Al Capone had a problem: he needed a way to disguise the enormous amounts of cash generated by his criminal empire as legitimate income. His solution was to buy all-cash laundromats, mix dirty money in with clean, and then claim…
Category: Economy
Solar energy crowns social housing programme in Brazil
“Solar energy makes my happiness complete,” said Divina Cardoso dos Santos, owner of one of 740 houses with photovoltaic panels on the rooftops in a settlement on the outskirts of this central Brazilian city.
Restore tank irrigation, strengthen rural climate resilience
As Indian farmers grapple with weakening and erratic monsoons over the recent years, combined with the menace of groundwater depletion, conserving and sustainably managing water resources has become all the more important.
Turning mangrove trees into sustainable assets
By Stella Paul SHWE THAUNG YAN, Myanmar, Jan 7 2019 (IPS) – In 2015, Worldview International Foundation began a mangrove restoration project, planting saplings of the trees on about 121 hectares of land in Myanmar’s Ayyerwady region.
Britain testing ‘no-deal’ scenario as Brexit vote nears
Britain is testing how its motorway and ferry system would handle a no-deal Brexit by sending a stream of trucks from a regional airport to the port of Dover — even as some legislators try to pressure the government to…
RMG workers unrest in Gazipur, Savar, Uttara: Bus torched
Garment workers staged demonstrations in Uttara, Savar and Gazipur on Monday demanding cancellation of the ‘discriminatory’ wage board announced by the government for them, disrupting traffic on Dhaka-Mymensingh highway and Airport road for several hours.
Japan assures support for uplift, regrets matters of concern
Dhaka, Jan 6 – Japan has said it intends to continuously support Bangladesh’s efforts for its development and prosperity, and further develop the relationship between the two countries.
Norway to work with govt, opposition to advance Bd’s dev
Norway has said it will continue to work with the government and the opposition, as well as other stakeholders, to further advance the democratic and economic development of Bangladesh.
Cordyceps, Himalayan Viagra kindles fortunes, begets plunder
by Manu Moudgil on 4 January 2019 • Cordyceps, a caterpillar fungus found in alpine pastures of the Himalayas, is a highly valued aphrodisiac commonly known as “Himalayan Viagra”.
PM seeks cooperation of all in establishing ‘Sonar Bangla’
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday sought cooperation from all, including the officials of public and private organisations, in establish a poverty- and hunger-free ‘Sonar Bangla’ as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.
GOP, Democrats trade blame for shutdown – no deal in sight
The partial government shutdown will almost certainly be handed off to a divided government to solve in the new year, as President Donald Trump sought to raise the stakes Friday and both parties traded blame in the weeklong impasse.
Bd ready to tackle Delta Plan 2100 challenges: Seminar told
Speakers on Monday emphasised the proper implementation of Bangladesh Delta Plan (BDP) 2100 while highlighting its advantages and challenges the government could face.
The movement fighting inequality is growing
The world’s political and economic elites, that will once again gather at the Swiss mountain resort of Davos for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) 22-25 January, have become all too predictable. It’s not difficult to predict what they will…
Rule book to implement the Paris Agreement is now a reality
Kicking off COP, the WBG announced a major new set of climate targets for 2021-2025, more than doubling current 5-year investments to around $200 billion in support for countries to take ambitious climate action. It was warmly received during the…
Global Compact may help fight myth ‘migrants are liabilities’
In August 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May visited countries in Africa, sparking hope of increased foreign direct investments (FDI) in the continent.
Why weak competition can increase inequality in Europe
Like many other advanced economies around the world, the Eurozone is experiencing a productivity slowdown. Data from the ECB show that labour productivity growth has practically halved over the last 20 years. Some economists have suggested that low productivity growth…
Dhaka to cooperate in improving migration governance
Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to enhance international cooperation in bringing positive and qualitative changes in migration governance.
US Fed raises rates despite Trump’s opposition
The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates again, in spite of warnings from Donald Trump against the move. Officials at the US central bank voted to lift the Fed’s key interest rate by 0.25%, to a target range of…
On International Migrants Day: A call for dignity and respect
Migration is the great issue of our era. Migration With Dignity (#WithDignity) is the theme of 2018’s International Migrants Day, which we observe on Tuesday (18 December).
Post-Brexit migration plans unveiled
A skills-based immigration system will be introduced to “get control over our borders” when free movement from the EU ends, the home secretary will announce. It will focus on people’s “talent and expertise… rather than where they come from”, Sajid…
No age-bar for jobs except in state forces: Oikya Front
Dhaka, Dec 17 – The opposition alliance Jatiya Oikya Front, if voted to power, would reform age limit for government job seekers and create part-time job opportunity for educated old people with a minimum allowance.
At COP24, nations agree to bring Paris climate deal to life
COP24 closing plenary meeting in Katowice, Poland, 16 December 2018. Katowice, 15 December 2018 – After two weeks of crunch negotiations – with overtime – the almost 200 parties gathered in Katowice, Poland, for the United Nations COP24 two-week climate…
Garment owners urge workers not to be misled by rumors
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Siddiqur Rahman on Saturday called upon the garment workers not to be misguided by the rumours spread by conspirators.
Manifesto for the democratization of Europe
In a critical moment for Europe, this Manifesto (that all European citizens can sign after reading in full below) proposes to escape immobilism and abstract discussions by putting on the table a concrete plan to democratise both European institutions and…
The Euro at 20 and the futures of Europe
Weakened by a decade of unresolved economic crisis and shaken by the awakening of populism, the European Union (EU) project currently faces four disintegrating factors: Brexit, democratic disaffection, monetary and financial fragmentation and territorial dislocation. If EU member states want…
Additional EU aid for Rohingya refugees reaches Bangladesh
Brussels, 10 Dec 2018 – The European Commission has released an additional €5 million to provide life-saving food assistance to the Rohingya communities stranded in Bangladesh.
Brexit deal in turmoil as May postpones Parliament vote
Facing almost certain defeat, British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday postponed a vote in Parliament on her Brexit deal, saying she would go back to European Union leaders to seek changes to the divorce agreement.
Poor progress: No finance pledge at COP24 in Katowice
Implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change is in limbo as developed countries remain noncommittal to financial obligations at the ongoing negotiations in Katowice, Poland.
Fashionably sustainable plus shaping Cop24 outcome
The apparel industry has a climate problem and it wants to do something about it. In fact, textiles, it has been suggested, cause more carbon emissions than international flights and maritime shipping combined. Now global fashion brands are joining to…
Nonrecorded Filipino workers assistance program ends Tuesday
The deadline for illegal Filipino workers, including housemaids, to benefit from their country’s Financial Assistance Programme ends tomorrow.