Stories about Economics & Business from February, 2015
Imported Bollywood Films Have Become Quite a Drama in Bangladesh
Popular Bangladeshi actor Shakib Khan joined protests against Indian movies being screened, arguing it would hurt the country's struggling film industry. Film distributors and cinema owners then banned his films.
The Political Violence in Bangladesh Is Claiming Too Many Lives
I close the windows of my car, and think of buying a fire extinguisher. [Then], if a bomb is thrown inside my car, I'd be able to douse the fire.
Russian Lawmakers Propose Banning Women Under 40 from Smoking
“Female smoking,” the legislation’s explanatory note says, “harms the body’s reproductive system, causing irreparable damage to the genetic stock of the nation.”
Trinidad & Tobago Has ‘Carnival Mentality’. Is That Necessarily a Bad Thing?
Carnival mentality refers to the carefree attitude on display at Trinidad and Tobago's biggest party. Some argue the term should represent industriousness -- Carnival takes a lot of work.
South Korea's Young Workers Earn ‘Passion Wages’, Meaning Hardly Anything at All
The buzzword "passion wage" reflects harsh conditions young South Korean people face nowadays in the workforce -- low or no pay to pursue their passion.
Here Is What You Can Do in Kyiv if You Have One Dollar
What can a dollar buy you in Kyiv, Ukraine? Quite a few things, actually! An enterprising social media user collected the most interesting ideas in a blog post.
Unlawful Deals by 5 Biggest Ebola Contractors in Sierra Leone
Five companies are said to have misappropriated funds for fighting Ebola in Sierra Leone: Here are the 5 companies who were awarded the biggest contracts to provide goods and services to Sierra Leone’s ebola response as listed in the Ebola Funds Audit Report covering the period from May – October...
The Stale Catch in Croatia's “Fresh Start” Debt Erasure Program
Croatia's government has received praise for its decision to wipe the debt of its poorest citizens. But will this "Fresh Start" really help Croatians?
Leader of the Nation to Rescue Kazakhstan's Economy
Living next to Russia and being dependent on oil have made life difficult for Kazakhstan, which is about to re-elect its 74-year-old leader ahead of schedule.
Can Istanbul Be Saved from Overdevelopment?
Build, build, build. Turkey's largest city is under a redevelopment siege threatening the buildings and communities that are part of its fabric.
Poor TV Coverage Makes Trinidad & Tobago Carnival Lovers Feel They Missed Out
Are the organisations charged with stewardship of the national festival sacrificing it to the almighty dollar? Broadcasters claim their sub-par coverage was due to their restrictions.
Social Media Is Changing How Consumers in India Interact With Companies
Got a complaint? When consumers in India do, around 25% of them post their grievances online before lodging their complaint in court.
Hungry for a Meme? Try Japan's ‘English French Toast’
This isn't exactly high-end fusion food. The somewhat contradictory nature of the local Japanese treat's name has become a minor Internet meme.
Nepalese Are Finding the Humor in Their Country's Gas Shortage
Liquefied petroleum gas is the second most popular source of energy for cooking and heating in Nepal, but it's hard to come by these days, much to the consumers' frustration.
Gardeners Are Repurposing Coconut Waste as Eco-Friendly Plant Pots
Using coir pots that can be planted can save an estimated 100 million plastic pots from ending up in garbage cans.
Crimean IT Industry Wilts Under Western Sanctions
Western sanctions come at a high cost to IT-professionals and citizens in disputed Crimea, as companies like Apple and Google are blocking access to their services.
Macedonians Plan to Use Freedom of Information Act to Fight New Freelance Law
Some part-time and freelance workers were blocked from getting paid in January under the new tax and fee regulations. Protesters want to expose the government's bureaucratic inefficiency.
Elections Are Coming Up in Nigeria. Here Comes the Mudslinging
Former Governor of Nigeria's Central Bank Charles Chukwuma Soludo recently sparked a war of words by criticizing the lack of “issue based debate” by the two presidential candidates.
With the Falling Price of Petrol, Pakistan Plunges Into a Deeper Fuel Crisis
People were seen pushing their cars to petrol stations and forming long queues. Some came with Coke bottles in hand to fill up on the limited supply of petrol.
Stop the Music: Spotify Cancels Launch in Russia
Spotify is leaving Russia in response to the economic crisis, the political situation, and the draconian Internet laws.
