Topic: The World Bank Group

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Change Agent One solution to Palestine's economic problems? Export bits and bytes

The technology sector, which simply requires an Internet connection, is free of the border restraints that most other Palestinian industries experience.
The Monitor's View A Chinese lesson in land rights and democracy

The first anniversary of a historic village protest over land grabs shows how far China , as well as many countries, must still go in securing property rights – and tying them to individual civic rights.
Ahmadinejad's comments inflame Israeli ambassador (+video)

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Israel a 'fake regime' shielded by the US at the UN General Assembly, prompting Israeli Ambassador, Ron Prosor to walk out of the meeting.
Opinion Could Myanmar (Burma) have Southeast Asia's first 'green president'?

President Thein Sein still has a long way to go in assuring citizens, investors, and international donors that the country is on the right track, but with the right development assistance, Myanmar has the chance to succeed in sustainable development where many of its neighbors have failed.
Change Agent Beyond big dams: turning to grass-roots solutions on water

Mega-dams and massive government-run irrigation projects are not the key to meeting world’s water needs, a growing number of experts say. For developing nations, the answer may lie in small-scale measures such as inexpensive water pumps.
Mitt Romney speaks like a neocon, but is he one?

In his response to the anti-US violence in the Muslim world, and in comments on the Mideast and China, Mitt Romney sounds like a neocon. But some analysts say his policies would be more centrist.
Change Agent Nigeria's Okonjo-Iweala seeks reform without the 'godfathers'

Western nations and international agencies admire the reform efforts of Nigeria's new finance minister. But Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala faces daunting challenges in cleaning up embedded corruption.
Somalia gets a new president

Somalia's parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the new leader for the African nation on Monday.
Opinion 4 ways to prevent natural disasters from becoming human tragedies

The catastrophic impact of climate change – especially on the developing world – is not inevitable. Here are four cutting-edge tools to anticipate and minimize the damage from natural disasters.
Why Western retailers are scrambling to get a foothold in Indonesia

Consumer spending makes up more than half the Indonesian economy, making it an attractive new market for Western companies like L'Oreal whose traditional customers are in recession-mired countries.
China's role in funding Ethiopian dam draws ire

Ethiopia says construction of a dam along the Omo River will create needed electrical power for itself and Kenya, and channel water for food production. Environmentalists worry it could drain a Kenyan desert lake central to people's livelihoods.
Social networks help Filipinos deal with Manila floods

Manila is still at risk for more flooding, but recovery efforts are underway, and many are turning to social networking sites to update and get updates on the situation.
Central American peace accord celebrates 25 years, but has it brought peace?

The Esquipulas peace agreement succeeded in ending political and ideological strife, but it failed to create peaceful societies. Today Central America is one of the world's most violent regions.
Change Agent A modern, wired university grows in Nigeria

The American University of Nigeria provides a modern education right in the backyard of Boko Haram, Nigeria's homegrown terrorist group. One clue: The campus claims 55 percent of all the Internet traffic in Nigeria.
The Monitor's View India blackout flips a switch

A two-day blackout for half of India was caused in large part by a massive theft of electricity. Many countries have yet to break the link between wholesale corruption and the stealing of power. Such widespread dishonesty can slow a country's growth.
Mitt Romney in Jerusalem: Another city, another gaffe (or two)?

Mitt Romney traveled well-trod ground among US presidential candidates, calling Jerusalem the capital of Israel. But then he went another potential gaffe further with a comment on culture and prosperity.
Mitt Romney angers Palestinians with 'racist' speech in Israel (+video)

Mitt Romney praised the cultures of economic success in Israel, and criticized the Palestinian economy. Palestinian leaders called Romney's comments 'racist.'
Progress Watch Developing countries lead the way in deploying mobile technology

Some three-quarters of the world now has access to mobile networks. What does this mean for those in the developing world?
Backchannels US drought already rippling out into the world

Scuffles in Jakarta markets between tofu producers and soybean traders may be a taste of things to come.
How the NATO supply route closure hit Afghan truck drivers

Truckers in Kandahar lost the biggest part of their business when Pakistan closed off NATO supply routes to Afghanistan.
After 20-year battle, protests over Italian high-speed train derail

Farmers lost the battle against a high-speed train they see as serving the economic interests of the Italian elite and causing harm to the environment.
If all goes well, Somalia soon may have a government

Seen by World Bank and UN monitoring group as 'corrupt' and 'incompetent,' Somalia's interim government has a deadline within a month to transition to a permanent government.
Change Agent Why resilience is the key to solving 21st century problems

Author and PopTech executive director Andrew Zolli says the ability of people and institutions to bounce back from challenges will be needed more and more. It can be learned, as he found out in his own life.
Decoder Wire Bipartisan powers, activate! Can Congress's debt avengers be superheroes?

Once again, Washington's bipartisan, blue-ribbon, out-of-power elite gathers to urge Congress to break the gridlock and do the right thing on the nation's looming financial Armageddon.
Change Agent Schwarzenegger still a man of (environmental) action

The former California governor and action film star has founded R20 Regions of Climate Action. It teams local and state governments, and other partners, to find ways to become energy efficient in economically viable ways.