In The News

Philippines Web Activists Show Power of Internet Campaigns

James Hookway, Joesphine Cuneta August 26, 2013
An internet campaign in the Philippines has shamed politicians on special-interest spending that directs funding to projects in specific districts. The president has taken steps to end legislative discretionary-spending budgets after an internet campaign blasted phony and unnecessary projects listed in the Priority Development Assistance Fund, reports the Wall Street Journal: “Philippine...

Rise of the Renting, Sharing Economy Could Have Ripple Effects

Matthew Boesler August 16, 2013
The global debt crisis devastated job and wage prospects for many young adults in the world’s wealthiest nations. But many young adults have adapted and are content to live with less: They’re in no hurry to purchase homes or take on debt, instead renting modest apartments and sharing services like wireless; they prefer living close to work, avoiding cars and long commutes; when they travel, they...

Mob Rule

Christian Caryl July 26, 2013
Organized crime is linked to trade in illegal drugs, human trafficking, poaching, internet scams, tax evasion or counterfeit goods – and relies on greed to lure cooperation of some law-enforcement and political leaders. The World Economic Forum estimates illegal activities represent 8 percent of global trade. “Mobsters thrive on instability,” Christian Caryl writes for Foreign Policy, whether...

Chinese Tourists' Westward Wanderlust

Michelle FlorCruz July 23, 2013
Host countries may offer guides, but tourists ultimately decide which sites are worth a visit. Chinese tourism is growing, and Michelle FlorCruz, with International Business Times, describes new attention devoted to a New York sculpture installed in 1989 – the Wall Street Charging Bull, a symbol of prosperity and risk. She notes, “the tourism industry is beginning to understand the profound...

Food and the Walmartization of Agriculture

Josh Sager July 17, 2013
Walmart gained market share by providing low-cost products with tight negotiations for suppliers and labor at all levels. Walmart controls about 25 percent of the US grocery market, and its business model favors industrial farms and producers of volume, argues Josh Sager for GlobalResearch. Medical research touting the health benefits of fruits and vegetables is shaping consumer demands. Yet...

Mexico Eyes China as New Tequila Market

Wenqian Zhu June 26, 2013
A new challenge awaits Mexican tequila producers who want to export their product: studying the spirits, culture and customs of the Chinese upper middle class. China had long restricted imports of foreign liquors with more than 2 grams of methanol per liter, such as tequila, citing harmful health effects, but has since reversed that stance. During a visit to Mexico, Chinese President Xi Jinping...

World’s Biggest Coal Company Turns to Solar Energy to Lower Utility Bill

Ryan Koronowski June 7, 2013
In a triumph for alternative energy, the world’s largest coal company, Coal India, is installing solar photovoltaic panels at its facilities to reduce energy bills, reports Ryan Koronowski for Climate Progress. “Coal India produces 90 percent of India’s coal, and not only is it turning to solar as an efficient business practice, it understands India cannot power itself by coal,” he writes. “In...