business & economy
New York Times publishes allegations of Wal-Mart bribery and cover up in Mexico
A new investigation from The New York Times accuses Wal-Mart of a massive corruption scandal, stemming from a network of bribery in the company's Mexico stores in the early 2000s. The Times investigation alleges that payoffs allowed Wal-Mart de Mexico to grow at a record pace.
Immigrant workers, casino owners wage war of words over unionization efforts
Most casino workers in Las Vegas are members of a union -- and by-and-large they speak highly of their union and the benefits it has afforded them. But a smaller group of employees aren't members of a union, and they want what their unionized brethren have. So they're trying to get organized, but the casino owners are pushing back.
Singapore trying to encourage spontaneity to change economy in buttoned up country
Singapore is known for being a country of limits. People know one way to act -- and that's conservatively. But in recent years, as competition has intensified, the city-state's government has tried to transform its economy. But it's run into a problem: most of its people don't know how to be creative.
Small Greek community turns to local currency as economy struggles
In Volos, locals have started to use their own barter-based currency, called TEM. It hasn't replaced the euro but lives alongside it, and local residents say they can't imagine how their economy would function without it.
In Vietnam, people clamor to learn English
Some 37 years after the United States pulled the last of its forces from Vietnam, ending the Vietnam War, the people of Vietnam are clamoring for closer ties to American culture. To do that, though, they need to know English. So in Vietnam, English is king.
Growing pains at Groupon as it tries to grow business
Groupon was one of the fastest growing Internet companies ever. But the image was tarnish, especially when the online coupon giant came forward with financial reports revealing it had overstated its revenue. Now investors are wondering how long the Groupon model will last.
Spanish community looks to marijuana growing as road to economic recovery
Rasquera, population about 3,000, has a budget problem. Roughly $1.5 million in debt from run-of-the-mill infrastructure projects. Like most Spanish communities, the economic downturn and debt crisis has laid it low, but a new plan has emerged, grow marijuana, that could pay off its bills -- if it doesn't split the town in half first.
Gold mine set to open inside national park in Scotland
A Scottish National Park, believed to be home to $300 million worth of gold, will be the home of a new gold mine at some point this year. And while some environmentalists are against the project, most locals are squarely behind it. They say it's a dose of much-needed economic development.
Unemployment rate drops in March, but economy adds fewer jobs
The much-anticipated jobs report from the U.S. Labor Department, out Friday, showed decreasing unemployment levels, but fewer new jobs created in March. It's just another sign that the current recovery is moving forward at a snail's pace.
Car sales are up, possibly sign of improving economy
Car sales are increasing, perhaps because of the gradually improving economy. Also helping push things in the right direction, at least for automakers, subprime buyers are now more able to purchase cars because banks are writing loans for them now. The auto industry is also turning a profit and is struggling to fill all the jobs it has.
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PUdden N Tane (20 May, 2013 09:40:50)Take her crayons away then put her in the corner. How could anyone even 'think' they are doing right by the picture when they make ... -
Womprat (20 May, 2013 02:50:44)There were no swamp rats. There were Womprats, though.
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Jonathan (20 May, 2013 11:59:28)You're quite right. Sorry about that! Jonathan Kealing PRI.org
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My Other Car's the Tardis (20 May, 2013 11:37:03)I think you dropped a letter in the album's title: "Ela" is "she"--not "he"--in Portuguese.
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Jonathan (20 May, 2013 11:08:23)Hi Carl-- We can't think of such a solicitation coming from The World — and The World typically airs Monday through Friday. Is it possible you ...