These days, what happens in New York doesn’t stay in New York, especially when it comes to the economy. Events on Wall Street and Main Street in the United States ripple outward, affecting markets and lives across the globe. And likewise, if it matters to business in Beijing or Delhi, Moscow or Madrid, it matters in America as well.

Economy


Coal Miners’ Revolt Gives Frustrated Spaniards a Voice, and Some Rockets

Supporters of miners protest against government austerity measures in Madrid. (Photo: REUTERS/Andrea Comas)

In recent years, in more prosperous times, people in Spain have tended to bad mouth coal. It’s dirty, it’s polluting, it’s unsustainable as an energy source. Coal is an anachronism as we move toward a world of renewable energies. The sooner we wean ourselves off the stuff, the better.

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Technology to Barter in Hard Times

The TEM market at Volos. (Photo: Clark Boyd)

People across Europe are struggling to make ends meet these days. British technologist Ken Banks wants to build apps to help those people do things like barter and time-swap.

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Austerity Measures Prompt German Battle of Bands

SWF orchestra Baden-Baden in 1964 (Photo: Bundesarchiv/Wiki Commons)

Because of austerity measures, officials plan to merge two publicly funded orchestras in the southwestern part of Germany.

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Government vs Greens in Canada

Enbridge Logo

Host Lisa Mullins speaks with reporter Peter O’Neil of the Vancouver Sun about the growing frictions over environmental policy in Canada. The country’s new federal budget includes some big changes to environmental protections for things like fisheries, endangered species and national parks.

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Spaniards Trying to Save Illegally-Built Hotel

The 400-room El Algarrobico hotel has been the poster-boy for Spain's poor coastal management. (Photo: Gerry Hadden)

With its economy in tatters, Span is considering loosening coastline restrictions on homes and hotels.

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Bob Diamond Steps Down Over Barclays Scandal

Bob Diamond resigned as Barclays' chief executive. (Photo: World Economic Forum/Wiki Commons)

The chief executive of Barclays Bank, Bob Diamond stepped down Tuesday over an interest rate-rigging scandal that threatens financial institutions around the globe.

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Barclays Faces Lawsuits in the US

Barclays Sign (Photo: Leo Reynolds/Flickr)

A federal class action lawsuit against Barclays and other banks is already working its way through the court system in the US.

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What FATCA Did to American Bank Customers in Switzerland

Swiss flags (Photo: keepps/Flickr)

For the longest time, Swiss Banks were derided as havens for tax cheats. The US recently forced the banks to report on their American customers, which is having some unintended consequences.

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Doll Wars: How Barbie Killed Sindy

Sindy Doll (Photo: Holly/Flickr)

Wholesome, demure, Sindy was the UK’s most popular doll with about 80 percent of the fashion doll market at her peak in 1985.

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Spanish Band Los Fulanos Revive ‘Boogaloo’ to Counter Economic Pessimism

Members of the Los Fulanos band. (Photo: Los Fulanos/Facebook)

The Barcelona-based music group has revived the upbeat style of music called Boogaloo to counter the gloom brought on by the economic crisis.

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Eco-Farming Fosters Better Relations in Senegal

Mauritanian refugee Pele Diaw tends to her new vegetable crops. (Photo: Amanda Fortier)

An experimental eco-farming project is improving yields, saving water and soothing tensions among refugees and locals in eastern Senegal.

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China Poised to Issue Junk Bonds

Shanghai Stock Exchange. (Photo: Mary Kay Magistad)

The Chinese government is trying to ease economic slowdown by allowing the issuance of junk bonds to entice investors.

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Students Protest Against Economic Austerity in Sudan

People wait to get fuel for their vehicles at a petrol station in Khartoum, Sudan. (Photo: Reuters)

For the past week, Sudanese students have been taking to the streets in Khartoum and around the country.

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Greek-American Chef Finds Opportunity in Greece Financial Meltdown

Chef Ari Vezene. (Photo: Clark Boyd)

In the midst of Greece’s financial meltdown, a Greek-American chef, Ari Vezene, has opened a successful restaurant in Athens.

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Uruguay Looks to Legalize Marijuana

Uruguay is looking to legalize and oversee the marijuana market. (Photo: Nol van Schaik)

In an effort to decriminalize drugs, the government is looking to get into the business of selling pot.

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