man in foreign policy, which is how he has always seen himself.”

Don’t worry, Paul. Chris Hitchens may be the only person left on Earth you have a lick of credibility left with, but we still consider you a great man in foreign policy. It takes a great man to fuck it up this grandly for so many years to come. And way to take down the World Bank on your way out!

What’s next for Paul, anyway? We have some suggestions for the great one, based on other institutions we’d like to see destroyed.

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Shoeless Paul Wolfowitz will quit the World Bank on June 30th, the bank announced today. They apparently agreed to pay him that huge severance package. MORE »

World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz: Is he resigning? Have talks halted? Most importantly, is he a good neighbor? MORE »