Stories about Economics & Business from December, 2013
Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia
The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development has published a policy briefer that tackled the extent of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Many Southeast Asian countries are at the bottom of a lot of the world's supply chains, including for food, garments, and technology. Yet few countries in...
The Amazon, a Story of Destruction in the Name of Development
On December 2013, Agência Pública news agency launched 'Public Amazon', its first book of journalistic reports in Portuguese, with a debate to discuss the region's dilemmas.
The Challenges And The Future Of Microcredit In Bangladesh
Scott MacMillan and Priom Ahmed at BRAC blog cites a report from the World Bank’s Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) which identifies five trends that will define the next phase of Bangladeshi microfinance.
Vladimir Milov “On Khodorkovsky”
Vladimir Milov is an energy sector expert and former Deputy Energy Minister of the Russian Federation. RuNet Echo translates his reaction to Mikhail Khodorkovsky's release from prison last week.
Cambodia’s Garment Workers Hold Nationwide Strike for Pay Hike
Thousands of Cambodian garment workers have joined a nationwide strike to press for a pay hike. Many workers also joined a protest rally organized by the opposition
7 Rallies that Rocked Southeast Asia in 2013
Several Southeast Asian governments were confronted with big street protests in 2013. In Thailand, street protesters are still actively pushing for the ouster of the incumbent government
Is it Fair that Thousands of Health Workers in Senegal Receive No Pay?
In many countries there aren't enough doctors and nurses to care for the sick, so charities and governments enlist the help of volunteers.
Will Pussy Riot Fight Putin's Amnesty and Remain in Prison?
The manner in which Mikhail Khodorkovsky was freed seems to differ from what awaits Pussy Riot's Tolokonnikova and Alekhina, who have signaled some unwillingness to leave prison early.
38 Million Chinese Abandon Pension Insurance
The falling number of people with insurance has revealed serous problems in China’s pension system.
Tour Builder, Another Google Service Not Allowed for Cubans
Google maintains that it bases its decision on the provisions of the United States' economic embargo on Cuba.
Unconditional Basic Income for All Europeans
In this episode of GV Face we speak to activists gathering signatures and raising awareness about the need for "basic income" - no work required - in Europe.
Without Regulation, India's Domestic Workers Face Low Pay and Other Abuses
The dramatic arrest of India's deputy consul in New York Devyani Khobragade on charges of visa fraud for overstating the wages of her housekeeper has renewed concern for domestic workers.
Indie Voices: Connecting Investors With Journalism Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries
In the Knight Center's Journalism in the Americas Blog, Alejandro Martinez writes about a new crowdfunding platform for independent journalism projects called Indie Voices: Indie Voices seeks to become a meeting ground between entrepreneuring journalists and investors, where the former can find different sources of funding and put together their...
“Good Tsar” Putin Pardons Khodorkovsky
The news that Khodorkovsky had potentially admitted guilt and would be imminently released sent the RuNet into a fit of speculation.
Coffee Blight in El Salvador Leads to Dramatic Drop in Exports
Coffee export revenues fell 40% in October and November of 2013 in El Salvador. Tim's El Salvador Blog reports on the blight affecting coffee farms throughout the country: Last week El Salvador's National Assembly finally established a fund for combating the coffee blight known as “la roya” and the ministry...
Made in Togo: A 3D Printer Built from Recycled E-Waste
Afaté GNIKOU is an IT engineer in Togo who wanted to tackle two important goals: create the first 3D printer from Togo, reduce the alarming number of E-waste dumped into his country. Here is a presentation of the 3D printer project, called W.AFATE : A. Gnikou is a member of...
Documentary: Mining's Terrible Consequences for Brazil's People and Environment
On the eve of the vote of Brazil's new Mining Code, a documentary produced by collective Mídia NINJA appeared to give voice to the communities in regions affected by mining.
Mexico's Congress Approves Energy Reform Bill Ending State Oil Monopoly
Mexico's Senate approves an energy reform bill that will end a 75-year state oil monopoly and open the door to private national and international investment.
VIDEO: Hydroelectric Power in Southern Brazil ‘Neither Really Clean, Nor Really Cheap’
A video report produced by Coletivo Catarse takes a look at hydroelectric plants along the Uruguay River in southern Brazil and raises questions about the real costs of hydroelectric power.
The Economics of Ukraine's #Euromaidan [INFOGRAPHIC]
A Ukrainian news portal specializing in data visualization, Newsplot.org [ru], has published an infographic [ru] outlining the costs and necessities of the Euromaidan protests in Kyiv:
Fire Destroys Basin Market in Bamako, Mali
An accidental fire destroyed the basin market [fr] located near the Wahhabites Mosque of Bamako yesterday (12/15). It is the third tragedy of such kind in market area of Bamako in 4 years. Nama explains why such incident seems to repeat itself in his city [fr] : Plusieurs plans d'aménagement de...