Stories about Economics & Business from September, 2010
Trinidad & Tobago: The Big Question
Continuing his examination of the terms of the CLICO bailout, Afra Raymond asks the $57,000 question: “‘If the CL Financial group is insolvent, then how are we paying for all this?’”
Cuba: “En Practica”
In the wake of massive public sector layoffs, how exactly are the rules for proposed self-employment going to work? Generation Y says: “Like a repertoire of destitution and dependency, this enumeration of private work seems more in tune with a feudal village than a 21st century country”, while El Yuma...
Vietnam: Blogger Pham Minh Hoang Charged with Attempt at Overthrowing the Government
Reporters Without Borders reports that French-Vietnamese blogger Pham Minh Hoang was charged with “Activities aimed at overthrowing the government” and membership of a “terrorist organisation” (the banned opposition party Viet Tan). His wife opines that the reason for her husband’s arrests was his opposition to bauxite mining [fr] by a...
China and the U.S.A: Yuan's value and stock market's move
George Chen notices a coincidence happened before the China national day: Goldman Sachs chose the day to sell up to $2 billion-worth of shares of its stake in Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the U.S. House of Representatives passed the China currency bill by a vote of 348-79.
Hungary: Citizens Protest Against Auchan Shopping Mall
Marietta Le posts an update on the ongoing efforts by Hungarian citizens to save the Dunakeszi marsh, which would be destroyed if Auchan Hungary's expansion continues as planned.
Argentina: Clarifying Myths about Tierra del Fuego
In Patria SI, Colonia NO, Gabriel Carol clarifies [es] five myths about Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago in the southernmost tip of Argentina. These myths include that Tierra del Fuego is unsafe, that it invests a lot of money in education, and that the region depends on its natural resources.
Hungary: AGRI Pipeline Project
The Hungarian Spectrum writes – here and here – about the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRI) natural gas pipeline project and Hungary's possible involvement in it.
Bahamas: Straw Saga
Jerome Pinder at Weblog Bahamas says that the straw vendors who have been charged in the United States for the purchase and export of knock off luxury goods “have become the symbol of a lawless society.”
Singapore: Minimum Wage Debate
Should the Singapore government impose a minimum wage policy? Hong Kong’s recent decision to adopt a minimum wage policy has sparked a debate in Singapore as to whether the prosperous city state should also fix the minimum wage of workers.
Russia, Israel, Syria: Missile Agreement
FP's Passport writes about the 2007 Russian-Syrian missile agreement and the Israeli efforts “to dissuade the Russians on fulfilling their contract.”
Russia: Pavlovsk During WWII
More on the history of the Pavlovsk Experiment Station – at Vaviblog.
Iran: Strike at Bazzar
Part of Iran bazaar closed to protest VAT increase in last two days. Gold bazzar is on strike in Tehran and a film in You Tube “shows merchants in Iron bazzar are on strike”.
Dominican Republic: “The numbers do not add up”
“This week in the main newspapers we saw many numbers that were supposed to reflect the state of the economy and the public administration's financial solvency. More than offering certainties, they caused more doubts,” analyzes journalist and blogger María Isabel Soldevila in Con mis ojos [ES].
Haiti: Slow Going
“Nine months after the devastating earthquake, many are criticizing the slow pace of relief for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Haiti”: The Haitian Blogger reports.
Trinidad & Tobago: Sweetheart Deal
“For those of us who did not invest with CLICO, the mere idea of our taxpayers’ funds being used to rescue those who placed high-return deposits is deeply offensive. Both the CL Financial chiefs and the depositors who took the chance at investing at those incredible rates of return are...
Guyana: Leadership Style
“Envisage a country vibrant in idea exchanges and energetic businesses unafraid of political repercussions”: The Guyana Groove says that her homeland “could be a fully vibrant and thriving nation, but the authoritarian leadership has instead created a stifling and oppressive environment…”
Russia: “The Putin State Chronicles”
Streetwise Professor recommends Dmitry Sidorov's new blog at Forbes – The Putin State Chronicles – which provides “some great examples of the natural/mafia state in action.”
Czech Republic: Protest Against Wage Cuts
Dr Sean's Diary writes about a trade union-organized protest against wage and budget cuts in the public sector, which took place in Prague last week.
Bangladesh: Income Tax Fair
Bauani informs that the tax authority in Bangladesh is arranging a tax fair (26-30 September, 2010) to increase awareness about Income Tax issues among the people of Bangladesh and provide more information to them.
Peru: Hydroelectric Project Raises Concerns
The blog Warmiboa [es] shares its concern about hydroelectric project Corina, which would divert water from two rivers (Huallaga and Marañón) to the coast in order to irrigate the desert, causing “unpredictable consequences.” The blogger explains that this project would affect the people of Loreto, who suffer from a lack...