Stories about Economics & Business from June, 2011
Peru: Residents of Puno Resume Protests
Once again the inhabitants of the Puno region have taken to the streets in protests, this time against the contamination caused by the mining of minerals. Six people died as a result of the protests on the day when Peru celebrates the Day of the Peasant.
Syria: The Revolution and the Economy
For 100 days Syria's economy has been frozen. Commerce has halted to a standstill and the coming tourist season does not look good. In addition to that, thousands of frightened Syrians have been changing their savings from Syrian pounds to US dollars or Euros, putting an enormous pressure on the Syrian pound.
Cuba: Old & Black
“Being old in Cuba is a problem”: But, explains Iván García, “it becomes harder if you are black.”
Trinidad & Tobago: The CL Financial Letter
Afra Raymond posts a copy of “the CL Financial letter of 13th January 2009″, which he finally has in his possession after “three applications for this document under the Freedom of Information Act.”
Europe: “Greek Drama Doesn't Transcend Hellenic Borders”
Luboš Motl of The Reference Frame writes about the current economic situation in Greece and how it affects (or doesn't affect) other countries: “All the hysteria is man-made and unjustifiable by the real data. The Greek default will be just a formality because in practice, it has occurred a long...
El Salvador: Price of Corn Triples in a Little Over a Year
El Salvador From the Inside reports on the rising cost of corn, an important and basic staple for Salvadorans: “June 2011 newspapers report a quintal [100 lb bag of corn] costs up to $40 , due to last year’s bad harvest and growing season starting late this year. Maize had...
Vietnam: Fake hotel reviews?
Nick Ross suspects that boutique hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam are faking online reviews.
Cambodia: Land rights hashtag
The twitter hashtag #camland is proposed to gather tweets related to land-rights, evictions, and controversial developments in Cambodia.
Thailand: Abandoned skyscraper
dr-hank-snaffler-jr writes about an abandoned skyscraper in Bangkok, Thailand. The building was not completed when the 1997 Asian financial crisis severely hit Thailand.
Slovakia, Poland: (Mis)Understanding the Euro Experience
According to a recent poll, the majority of Poles are against joining the Eurozone. One of the reasons may be their (mis)understanding of the Slovak experience.
Guyana, Bermuda: Food & Graffiti
Guyana-Gyal suggests a way to help control rising food prices, while a bermudian's view suggests that the best way to deal with graffiti is to “have [it] removed within 24 hours.”
Sri Lanka: The Effectiveness Of Fertilizer Subsidy
Serendipity questions the effectiveness Sri Lankan Government's subsidy program worth 500 million Sri Lankan Rupees for importing fertilizers.
Haiti: Preserving Architectural History
Throwing Down the Water is concerned that “the historical houses of Haiti are mostly being left to rot, to fall into disrepair or – worse – to be lived in happily and well, until some landlord comes along and decides that a cement box would look better in their place...
U.S.V.I.: The National Park on St. John
A Nation or Nobody blogs about a report on National Parks, Tourism, and Local Development, written 30 years ago, which he feels “should be required reading for every student in the US Virgin Islands…it [also] has the power to speak to a much larger audience on issues of development, government...
South Sudan/Eritrea: Eritreans Thriving in Juba
A blogger visiting Juba, Southern Sudan, reports that Eritreans are thriving in the city: “The Eritreans I observed there were cliquish, befriended the SPLM generals, pay bribes generously (so I was told), smuggle in young Eritrean girls and so forth…At one stage I saw over one thousand youngsters at one...
Syria: Al Assad's Cousin Quits Business for Charity Work
On 16th June, at the eve of another Friday of protests in Syria, Syrian State Television announced that 41-year-old businessman Rami Makhlouf will quit his businesses to take up charity work. Netizens react to the announcement.
Cuba: To Reach Havana
“Havana is a sort of forbidden city for people from deep inside Cuba”: Iván's File Cabinet blogs about Cubans who are unwelcome in their own capital city.
Angola: President's Daughter with a Handful of Business
Considered by Forbes one of the nine richest women in Africa, Isabel dos Santos, the eldest daughter of the angolan President Eduardo dos Santos, is satirically described by journalist Orlando Castro as the “Mona Lisa of Angolan Kingdom“, for the mysterious “unfolded wealth and ease of doing business”.
Pakistan: Tax On Textiles
Deadpan Thoughts criticizes the imposition of 17% sales tax in this years budget on the import of machinery and equipment of textile mills, a major earning and employment sector of Pakistan.
Bhutan: Advertisement And Deception
Namgay77 at Writers Association Of Bhutan is concerned about the proliferation of deceptive advertisement messages in Bhutan.
Panama: The Indigenous Ngobe-Bugle’s Struggle to Defend the Rio Tabasara
Intercontinental Cry publishes an exclusive report by independent journalist Richard Arghiris, who “takes an in-depth look at the controversy surrounding the Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam in Panama and the Ngobe-Bugle’s struggle to defend the Rio Tabasara along with their own right to survive as Indigenous Peoples.”
