Obama's Choice For World Bank President

The man who is likely to be the next president of the World Bank has been shown to have quite a sense of humour.

Global health expert and Dartmouth College president Jim Yong Kim is a 52-year-old doctor and pioneer in treating HIV/Aids and tuberculosis in the developing world.

He last year entered his college's singing contest, rapping a rendition of Black Eyed Peas version of "Time of My Life".

Born in South Korea but now an American citizen, Dr Kim's appointment is reported to be aimed at fending off challenges from developing nations eager to end the US monopoly of the top job at the international institution.

Mr Obama's backing all but guarantees Jim Yong Kim will be the next president of the World Bank.

The US president said: "Jim has truly global experience. He has worked from Asia to Africa to the Americas, from capitals to small villages.

"His personal story exemplifies the great diversity of our country."

The 187-nation World Bank focuses on fighting poverty and promoting development and is a leading source of loans for countries seeking financing to build dams, roads and other infrastructure projects.

Its 25-member executive board will officially select a new president next month.

But, as the US - with the world's largest economy - has the largest percentage of the votes, the election of Mr Kim is expected to be a "shoe-in".