Issue No. 537 (16-31 Jan 2013)
Argentina case highlights need for foreign debt workout process

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Argentina’s hedge funds case threatens sovereign debt restructuring
A legal tussle being fought out over Argentine loan repayments underlines the pressing need for an internationally agreed sovereign debt resolution process.
by Bhumika Muchhala

A resurgence in global unemployment, reports ILO
After two years of decline in the number of jobless people worldwide, 2012 saw a rise in unemployment, says the International Labour Organization (ILO), which has urged decisive policy action to promote job creation and investment.
by Kanaga Raja

The return of austerity – a view from Africa
The austerity preached in the West is not the right fiscal policy path for African Economies – instead, they should look to their own recent experience in managing recovery and growth.
by Léonce Ndikumana

Too much of the same
The increasing homogenization of financial systems is hurting developing economies, writes Jayati Ghosh.

The persistent power of finance
Approval by US authorities of a fund which could drive financial speculation in the copper market points to the continued influence of finance capital.
by C P Chandrasekhar

Cautious welcome for “Robin Hood” tax
Lauding the imposition by 11 European states of a levy on financial transactions, civil society groups have called on the countries concerned to earmark part of the earnings for development uses.
by A D McKenzie

EU massively under-notified its agri subsidies, argues paper
A study by a French development group has found discrepancies in European Union farm subsidy figures reported to the WTO.
by Kanaga Raja

Death of an Internet open-access activist
The tragic suicide of a well-known Internet open-access advocate has sparked protests against the highly protected system that limits public access to knowledge.
by Martin Khor