Refugees Demand Compensation in Zambia after Xenophobic Attacks


Refugees are lobbying the Zambian government for speedy compensation after suffering attacks at the hands of xenophobic mobs, according to Anadolu Agency. Xenophobia is on the rise in Zambia due to a stagnant economy and ritualized killings, and many suspect that foreigners are behind the murders. Zambia has accepted an influx of refugees from neighboring countries undergoing political and economic turmoil.

IMF Praises Jamaica’s Recovery; Says Bold Reforms Still Needed


Jamaica suffered through decades of stagnant growth and growing debt. That said, Jamaica has finally found its way to economic growth and stability, and has made great progress according to a recent report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Violence Erupts in Central African Republic (CAR): Aid Workers Attacked


Two people were killed in a hail of gunfire on Monday as religious conflicts between Christians and Muslims reached a boiling point, according to Reuters. The perpetrators came from Seleka, a Muslim rebel group that staged a coup in 2013 and persecuted the Christian population. President Faustin-Archange Touadera campaigned on a promise of fostering peace between Christians and Muslims, but has been unsuccessful thus far.

World Bank: Forced Displacement Life Improvement Contest Winners


Forced displacement has become a growing problem around the world. Millions of people have been driven from their homes by conflicts, development, and political disputes. The situation has reached crisis levels, and the World Bank has sought innovative new ways to improve the lives of those affected by these forced displacements.

Persistent Low Interest Rates Bring Bank Woes


Persistently low interest rates are set to hit bank profits in America, triggering warnings from analysts across Wall Street.  A number of notes released late last week and early this week to clients warned that Federal Reserve policy is likely to hinder bank profits for a long time, bringing to doubt both Wall Street’s ability to improve profitability and the future of employment in the financial sector.

Rwanda Invests in Energy and Food Security


The Rwandan government approved an energy-storage system that will provide 2.68 MW of energy to an irrigation project, according to The New Times. The equipment will be supplied by German company Tesvolt and will energize water pumps for irrigating crops. Authorities aim to mitigate stress on the national grid and secure food stability for struggling Rwandans.

World Bank Provides Guidance to Zimbabwe on Its Ongoing Cash Shortage


The African nation of Zimbabwe has been in the depths of a cash shortage with crippling effects: Zimbabwean banks have been forced to limit the amount of cash they give to their customers; foreign currencies (particularly the United States dollar) have become more widely accepted than domestic currency; and money laundering and capital flight have skyrocketed.

Divided Polls, Economic Views on Brexit


New polls of UK voters show the Brexit vote remains uncertain.  After several weeks of the vote to leave the European Union gaining, more recently the polls have become murkier, with a near-tie between the leave and remain camp. According to The Financial Times, a British financial newspaper, both sides have a 44% vote, while other polls show a spread of just 1% or 2% in favor of remaining.

New Peruvian President Faces Hurdles after Election Win


Presidential hopeful Keiko Fujimori conceded defeat to winner Pedro Kuczynski, but he faces the daunting task of reaching out to the opposition while fixing Peru’s economic problems. Fujimori has vowed to lead the opposition in Congress, but shares some of his views on market-oriented reforms. Peru is a commodity-driven economy that has suffered from lower commodity prices.

Singapore Signs on for OECD / G20 Tax Revisions


In the wake of the infamous “Panama Papers,” nations around the world have felt extraordinary political pressure, both from within and from international economic organizations, to reform tax laws. These reforms are generally aimed at providing better transparency while closing loopholes that allow foreign organizations and individuals to funnel cash in an effort to avoid taxes in their home nations.