Stories about Economics & Business from September, 2021
Quirky Japanese promo campaign launches new brand of rice, just in time for harvest season
The official Japan-wide launch of a new rice brand includes a quirky musical commercial, a social media photo contest, and feelings of anticipation for "new rice."
China in Ethiopia: Between a savior and an exploiter?
Whereas some online commentaries celebrate China’s help and contributions to Ethiopia, other discussions on Chinese projects tend to emphasize their exploitative features
Turkey’s Uyghur dilemma in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
As economic ties between Ankara and Beijing strengthened, Turkey's policies on the treatment of Uyghurs in China weakened.
Shooting in Kazakhstan leaves five dead after financial dispute over real estate
A court ordered the eviction of a Kazakhstan family that had defaulted on its bank loan. The head of the household opened fire against the authorities enforcing the eviction.
Chinese firms in Nigeria face widespread labour abuse allegations, tainting bilateral relationship
Nigerians in that company are "mandated to call their Chinese employers master or mistress. Male Nigerian workers are physically assaulted, while their female counterparts are sexually assaulted,” writes a whistleblower.
India’s gasoline dilemma: Double burden of rising prices and soaring demand
As petrol and diesel prices skyrocket, so does demand, almost certainly leading to inflation, and thus adding a greater financial burden to people already hit by unemployment and the pandemic.
France blasts Australia's nuclear-powered submarine deal with US and UK as ‘duplicity’
'I wanted to underline the level of anger that exists here in France at the moment. Your government is an embarrassment, ...the damage regarding the Australian image here is huge'.
COVID-19 pushes Armenian families into poverty
Before Covid-19 struck Armenia, Avetisyan says a steady stream of construction and day labor work kept his family fed and housed.
Global warming: Sea snot appears on Aegean Sea beaches in Chalkidiki, Greece
In June, a marine heat wave increased the average daily temperature of the Aegean Sea to 28 degrees Celsius, which is whole 4 degrees higher than previous years.
Investigative journalism group OCCRP says it will no longer work in Russia
Drew Sullivan, OCCRP's co-founder and editor-in-chief, said their work in Russia at the moment would do local reporters "more harm than good."
Russia blocks popular website for worker complaints
Antijob, an online database of anonymous complaints about Russian employers, has been blocked by censors following a defamation case brought by a Moscow real estate firm.
In Georgia, a taxi service for women by women
A new taxi service in Georgia, called TaxiWoman is promising safe journeys as it will serve only women, with women drivers behind the wheel.
China-funded Kaliwa dam in the Philippines flagged for irregularities
"Indigenous Peoples should not be sacrificed on the altar of development aggression, which would just benefit big businesses and Chinese investors."
Diverging narratives on the Belt and Road Initiative in Greece and China
After years of investment in the port, information on the hurdles that China’s BRI is facing in Greece differs across the language of the media reporting it.
China's unfulfilled promise to develop Venezuela's mines
The Venezuelan and Chinese governments promoted the mining sector as a solution to Venezuela's oil dependence. Despite millionaire investments, the industry is far from its achieving its promise.
Turkey and China in the eastern Mediterranean: Partners or competitors?
China and Turkey continue to collaborate on their visions for trans-continental integration, though should Ankara's political and military ambitions increase, Beijing might reconsider its role as a reliable BRI partner.
Biggest financial scandal in Mozambique's history proceeds to trial
Among those involved in the case are the former Minister of Finance, the son of the former President, as well as leaders of the country's secret service.
China's crackdown on business, media and entertainment sectors is packaged as a ‘profound revolution’
China started a heavy-handed clampdown on the private corporate sector from Big Tech companies to property developers near the end of 2020. The crackdown then extended to education, culture and entertainment.
Rejection of new Australian coal mine is a rare win for community environmental campaigners
"Finally! A good news Aussie fossil fuel story. Brilliant news that Hume Coal Project has been rejected in Berrima."
Chinese netizens identify the Weibo supervisor system as a source of arbitrary censorship
Each Weibo supervisor filed an average of 4,472 censorship reports in July 2021. The top performer would have to file 700 complaints per day and 70 reports per hour.
Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party turns 20
Two decades into AK Party rule, its popularity is dwindling and its ties with western governments have deteriorated significantly as the country is facing an economic and democratic precipice.
