Stories about Economics & Business from December, 2015
Trinidad & Tobago Greets 2016 With Austerity
"The government spent the last four months doing diagnosis and triage. Tonight, the wound was bandaged and antibiotics applied."
Why Millions of Chinese Are Victimized by the Blooming Peer-to-Peer Lending Business
"We trusted China Central Television and have engaged in legal investments. We trusted the government and the deposit should be protected."
Millions of Indians Slam Facebook's ‘Free Basics’ App
With two weeks of public advertisements, Facebook would have got the maximum opposition in India so far in rolling a free access to its products called Free Basics.
Sri Lanka's President Says Enrique Iglesias Concert Organisers Should Be ‘Whipped With Toxic Stingray Tails’
President Sirisena didn't like that female fans hugged and kissed the pop star, nor that someone threw her bra onstage. Sri Lankans didn't take to his "moral policing" kindly.
For Land-locked Nepal, a Year of Natural and Man-Made Disasters
“I have negative thoughts. But if everyone gets positive, I will get the energy to stay positive.”
The Bridge From Russia to Crimea Doesn't Exist Yet, But It Already Has an Instagram Account
Cats can help improve your bridge construction project's social media strategy, especially if you need to draw attention away from how slow and expensive your project is.
On Politics, Big Contracts and Parties in Trinidad & Tobago
Government ministers are seen socialising with corruption accused. The president of a corruption watchdog organisation is forced to resign. Coincidence? One blogger calls foul and tries to connect the dots.
Bangladesh Will Demand Biometric Data From All SIM Card Users
The scheme will create a massive database of citizens' communications data that could give the government unprecedented access to the mobile communications of Bangladeshi citizens.
Roscomnadzor Head Claims Google and Apple Are ‘Relocating Servers’ to Russia
Aleksandr Zharov, head of the Russian media watchdog, told journalists Google and Apple were "working on localizing their databases on Russian territory," but said the information was "unofficial."
One Kanji Character Captures a Year of Uncertainty in Japan
The character 安 has been named the official kanji of 2015. The character is supposed to represent 'peace', but not always...
How Maasai Women in Kenya Are Helping to Make Lush Brand Cosmetics
Women are making money growing aloe, and selling the leaves to the British cosmetics company Lush. They’re also harvesting honey, growing food and raising goats. It’s a sustainable ecosystem.
Does ‘Free Entry’ Always Come at a Cost?: Trinidad & Tobago Talks Gender Discrimination After Nightclub Row
"Not all discrimination is created equal, and not all unequal treatment is necessarily discriminatory."
Fears for Hong Kong's Press Freedom Follow Alibaba's Purchase of the South China Morning Post
Journalists in Hong Kong worry that the newspaper, which has already been criticized for a pro-Beijing stance in recent years, will become a mouthpiece for China's government.
2015 Was Boom Times for Corruption in the Caribbean, But Can It Last?
Judging from the alleged corruption that happened in the Caribbean this year, certain regional territories may not improve their ranking in Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index -- or will they?
How the Michelin Star Became the Kiss of Death for Hong Kong’s Street Food
The Michelin Star has turned out to be the kiss of death for several small restaurants in Hong Kong, as landlords raise rents to profit off anticipated earnings boom.
Chinese Authorities Think Internet Companies Should Reward Netizens Who ‘Spread Good News’
China's State Internet Information Office spokesman urged Internet companies to allocate charity funds to those who "spread good news." But netizens don't completely agree with government's idea of good news.
Trinidad & Tobago Faces Economic Recession — But Who's to Blame?
"This recession did not creep up on us like the proverbial thief in the night. It was long in the making."
Beijing's ‘Airpocalypse’ Hits Record Levels as Toxic Smog Chokes City
"Major skyscrapers and landmarks disappear overnight. I cannot for the life of me see what color the traffic lights at the opposite end of the road are."
Furious Customers in Mali Call for a Boycott of Telecom Giant Orange
"Orange has been ripping us off for years...Enough is enough. It must stop."
Trinidad and Tobago Joins World in Marching for Climate Change Awareness
"Trinidad and Tobago is the second highest carbon emitter per capita in the world. We are here to show our decision makers that we want them to recognise our responsibility."
