Stories about Economics & Business from July, 2014
China Monitors the Internet and the Public Pays the Bill
Experts say the billion-yuan “stability maintenance industry” is designed to help the government tighten its grip over public opinion online -- and to turn a profit.
These ‘Poets With a Cause’ Are Defending Social Justice in Crisis-Hit Puerto Rico
"Poetas en Marcha is Felipe the janitor, Sofia the overworked and underpaid secretary, the young adults laughing while having a beer after their final exams, the noble lady selling fruit."
Seoul Says No to Uber, But Don't Put Down Your Mobile Just Yet
Seoul is banning Uber and planning to release its own mobile app for taxi services. Who wins from such a move?
Can France Catch Up With Internet of Things World Leader China?
The Internet of Things is permanently and fundamentally revolutionizing our consumption habits.
Cuba's Customs Clamps Down in “Illegal Imports”
On September 1, 2014 the Customs Service of the Republic of Cuba will begin enforcing new regulations intended to combat illegal trafficking of merchandise by relatives, friends and ‘mules’ (a...
Expired Meat Was on the Menu at McDonald's, KFC and Other Fast Food Restaurants in China
It's the latest food safety scandal to hit China, which has seen a spate of issues in recent years, including a 2008 milk contamination that killed six infants.
A Leaked Document Casts A Shadow Over Tanzania's Bright Gas Extraction Outlook
Leaked to the public, a contract between Norway's Statoil and the Tanzanian government highlights how fraught the question of revenues from Tanzania’s gasfields—and who will benefit from them—has become.
Improper Land Allocation Harms Trinidad & Tobago's Public Interest
Property ownership is a critical ingredient of the society we are trying to build. No one can deny that. The wealthiest people and companies in this society have made a...
Bangladesh Has Formaldehyde to Thank for Its Short Supply of Mangoes This Season
Police are confiscating and destroying truckloads of mangoes because they are contaminated with dangerous levels of formalin, a strong solution of formaldehyde sprayed on fruit to extend their shelf life.
The Arrest of CCTV News Anchor and Refection on China's Public Relation Business
The arrest of CCTV news anchor Rui Chenggang was related to his ties to PR firm Edelman subsidiary in China. Silicon Hutong took the opportunity to reflect upon public relation...
Why the Caribbean Should Care About Net Neutrality
For those who figure that the issue of net neutrality doesn't affect them, Trinidad-based blogger Activized connects the dots. The concept that “all data is created equal” is not as...
Jamaica's Anti-Gay Protesters Don't Want to Be Called Homophobic
Groups protesting a possible repeal of a colonial-era anti-sodomy law have tried to distance themselves from being labeled "homophobic." Caribbean bloggers insist on calling a spade a spade.
Instagram as a Marketing Tool
Online marketing consultant Elena Leukona runs the blog El Club del Marketing where she “(helps) every small business owners that don't have a marketing department so they may understand the...
Why Taxi Drivers in Lima Are Seeing Red Over the City's New Black-and-Yellow Rules
Lima's taxi drivers are peeved: the local authority says they must mark their cars to distinguish them from illegal cabs at a cost of US$70-535. Drivers think it's a bluff.
#NoBakchich, a Cameroonian App to Fight Administrative Corruption
Corruption is a well-documented issue in Cameroon. For decades, political scandals have infamously stained the public administration due to multiple embezzlement charges, which in turn led to the creation of...
Egypt Raises Fuel Prices by up to 78 Per Cent
Egyptian netizens are fuming over a price hike in fuel prices, which they say will lead to an increase in transportation, food and services costs.
Andrey Mima on Banning the Internet in Russia
RuNet Echo translates a column by Andrey Mima about a new draft law in Moscow that will require websites to store all Russian users' data inside Russia.
Ready Your Smartphones: The Chat App Sticker Wars Have Begun
Japanese chat app Line has discovered a booming revenue model selling different sets of stickers. China's immensely popular WeChat is trying to catch up. Has it?
What Would Happen If the Ban on U.S. Travel to Cuba Were Lifted?
If the ban on U.S. travel to Cuba is lifted, private entrepreneurs residing on the island could bring in over $47 million in revenue each year.
Need a Passport in Trinidad and Tobago? Thanks to a Labour Fracas, You Can't Have One
The office producing passports was closed indefinitely. Many have been forced to cancel flights and people requiring medical treatment abroad have been affected.
There's a Good Chance Your World Cup Jersey Was Made in Bangladesh
Manufacturers have earned at least $500 million in export orders to sew World Cup jerseys for fans around the world. People in Bangladesh are also buying up the gear.
