Editor's note

Today we're bringing you the best Business + Economy coverage on The Conversation Global, from the globalisation story that introduced Angola's "suitcase traders" to the world to a defence of why the world still needs its BRICS. Enjoy your reading!

Clea Chakraverty

Commissioning Editor

The Big Three.

These three firms own corporate America

Jan Fichtner, University of Amsterdam; Eelke Heemskerk, University of Amsterdam; Javier Garcia-Bernardo, University of Amsterdam

Together, three asset managers now control shares in 40% of all publicly listed firms in the United States.
Cash on hand helps poor families climb out of poverty. 401kcalculator.org/flickr

Yes, giving money to very poor people will make their lives better — just ask Ecuador

Andrés Mideros Mora, United Nations University

A new study shows that conditional cash transfers have helped Ecuador's poorest households climb out of poverty. When that money was paired with capital to invest, people fared even better.
Brazil’s President Michel Temer, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South African President Jacob Zuma. Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

Why the BRICS coalition still matters

Oliver Stuenkel, Fundação Getúlio Vargas

Despite financial crises and political differences among these five emerging economies, the BRICS coalition is here to stay. And it may just change the world.
A massive protest against the Gorrano Dam on January 26 2017 in Islamkot, Tharparkar. Bheem Raj /Thar Voice Forum

For Pakistan, China's huge energy investments may have serious political costs

Dr. Amiera Sawas, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi; Dr Nausheen H. Anwar, Institute of Business Administration, Karachi

China is sinking billions into energy development in rural Pakistan, much of it earmarked for renewables. That may be good for the climate and the national economy, but what about the locals?
An Angolan importer buying Havaianas in the market of Brás, São Paulo, Brazil. Léa Barreau Tran

Selling Brazilian fashions, the women of Angola's 'suitcase trade' spot trends and pedal dreams

Léa Barreau Tran, Sciences Po Bordeaux

Brazilian soap operas are wildly popular in Portuguese-speaking Angola, influencing women's fashion and creating a business opportunity for thousands of Angolan female entrepreneurs.
Be careful! In Uttar Pradesh, the cow trade is now almost wholly criminalised. Jitendra Prakash/Reuters

'Cow economics' are killing India's working class

Afroz Alam, Maulana Azad National Urdu University

A crackdown on the beef and leather trades has put hundreds of thousands of Indian Muslims and Dalits out of work, vexing already-tense religious relations and hurting India's economy.