Stories about Economics & Business from July, 2013
A Sustainable Ecovillage in Sidi Amor, Tunisia
Nolwein Weiler and Sophie Chapelle reports on the remarkable development of an ecovillage in Sidi Amor, Tunisia [fr]. The project aims to protect the environment while providing a site for economic and social growth for local workers as explained in this video [fr].
Racist Slur As A Brand Name
Abdul Halik writes about reactions to a brand of dates marketed in Sri Lanka which sounds like a well-known and highly derogatory term referring to Muslims. The blogger analyses the situation in the context of the recent rise of racism and hate speech against Muslims in Sri Lanka from a...
Is India Biting Off More Than It Can Chew with its New Food Security Bill?
The National Food Security Ordinance 2013 recently effected by India's government will provide food subsidies for two out of three Indians. Can India afford it?
Can Pirates Save the Russian Internet?
Judging from attendance at recent demonstrations, Russian supporters of internet freedom have their work cut out for them if they want to move their cause from online to offline.
Brunei Bans Daytime Dining in Muslim Restaurants
The new directive which surprised many people applies to foreigners and tourists as well during the holy month of Ramadan
INFOGRAPHIC: Singapore Waste Statistics
According to Singapore's National Environment Agency, every person in Singapore generated 1,370 kg of waste in 2012. About 60 percent of the waste were recycled and 40 percent were disposed in incinerators and landfills
Finding Everything and Anything at Bolivia's 16 de Julio Fair
Thousands flock to the 16 de Julio Fair every Thursday and Sunday to find a much-needed object. However, the bustling open-air market is not free from controversy.
African Fabric Kimono Belt Supports Mothers in Earthquake Disaster Area
A group of Japanese mothers in Sendai city is producing special kimono belts with fairly-traded African fabrics. Yumi Nakano, who organizes the fundraising [ja] by requesting a donation in exchange for the belts, hopes to encourage more people to enjoy the traditional Japanese kimono and help support the mothers of the...
Mumbai Restaurant Forced to Pull Political Food Bills
The restaurant was forced to shut down after it mentioned government corruption and criticized a new "air-conditioned eatery tax" on its bills that were being handed out to customers.
Japanese Railway to Sell Customers’ E-Ticket Data
Japan's largest railway company has decided to sell non-identifying data on its commuters to third-party companies. Though technically legal, some see the move as an invasion of privacy.
PHOTO: Fishing in the Polluted Waters of Manila Bay
A fisherman at work on the polluted waters of Manila Bay against the backdrop of the Manila skyline. According to government statistics, fisherfolk comprise the poorest sector in the Philippines
Residents Oppose Coal Project in Southern Philippine City
Coal plant could also undermine Davao City’s reputation as Southeast Asia’s first smoke-free city.
Billionaire Jack Ma Makes About-Face, Praises Chinese Government
Was Ma's change of attitude related to the recent secret execution of “China's Madoff”?
São Tomé Pulls ‘Rotten Rice’ After Protests
The rice was part of a 900-ton order worth about two million US dollars imported from Cameroon using public money.
Data Visualization: Electric Japan
Electrical Japan [ja], a website by researcher Asanobu Kitamoto [ja] lets you explore electric power plants and energy consumption in Japan through data-visualization. The color of the dots represents the type of power plant, for example fossil-fuel plants are red and hydroelectric plants are blue. The size of the dot represents the amount of power generated....
Riau, Indonesia: ‘Ground Zero’ of Southeast Asia Haze
The deadly haze which swept Singapore and some parts of Malaysia this year was caused by the forest fires in Riau, Indonesia. Naturally, it attracted significant mainstream media attention but there was scant reporting on the situation of Riau citizens who have tremendously suffered and are still suffering from the impact of both the haze and forest fires.
Trinidad & Tobago's Media Association Pulls a 180 in Press Freedom Debacle
The Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago has retracted its original statement about political interference having a part to play in the alleged reassignment of key reporters in the Guardian's newsroom, leaving some bloggers wondering if the whole affair was a storm in a teacup…or if the public is not being told the whole story.
Barclays’ Decision Threatens Somalia Peace
Laure Hammond explains how a recent decision by Barclays Bank to close the accounts of 250 money transfer organisations working around the world will have a particularly severe effect on Somalia’s efforts to emerge from two decades of conflict.
Garment Factory Map in Cambodia
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights has launched a map of garment factories in Cambodia. The map provides details of each factory including location, nationality of the owner, and number of employees. There are at least 558 garment factories in Cambodia which produce and supply garments to major international brands...
How Europe's Solution for Economic Crisis is Actually the Problem
Europe's current crisis is more than economic. Between the German government advocating a dangerous austerity policy and European authorities lacking any other suggestions, it is clear that the 2008 financial crisis is no longer solely responsible for the downward spiral of Europe.
Caring For The Migrant Workers in Maldives
Amira at Mindblur comments: The population of the Maldives is a little over 300,000 people and we employee over 100,000 expatriate workers mainly in menial jobs in the construction industry, as housemaids, cleaners, helpers in various places, etc. This high proportion of the population would mean the Government should put...
