Topics to impress this week 1. Dollar shortage bites It may be illegal, but stores in Zimbabwe now routinely offer several prices for goods. A 2l bottle of cooking oil sells for $3.20, but its price jumps to 4.50 in bond notes and $5 when paying by card, according to AFP. Currency traders will exchange $1 for 1.37 in bond notes. For noncash bank transfers, the traders offer 1.50 in bond notes. Up to 60% of goods in stores are imported. And with the huge shortage of dollars, inflation on imported goods is spiking by as much as 60% a year. 2. People before profit Puerto Rico has rejected a $1bn loan offered by a hedge-fund group, accusing it of trying to profit from disaster. Infrastructure was left devastated after hurricanes Irma and Maria battered the island. Most residents have no power, no food and no water, a situation that will require a more compassionate response — even from investors. Hedge funds which hold bonds in the local power utility offered it a US$1bn loan and a disc...
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