Listening Comprehension 2 　　
　　Huston USA: Federal authorities have shut down dozens of web domains as part of a crackdown on trafficking in counterfeit goods or copyrighted works. Internet users attempting to access the websites now are greeted by a notice that the sites have been seized by the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
　　‘The coordinated federal law enforcement operation targeted online retailers of a diverse array of counterfeit goods, including sports equipment, shoes, handbags and sun-glasses as well as illegal copies of copyrighted DVD boxed sets, music and software,’ the Justice Department said the crackdown involved the seizure of 82 sites. Twelve of the cases were investigated by Houston-based agents with Homeland Security Investigations, but most of the sites are based overseas, particularly in east Asia, according to the Houston office of Homeland Security Investigations.
　　Canberra, Austria: South Africa and Australia have said the next managing director of the International Monetary Fund should be appointed on merit and not nationality. The pair say the current appointment system undermines the IMF’s legitimacy. The body has always been headed by a European, and UK chancellor George Osborne has backed Christine Lagarde, French economy minister, for the post.
　　The position is vacant after Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigned last week so he could fight sexual assault charges.
　　For too long, the IMF’s legitimacy has been undermined by a convention to appoint its senior management on the basis of their nationality," Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan and South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said in a joint statement.
　　In order to maintain trust, credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of its stakeholders, there must be an open and transparent selection process which results in the most competent person being appointed as managing director, regardless of their nationality.
　　Kabul Afghanistan
　　Suicide bombers wielding machine guns have stormed a government building in eastern Afghanistan, officials say.
　　Initial reports say at least three gunmen wearing suicide vests shot their way into the traffic police headquarters in Khost city.
　　Security forces have surrounded the compound and a gun battle is taking place, police say. At least one person is reported to have been killed. The attack comes a day after a suicide bombing in Kabul killed at least six.
　　In the latest attack, a guard was killed in the initial assault which happened at about 5 o’clock on Sunday, said the army commander for Khost province.