Stories about Economics & Business from March, 2014
Underpaid Indonesian Workers Producing Global Cosmetic Products
Michael Eko Hardianto writes about the poor conditions of Indonesian workers in factories that produce false eyelashes, hair extensions and other beauty products: …behind every eyelash flutter in the fashion industry and beyond lie the untold stories of invisible low-paid workers. Their financial remuneration for such monotonous work is about...
Top 10 Russian-Language Tweets, Week 13 of 2014
Every Friday, RuNet Echo collects the top ten Russian-language tweets and curates them for Global Voices readers.
Blogging about Russia's Crimea Annexation? You Could Be an Extremist!
Russian lawmakers are toying with the idea of levying extremism charges against bloggers who “incite xenophobic attitudes” when writing about the Crimea.
The Challenges Facing Data Journalism in West Africa
Data journalism in West Africa often must work against a lack of data, funds and regulation.
3 Ways Mobile Money Transfer Has Changed Kenyans’ Lives
Kenyans on Twitter explain how M-Pesa, a mobile-phone based money transfer and micro-finance service, has changed their lives since the service was introduced seven years ago.
‘The Subject': A New Crowdfunding Tool for Brazil's Independent Media
Aimed at providing an alternative to the traditional business model of media production, a new crowdfunding platform for independent journalism has been launched in Brazil. O Sujeito (The Subject) [pt] is hosted by the crowdfunding website Catarse, which wrote about the new venture [pt] coming at a time of transition for media funding: O veículo impresso está...
Jose Dos Santos, the 1.8-Billion-Dollar President of Angola
Meanwhile, 70 percent of Angolans live on less than two dollars a day.
5 Small Businesses Run By Rural Uruguayan Women
Rural Uruguayan women have created successful self-managed small businesses with which they support their families and bring novel and high-quality products to the local market.
Dear #CongressOccupied Protesters, ‘Don't Let Taiwan Become the Next Hong Kong’
Since protests in Taiwan began March 18 against a trade deal with China, many Hongkongers have sent many messages of encouragement and of warning to the Taiwanese.
A Telethon to Save Russia's Independent TV
Russia’s only independent television station, TV Rain, is on its last leg. Following what appears to have been an orchestrated campaign to rob the channel of its cable and satellite distributors, advertisers have run for the hills and the station is being evicted from its Moscow studio at Red October...
Malaysia's Water Shortage is a Natural and Man-Made Disaster
Water shortage has been reported in Selangor, Johor, Negri Sembilan, and Kedah in Malaysia. The Sin Chew Daily explains the cause of the problem: …the drought and water shortage in the Peninsula are both natural and human-induced disasters. The government as well as the people have an inescapable responsibility. Over-emphasising...
What Is the Future of Russia's News Media?
Now that Moscow has formally annexed Crimea, following a controversial popular referendum, it's possible, if not extremely likely, that Russian journalists will face even greater difficulties.
South Korea Moves to Restrict Young People's Online Overseas Shopping
Young South Koreans are getting their hands on foreign products not available in their country as well as Korean products at cheaper prices by buying from international sellers.
The Daily Lives of Sub-Saharan Immigrants in Prague
Chadian blogger Réndodjo Em-A Moundona [fr] writes about the daily lives of African immigrants in Prague [fr] : Une petite discussion avec ces Africains suffit pour se rendre à l´évidence que la communauté n´est ni menacée, ni totalement intégrée. Comme fille africaine, il est quasi impossible de trouver un travail conséquent [..] En général, les...
Do US Sanctions Against Putin's Cronies Fuel Russian Patriotism?
So far, it seems the West’s response to the annexation of Crimea has only reinforced Russia’s patriotic frenzy. But could tougher sanctions change that?
China Recruits Tencent and Alibaba for Private Bank Pilot
China has named ten companies, including Internet giants Alibaba and Tencent, to set up five privately owned banks. The move has some fearful for state-owned traditional banking.
Macedonian Students Demanding Better Living Conditions Called ‘Unpatriotic’
While most have supported Macedonian university students' online campaign to raise awareness about the unlivable conditions of dormitories in Skopje, one columnist called their efforts "unpatriotic".
Are America's Latest Sanctions on Russia Based on a List by a Blogger?
"looks like it isn't the CIA that's in charge of Navalny, but Navalny that's in charge of the CIA"
Protesters Occupy Taiwan's Legislature Over China Trade Deal
Angry protesters surrounded the Legislation Yuan and some stormed the floor demanding a proper review of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement signed with China.
Macedonian Government to Introduce Internet Filtering
Airborne blog commented on the Macedonian government's plan to set up a new company to provide online betting and other gambling to residents of Macedonia: The plan will involve “disabling of betting/gambling online games on foreign web sites”. This blockade is set to last two years beginning in March 2014....
Riau Forest Fire Triggers Worst Indonesia Haze Pollution
Forest fires have intensified this month in western Indonesia which caused the worst haze pollution in the country. The haze also affected Singapore and Malaysia.