Money laundering bankrolls the underground global economy. It has contributed to bankrupt countries, finances warfare and fuels crime.The way the world looks at money laundering has changed since 9/11 amid fears funds were financing similar operations.Instead of laundering money Kenneth Rijock now makes a career out of taking people who do to the cleaners.

China is estimated to have currency reserves of two trillion dollars, but the bulk of it is tied up in US markets.Caught in a "dollar trap", it has little choice but to buy more and more US government bonds to keep up the value of the dollar and hope a US recovery takes place - and quickly.Al Jazeera's Owen Fay reports.

The US central bank is resorting to a tool of last resort in its battle to fight the economic crisis: printing money more than $1 trillion.Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer explains how this move could affect the economy.

We speak with two experts about the process of migrant workers sending money back home.

Brazil's world famous Carnival has kicked off, with Rio De Janeiro hosting the first street parties.But the scenes of dancers in glittering costumes winding their way through Rio, masks huge business interests.Gabriel Elizondo follows the money trail.

After years of conflict in Afghanistan, hard cash is the only currency most Afghans will trust.Al Jazeera reporter Owen Fay looks at money-changing in Kabul and the difficulties the official Kabul Bank is facing in competing with the black market.

At least $250mn has been spent on the US elections for both the Democrat and Republican parties.Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan in Denver explains why watchdog groups in the US argue that too much money is corrupting the way a president is chosen.

In the final episode of a four-part special on El Salvador, Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo talks to poor Salvadoreans who rely on the money sent from family members working in the US.

Freetown, Sierra Leone, a man disappears down an alley and returns with a carrier bag full of money. The driver sits and counts 1.2 million leones and only when satisfied hands over $400. It's illegal but it's a growing business. Everyone either is a money changer or has an uncle or friend who is. Many are ex combatants, they don't sleep, one eye always open. They have their territories and minders. Some of them handle $1000s of dollars a day for although the banks change money no-one uses them as the rate is bad and the queues last forever.