General Motors Tuesday named its first-ever female chief executive as the largest US automaker pivots into an era of greater autonomy following the US government's divestment of company shares. GM announced that company veteran Mary Barra would succeed Dan Akerson as chief executive on January 15. Barra, 51, currently works as executive vice president for global product development, purchasing and supply chain.

Bangui (Central African Republic) (AFP) - France vowed Tuesday to finish its job in the Central African Republic after the death of two elite soldiers highlighted the risks of a mission to disarm rogue rebels who have plunged the country into chaos. Antoine Le Quinio, 22, and Nicolas Vokaer, 23, both members of the crack 8th Parachute regiment based at Castres in southwestern France, died after being caught up in a fierce firefight during a night patrol in the capital Bangui, where bloody sectarian clashes left hundreds dead last week. Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the first French losses would have no impact on the tactics or the size of the 1,600-strong force Paris has deployed in its troubled former colony. French officials announced on Monday that Bangui had largely been cleared of marauding armed groups.

Snowfall in the northeastern United States caused flight cancellations and airport delays Tuesday while federal government offices and schools closed due to the foul weather. Snow and ice were also slowing air traffic at New York's LaGuardia and John F Kennedy International airports. Further cancellations and delays are likely throughout the morning," said a notice from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. In Washington, the federal government operated at a slower pace as agencies closed to keep commuters off roads and prevent accidents.

By Emily Stephenson and Douwe Miedema WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators toughened key sections of the Volcker rule's crackdown on Wall Street's risky trades on Tuesday as they finalized one of the harshest reforms after the credit meltdown. The rule - named after former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, who championed the reform - generally bans banks from proprietary trading, or speculative trading for their own profits. ...