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Daily Archives: November 18, 2015

World Migration Report 2015: Migrants and Cities

World Migration Report 2015: Migrants and Cities: “We live in a world which is becoming increasingly urban. Over 54 per cent of people across the globe were living in urban areas in 2014. The current urban population of 3.9 billion is expected to grow to some 6.4 billion by 2050. Migration is driving much of the increase in urbanization, making cities much more diverse places in which to live.  The fast rate of urbanization, and rising migration to cities, brings with it both risks and opportunities for migrants, communities and governments concerned. World Migration Report 2015: Migrants and Cities explores how migration and migrants are shaping cities, and how the life of migrants, in turn, is shaped by cities, their people, organizations and rules. The Report contributes to the global debate on migration and urbanization in three ways. First, it documents how migration is shaping cities and the situation of migrants in cities. Much of the current discussion about migration trends and migration policy tends to focus on the national level. Taking the migration enquiry to the city level increases our understanding of the local political economies of migration and the close connection between migration and urban development. Second, the report draws attention to the livelihood of migrants in the cities of the Global South. The existing discussions on migrants and cities are inclined to concentrate primarily on the Global North and the integration of international migrants. Third, the report examines both internal and international migration with cities across the development spectrum having to manage growing mobile and diverse populations. The first two chapters of the report set out the main trends in cities and migration, examine the various urban settings which have experienced recent growth of internal or international or even both types of migration flows, highlighting the diversifying migration flows. Chapter 3 looks at aspects of urban vulnerabilities in general – livelihood and mobility strategies, barriers to accessing resources and specific forms of vulnerabilities, as they affect the populations most at risk including migrant women. Chapter 4 explores how urbanization and new mobility patterns can contribute to urban poverty reduction, growth and development and enhance migrant well-being. Chapter 5 studies some of the urban governance conditions for migrant inclusion and partnerships. The final part draws conclusions and makes recommendations for future initiatives to develop migrant-inclusive urban governance, with reference to the inclusion of migration in the post-2015 global sustainable development framework.”

Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions by State 2013

Pew – Mapping U.S. Geographic Variations in Outpatient Antibiotic Prescribing – “The prescribing of antibiotics in outpatient health care facilities, such as primary care clinics and emergency rooms, represents a large proportion of antibiotic use in the United States. One study found that these settings accounted for over 60 percent of all dollars spent on… Continue Reading

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, October 27-28, 2015

FOMC Minutes, October 27-28, 2015 – [snipped] “Equilibrium Real Interest Rates – The staff presented several briefings regarding the concept of an equilibrium real interest rate–sometimes labeled the “neutral” or “natural” real interest rate, or “r*”–that can serve as a benchmark to help gauge the stance of monetary policy. Various concepts of r* were discussed.… Continue Reading

World’s Largest Law Firm Will Have More Than 7,000 Lawyers

Bloomberg BNA – “The world’s largest law firm by attorney headcount will have more than 7,300 lawyers — some 3,000 more lawyers than the next largest firm, according to a recent announcement. Dentons said on Tuesday it has agreed to combine with Singapore’s Rodyk, with 200 lawyers, and Australia’s 500-lawyer Gadens law firm. The result… Continue Reading

Technology may help reveal text of ancient papyrus scrolls

John Seabrook – The New Yorker: The Invisible Library – Can digital technology make the Herculaneum scrolls legible after two thousand years?  “The papyrus scrolls of Herculaneum, which were discovered in 1752, have long fascinated and frustrated lovers of antiquity. They were found in an elaborate villa buried almost ninety feet deep by the volcano—this… Continue Reading

Federal Support for Development, Production, and Use of Fuels and Energy Technologies

CBO – “The federal government provides financial support for the development, production, and use of fuels and energy technologies both through tax preferences and through spending programs administered by the Department of Energy (DOE). Policymakers have provided that support with several goals in mind, including increasing domestic energy production, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and encouraging… Continue Reading

In 73 Percent of Counties, Healthcare.Gov Enrollees Could Lower Their Silver Plan Premiums by Comparison Shopping

“A new analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that in 73 percent of counties served by Healthcare.gov, people enrolled in the lowest-cost silver plan this year could save money on premiums by switching to a different silver plan in 2016. In these counties, the silver plan with the lowest premiums in 2015 is no… Continue Reading