WORLD Zimbabwe, which abandoned its currency in 2009, has issued special coins to go into circulation in the run-up to Christmas. (BBC) Use our maps to find Zimbabwe and put it in context in Africa. Teachers, scroll down for a short list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The short BBC article says that Zimbabwe “abandoned its currency” in 2009. What is … Continue reading Zimbabwe Issues Coins for Christmas
POLITICS The Senate has confirmed Janet Yellen as the next chairperson of the Federal Reserve. Yellen, 67, the Fed’s vice-chair since 2010, will become the first woman to head the U.S. central bank when her four-year term begins February 1. (USA Today) Use our resources to learn more about the Fed’s powerful Board of Governors. Discussion Ideas Read our basic media spotlight on the Fed’s … Continue reading Janet Yellen to Lead the Fed
GEOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK! BUSINESS Business leaders and environmentalists say putting an economic value on nature could be the best way to save it. One conservation organization views it as “The Great Nature Sale.” (BBC) Join the Great Nature Project to invest in nature without spending a dime. Discussion Ideas Read the BBC article. What factors are business leaders considering when assessing an area’s “natural capital”? … Continue reading Great Nature Sale
UNITED STATES Washington already has the highest state minimum wage in the country, at $9.19 an hour. Soon, voters in the city of SeaTac will decide whether to push the local minimum even higher, to $15 an hour. (New York Times) Use our resources to better understand the minimum wage—it’s $7.25 nationwide, but may be higher in your area. Discussion Ideas According to our “media … Continue reading Seattle Suburb May Raise Minimum Wage
In Europe, companies have traditionally turned to requiring that their employees take shorter workweeks, longer vacations and more time off when faced with an economic downturn… which is of course, very divergent from the United States model of cost-cutting. Even when not faced with a recession, France has a standard 35 hour workweek and Britain offers 6 weeks of paid vacation per year. However, if you are reading this from the U.S., I’m going to guess that you personally know someone who worked well over 40 hours per week but has now been laid off–and I’m sure you have seen the damage that it causes. But is one work environment intrinsically better than the other?
