Atlantica Monitor

Will Timbits Take Manhattan?

From Oakville, Ontario comes the big news that Tim Horton's, Canada's ubiquitous and iconic coffee, donut, sandwich and all-around drop-by destination, is planning to enter the congested and hyper-competitive NYC market. Three Manhattan stores are contemplated and will be co-branded with Cold Stone Creamery, the Arizona-based ice cream store franchisor.

Click here for the story.

It remains to be seen whether Tim's coffee can distinguish itself in the land of Starbuck's, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, Chock Full o' Nuts, etc.

But, as the saying goes, If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!

Arab Muslim Woman Named Department Head at Renowned Israeli Hospital ....

Here's some news you're unlikely to read in the mainstream press, despite the fact that it's a UPI story.

A Muslim Arab Israeli citizen has been named the head of her department at a major Israeli hospital. Click here for the UPI story, and here for the text from the Rambam Hospital press release.

As the full story points out, there are few women leading departments in any hospital in the Middle East.

Mobilizing Science and Technology ... Advantage Canada.

In 2007, Canada embarked on an ambitious plan to increase capacity and make Canada a global leader in science and technology. The federal strategy was expressed as part of a larger economic blueprint called "Advantage Canada."

Canada has just released a progress report on the S & T initiative. Those interested in seeing how a plan can be developed, implemented and assessed, on a national scale and in short order, may wish to click here to read "Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage: A Progress Report."

The NY Times Gets It Right -- Protectionism Protects No One

The Times of India pointed out one of the perils of protectionism, a subtler impact having to do with investment and loss of competitiveness. See Atlantica Monitor Blogpost, June 2, 2009 below.

Today, however, the NY Times puts the basics right out front.

Protectionism doesn't protect jobs. It costs jobs.

Click here.

Protectionist Impulses Are on the Rise ...

... but Protectionist beware!

Herewith an excellent piece from The Times of India discussing a less obvious but no less persuasive impact of protectionist policies. 

Not only will these policies fail to meet their objectives, but they will backfire. Click here.