Economy
Improved Economy, Cultural Ties are Bringing Entrepreneurs Back to Africa
As the economy improves in some countries in Africa, many Africans who live abroad are aching to return home.
The View of the (Fiscal) Cliff from Europe
The so-called “fiscal cliff” has been dominating news headlines here in the US for weeks. Across the pond, Europeans have been paying close attention and having similar, just as heated, debates about spending and taxes. The World’s Marco Werman gets the latest European view from London-based financial analyst Louise Cooper.
In Spain, Locksmiths Refuse to Cooperate with Foreclosures and Evictions
In Spain, in 2012, more than 50,000 families were evicted from their homes when they failed to pay their rent or mortgage. As the year wound down a handful of people committed suicide after learning they would be evicted. Now in Pamplona, a group of experts who help carry out the evictions has said ‘No more!’ Those experts? Locksmiths. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports.
2012: The Year of Movements Massive and Minute in Europe
Hands down the biggest story out of Europe in 2012 was the euro-zone economic crisis. There was much talk of the future of the euro currency, of the financial viability of the union itself, of giant bail-outs to struggling governments and of capital flight from banks as risk-averse investors began moving their money to safer havens.
Medellín’s Outdoor Escalator Part of Plan to Remake City
The Colombian city of Medellin was once the murder capital of the world and ground zero for Pablo Escobar’s cocaine cartel. But Medellin has lately emerged as a hotspot for urban planning and innovative mass transit. And, as John Otis reports, the projects are part of a long-term plan to fight poverty and remake the fortunes of the city.
Colombia Sets Sight on ‘Green Gold’
Colombia is a hotspot of mercury pollution from small-scale gold mining. But it’s also a testing ground for a new movement to reduce mercury pollution by paying small-scale miners more to use less of the toxic metal.
Britain Shows the Way Over ‘Fiscal Cliff’
It is looking extremely unlikely that Republicans and Democrats can agree on a plan by the end of the year. Britain went over its own fiscal cliff a couple of years ago. Since then, it has imposed a series of painful budget cuts.
Why Brits Aren’t Especially Bothered About Going Over the Fiscal Cliff
We get reaction from Brits hanging out on this holiday in an East End pub. They’re not happy about the potential for a global economic fallout, but they also don’t believe it will actually happen.
Owner of Asian Market in Columbia, Missouri Sees Future in New Immigrants
With the influx of immigrants, some entrepreneurs in Columbia, Missouri are seeing an opportunity in the city’s changing food culture, including the owner of Chong’s, the city’s oldest Asian grocery store.
French Actor Gérard Depardieu Takes Tax Refuge in Belgian Village
For the Geo Quiz, we are looking for a Belgian village near the French-Belgian border where French movie star Gerard Depardieu recently bought a house there.
Michigan Auto Worker Reflects on NAFTA, 20 Years Later
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the ceremonial signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement or NAFTA. We examine the impact NAFTA has had on two communities linked to the auto industry, one in Michigan, the other in Mexico.
NAFTA from a Mexican Point of View
The town of Silao, in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, has seen its manufacturing base grow under NAFTA. General Motors built a plant there soon after NAFTA came into effect, and the plant is still running strong.
NAFTA 20 Years After: Florida’s Tomato Growers Struggling
Florida produces the most fresh tomatoes of any state in the nation. But the growers there say they can’t compete with lower-priced Mexican imports much longer. And now they’re fighting a 16-year-old trade agreement that could put the idea of free trade at risk and potentially spark a trade war between the US and Mexico.
British Based Banks Agree to Historic Settlement to Avoid US Prosecution
HSBC and Standard Chartered are together paying over two billion dollars to the US government, to avoid charges of money laundering on a massive scale, and violating sanctions against countries like Iran.
European ‘Brew’ – haha Over Raising Beer Taxes
Tuesday’s Geo Quiz is all about the beer. We’re looking for the name of the European country that wants to raise taxes on beer by 160 percent.
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