Economics

A person standing on a pyramid of dried salt, while the rest of the salt flat looks like the surface of a lake

Raw materials, or sacred beings? Lithium extraction puts two worldviews into tension.

Lithium extraction in Bolivia poses more than environmental questions: It illustrates how notions about raw materials can be at odds with Indigenous relations with the land.

Raw materials, or sacred beings? Lithium extraction puts two worldviews into tension.
People sit along Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador.

El Salvador's bitcoin experiment rides on choppy seas as currency fluctuates

El Salvador's bitcoin experiment rides on choppy seas as currency fluctuates
COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result are photographed in New York, April 5, 2023.

Pandemic recovery will require much focus and attention, Dr. Atul Gawande says

Pandemic recovery will require much focus and attention, Dr. Atul Gawande says
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani attends the "Invest Karnataka 2016 Global Investors Meet" in Bangalore, India, Feb. 3, 2016. 

Indian billionaire businessman Gautam Adani faces scrutiny

Indian billionaire businessman Gautam Adani faces scrutiny
The biggest sign when you enter Lledó, Spain, population 120, is for the village’s one bar.

Spain's small-town bars get a boost with proposed subsidies

Spain's small-town bars get a boost with proposed subsidies
In Argentina, annual inflation tops 100%, a 30-year high, with the cost of meat and fruit skyrocketing.

Argentines wage ‘mental war’ against inflation as prices double in a year

As annual inflation tops 100%, a 30-year high, with the cost of meat and fruit skyrocketing, many Argentines are keeping their savings in dollars to resist devaluation of the peso.

Argentines wage ‘mental war’ against inflation as prices double in a year
Raising the street protest to art form: synchronized megaphone barkers sang and chanted in unison to fire up the crowds.

In France, students prove an unlikely ally in protests against pension reform

Millions of people in France took to the streets this week for the 10th protest this year against the government’s raising of the retirement age. College students support the strikes, even though shoring up the national pension fund would likely benefit them later in life.

In France, students prove an unlikely ally in protests against pension reform
woman by flag

Young Africans seek to leverage Vice President Harris’ trip to Africa 

US Vice President Kamala Harris began her weeklong visit to the African continent this week in Ghana. She plans to focus on youth entrepreneurship, and to make a claim for supporting some African countries, as China and Russia have made diplomatic and financial inroads. 

Young Africans seek to leverage Vice President Harris’ trip to Africa 
people at building entrance

The risk of banking 'contagion' 

Investors worry that the problems at a handful of American banks could ripple across the world economy and unexpected surprises may be lurking. But this is not 2008. Regulations in the US and Europe are much stronger today than they were 15 years ago. 

The risk of banking 'contagion' 
In this photo taken Wednesday Sept. 2015, a man buys kerosene at a road side stall in Harare, Zimbabwe. 

Zimbabwe struggles to keep the power on

Along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia sits Lake Kariba, where low water levels have interrupted power supply to both countries — profoundly impacting the economy. 

Zimbabwe struggles to keep the power on
tram in Kolkata with dancers

India's tramway turned 150. But it’s on its last legs.

​​​​​​​Kolkata's 150-year-old tram system is limping along. It's down to just two lines and there is little political will, or room in the city's crowded streets, to bring the streetcars back to their former glory days. The tram does have a small but loyal band of supporters who want to keep it alive.

India's tramway turned 150. But it’s on its last legs.
Guyana faces risks from climate change that include rising sea levels that could eventually submerge the capital Georgetown.

Guyana’s discovery of oil reserves has the nation split between boosting the economy and preserving the environment

Guyana is hoping that newly discovered offshore crude reserves can help transform the country's economy and offset its ongoing poverty crisis. But some people are concerned about what this may mean for the environment.

Guyana’s discovery of oil reserves has the nation split between boosting the economy and preserving the environment
The view from the Emerald Line commuter rail, which follows the Pinheiros river and ends at Vila Natal, one of the enclaves of Venezuelan migrants in São Paulo.

'We have to fight': Venezuelan women lead migration to Brazil

Yoselin Calcurian, 35, is among some 400,000 Venezuelans who went to Brazil, fleeing economic collapse and political chaos. She and many others say they are now struggling to find jobs and learn a new language.

'We have to fight': Venezuelan women lead migration to Brazil
Protesters wave a Georgian national and EU flags as they rally against a draft law

Georgia faces a rocky road to EU membership

Georgia was once considered a favorite among countries seeking EU membership. But in recent years, the country’s majority Georgian Dream party has faced accusations of failing to improve the judiciary, protecting LGBTQ rights and of decreasing press freedoms.

Georgia faces a rocky road to EU membership
people in line

Thousands of passengers are stranded after Colombia’s Viva Air grounds flights 

​​​​​​​Thousands of passengers were stranded in airports in Colombia and several other Latin American countries this week following the collapse of the budget airline, Viva Air. It's the latest airline company to fold amid decreasing passenger demand and higher oil prices. 

Thousands of passengers are stranded after Colombia’s Viva Air grounds flights