Random links
- A widening gap (confusingly it's the 2nd of 3 stories on the page)
- "If Canada used the U.S. definition, our jobless rate would be at least a percentage point lower than the official number."
- Has Africa really turned the corner?
- "... between 1975 and 2005 the size, diversity and sophistication of industry in Africa have all declined." One interesting counterpoint from the comments on the page was the case of Botswana which the US state department notes "Botswana has enjoyed one of the fastest growth rates in per capita income in the world since independence, although it slowed considerably due to the global economic downturn. The economic growth rate averaged 9% per year from 1967-2006" - It's still not a particularly rich country but hopefully it'll continue to improve.
- How Many Workers Is the Right Number for a Retailer? Stories from Trader Joe’s, Michaels, and Whole Foods
- Points you to and elaborates on a study suggests that those lower-end retail chains which have more employees per store, pay them better, and train them more are actually more profitable. Their examples: "Costco, Trader Joe’s, the convenience-store chain QuikTrip, and a Spanish supermarket chain called Mercadona"
- Landmark ruling legalizes Ontario brothels
- Basically they seemed to have voted to eliminate the laws against basically all prostitution other than street prostitution. "The landmark decision is binding on Ontario courts and sets up a final showdown at the Supreme Court of Canada next fall or in early 2013." Most provisions of the ruling aren't set to result in changes on the street until next year though. Will see what results - I think that places like Amsterdam are starting to reverse some of their laissez faire stances towards things like
coffeedrug shops and prostitution.