http://www.voanews.com Voice of America is an international news and broadcast organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries http://www.voanews.com/img/voa/rssLogo_VOA.gif http://www.voanews.com en-US 2012 - VOA 60 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:24:52 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA U.S. President Barack Obama says Ben Bernanke has done an "outstanding" job leading the central bank and coping with the worst recession in decades.  But some analysts say Obama is likely to appoint someone else to head the Federal Reserve in a few months. analysts have mixed opinions about Bernanke's efforts. President Obama praised Ben Bernanke during a recent television interview, but did not really answer when asked if Bernanke will be reappointed as chairman of the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/federal-reserve-chairman-bernanke/1684550.html http://www.voanews.com/content/federal-reserve-chairman-bernanke/1684550.html Tue, 18 Jun 2013 19:26:41 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) Washington's Republicans and Democrats are haggling over how to finance higher education, including details like the interest rates that students pay for loans. Recent graduates, who are burdened with an average of $26,000 in loans, are watching the debate closely. But some economists say the real issue is controlling the soaring cost of college at a time when post-secondary schooling is crucial to getting a good job and a middle class salary. Experts say these high costs are hurting the ... http://www.voanews.com/content/soaring-college-costs-prompt-concern-from-students-and-economists/1679864.html http://www.voanews.com/content/soaring-college-costs-prompt-concern-from-students-and-economists/1679864.html Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:34:48 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/soaring-college-costs-prompt-concern-from-students-and-economists/1679864.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. colleges face a "perfect storm" of problems as tuition costs soar, opportunities for graduates sag, and employers complain they cannot find enough workers with key technical skills. One solution may be found in the growing number and quality of online classes. The digital revolution might transform universities the way the Internet has already changed music, publishing, journalism, retail, and other businesses.  "This is pretty amazing," said the University of ... http://www.voanews.com/content/online-classes-may-force-changes-at-universities/1671400.html http://www.voanews.com/content/online-classes-may-force-changes-at-universities/1671400.html Thu, 30 May 2013 10:59:24 -0400 USA webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/online-classes-may-force-changes-at-universities/1671400.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. nurses are caught between a sour economy, a demographic bump and a flood of unemployed new graduates. After years of worry about a shortage of nurses, about one-third of new nursing graduates in the United States have been struggling to find work. Experts say there will be many job openings for nurses - eventually. ”I’ve applied for 35 different jobs and, despite having a 4.0 GPA [very high grades], I have not received any jobs, so it’s really concerning,” said University of Maryland ... http://www.voanews.com/content/some-us-nurses-struggle-to-find-work/1658976.html http://www.voanews.com/content/some-us-nurses-struggle-to-find-work/1658976.html Fri, 10 May 2013 18:19:02 -0400 USA webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) Despite recent improvements, U.S. unemployment remains high. But at the same time, experts say a lack of computer-savvy workers means several million technology jobs could go unfilled.  The president of a college that grants thousands of technical degrees each year says schools are struggling to keep up with the new skills needed for technical professions that didn't exist a couple of years ago.  Northern Virginia Community College near Washington has several campuses and ... http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1655788.html http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1655788.html Mon, 06 May 2013 17:31:44 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/article/1655788.html#relatedInfoContainer The world’s toughest economic problems top the agenda as finance officials from around the globe gather in Washington, trying to cut poverty, boost growth, and keep an eye on banks and national budgets.  Participants in the annual IMF and World Bank meetings, starting April 16, include their 188 member nations. There has been some progress in reforms that would reallocate power from wealthy countries to fast-growing emerging nations. More than one billion people around the world live ... http://www.voanews.com/content/imf-world-bank-to-discuss-poverty-power-and-growth/1642068.html http://www.voanews.com/content/imf-world-bank-to-discuss-poverty-power-and-growth/1642068.html Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:32:32 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) The head of the World Bank says for the first time in human history, it is possible to eliminate poverty around the world. Jim Yong Kim told a Washington audience Tuesday, he wants to make ending world poverty by 2030 a top priority for the Bank and governments around the world.   World Bank President Jim Yong Kim says the problems of poverty, hunger and inequality are massive, urgent and a matter of survival for millions.  "We know that despite the dramatic successes ... http://www.voanews.com/content/world-bank-president-poverty/1633597.html http://www.voanews.com/content/world-bank-president-poverty/1633597.html Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:23:07 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) China is complaining it is the victim, not the perpetrator, of cyber attacks that steal military and trade secrets from computers in foreign lands.  But, U.S. experts say Chinese attacks on U.S.-based computers are a growing threat to the economy.  A Chinese report says the country is under “severe” cyber attacks, aimed at government websites or at trying to defraud ordinary people. Chinese cyber experts are quoted in state-controlled media as saying most of the attacks are traced ... http://www.voanews.com/content/china-says-it-is-victim-of-cyberattacks-not-perpetrator/1624718.html http://www.voanews.com/content/china-says-it-is-victim-of-cyberattacks-not-perpetrator/1624718.html Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:25:11 -0400 Asia webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/china-says-it-is-victim-of-cyberattacks-not-perpetrator/1624718.html#relatedInfoContainer While a U.S. computer security company links China’s government to scores of cyber attacks in the United States, there are fears in Washington that the U.S. risks losing a cyber-war. Analysts say computer hackers are attacking more often, and in more sophisticated ways. President Barack Obama has ordered government agencies to share information about cyber-threats with private companies, and Congress is considering new laws to increase protection for vulnerable firms. Officials have been ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us_works_to_head_off_cyber_threat/1606741.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us_works_to_head_off_cyber_threat/1606741.html Tue, 19 Feb 2013 14:07:00 -0500 USA webdesk@voanews.com (Kate Pound Dawson, Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/us_works_to_head_off_cyber_threat/1606741.html#relatedInfoContainer Oil prices jumped when terrorists launched a deadly attack on a major energy facility in Algeria recently. Some experts believe more attacks are likely, and the weapons and tactics used will probably become more sophisticated.  Terrorists with links to al-Qaida stormed a gas production complex in Algeria in January. They wrecked equipment and took hostages. Government forces re-took the facility, but not before 37 hostages were killed. Experts say energy facilities are targets because ... http://www.voanews.com/content/energy-facilities-could-face-more-sophisticated-attacks/1600144.html http://www.voanews.com/content/energy-facilities-could-face-more-sophisticated-attacks/1600144.html Fri, 08 Feb 2013 15:35:06 -0500 Africa webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/energy-facilities-could-face-more-sophisticated-attacks/1600144.html#relatedInfoContainer U.S. shoppers are spending more than ever on e-commerce, a trend experts say is likely to spread to other nations.  Online sales are now as much as one-tenth of U.S. retail sales, prompting traditional “bricks and mortar” stores to seek new ways to hang on to their customers.  Lynne Shaner used the Internet to buy everything she needed for her wedding and holiday gifts for her husband and step daughter. Other than food, 90 percent of her purchases are made on the computer in her ... http://www.voanews.com/content/e-commerce-challenges-traditional-stores/1566499.html http://www.voanews.com/content/e-commerce-challenges-traditional-stores/1566499.html Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:41:13 -0500 Science & Technology webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) An anti-corruption group says Brazil is making progress in fighting corruption while China is passing some laws that eventually might ease the problem. These nations were the exception to Transparency International's assessment that efforts to fight corruption are stalled or losing ground in many cases. Cambodian motorcycle taxi driver Chum Van says it is just not fair. He said police sometimes put the blame for accidents on poor people, regardless of who is at fault. Nigerian tailor ... http://www.voanews.com/content/report_says_fight_against_corruption_frustratingly_slow/1559185.html http://www.voanews.com/content/report_says_fight_against_corruption_frustratingly_slow/1559185.html Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:35:34 -0500 USA webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle, Jeff Seldin) http://www.voanews.com/content/report_says_fight_against_corruption_frustratingly_slow/1559185.html#relatedInfoContainer Anger over corruption has sparked mass demonstrations and even toppled governments in the past few years. But a global study published Wednesday by Transparency International finds the problem remains widespread.   In Pakistan, teacher Bashir Bulti says it takes a bribe to get a job.  Cambodian motorcycle taxi driver Chum Van says police sometimes put the blame for accidents on poor people, regardless of who is at fault.   Pakistan and Cambodia are among 176 ... http://www.voanews.com/content/report-corruption-remains-widespread-global-problem/1558610.html http://www.voanews.com/content/report-corruption-remains-widespread-global-problem/1558610.html Tue, 04 Dec 2012 19:40:07 -0500 Asia webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle, Jeff Seldin) http://www.voanews.com/content/report-corruption-remains-widespread-global-problem/1558610.html#relatedInfoContainer With the U.S. elections over, President Barack Obama and Congress are turning their attention to the political stalemate called the “fiscal cliff.” It is a tangle of major spending cuts and tax increases that could stall the national economy unless Democrats and Republicans quickly forge compromises.   The United States faces $600 billion in automatic tax increases and spending cuts that go into effect January 1, unless the two major political parties can reach an ... http://www.voanews.com/content/the-us-fiscal-cliff-explained/1542125.html http://www.voanews.com/content/the-us-fiscal-cliff-explained/1542125.html Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:54:47 -0500 USA webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/the-us-fiscal-cliff-explained/1542125.html#relatedInfoContainer Unemployment is a key issue in the U.S. presidential election, and on Friday the government publishes the last official jobless rate before voters go to the polls on November 6. More than 12 million Americans are out of work, another eight million have found only part-time jobs, and still others have stopped searching for work. There are different opinions about the job situation from voters in North Carolina, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. Jobless Americans are concerned about the high ... http://www.voanews.com/content/unemployment_remains_key_factor_for_us_voters/1537682.html http://www.voanews.com/content/unemployment_remains_key_factor_for_us_voters/1537682.html Thu, 01 Nov 2012 15:08:58 -0400 USA Votes 2012 webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/unemployment_remains_key_factor_for_us_voters/1537682.html#relatedInfoContainer The International Monetary Fund is warning that global economic growth is slowing at the same time the World Bank says hundreds of millions of new jobs are needed around the world. Top financial and political leaders are gathering in Tokyo to discuss these and other major economic issues. Many Europeans have been angered by government efforts to slash pensions and salaries, while raising taxes in an effort to balance battered budgets. Public anger is one of many things limiting what leaders ... http://www.voanews.com/content/global_financial_leaders_ponder_jobs_growth_politics/1522759.html http://www.voanews.com/content/global_financial_leaders_ponder_jobs_growth_politics/1522759.html Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:23:45 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/global_financial_leaders_ponder_jobs_growth_politics/1522759.html#relatedInfoContainer More than 46 million people were living in poverty in the United States last year as the lingering effects of the financial crisis boosted unemployment. Government experts say family incomes fell, but more people were covered by health insurance.  According to a U.S. Census Bureau report released Wednesday, about about 15 percent of people in the United States were living in poverty in 2011. The Census Bureau defines "poverty" as having an income below $23,021 a year for a ... http://www.voanews.com/content/study-poverty-hits-one-out-of-seven-americans/1506585.html http://www.voanews.com/content/study-poverty-hits-one-out-of-seven-americans/1506585.html Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:27:39 -0400 USA webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) Four years ago, the collapse of Lehman Brothers, a huge financial firm, marked the start of the worst recession in decades. Frightened investors dumped stocks, banks stopped lending, the economy shrank, and millions of people lost jobs, homes, and savings. The crisis prompted financial firms and regulators to make changes intended to prevent another financial disaster. But some experts say it could happen again.  Since the crisis, committees investigated what went wrong, ... http://www.voanews.com/content/financial-crisis-offers-lesson-for-future/1506040.html http://www.voanews.com/content/financial-crisis-offers-lesson-for-future/1506040.html Tue, 11 Sep 2012 16:50:31 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) A look at some key industries in the United States shows that the economic recovery is a bit erratic and growth seems to be slowing down. Economists say trucks haul nearly 70 percent of the freight used in the United States. The American Trucking Association says freight is a measure of the economy, because manufacturers have to move raw materials, carry parts to factories, haul imports and exports and deliver goods to store shelves. “We are actually a very good indicator, a leading ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us-economy-indicators_slow_uneven/1499665.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us-economy-indicators_slow_uneven/1499665.html Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:54:04 -0400 Economy webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) The U.S. economy grew faster than first thought in April, May, and June, while the housing market showed some gains in July. Commerce Department experts say the U.S. economy expanded at a 1.7 percent annual rate in the second quarter, which is two-tenths of a percent better than first estimated. Economists said the Gross Domestic Product will have to expand at a rate faster than 2 percent to cut the U.S. unemployment rate, which is above 8 percent. The GDP measures all the goods and ... http://www.voanews.com/content/us-economy-grows-faster-than-first-thought/1497828.html http://www.voanews.com/content/us-economy-grows-faster-than-first-thought/1497828.html Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:45:01 -0400 USA webdesk@voanews.com (Jim Randle) http://www.voanews.com/content/us-economy-grows-faster-than-first-thought/1497828.html#relatedInfoContainer