Can foreign tourists help US economy?

The US tourism industry is seriously looking for foreign tourists to beef up its declined profit. Since 9/11, the federal government strengthened travel requirements, getting a temporary visitor visa remains a daunting and sometimes insurmountable hurdle. Now, the tourism industry has started campaign to persuade Congress to overhaul the State Department's tourist visa application process.

Bangladesh as a rising IT Destination

Bangladesh is rising as an IT destination in Asia. It's IT sector is rapidly growing as 23 countries have already partnered with the IT companies in Bangladesh. Watch this video as Bangladesh is showing the potential to become the silicon valley of South Asia.

Compensation for the Bangladeshi fire victims

Finally, the actvism and lobbying efforts for the Bangladeshi garments workers have been paid off as the multinational companies agreed to work with the garment industries in Bangladesh to ensure compensation for the workers who were victims of the recent fire.

Yes, money can buy happiness!

It's an age old question whether money can buy happiness in life or not.  Finally, the researchers from The Wharton School concluded that "the more money you have, the more satisfied you are with life – and that relationship holds true whether you are a citizen of the United States or of Burundi. As it turns out, the happiness effect isn’t relative; it’s based on a person’s absolute income".

Target Refusing to Pay Victims in Bangladesh

The popular departmental store Target is refusing to compensate the recent fire victims of the garments industry in Bangladesh. Change.org is arduously continuing its advocacy for the rights of the laborers in the developing world as "65,000 people from more than 70 countries call on American corporations with annual profits in the tens of billions to give a minuscule percentage of that to compensate workers killed or injured while making their clothing".

Target's profit is soaring, in the 3rd quarter of 2010, its profit rose 22.6% as the chain store earned 535 million dollars (CBS News). Its annual profit rose to 20 billion dollars. Change.org has already initiated a petition for the victims at the Bangladeshi garment industry that has been signed by almost 68,000 people all over the world.

Code of Ethics for the Economists?

The American Economic Association is seriously considering code of ethics for the economists in its national convention. A documentary last year called "Inside Job" raised critical issues about conflicts of interests for the professionals. Marketplace has recently broadcast an interview on this topic: Should there be a code of ethics for economists?