ECONOMIC STRUGGLES

Apr 12 2025POLITICS

Ecuador's Tough Choice: Crime or Corruption?

Ecuador is at a crossroads. The upcoming presidential election is a tight race between two candidates with very different ideas. The main issue? The surge in drug-related violence that has made Ecuador one of the most dangerous countries in Latin America. The economy is in a slump, making it hard to fight this crime wave. Daniel Noboa, the current president, is runn...

reading time about 1 minute
Mar 31 2025RELIGION

Ramadan's Unexpected Visitors: Karachi's Seasonal Beggars

During Ramadan, Karachi's streets see a significant increase in beggars. People come from all over Pakistan to the city. Most of them are hoping to collect zakat, a mandatory charity in Islam. This charity is specifically for the poor and is often given during Ramadan. It is a time when many people are more generous. Soomar, a 61-year-old widow, is one of those w...

reading time about 3 minutes
Dec 30 2024BUSINESS

Shopping in 2024: A Year of Savvy Spenders and Budget Dining

In 2024, shoppers and diners in the U. S. were more careful with their money. High housing and food prices made people choosy about where they spent. Wealthy folks, for instance, started shopping at stores like Walmart and Aldi instead of pricier places. Eating out? People opted for fast food or cooking at home rather than sit-down restaurants. Department stores stru...

reading time about 1 minute
Dec 15 2024BUSINESS

Car Makers Hit a Bump in the Road

Just a few years back, car companies were raking in profits due to pandemic-related shortages. Now, they're facing tough times. Japanese carmaker Nissan is letting go of 9, 000 workers. Volkswagen might close some German factories. The CEO of Stellantis, which owns brands like Jeep and Peugeot, quit after a sales drop. Even high-end brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz ...

reading time less than a minute
Dec 15 2024CRYPTO

Iran's Power Crisis: Is Bitcoin Mining Siphoning Energy?

As winter approaches, Iran is facing rolling blackouts, leaving people and businesses in the dark. The country’s energy woes are a blend of many factors, including economic mismanagement, international sanctions, and, perhaps surprisingly, a cryptocurrency boom. Bitcoin mining, which demands vast amounts of electricity, has been suspected of contributing to the power...

reading time less than a minute
Oct 07 2024POLITICS

Kenyan President Drops Tax Plan After Protests

Protests in Kenya escalated to the point where demonstrators stormed Parliament, calling for President Ruto to step down. This forced Ruto to scrap a controversial tax bill, which aimed to raise additional funds to reduce the country's debt. The bill was unpopular among many Kenyans, who felt it unfairly targeted the poor. The situation was further complicated by the...

reading time about 1 minute