Mr.Obama acknowledged that government initiatives cannot completely solve the unemployment problem, and that the private sector will have to create large numbers of new jobs.

VOA: standard.2009.12.04

Now these companies will compare their lists to the Facebook list and try to match people up by their email addresses and phone numbers (all in a hashed and private way that does not involve an information exchange, says Facebook) so that similar targeting can happen with Facebook ads.

FORBES: Facebook Joins Forces With Data Brokers To Gather More Intel About Users For Ads

It said cities that had performed well, such as Edinburgh, Cambridge and London, all had strong private sectors, and high numbers of skilled residents and "knowledge workers" - those who work in professions such as law, accountancy and finance.

BBC: Economic gap between UK cities 'widening'

On average, today's pensioners are around 50% better off than their counterparts in 1979, and fewer pensioners are poor, because increasing numbers receive income from private pensions and other investments.

ECONOMIST: Savings in a spin