That Europe hasn't realized the same type of productivity gains is partly a result of its reluctance to embrace the big-box retail model, one that allows a company to take full advantage of the world supply chain to obtain and sell goods cheaply.

FORBES: Wal-Mart Nation

In a statement read by one of his allies, the cleric urged his followers to take their complaints to the ballot box.

CNN: Al-Sadr followers mark Iraq invasion anniversary