5 Oct

United States: Unemployment Hits 49-Year Low

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United States
Unemployment Hits 49-Year Low
In September, the U.S. unemployment rate fell from 3.9% to 3.7%, the lowest rate since 1969. The U.S. economy created 134,000 jobs last month, somewhat less than expected, which might reflect the effects of Hurricane Florence. Job growth has seen the greatest gain in professional and business services, healthcare, construction, and manufacturing. Average hourly wages rose 0.3% to $27.24. As the pool of available workers decreases, hourly wages are expected to move past 3%, but hiring may also slow. Economists believe that the uptick in hourly earnings could be a sign of inflation and a subsequent market correction. Unemployment is lowest (under 3%) in Hawaii, Iowa, North Dakota, Idaho, New Hampshire, Vermont, Nebraska, and Colorado.This interactive map depicts unemployment rates by state in August 2018; the latest available map from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Click on the map to explore.

Further Reading:  BBC, Market Watch, Forbes, CNBC, Reuters, The Guardian
Graphic Source: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Italy 
Deal With China
Italy is drawing up plans with China to be included in China’s modern-day Silk Road, the Belt and Road Initiative. The two countries are working on a memorandum that will extend the Belt and Road global infrastructure investments to Italy’s railways, airlines, and culture. The current Italian government has expressed interest to foster relationships with nations outside of the EU. Italy’s previous government, along with Germany and France, were at the forefront of curbing Chinese investment in EU infrastructure. This map depicts China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: Bloomberg
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Nigeria
Violence in Plateau State
With state elections approaching in Nigeria there has been a resurgence of politically motivated killings in the Plateau state. Thirteen people were killed over a dispute between farmers and herders just days after a peace meeting in the area. This conflict was followed by a separate attack when gunmen killed twenty-one people, opening fire near a bar and shops in Barkin Ladi, also in the Plateau state. With elections set to take place this February, government officials condemned the violent attacks, with both the current president and governor appealing for peace.This map depicts the Plateau state in central Nigeria where the spike in violent killings has been occurring. Click on the map to learn more.

Graphic Source: BBC

Yesterday’s Answer

Q: Which U.S. state has the longest coastline?

A: Alaska
Alaska, the northernmost state in the U.S., has 6,640 miles of coastline – the longest in the country. Alaska also has a longer coastline than all other states combined. 

Source

Today’s Question

 

Q: How long was the original Silk Road?

Stay tuned for the answer to today’s question in Monday’s DailyGeo.

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