The World This Week with ESSA
ESSA, 19 August 2012
– World Economy
Where Are All These Summer Workers Coming From? – PBS
In the united states ‘seasonal workers’, those who are only in the US for 2-3 months in temporary jobs are on the rise. PBS newshour has conducted a research into where all of these workers are coming from, and the result? From around the world.
Singapore: World’s richest country by 2050? – CNN
If you enjoy peering inside the minds of the world’s super rich, take a look through the 2012 “Wealth Report”. Compiled by Citibank, and a property consultancy called Knight Frank, it’s a lengthy analysis based partly on interviews with the super rich. The conclusion is that Singapore will be the richest country by 2050, read on to find out why.
A continent goes shopping – The Economist
The Economist examines the rise of the middle class consumer in Africa, and how this has changed the strategies of corporate giants like Unilever, SABMiller and Nestlé.
– Here in Australia
Labor plan to replace carbon floor price – AFR
“The federal government is considering scrapping the $15 minimum price on carbon after 2015 and restricting access to much cheaper international carbon credits. The change could overcome the administrative complexities of enforcing a floor price while requiring Australian companies to pay far more for the right to emit carbon than in Europe and elsewhere. Read more at the AFR.”
These well-off retirees’ claims are a bit rich – The Age
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Economics Editor Ross Gittins debates the case of the well of in claiming that the times are hard to get by. Examining the true cost to taxpayers, he finds that the complaints of the ‘self funded’ retirees are most likely unfounded.
AFL to overhaul its draft system in wake of tanking controversies – The Australian
In the wake of several “tanking” controversies that have plagued the AFL in recent seasons, the AFL will use a confidential formula devised by an economics professor (Jeff Borland here at the University of Melbourne) to decide whether clubs deserve a priority draft pick.
– For your interest
Love, rationally – Daily Life
How does one find love? Jessica Irvine from the Sydney Morning Herald examines the case of applying economics to this age old ‘matching’ problem.
Would you have sex to help boost your country’s birth rate? – CBC
There’s nothing like a cool mint for a hot night of patriotism. In an effort to help curb Singapore’s declining birthrate, an ad campaign by Mentos mint candies is urging couples to celebrate their upcoming independence day in the bedroom.
Weekly Comic Strip – by Tom Toles
See you next week!
The ESSA team