Dilemma X

For the first time since 1959, Cubans can now buy new and used cars BBC News Cubans are now able to buy modern cars freely for the first time since the revolution in 1959. Previously, Cubans had to get a government permit to buy new vehicles. That requirement has now been abolished but only a […]

China to set up fully private banks in 2014 Xinhua BEIJING– China will set up three to five fully private banks on a trial basis this year in a bid to further open up the banking sector to domestic and foreign capital, China’s banking regulator said Monday. Private capital will be introduced to restructure current […]

U.S. year ending review: New sports and entertainment arenas New NHL arena for the Detroit Red Wings wins financing approval USA Today DETROIT -The Detroit City Council today passed a pair of city ordinances — despite considerable public opposition — to advance a project for a new Red Wings arena near downtown. However, the council […]

Zimbabwe: A $400 million city of Harare roads deal with a South African company By Innocent Ruwende and Elita Chikwati The Herald (Zimbabwe) Harare City Council is set to partner a South African company in a US$400 million (R4,208 billion) deal to rehabilitate and maintain roads in the capital. The broader infrastructure plan includes mass […]

Nigeria: Ogun State’s Abeokuta City Centre plans to rise 60 floors By Kehinde Akinyemi Daily Trust (Abuja, Nigeria) ABEOKUTA, OGUN— Ogun State government has finalized plans to build a 60-story skyscraper in Abeokuta. The edifice, named Abeokuta City Centre, will be the tallest structure on African soil. When the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ogun […]

$653 million expansion of Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International airport New terminal to handle 20 million passengers East African Business Week NAIROBI — Construction work has started on the new $653 million terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International airport (JKIA). The government is paying for the project with some help from the Chinese. Anhui Civil Engineering Group […]

Shanghai Tower -China’s tallest building construction progress Bloomberg News When completed in 2015, the Shanghai Tower will be China’s tallest building. The 632-meter (2,074-feet) skyscraper will also deepen a glut of offices in the city, putting pressure on rents. The project, in the Lujiazui financial district, will add 220,000 square meters (2.4 million square feet) […]

Uruguay becomes first nation to legalize marijuana Xinhua MONTEVIDEO- Uruguay has become the first national marketplace for legal marijuana after the Senate approved a law on Tuesday, putting the government in charge of the cultivation, distribution and consumption of the drug. The law, conceived in an attempt to tackle the illegal drugs trade, was approved […]

Nigeria on track to become Africa’s largest economy By Kelechi Deca The Guardian When the World Economic Forum on Africa 2013 came to a close May this year at Cape Town, South Africa, with the theme “Delivering on Africa’s Promise”, which had three integrated pillars – accelerating economic growth; boosting strategic infrastructure; and unlocking Africa’s […]

Nigeria approves $1.3 billion Deep Sea Port project  By Ben Agande Vanduard (Lagos, Nigeria) ABUJA—The Federal Government on December 4, 2013 took the initiative to decongest existing ports in the country as it approved a $1.35 billion contract for the construction of a new Deep Sea Port in Lekki, Lagos State. Minister of Transport, Senator […]