· July, 2008

Stories about Economics & Business from July, 2008

U.S., Bulgaria: Julian Tzolov

A Fistful of Euros writes on the case of Julian Tzolov, wanted in the U.S. for “selling auction rate securities (asset-backed bonds with frequent yield resets) to now aggrieved clients. The clients apparently thought they were buying bonds backed by student loans but were in fact buying dodgy mortgages, an...

Czech Republic: Expensive Water

The Czech Daily Word reports on how Czech restaurants are making money on drinking water: “Generally speaking the purchase prices for a .3L bottle of water in wholesale is CZK 4 (yes, FOUR), but if you go to a restaurant, a coffee house or a similar place, you pay CZK...

Angola: Goodbye to Kinaxixe Market in Luanda

  31 July 2008

Anabela Quelhas [pt] is extremely sad to have witnessed Luanda's Kinaxixe Market being demolished. She lists 10 reasons was this 50's market was an important building for Angolan architecture and people, concluding: “Once more, cultural asset is outweighed by the language of money and speculation”. A modern shopping center is...

Ukraine: “No Place in the EU”?

A Fistful of Euros critiques a “wince-inducingly stupid article” on Ukraine written by “Richard Wagner, a Transylvanian German writer. (Well, former Transylvanian. Like most T-Germans, he emigrated from Romania as soon as he could get out.)”

Barbados: Setting Standards

  31 July 2008

As the government is granted a US$5 million International Development Bank loan to upgrade the national standards system, Barbados Free Press continues its call for standards to be adopted with regard to public accountability and transparency.

Dominica, U.S.A.: Politics & People

  31 July 2008

Chris at Dominica Weekly has “taken a strong interest in the US Presidential Election”, which leads him to consider the state of politics in his own country: “Perhaps the most effective thing we can do is speak our truth to power, speak up for what we need, and demand certain...

Cuba, Venezuela, U.S.A.: Empty Dialogue?

  31 July 2008

Cuban bloggers Babalu and Ninety miles away…in another country focus on U.S. Republican senator Arlen Specter's upcoming Latin American trip, during which he hopes to meet with both Raul Castro and Hugo Chavez: “The Cuban government has made clear that the only thing it is interested in is the unilateral...

Zimbabwe: Reacting to mid-term budget statement

  30 July 2008

Zimbabwean blogger's reaction to mid-term budget statement, This blogger listened to the radio today in amazement…Part one aired on the radio this morning was a brief monetary statement from Gono – a digestible 20 minutes. Part two was a long, boring, dragged out drone from Robert Mugabe.

Ghana: Spices and flavours

  30 July 2008

Emeka writes about a company bringing African flavours and spices to the world: “Founded by the award winning Felicia Twumasi, Homefoods processes,packages produces all-natural red palm oil, high-quality African spices, cassava flour, shito hot sauce and traditional fruit jams.”

Haiti: Act 3, Scene 2

  30 July 2008

“It has been fascinating to follow. And we are thankful that we are now watching Scene 2 unfold, while not really certain of its outcome”: jmc strategies is watching the process develop as Michèle Pierre-Louis moves closer to potentially becoming Prime Minister of Haiti.