#Economics39

21 Apr 2026

Data centers and water tensions in Indonesia

AI growth has driven a fast rise in data center construction in Indonesia, creating large economic value but raising concerns about heavy water use and local protests in places such as Batam.

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Photo by Lisa Shauma, Unsplash

24 Mar 2026

Cameroon aims for rice self-sufficiency

Cameroon depends on rice imports and the government launched a rice self-sufficiency strategy in May 2023 with a large budget. Farmers welcome the plan but face problems like bad roads, low prices and poor storage.

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28 Feb 2026

Ashgabat’s White City and the Problems Behind the Facade

Ashgabat is covered in white marble and grand monuments paid for with gas money. Behind the shiny buildings, Turkmenistan faces water and food shortages and tight limits on information and movement.

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1 Feb 2026

Curtailed renewables cost the Dominican Republic

A report says the Dominican Republic lost about USD 5.17 million in early 2025 because the grid limited some solar generation. Curtailment raises costs, benefits thermal plants and slows the energy transition.

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19 Dec 2025

Power crisis in the Dominican Republic despite rising renewables

The Dominican Republic increased renewable energy to 25% but grid problems and a brief shutdown at Punta Catalina 2 caused a supply crisis. The president declared an emergency and signed a decree to speed up procurement.

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18 Dec 2025

PFAS in Water Harm Babies and Cost Society

A University of Arizona study found PFAS contamination in groundwater affects infant health in New Hampshire births and, when scaled to the contiguous US, implies at least $8 billion per year in social costs; cleanup and filters may help.

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15 Dec 2025

Healthy diets can cost less and cut emissions

A global study finds that healthy diets often cost less and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than many current diets. Researchers used local food data and diet targets to compare cost and climate impact.

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1 Dec 2025

Why top firms hire, train and then let people go

A study in the American Economic Review explains why elite firms hire bright people, train them, and later let many leave. The model shows how reputation, public results and selective turnover help firms and workers.

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26 Nov 2025

South Asia: climate risks, money and the green transition

South Asia faces severe climate damage in Pakistan and Nepal while it seeks funds for adaptation and clean energy. International finance, private carbon markets and Chinese technology shape the region’s green transition and its challenges.

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25 Nov 2025

Nepal’s cement industry: growth, jobs and pollution

After the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, Nepal expanded cement production with large investments, especially from Chinese firms. By 2019 it became self-sufficient and started exports to India in July 2022, while social and environmental problems grew.

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25 Nov 2025

College degrees still pay off after student loan payments

A new study using linked financial and education records finds that completing a college degree still gives clear financial benefits after student loan payments. Degree holders earn about $8,000 more per year on average.

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24 Nov 2025

China expands lithium investment in Nigeria

New lithium finds in Nigeria have drawn Chinese investment. Since September 2023 Chinese firms have poured money into processing, while Nigeria pushes local processing and activists warn about unsafe artisanal mining.

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20 Nov 2025

China’s growing role and the backlash in Kyrgyzstan

China is now Kyrgyzstan’s main creditor, largest investor and biggest trading partner, and ties were upgraded in 2023. Growing Chinese influence has caused protests, violence and environmental complaints, and China has responded with security aid and training projects.

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