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The youth wing of the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland, the Young Socialists, have collected 100,000 signatures for getting a referendum to limit executive salaries to 12 times the pay of the lowest paid company employee. The initiative is based on the idea that the highest paid person should not earn more in one month than an employee at the lowest level earns in 12 months. The initiative is called the "1:12 Initiative for Fair Pay." At the large Swiss companies top salaries are at 93 times that of the lowest paid workers for 2011, according to the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions. This ratio has gone up from 14 times in 1998, showing the sharp increase in the last 15 years leading to greater inequality in society. By comparison the situation has been stable in smaller and midsize companies, where the ratio of the median wages of highest earning employees to lowest paid increased slightly from 7.6 times to 8.5 times between 1996 and 2010. A poll in early March 2013 showed 49.5% of those polled in favor of the 1:12 iniitiative, 40.5% opposed, and 10% undecided....

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The 10 year distribution contract between Walgreen Co., Alliance Boots, and AmericsourceBergen Corp., for distribution of generic and other drugs worldwide. The higher volumes as a result of the distribution contract gives it leverage in negotiating better prices from generic manufacturers.

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Beer made from locally grown cassava and other ingredients and government tax incentives is making it possible for SABMiller and other large beer companies to make low priced beers for the African market. African governments such as Kenya have eliminated excise taxes on low priced beer, and the production of locally made Senator beer by Diageo's East Africa Breweries is increasing rapidly in East Africa. SABMiller makes low priced beer brands in Ghana, Uganda and other countries. The government sees this as a way to reduce the consumption of locally brewed beers of poor quality, and a source of revenues. Health workers expect an increase in health problems as a result of increasing consumption of low priced beer. Obesity is amajor problem in S. Africa and in other African countries. This will have effects in the higher rate of diabetes and other diseases related to obesity. Alcohol consumption in Africa per person is about 10 liters of alcoholic beverages a year, with consumption at 70 liters in S. Africa, the country with the highest rate of obesity. The figures globally are 35 liters, and 91 liters in the U.S., another country with high rates of obesity and diabetes, according to 2011 figures from Euromonitor. ...

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IHS reports show the cost of making the Galaxy S 4 smartphone with 16 gigabytes of flash memory is about $244. This is 15% more than the cost for the Galaxy III and 17% more than Apple iPhone 5 with 16 gigabyte memory. Higher cost is due to better sensors, a better processor, and larger full high-definition display for upgrades. Samsung plans to launch the new phone in April 2013 in 155 countries. Unlike Apple Samsung does its own manufacturing providing it an edge in hardware capabilities.

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The influence of regional political parties in India continues as the Congress party depends on the Samajwadi party in Uttar Pradesh led by Mulam Singh Yadav for its majority in parliament in 2013. This follows the withdrawal of support first of the party of Mamta Banerjee in West Bengal in 2012 on retail foreign investment issue, and the withdrawal of support of the DMK party in Tamilnadu state over the Sri Lankan issue in 2013. Not only are the regional political parties based in a particular state, they are also dominated by political personalities, such as that of Yadav in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Banerjee in W. Bengal, and Karunanidhi in Tamilnadu. Tamilnadu is in the south with a language Tamil of Dravidian origin, and W. Bengal is in the northeast near the Burmese and Bangladesh border with its own language Bengali of very different origin and completely different script. The regional parties have little in common. Some like the DMK in Tamilnadu are small parties with 18 member in parliament. Congress coalition government has 230 members and needs 270 for a parliamentary majority....

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Indonesia's Lion Air makes an order of $24 billion new single aisle jets from Airbus. Lion Air ordered 234 A320 and A321 series jets. This includes 60 of this generation A320s and 174 of a new series of A320 and A321 aircraft with more fuel efficient engines. Deliveries will begin in 2014 with the planes averaging $92 million to $117 million at list prices.

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There are more women drivers in the U.S. than men. In 2011 50.5% of licensed drivers were women. This is an increase from the 39.6% figure in 1963, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Part of the reason for this is the decline in young men getting drivers licenses, and the larger share of older drivers with more women in that age group. Even though women still earn less than men the numbers are increasing, with women making 81 cents to every dollar made by men in 2012, increasing from 62 cents in 1979. In educaton levels achieved women are doing better- Labor Dept figures show 30% of women born in the early 1980's with bachelors degrees, and only 22% for men. That suggests their earning prospects will continue to increase. Studies by R.L. Polk show women prefer more fuel efficient cars. A study by RDA Group shows women buying the average new car in 2012 at a price 12% less than the average car bought by men. Only two of the top ten cars purchased by women in 2012 were U.S. brands- the Ford Escape at No.7 and the Chevy Equinox at No. 9. This shows that Ford, GM and Chrysler have more work to do to attract women customers....

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U.S. Fed Governor Stein says he is is concerned about the costs of the accomodative stance taken by the Fed under Bernanke, even though he understands the reasons for the accomodative policies.