Stories about Economics & Business from January, 2014
Don't Stop the Party: Copyright Issues Threaten Trinidad Carnival Fete
The Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago has threatened to shut down a popular Carnival fete, but organisers and patrons alike now have a voice through social media.
How Brazilian Taxpayer Money Finances Construction Projects in the Amazon
During three months, reporters from Agência Pública sought to uncover the trail of investments of the National Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES) in infrastructure projects in the Amazon.
The Cost of Living in Rio de Janeiro Is Too Damn High
In Rio de Janeiro, you'll pay 72 reals (30 US dollars) for chicken stroganoff or 43 reals (18.20 US dollars) for a green salad. Residents have had enough.
Château-Rouge: A Prominent African Food Market in Paris
In order to find ingredients for African cuisine in Paris, the go-to place is still the Château-Rouge area located in the 18th District, specifically in the Rue Dejean street market [fr] that operates every day except Monday. The African Expatriate explains why the market is such a draw for many...
Samsung Withdraws Controversial University Quota Policy in South Korea
South Korea isn't notoriously nicknamed "The Republic of Samsung" for nothing.
Blogger Unveils Sochi Corruption Website
Alexei Navalny joined the Sochi anti-corruption campaign this week, launching an interactive website outlining what he calls the true costs of the Olympic preparations in Sochi.
Cable Providers Begin Dropping Russia's Only Independent TV Station
The prospect that Russian cable television providers might drop TV Rain became a reality today, when two major cable companies reported their decisions to end access to the station.
A Business Model Competition to Ignite Start Ups in Madagascar
Harinjaka, founder of the co-working space Habaka and Madagascar-based blogger, created the 2014 Antananarivo Start Up Cup [fr] whose objective is to select and support the best business ideas in Madagascar. He thinks that there is a bright future for entrepreneurship and innovation [fr] in Madagascar. Here is a poster for the event [fr] :...
Sri Lanka's Best Bus Terminal
Freelance writer, translator and blogger Nandasiri Wanninayaka writes about the multi-purpose bus terminal-cum shopping and entertainment complex in the resort town of Negombo: You wouldn’t expect a bus stand in Sri Lanka to be like a mini airport. But if you happen to go to Negombo Bus Stand, renamed as...
So Long to Russia's Only Independent TV Station?
The only opposition television station operating today in Russia is now threatened with losing access to cable broadcasting, after a scandalous poll about the WWII Siege of Leningrad.
Critical Cybersecurity Issues for the Caribbean
ICT Pulse names the three cybersecurity resolutions it thinks Caribbean organisations should make this year.
Alarm Bells Ringing (Again) Over China's Housing Bubble
Continuously jumping home prices has raised concerns again about real estate bubble in China as the government refrains from introducing more property curbs that would hinder economic growth.
‘AFTER 25 Conference': Tokyo and Berlin Discuss Creative Culture
As Berlin and Tokyo mark 20 years of friendship as sister cities, representatives of two creative industries, including Chairman of the Club Commission of Berlin Marc Wohlrabe and Takahiro Saito, a lawyer and member of Let's Dance, a consortium that fights against Japan's dance regulations, will come together for the AFTER 25 conference on...
East Timor's Rising Budget for ‘Public Transfers’
The La’o Hamutuk NGO is concerned that the East Timor government is alloting more funds for so-called ‘public transfers’ which lacks transparent mechanisms: In recent years, Timor-Leste has spent about 20% of its state budget on “Public Transfers” – payments of money to individuals or institutions which are not controlled...
Massive Credit Card Data Theft Hits 20 Million South Koreans
In an effort to quell public anger, authorities have released tougher regulations, but people remain livid.
It's Slash and Burn for Russia's Indigenous
Russia’s indigenous people stand up for their land rights in a quarrel with oil companies, raising issues of environmental and economic justice.
A Growing Job Market for Young People in Senegal: The Fishing Sector
To combat rampant youth unemployment in Senegal, a new initiative geared toward job creation in the fishing industry was created. Ibrahima Lô, one of the lead on the project, explains [fr] : Nous avons un déficit de personnel. Tous les deux ans, il peut y avoir un recrutement de volontaires....
South Korea: I Would Rather Sell My Personal Info
Personal information of about 20 million people, which amounts to two fifth of the entire South Korean population, has been compromised in the country's worst identity theft. Customers of the affected three major credit card firms gasped at the sheer extensiveness of the breach; it is not just the user's real name,...
East Timor: ‘Australia Spied on Us for Oil Secrets’
East Timor is battling Australia in The Hague over Australia's alleged spying and violation of East Timor's sovereignty in a dispute over an oil and gas treaty between the two.
How Protecting the Environment and Fighting Poverty Are Linked in Madagascar
Madagascar's disappearing ecosystem cannot sustain its population any longer. But solutions do exist.
The Worrisome Job Market Projection in Burkina Faso
The AFDB published its country report for Burkina Faso in which it highlights the worrisome job market trend [fr] for the next decade : Sept burkinabè sur dix ont moins de 30 ans. Le nombre de jeunes (15-24 ans), primo demandeurs d’emplois, doublera entre 2010 et 2030, passant de trois à six millions...