Topic: Poverty

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Donald Driver wins 'Dancing with the Stars.' Five lessons you can learn.

Donald Driver was crowned "Dancing with the Stars" champion Tuesday night. Over the 14 seasons of "Dancing with the Stars," many contestants have talked about the life-transforming benefits of ballroom dancing, including weight loss, increased self-confidence, a sense of pride in accomplishing something they’ve never done before, and, importantly, joy. Here are five business lessons the ballroom world has to offer everyone.
6 job interview mistakes to avoid

Although the economy seems to be showing signs of improvement, there are still more applicants for every job opening than there are available positions. In a survey, HR professionals outlined six interview mistakes that can instantly kill the possibility of receiving an offer.
Which Latin American countries are the most socially inclusive?

Americas Quarterly created a new 'social inclusion index' to compare countries across the region and track their progress over time. Here are the three top countries, two poorest-ranking countries, and one whose ranking may come as a surprise.
Bullish on jobs? These 10 cities are.

Our list of the 10 metro areas that saw the most job growth in 2011 might surprise you.
Charles Dickens: 20 books about his life

As the bicentennial of Charles Dickens approaches, here's a list of 20 books about his life, for readers of all ages.

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Tax VOX
New online tool to help families maximize tax, transfer benefits

State taxes and transfers can be an important, albeit complicated form of assistance for low-income families. A new interactive calculator aims to help guide families through the process, including the options when family income increases.
Donald Driver wins 'Dancing with the Stars.' Five lessons you can learn.

Donald Driver was crowned "Dancing with the Stars" champion Tuesday night. Over the 14 seasons of "Dancing with the Stars," many contestants have talked about the life-transforming benefits of ballroom dancing, including weight loss, increased self-confidence, a sense of pride in accomplishing something they’ve never done before, and, importantly, joy. Here are five business lessons the ballroom world has to offer everyone.
Africa Monitor
Just how effective is the Millennium Village Project at reducing child deaths?

The popular and well-funded brainchild of Jeffrey Sachs claims to reduce child mortality faster than national norm, but critics say the numbers are deceptive.
6 job interview mistakes to avoid

Although the economy seems to be showing signs of improvement, there are still more applicants for every job opening than there are available positions. In a survey, HR professionals outlined six interview mistakes that can instantly kill the possibility of receiving an offer.
Green accounting of economic growth

A World Bank study offers a new attempt to reconcile growth-oriented economics with Earth-oriented environmentalism. But can economists put price tags on nature?
Student loans: Will Congress's remedy favor middle class over poor?

Student loans subsidized by the federal government will become more expensive soon unless Congress acts to keep interest rates low. But Pell grants, which benefit low-income students, also face cuts, analysts note.
Lift Latin America's 'drug curse'

At the Summit of the Americas, Obama will likely be asked to discuss alternatives to the get-tough tactics on the drug trade – even to endorse legalization. He should point to Latin America's successes in giving economic alternatives to drug trafficking.
Which Latin American countries are the most socially inclusive?

Americas Quarterly created a new 'social inclusion index' to compare countries across the region and track their progress over time. Here are the three top countries, two poorest-ranking countries, and one whose ranking may come as a surprise.
Change Agent
Unconventional Charity: Water aims to raise $2 billion for clean water

Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity: Water, takes an unconventional approach to bringing clean water to millions of people. Among his ideas: Put 100 percent of donations directly into projects – and look to entrepreneurs, not other charities, for great ideas.
Tax VOX
Getting rid of state income tax? Bad idea.

Reducing or eliminating state income tax is bad news for low-income families, who may end up paying higher taxes and losing critical safety net programs.
Who is Jim Yong Kim, nominee for World Bank president?

The selection of Jim Yong Kim took many by surprise since he is not well known in Washington circles and wasn’t an expected candidate for the World Bank position.
Africa Monitor
Chad: a closer look at the food crisis

The current food crisis in Chad could affect 3.6 million people, writes guest blogger Alex Thurston.
Change Agent
Five poverty-fighting women to watch

These women don't hand out aid. They're creating innovative new ways for women – and men – to lift themselves out of poverty.
Keep Calm
Millennium Development Goals: Clean water checked off list. Now back to work.

The Millennium Development Goal of sharply improving access to safe drinking water has been reached. But China drove a lot of the progress, skewing the data with its size and obscuring problems in Africa.
Change Agent
Does conservative philanthropy ignore the poor?

Conservative philanthropy once helped dispel the stereotype of conservatives as uncaring or hardhearted by developing thoughtful private approaches to alleviating poverty. Why has it been abandoned today?
Bullish on jobs? These 10 cities are.

Our list of the 10 metro areas that saw the most job growth in 2011 might surprise you.
On the Economy
It's time to raise minimum wage again

If the national minimum wage isn't raised again soon, it will only increase the growing problem of wage inequality.
Change Agent
As tensions over wealth gap rise, the rich are giving more

The top 50 charitable donors gave more in 2011: Are the super rich feeling the sting of public opinion?
Charles Dickens: 20 books about his life

As the bicentennial of Charles Dickens approaches, here's a list of 20 books about his life, for readers of all ages.
Obama, here's how to help the poor: Educate both parents and their children

In his State of the Union address, President Obama touted ways to improve education and the economy. One solution – with a proven record of success – didn't make it into the speech: a two-generation strategy to educate families and bring them out of poverty.
Africa Rising: Jeffrey Sachs says Ghana's future looks bright

Because of good governance in the past, and now oil production, Ghana is likely to reach all of the Millennium Development Goals toward ending extreme poverty and child mortality.
Tax VOX
Tax-deferred 401(k) plans good news for workers

While lower-wage workers get less of a tax benefit than their higher-paid colleagues, their wages fall by much less for every dollar their employer contributes to their retirement plan.
Q&A: What's with the war talk surrounding Iran?

Tensions over Iran’s nuclear program have escalated in recent weeks as the US and Europe ramp up sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Thirty ideas from people under 30: The Faith Leaders

They are explorers and activists, artists and educators, farmers and faith leaders – even mayors. And they have trenchant suggestions on how to improve the world.
Latin America Monitor
Brazil bumps Britain to become world's sixth largest economy

Thanks in part to soybeans and iron ore, cars, and coffee, Brazil has overtaken Britain as the world's sixth largest economy - though there are some clouds on the horizon.