News
To combat the latest murder surge, Lasso sends military troops and additional police to Guayaquil
Ecuador has ordered troops to the port city of Guayaquil to combat a wave of drug-related violence that has claimed dozens of lives. President Guillermo Lasso said Sunday the military has been deployed to "strengthen control" and "prevent the entry of drugs from the north, from Colombia, or...
Guayaquil’s ‘weekend of murder’ draws outrage, calls for a new law enforcement strategy
A weekend that witnessed at least 12 murders in Guayaquil, most of them committed by hitmen believed to be connected with drug gangs, is sparking public outrage and calls for an overhaul of law enforcement strategy. In addition to the dead, 16 more were injured, 11 of them requiring...
Covid-19 restrictions are relaxed as Cuenca exits ‘red alert’ list; Local gov’ts free to adopt their own rules
The national Emergency Operations Committee has removed most of the country from its ‘red alert’ pandemic list, including Cuenca, Quito and Guayaquil. The COE announced the move during a Saturday meeting following a report by Health Minister Ximena Garzón that Covid-19 cases have dropped...
South African scientists say the world needlessly ‘freaked out’ over Omicron, ignoring the data
By Andrew Harding South African scientists -- praised internationally for first detecting the Omicron variant -- have accused Western nations of ignoring early evidence that the new Covid variant was "dramatically" milder than those which drove previous waves of the pandemic. Two of South Africa's...
Why are some people who work or retire abroad called expats while others are immigrants?
By Mawuna Remarque Koutonin In the lexicon of human migration there are still hierarchical words, created with the purpose of putting white people above everyone else. One of those remnants is the word “expat.” What is an expat? And who is an expat? According to Wikipedia, “an expatriate (often...
Unicef criticizes decision to close schools, warns of educational, emotional and economic damage
The United Nations Children's Fund is asking Ecuador to reconsider its decision to close schools in reaction to the recent increase of Covid-19 cases. “One thing we know for sure is that another wave of widespread school closures will be disastrous for the country’s children. Face-to-face...
Rejected by much of the public, the Bitcoin experiment in El Salvador appears to be failing
By Tony Tran Months after El Salvador announced that it would accept bitcoin as legal tender, the country has found itself on the verge of economic collapse yet again. The country’s president Nayib Bukele made waves last year when he announced that the nation would accept the token for use at...
It’s vegetarians vs. ‘beefatarians’ in Europe as governments push for reduced meat consumption
By Jon Henley, Sam Jones, Angela Giuffrida and Philip Oltermann A row over meat consumption in Spain over the last month is just the most recent eruption of the debate all over Europe, as the continent grapples with making its famous cuisines more sustainable. Food is inextricably intertwined with...
Colombian farmers –and Ecuador– welcome court decision against aerial fumigation of coca crops
By Steven Grattan Human rights groups and politicians in Colombia have welcomed a decision by the country’s Constitutional Court which ruled this week that the government failed to consult local communities over its plan to restart aerial fumigation of coca crops. In a decision on Wednesday, the...
Santa Isabel tourism is promoted; Project to develop local chocolate industry; Snake oil warning issued; Zaruma mines surveyed; 30% capacity limit enforced
Jueves, 20/12/2022 Hola, Todos - Actividades - Nada. <Unless you want to count the article about Santa Isabel below.> Titular - Contagios no dan tregua (Contagions don't let up) - With cases and deaths rising in children, parents are looking for ways to shield their children's immune...
Attention expats: Here are the 15 signs that you’ve been in Ecuador too long (plus a yapa)
By Christopher Lux Nicolás Vergara, a Chilean living in Guayaquil, has put together an amusing and instructional list for expats in Ecuador: "15 signs you've been in Ecuador too long." When I read it, I only understood half of the "signs" he discusses. My first thought was, "Great, I haven't 'been...
New study says the world has passed its ‘carrying capacity’ for man-made chemicals and plastics
By Molly Taft Humans have produced so many chemicals and environmental pollutants that we’re currently exceeding the limits of a “safe operating space for humanity,” a new study finds. That could mean that the planet, as well as our health and wellbeing, is in serious jeopardy. The study,...
Expat Life
Why are some people who work or retire abroad called expats while others are immigrants?
By Mawuna Remarque Koutonin In the lexicon of human migration there are still hierarchical words, created with the...
Attention expats: Here are the 15 signs that you’ve been in Ecuador too long (plus a yapa)
By Christopher Lux Nicolás Vergara, a Chilean living in Guayaquil, has put together an amusing and instructional list...
Moon over Vilcabamba
Don’t go to the library today, there are too many words already. Pick up an instrument instead. -- Rumi...
Thinking of hiring a maid or handyman? Check Ecuador’s labor laws before making the commitment
By Liam Higgins Almost every expat arriving in Ecuador has heard the pitch: You can hire a maid, gardener, or cook in...
Health News
South African scientists say the world needlessly ‘freaked out’ over Omicron, ignoring the data
By Andrew Harding South African scientists -- praised internationally for first detecting the Omicron variant -- have...
It’s vegetarians vs. ‘beefatarians’ in Europe as governments push for reduced meat consumption
By Jon Henley, Sam Jones, Angela Giuffrida and Philip Oltermann A row over meat consumption in Spain over the last...
Opinion
Why are some people who work or retire abroad called expats while others are immigrants?
By Mawuna Remarque Koutonin In the lexicon of human migration there are still hierarchical words, created with the...
Although Omicron means it is sure to fail, China pushes on with its iron-fisted zero-Covid policy
By Li Yuan China’s “zero Covid” policy has a dedicated following: the millions of people who work diligently toward...
Chile’s left turn offers an opportunity to build an economic model that benefits the entire population
By Shannon O’Neil Latin America’s leftist leaders hailed last month’s election of Gabriel Boric in Chile, while...
Community Posts
Furniture, Appliances, Mattresses, etc.
JD’S MUEBLES home furnishings offers a wide variety of appliances, furniture, mattresses, house...
Translation and Editing Services
Translation: English to Spanish, Spanish to English Editing: English and Spanish Email:...
Large, Newly Renovated House Is A 15-Minute Walk To El Centro
A short walk to Calderon Park, this charming, two-story house has an outside terrace off the back...
You must to know this! It makes the difference
If you are considering taking out private health insurance, there are several criteria that should...
