Stories about Economics & Business from July, 2015
So the Caribbean Walks Into a Bar…
#IfTheCaribbeanWasABar is trending in the regional blogosphere, bringing up issues of shared territory and identity in hilarious and illuminating ways.
Eiffel Tower Plans? Beware of the ‘Paris Syndrome’
The City of Lights can be both appealing and anxiety-inducing. Here are how some visitors, notably the Japanese, have experienced the city and the feedback from Parisians.
Russian Censors Threaten to Shut Down Business Website for Writing About Bitcoin
Officials today told a Russian business-news website that it must delete or edit within the next three days an article it published about bitcoins.
Conspiracy Theory Blaming China's Stock Market Plunge on Foreign Forces Finds Online Support
Lin Zuoming, chairman of a state-owned aerospace and defense company called China Aviation Industry Corp., echoed the theory of foreign manipulation "aimed at breaking people’s faith in government."
Greece Crisis Propelling Some Ethnic Greeks Back to Their Homeland on a Turkish Island
Greeks and Turks share a love and pride for the beautiful island called Gökçeada by the former and Imbros by the latter.
Malaysia Blocks News Website and Suspends Two Local Papers for Reporting on Government Corruption
"Our report is based on evidence corroborated by documents that include bank transfers and statements. How can the work we have done be deemed as a political conspiracy?"
Why Do Seniors in Singapore Still Collect Cardboard Boxes?
The plight of elderly cardboard-collectors has become a popular topic in Singapore over the past two weeks, following a government minister's not-so-amusing gaff.
Why Britain Owes India for 200 Years of Brutal Colonialism
"Britain's rise for 200 years was financed by its depredations in India. In fact Britain's industrial revolution was actually premised upon the de-industrialisation of India."
Japanese Media Group's Purchase of the Financial Times Shocks China
Given the bad blood between China and Japan over Japanese war crimes during World War II as well as geo-political tensions in Asia, many Chinese didn't take the news well.
As Ukraine Bans Russian TV Shows for ‘Propaganda,’ Local Channels Put Up a Fight
With Ukraine banning a number of Russian TV shows that "glorify the Russian government, military, and law enforcement," Ukrainian television channels are already looking for loopholes in the new legislation.
Russia Says Twitter Doesn’t Need to Comply With Its New Data-Localization Law
State officials have announced that Twitter can ignore a new law coming into force that will require online services to store all Russian user data on servers located inside Russia.
Israel's Business Style: Drop the Niceties, Speak Your Mind
Intel's guidebook on working with Israelis highlights Israel's workplace norms, which value direct communication and action, things that can be interpreted as rude in other cultures.
Myanmar’s Factories Warn of Economic Shutdown If Minimum Wage Hike Goes Ahead
"It is vital to ensure that the first ever minimum wage level doesn't lock workers from one sector into poverty."
Laundering Russian Money in London: Undercover Reporters Show You How It's Done
The new hard-hitting exposé From Russia With Cash shows hows dirty money from Russia and elsewhere is being laundered through London's high-end real estate market.
Cuba Si, Google No: Cuban Officials Rumored to Reject Google's Free WiFi Offer
In the words of a journalist who has resided in Havana since the early 1990s, "They say that when the donation is too large, even the poor become suspicious."
Trinidad & Tobago’s Chinese Community Is Dog-Tired of Racial Stereotyping
Video of dog being skinned (allegedly at a Chinese restaurant) goes viral. Health minister hastily comments. Local Chinese community hits back online to try to bring the minister to heel.
Developer, President, Gamer: the World Says Goodbye to Nintendo President Satoru Iwata
Popular Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has died, leaving gaming fans around the world to mourn his loss.
Three Issues That Undermine Chile's Once Popular President
How will President Michelle Bachelet weather the current discontent with her presidency, and can she effectively deal with the corruption that threatens her ability to govern?
This Invention by Burkinabe and Burundian Student Scientists Could Save Thousands from Malaria
Two students, Moctar Dembele and Gerard Niyondiko, might have just made a major contribution to reducing the morbidity of one of the deadliest diseases in Africa.
Zambia's Crippling Energy Crisis Is Changing Life for Everyone. And Not for the Better.
A near-nationwide power outage hit Zambia earlier this year, leading to drastic cutbacks in the country's electricity supply. A new "load-shedding" scheme is now testing consumers and employers alike.
Bangladesh's Rich Iftar Tradition in 12 Spectacular Photos
The streets in Bangladesh's capital are turning into open buffets for iftar, the sunset meal during the Islamic month of fasting.
