Stories about Economics & Business from August, 2010
Africa: Maker Faire Africa 2010
MightyAfrican writes about Maker Faire Africa 2010. Maker Faire is an event that features African-made products amongst others: “If you are in Kenya this August 26 to 28, you should attend this event at the University of Nairobi campus.”
Russia: TorrentReactor Village; $17,000 in Roaming Charges
Svetlana Gladkova of Profy shares two stories much discussed in the Russian blogosphere now: how a “Russian village almost got named after a torrent website in a publicity stunt,” and how a Russian woman received a $17,000 roaming charges bill after her son had spent some four hours playing games...
Cuba: About the Law
Iván's File Cabinet tells the story of the Teófilo family, whose patriarch, in light of eviction threats from the authorities, is convinced that “his biggest crime was to try to have a prosperous life”; Laritza's Laws, meanwhile, reports on an unprecedented legal matter involving the incumbent Minister of Justice.
Haiti: Reparation?
As Repeating Islands takes note of the pressure on France “to repay the 17 billion euros (£14bn) ‘extorted’ from Haiti in the 19th Century”, Bahamian Nicolette Bethel comments: “Simply erasing the debt is not enough; there is also the long-term damage done to the core fabric of Haitian democratic society…”
Liberia/Mexico: Mexico Vs Liberia: An informal comparison
Esteyonange's informal comparison of Liberia/Mexico: “Ever since arriving in Liberia with the “knowledge” that 85% of its residents were unemployed, I have been suffering from a minor obsession about how people with little to no money make it from day to day…”
South Korea: Shrewder Commercials As Viewers Get Smarter
In South Korea, an indirect type of commercial was apppeared in the country's largest network's prime time news. It was a netizen who caught it, proving once again that the internet user groups are not gullible enough to eat up the reality traditional media project.
China: Did powdered milk cause infant breast development?
Recently across China, more than 20 infant girls have been found to have begun developing breasts in what has been called “mini-puberty”. Reports also indicate that at least 3 infant boys also have been found with elevated estrogen levels. The levels of female hormones in the small children, ranging between...
Panama: The Urban Development Boom
The boom experienced by Panama's recent urban development has been discussed actively by bloggers throughout the years. From the impacts on the environment to Panama's historical heritage, we explore some examples of what the bloggers are sharing.
Vietnam: Housing prices
Neil Nguyen, writing for Vietnam Talking Points, analyzes the rising asset prices in Vietnam since 2001 and asks if it is going to burst like the housing bubble in the U.S.
Lebanon: Making Money out of Blogs
Dreaming of making money from your blog? Lebanese bloggers discuss online digital marketing here.
China: GDP rising, public spending too?
We keep hearing that China's economy is still booming; has public spending increased in step? Private savings are staying in the bank, writes one blogger: from hospitals to schools to pensions for senior folks, China just doesn't compete.
Lebanon: Why do Food Prices go up in Ramadan?
Lebanese blogger Mustapha explains his theory on why food prices go up in Ramadan, blaming the “mothers” in his post.
China: Domestic consumption
Tom Lasseter from China Rises blogs about his experience and lack of confidence in Chinese domestic consumption.
Mozambique: Discussing Culture of Work in Africa
The statement that was made by the billionaire Mo Ibrahim, during his recent visit to Mozambique, saying that “Africans don't have a culture of work”, drew a response from Rui Guerra at blog Prestigío [pt]. Blog ma-schamba [pt] goes even further with a deep reflection on the way Mozambican people...
Turkmenistan: Despite its wealth, govt owes money
Ekspeditsiya writes about Turkmenistan's request to China for a $4.1 billion loan to develop the huge and untapped gas field.
Serbia: Banking Group Turns Well-Intentioned Suggestion Into PR Disaster
The lack of understanding that major corporations still have for what's being said online may not come as a shock. Intesa SanPaolo, Italy's largest banking group, however, has recently demonstrated plain poor business sense and a complete disregard for basic PR in a breaking story on the Serbian market.
Republic of Congo: Anniversary of 50 Years of Independence Under the Shadow of Unemployment
Benjamin Bilombot Bitadys at Congopage writes that it's puzzling that Congo-Brazzaville is spending 27 billions of CFA francs on the celebration of the anniversary of the independence (August 15) when 53% of the population (mostly young people) is still unemployed [fr].
Ukraine: Businessman Seeks Protection Via YouTube, Not Police
A Donetsk businessman posts hidden camera footage of threats and harassment by a competitor, as well as an appeal for help to the Ukrainian president, on YouTube; the video (RUS) has generated over 56,000 views so far. (A detailed Kyiv Post story by Peter Byrne is here (ENG); Vadim Isakov's...
USA: Deconstructing Media Coverage of the “Ground Zero Mosque”
The building of an Islamic community center in New York City, near the site of "Ground Zero," has polarized opinions across the media spectrum. In this post, bloggers share their thoughts.
South Korea: Lax Safety Control Lead to Bus Explosion
An ordinary bus in Seoul has exploded with a loud bang, injuring 17 people. The accident was due to overheated gas tanks but fear is growing among the people as the city is planning to replace every bus to this CNG model which exploded this week.
Bhutan: Taxes On Cars And The Concept Of Equality
Dipika critically analyzes the recent increase of the customs duty and sales tax rates on motor vehicles in Bhutan and the concept of equality as a reason behind it.
