Stories about Economics & Business from February, 2014
The Sustainable Fishing Practices of Dhivehi Reef Fishermen
Maldivian blogger Hani Amir writes about the traditional fishing methods of the reef fishermen of Maldives which include catching tons of fish with their hands, instead of nets or rods. The bloggers also sheds light on how they are being exploited by greedy resort owners who tries to exploit them...
Macedonians Prepare to March Against Poverty in Skopje
Macedonia, the most miserable country on earth according to The Economist, will unite in the fight against poverty on March 1, 2014 in Skopje.
Saving Primate Lemurs
A group of researchers from Madagascar, Canada, UK and USA published a detailed report in Science that alerts on the possible extinctions of 90% of the known lemurs of Madagascar following the prolonged political crisis in the country. One of the researcher, Christoph Schwitzer, explains to the Scientific American the dire consequences...
Trinidad & Tobago: Concerns About the What'sApp Purchase
In reaction to Facebook's recent purchase of What'sApp for US$19 billion, ICT Pulse shares some points about which “tech and app developer communities worldwide should be mindful.”
Madagascar Still Awaiting a New Prime Minister, Government
A full month since President-elect Hery Rajaonarimampianina took position as the new head of state in Madagascar, there are still no indication who the new prime minister will be and what government he/she will assemble. Ma-Laza argues that the main issue is not really the identity of the prime minister but...
Police Repression Legalized as Mining Protests Grow in Peru
An article in Peru's penal code was modified to allow police and the military to use lethal force against protestors. Activist Elmer Campos Álvarez lives to tell the story.
Indian Blogger Exposes Fuel Pump Cheating With Viral Video
"A rampant malpractice at most fuel stations in the country, one that needs to be tackled in these times of high fuel prices."
China Internet Giant Tencent's New Acquisition Follows Online2Offline Trend
China is the fastest growing consumption market in the world and online to offline commerce has become a fierce battlefield.
Pro-Maidan Video Goes Viral Thanks to Pavel Durov, Russia's Zuckerberg
Given the political climate in Russia now, Durov's willingness to stake such an unabashedly pro-opposition position on the Ukraine crisis is rather astounding.
Nigerian President Suspends Central Bank Head for ‘Financial Recklessness’
Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is no stranger to controversy.
Spain's Love-Hate Relationship With The New York Times
A New York Times story about Spain has once again made headlines in Spain. Why does the country care so much about the American paper's coverage?
Empty Office Buildings in Trinidad's Capital
The huge potential supply of State-built, unfinished office buildings in our capital is the ‘Elephant in the Room‘. Afra Raymond confronts it in an effort to address “the viability of the long-term and large-scale investments which have been made in Port-of-Spain by private and public capital.”
Photographers Snap Over Online Accreditation for Trinidad Carnival
Social media has taken the enjoyment of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival to a new level - but photographers are being told that their 2014 accreditation fees won't cover online use.
Adapting to Extreme Climate Change in Mali and Madagascar
Climate change has already had a dramatic impact on the economy of two downtrodden countries
Could Barbados’ Economic Crisis Spread to Other Islands?
Abeng News Magazine's Mark Lee says that the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) Country Report “reads like a good cop bad cop interrogation of the Barbados economy”. Read the details, here.
Algerian Cartoonist Faces 18 Months in Jail for Mocking President
Djamel Ghanem faces prison for an unpublished cartoon that compares Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's possible fourth term to baby diapers.
Ending Illegal Logging and Launching Forest Carbon Credits in Madagascar
The new administration in Madagascar is seemingly making a concerted effort to curb down deforestation in Madagascar. First, new president Hery Rajaonarimampianina has made ending illegal logging of Madagascar rosewood a priority at his first executive meeting[fr]. Second, the Wildlife Conservation Society announced that the Government of Madagascar has approved...
Examining the Post-Colonial Evolution of Francophone and Anglophone Africa
The topic of the post-colonial evolution of francophone versus anglophone African states has always a fodder for intense debate. Cheidozié Dike, from Nigeria, brings a new perspective to the subject : While the French Loi Cadre system was mostly about integration, the British colonial system sought only exploitation. Creating an...
What Guinea Needs Now is Peace and Stability
Serge Lamah reports on his blog[fr] that Oyé Guilavogui, the communication minister has pointed out the pressing needs for Guinea today : Vous vous rappelez, en 2011, les avions en direction de Conakry ne désemplissaient pas. Les hôtels étaient pleins à tout moment, aujourd’hui, allez-y, il y a de la place...
Drug Bust Holds Lessons for Caribbean Distribution Chains
Of the recent drug bust originating out of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados Underground says: The fundamentals are clear. Supply chain security in the Caribbean is weak, and known local and regional solutions need to be applied and strengthened.
Mapping Conflicts Between Indigenous Peoples and Corporations in Latin America
Codpi (Coordination for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) has created a map to monitor projects that are affecting indigenous territories, as their website explains [es]: This map aims to collect cases of conflict that arise due to the presence of transnational corporations -mainly those with headquarters in Spain- in the...