Topic: The World Bank Group
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2012's 'good news' stories
2012 saw jobs returning to the US, health concerns improve in historic numbers, and more.
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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.
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Rio+20: 5 key takeaways
Here are some of the promising developments and bigger disappointments of the Rio+20 global sustainability conference, which ends today.
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US tax time: A later deadline and other tax facts
Thanks to a holiday in Washington, D.C., the federal tax-filing deadline this year is April 17, two days later than usual. The extra time provides an opportunity to peruse some random tax-related facts.
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Afghanistan: 5 areas of concern after the US leaves
The withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan will have profound, direct effects on the country's security, economy, and society. Here are five areas that are likely to see an impact.
All Content
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The Monitor's View: Who forced a 'fiscal cliff' deal? Try foreign investors.
Washington is now all too aware that foreign creditors and investors will punish it for any macroeconomic mismanagement. American competitiveness was at stake in the fiscal cliff negotiations.
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2012's 'good news' stories
2012 saw jobs returning to the US, health concerns improve in historic numbers, and more.
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Cover Story
Progress watch 2012: Smart phones, jobs returning to America, and war crimes trialsThe often-slow arc of good news may not make headlines. But 2012 brought its quiet share: from extreme poverty dropping by half since 1990 to a robot with the bulky profile of an NFL player that may have a role in bringing jobs back to the US.
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Tunisia seeks gold in former dictator's assets
Tunisia has been aggressively pursuing the assets of former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his associates, seizing bank accounts, luxury homes, and one-of-a-kind luxury cars.
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US government waives pollution laws for 1,500 underground water supplies
The Environmental Protection Agency has granted some energy and mining companies permission to pollute underground water supplies across the US, according to an investigation by ProPublica.
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Nations extend weaker Kyoto Protocol
UN climate conference approves extending Kyoto global-warming agreement through 2020. But new Kyoto phase will cover only 15 percent of greenhouse gases.
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Egypt's anti-Morsi protests spread beyond Cairo
Egypt's angry political divide is evident well outside Cairo, with protests erupting against President Mohamed Morsi in Alexandria, along the Suez Canal, and in the Nile Delta.
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Greece seen as most corrupt European nation, survey says
Transparency International ranks Greece, along with other European countries racked by the financial crisis, poorly in its 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index.
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In post-revolutionary Tunisia, 'it's (still) the economy, stupid.'
Violent protests in the countryside echo the economic protest that touched off the Arab Spring here as the new government struggles to improve on the jobs situation.
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'Fiscal cliff' reality check: Are US taxes low or high? (+video)
As Washington confronts the 'fiscal cliff' and seeks a deal to reduce the deficit, one key issue is the tax rate. Comparatively, US taxes are low, but politically, a big hike is a nonstarter.
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Climate change talks: What are the goals in Qatar? (+video)
UN talks for a new pact to curb greenhouse emissions and slow climate change are underway in Qatar. Negotiators hope to extend the Kyoto Protocol. The concentration of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide has jumped 20 percent since 2000, according to a U.N. report released last week
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Obama's historic visit to Cambodia highlights economic growth and struggles (+video)
Economically Cambodia is turning a corner, but President Obama took a firm line on Cambodia’s human rights abuses and corruption on his visit to Phnom Penh Monday.
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World Bank: Tackle warming or poverty remains
Climate change will hit all nations, but especially the poor ones, says new World Bank report. Warming could flood Vietnam and Bangladesh, dry out other areas, causing water scarcity.
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A role reversal as former colonies meet former colonists at Ibero-American summit
Spain and Portugal, once the heavy hitters in the annual meeting of Iberian and Latin American nations, are now looking to their one-time colonies for help amid their debt crisis.
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Vietnam's 'tiger' economy losing its roar
Growth next year is expected to drop due, as recent corruption scandals and splinters within the communist government weigh on the economy.
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Focus
How water could bring Israelis, Palestinians togetherA sole joint committee between Israelis and Palestinians survives 17 years after the Oslo Accords: the one on water.
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Palestinian Authority unable to pay salaries, even as it pursues statehood
The Palestinian drive for non-member state status at the UN could trigger Israeli economic retaliation that would end the viability of the Palestinian Authority.
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Progress Watch
Poland takes top honors for 'most improved' in cutting red tapeIt's getting easier to do business in many countries, according to a World Bank report, with Eastern Europe and Central Asia making significant strides this year.
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The Monitor's View: The steady gain of humanity
Beyond alarming headlines, a deeper look reveals progress – and the prospect of even more if we address the big challenges ahead.
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Spain loses title as Moroccans' land of opportunity
Moroccans seeking economic opportunity used to flock to Spain, but with its economy tanking, Spain has less and less to offer them.
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Ethiopia surprises itself with peaceful transition after Meles
Fears that unrest would follow the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in August may prove unfounded in Ethiopia, a Western ally in the troubled Horn of Africa.
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The Monitor's View: Why Romney, Obama must drop the fear-mongering
In their political ads and presidential debates, Mitt Romney and President Obama worsen economic uncertainty by using fear tactics and pandering to special interests. The economy needs the certainty of a political consensus.
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Change Agent
Mobile technology boosts access to clean water for the poorThe widespread availability of mobile phones has enabled the development of low-cost solutions aimed at improving water security and reducing poverty.
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Europe's independence seekers: Scotland, Catalonia, and now ... Venice
Activists in Venice and northeastern Italy want to restore independence to the region, which had been a republic for more than 1,000 years before falling to Napoleon in 1797.
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Change Agent
Games for change: How digital fun is becoming a way to better the worldUsing online games to benefit society, or 'games for change,' is a fast-growing movement. A favorite pastime of teens and young adults is being used for good causes.
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