Among the things I learned this week:
* Kenya launched a government bond that is available for purchase only through mobile phones. (Courtesy: African Business)
* Among many things in the article, thirty percent of the United States’ federal revenue came from alcohol excise taxes in the early 20th century. (Courtesy: New Yorker)
Among the things I learned this week:
* “On average, citizens in the European Union made 189 electronic transactions a year in 2013, the most recent figures available. In Greece, the average was just 17 per citizen.” (Courtesy: NYT; the article has many interesting aspects)
* About six percent of Syrian refugees contacted by the United Nations in Jordan and Lebanon during the last half of November were interested in relocating to Canada. (Courtesy: NYT)
* Canada, and presumably other countries, have privatized refugee resettlement by requiring sponsors and minimum capital reserves. (Courtesy: NYT).
* The United Nations coordinates relocation with refugees, at least in part, via text. (Courtesy: Globe and Mail)
* B-52 bombers used to have ashtrays. (Courtesy: NYT)
* Werner Kelmperer and John Banner appeared in a show together before their roles as Colonel Klink and Sergeant Shultz in Hogan’s Heroes. (Courtesy: Alfred Hitchock Presents)
* Paintings from before the 18th c. usually did not have titles. (Courtesy: New Republic)
I wrote a few investment/finance articles on tech and tech trends for Capitalist Times, which has been a great return to the financial newsletter biz. You can check out the articles, which require a subscription to the premium service, via my author page.