Stories about Economics & Business from October, 2011
Greece: When the Crisis Hit the Fan
Freelance journalist Kostas Kallergis started a blog in English about the Greek crisis, documenting on a daily basis various “small things that usually go unreported in the international press,” from...
Macedonia: Lead Smelting Factory Problem in Veles
Jovan Petrov provides an overview of the problem with the lead and zync smelting factory in Veles, after the court rejected a suit against the state from the municipality and...
Cuba: Off-Colour Remark in Red Light District
babalu is appalled by a remark that Mariela Castro (director of Cuba's National Center for Sexual Education) makes in an interview with Radio Netherlands during a visit to the red...
China: Questions Following Mekong River Massacre
Thirteen Chinese sailors were killed earlier this month in an attack on two cargo ships. Nine Thai soldiers have claimed responsibility, which the Thai government says is theirs alone, but contradicting points in the case have left many with lingering doubts.
Brazil: Niobium, National Mineral Wealth at Knock Off Prices?
Niobium, also known as columbium, is among the most utilized metals in the world, and Brazil has the great majority of global deposits. However, exploitation of niobium within Brazil raises questions about the profits being generated.
Israel: Netizens Prepare to Take to the Streets in a New Social Justice Protest
Rallies are planned across Israel tonight - in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Rishon LeTzion, Kiryat Shmona, Haifa, Modiin and Eilat. Elizabeth Tsurkov checks out netizen reactions before the protests.
D.R. of Congo/U.S.A: Conflict-Free: A Growing Movement
Alex Hellmuth and Tracy Fehr looks the growing conflict-free minerals movement in the US: “The progress made by Congo activists earlier this month in the state of California, the city...
East Timor: Investing in Creativity and Culture
Barcelona artist David Palazón ended up in East Timor as a break from his career. Now he is coordinating a project to research Timorese culture in hopes of creating a school for the creative industries, to stimulate jobs in the non-oil economy, small businesses, and tourism.
Greek Financial Crisis and Anti-Austerity Protests: The Story So Far
The Greek indignant movement seemingly foundered during the summer, but appears to be picking up steam again in September, at the imposition of yet another round of austerity measures. Asteris Masouras gives an overview of the protests so far.
Uzbekistan: Making some cash on pilgrims
Abulfazal writes that Uzbek black currency market has raised the USD per Uzbek soum exchange rate while Uzbek pilgrims are planning their trips to Saudi Arabia.
Bahamas: Economics of the Environment
Bahama Pundit‘s Larry Smith uses a case of environmental destruction from Belize to make a point about “the economic impact of Bahamian protected areas.”
Ukraine: Petroleum Sets Fire to Party of Regions Tactics
LEvko of Foreign Notes writes about a rising scandal in Ukraine, where the governing Party of Regions allegedly used a petroleum trade scam to finance the party during election campaigns.
Sri Lanka: Incorporating an Entity
Lawyer and blogger Radhi De Silva describes the steps to incorporate a legal entity in Sri Lanka.
Latvia: Graffiti and Decay in Riga
Juris Kaža of Failed State Latvia? writes about graffiti and social decay in Latvian capital Riga.
Cuba: “Exterior” & “Interior” Blockades
Generation Y and Havana Times blog about today's United Nations vote on the US-Cuba economic embargo.
Bermuda: The Challenges of Buying Local
When it comes to buying local, BeachLime says: “Customer service in many of the places here is a pure joke. Local businesses need to adapt – better customer service across...
Jamaica: Conflict of Interest with Housing & Environment
Jamaica Woman Tongue questions whether the National Environment and Planning Agency of Jamaica (NEPA) “[has] the teeth to do [its] job properly”.
Hungary: Live-Blogging Oct. 23 Opposition Protest in Budapest
The Contrarian Hungarian live-blogged Sunday's opposition rally in Budapest, which had been organized through Facebook (hu; en) and drew “many tens of thousands” of protesters.
USA: Lawrence Lessig's “Republic, Lost”
@Therealpsmst recommends [mk] the talk by anti-corruption activist, law professor and Creative Commons founder Lawrence Lessig (@lessig): “Republic, Lost” is about the role of campaign contribution racket in the times...
East Timor: Petition to Keep the Country Debt-Free
The Movimento Kontra Deve (Movement Against Debt) and East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) have launched a joint petition to “For a Debt-Free Timor-Leste”. The Government of Timor-Leste is...
Trinidad & Tobago: Poisoned Avocados
aka_lol and Plain Talk blog about a “local zaboca farmer who claimed to have intentionally poisoned over 200 zabocas” in a desperate attempt to deal with agricultural theft.