From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report. The capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, is seeing big changes. To many people, the city now seems like one very large building project. Heavy equipment blocks roads causing traffic delays. One taxi driver says the roads are so crowded and traffic so slow that he has had to […]
Top trade officials reported progress, but no final deal after meetings in Singapore at the end of 2013. They met to discuss details of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP. The plan calls for removing non-tariff trade requirements among 12 Pacific nations. Supporters say the TPP would make trade easier, create jobs in these countries. […]
From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report. The face of America’s central bank is changing. The Senate recently confirmed Janet Yellen to lead the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. She will be the first woman to head the nation’s central bank in its 100-year history. Mr. Yellen is replacing Ben Bernanke. She […]
Three United Nations agencies are spending a lot of time and money to bring financial services to poor people in Africa. The agencies want to help poor become less dependent on aid. But some people are wondering whether the UN efforts can lead to changes. The agencies want financial services, such as credit, savings and insurance, made available to everyone. […]
Organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund expect the international economy toperform better this year than in 2013. Yet one United Nations agency worries that economic progress is not creating enough jobs for the millions of people seeking employment. The U.N.’s International Labor Organization is saying current economic growth has not helped the world’s unemployment. […]
Economists are warning of slower growth in Thailand, southeast Asia’s biggest economy. A major credit rating agency recently reported that continued political unrest in Thailand could hurt the economy. Fitch Ratings noted a drop in manufacturing and lower sales of goods and services. The opposition Democrat Party has accused the ruling Pheu Thai party of being disloyal to the […]
From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report. Toyota Motor Corporation agreed to a record fine of $1.2 billion on March 19th. The record fine brought to a close a United States criminal investigation into safety problems with some Toyota vehicles. Toyota is the world’s largest carmaker. The head of the Justice Department, Attorney General […]
From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report. American Bill Gates is known around the world as founder and former chairman of Microsoft Corporation. He now serves as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The private foundation is working to end deadly diseases and poverty. Recently, Bill Gates spoke about the importance […]
From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report. Are you a saver or a spender? “A penny saved is a penny earned.” This old saying calls attention to the wisdom of saving money. “Putting money away for a rainy day” is another recognized saying. In the US, people who want to start a savings account have several choices. These include […]
For VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report. For many years, immigrants have sought better lives for themselves in New York City. Now, a new study says, that immigrants also have helped the city’s economy remain strong. New York is in many ways a city of immigrants. The Mayor’s office says, the group makes up more […]