Though an old adage cautions us against judging a book by its cover, a home’s outward appearance is intrinsically tied to its curb appeal. Old, worn or damaged siding is one thing that can contribute to a loss of up to 10% of your home’s value. However, residents living in…
An Internet Connected Cuba May Be a Bigger Goal Than Most Thought
In the United States, about half (50%) of mobile phone owners use their devices as their primary way to access the Internet, but in Cuba, most people can’t even afford to get online using a desktop. Even if they could, much of the web’s content is censored, and the content…
Barbie is This Holiday Season’s Hot Toy in Venezuela
An unlikely character is making her way under Christmas trees in Venezuela this year as the highlight of President Nicolas Maduro’s “Operation Merry Christmas.” The Detroit News reports that Barbies are flying off the shelves in Caracas, where the dolls costs as little as $2.50.Last month, Maduro launched “Operation Merry Christmas,” which…
Venezuelan Activists Choose Art, Not War
Following the 2013 death of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, the Latin American country has been rocked by conflict between right-wing politicians and the revolutionary activists and workers who support Chavez’s lefist Bolivarian movement. To further their cause, some of these activists have taken to the nation’s streets and neighborhoods to…
As Venezuelan Healthcare Industry Crumbles, Ebola Outbreak Would Be Disastrous
Every country has begun bolstering its line of defense against the Ebola virus as news of outbreaks beyond West Africa (notably, in Spain and the U.S.) causes world leaders across the globe to realize that an epidemic — this epidemic — could very well infiltrate their borders. These world leaders, many of…
Venezuela’s Got 99 Problems, and Political Upheaval is One of Many
As an oil-rich country, Venezuela is no stranger to controversy. However, the focus has momentarily shifted to youth-led political protests. The famous words “Remember, remember the fifth of November,” taken from songs and poems used to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day in Great Britain, seem applicable to Venezuela’s recent political unrest.…
Venezuelan Government Censorship Causes Journalists to Turn to the Internet
The Venezuelan government’s hold on the country’s media is no surprise to many people in and outside of the country. Recently, this control made headlines around the world when one of the nation’s oldest newspapers, El Impulso, announced that they would be stopping circulation due to a lack of advertising,…
Sacked Cartoonist Sparks Debate on Censorship, Healthcare in Venezuela
The firing last month of a Venezuelan newspaper cartoonist over a piece of healthcare satire has sparked an ongoing debate regarding censorship in the country.“We’re sorry that [Rayma] is no longer with us and we see [her firing] as one of the major costs that the new ownership is paying…