Read more microfinance stories on Newserhttp://www.newser.com/taggrid/15946/microfinance.html2009 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorTue, 24 Nov 2009 18:03:08 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/66808/microfinance-bubble-traps-poor-in-debt.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagMicrofinance, loaning tiny sums to the world's poor to help start small businesses, began as an anti-poverty strategy but quickly became highly profitable for private equity firms and foreign investors. In India, writes the Wall Street Journal , poor neighborhoods are being bombarded with high-interest loan opportunities, resulting in a bizarre...http://www.newser.com/story/66808/microfinance-bubble-traps-poor-in-debt.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThu, 13 Aug 2009 8:46:41 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/56611/obama-defends-handshake-urges-cuba-to-free-prisoners.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagPresident Obama defended his friendly chat with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and asked Cuba to free its political prisoners, the Wall Street Journal reports. At the close of the Summit of the America's today, Obama brushed off Republican criticism, saying that turning a new page with Venezuela and Cuba represents...http://www.newser.com/story/56611/obama-defends-handshake-urges-cuba-to-free-prisoners.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSun, 19 Apr 2009 15:59:00 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/51472/western-aid-celebs-are-hurting-africa.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagDependence on celebrities as spokesmen and Western aid are bad for Africa, argues Deborah Solomon's latest interview subject, Dambisa Moyo . The Ivy-educated former investment banker argues in her new book that the culture of aid for Africa discourages entrepreneurship. "You also disenfranchise African citizens, because the government is beholden to...http://www.newser.com/story/51472/western-aid-celebs-are-hurting-africa.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSun, 22 Feb 2009 5:39:12 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/39349/portman-wants-to-talk-about-microloans-not-movies.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagAmong Hollywood actresses, Natalie Portman may be an anomaly. “As opposed to talking about fashion,” the 27-year-old says she prefers discussing poverty alleviation. The Israeli-American discovered FINCA International, a microfinance program for women, through her inspiration, Jordan’s Queen Rania, a Palestinian and an “incredible woman whom I really admire,” Portman...http://www.newser.com/story/39349/portman-wants-to-talk-about-microloans-not-movies.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagTue, 07 Oct 2008 17:00:02 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37943/what-killed-bear-lehman-is-what-the-world-needs.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSure, subprime loans toppled two pillars of American investment banking, gutted the world’s largest insurer, and plunged the entire US financial system into a tailspin. But they are exactly what the world needs today, Daniel Gross argues in Slate. “Far from the madding, depressed crowds of Wall Street, billions of...http://www.newser.com/story/37943/what-killed-bear-lehman-is-what-the-world-needs.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSun, 21 Sep 2008 12:44:48 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/10522/ebay-launches-microfinance-loan-site.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagEBay's newly launched MicroPlace lets users make loans through PayPal or a bank account to needy entrepreneurs worldwide. The idea? Even small sums can help poor people build businesses to raise themselves out of poverty. The site's founder remembers one Bangladeshi woman who bought a handloom, thus earning enough to...http://www.newser.com/story/10522/ebay-launches-microfinance-loan-site.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagMon, 29 Oct 2007 18:23:21 CDT