Venezuela introduces two-day week to deal with energy crisis - BBC News

Venezuela public sector employees are told to work only Monday and Tuesday until the country overcomes a worsening energy crisis.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36145184

Africa Expat Cost of Living Rankings April 2016

Overall African countries are some of the poorest and least developed in the world, with relatively low local cost of living expenses; however the cost of importing and transporting the international standard of goods that expatriates expect to purchase in the cities in this region makes it extremely expensive to maintain the lifestyle that they are used to. Despite the fact that the Angolan New Kwanza (AOA) is approximately 32% weaker against the US Dollar compared to a year ago, extremely costly safe expatriate accommodation, imported produce and international private schooling has kept Luanda as most expensive city to live in the African region. Maseru in Lesotho is the cheapest African city. Lesotho has long been one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy of Lesotho's economy is based on diamonds and water sold to South Africa, manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, and to some extent the earnings of labourers employed in South Africa.
http://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Africa-Expat-Cost-of-Living-Comparison-Rankings-April-2016_666.cfm

South Sudan as the Most Expensive Country in the World - April 2016

Thinking of moving? Cost of Living is changing constantly around the world, are you being offered the right package for your international move?

World Expat Cost of Living Comparison April 2016

Source: Xpatulator.com

South Sudan is the most expensive country in the world for expats in April 2016 due to the extremely high cost of maintaining a secure, expatriate style, standard of living and importing goods in the world's newest country. The security risk for expatriates in South Sudan is high. Risks include a lack of government control, violent crime, theft, bandits, insurgent groups, communal violence, and cross-border clashes between Sudan and South Sudan. Other risks include poor infrastructure, often made more challenging by extreme weather. The government of South Sudan floated the South Sudanese pound (SSP) in December 2015. After the announcement, the value of the SSP, which had been pegged to the U.S. dollar at an official rate of 2.96 SSP to the dollar, fell to levels approaching the parallel market rates of 18.50 SSP to the dollar and has since recovered to 13.80 SSP to the dollar. The cheaper South Sudanese pound should help improve the government’s fiscal situation as revenues from oil exports (as well as aid flows) increase in local currency.

Venezuela is the second most expensive expatriate country to live in worldwide. For expatriates in Venezuela, rampant inflation, product shortages and tight government controls on foreign exchange have kept it at the top of the list of the most expensive countries globally.

Oil-rich Angola has dropped two places, having been the most expensive country in the world for expatriates in 2015, to become the third most expensive country in the world for expats in 2016 due primarily to the drop in the price of oil, the resultant economic slow-down and the fact that the Angolan New Kwanza (AOA) is approximately 32% weaker against the US Dollar compared to a year ago.

Switzerland is the fourth most expensive country for expatriates, due primarily to the robust Swiss Franc, as well as high rentals and institutionalised high wages.

Source: April 2016 World Expat Cost of Living Rankings