The US has cut trade privileges to Bangladesh over dangerous conditions faced by workers in the textile industry. Bangladesh’s government has called the move shocking. The decision comes after a year-long review of labor practices and workplace safety in Bangladesh. The US says that country is not taking steps to afford nationally-recognized rights to its workers. The move comes in the wake of a deadly building collapse in the Bangladesh capital that killed over 1,000 people. 

 

Mining giant BHP Billiton has announced it will run a tight iron ore business in Australia in response to a slowdown in global demand. BHP’s iron ore president has told business leaders in Perth that the company is facing a cooling market and is looking to improve its efficiency. BHP has not yet made cuts to its iron ore workforce, instead, maintaining a freezone hiring any new staff. The mining giant will cease spending on additional equipment, instead, focusing on increasing production, using existing machinery.