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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Economy grew faster than previously thought
The U.S. economy grew at an even faster clip in the spring than previously estimated. But that growth likely slowed in the summer, held back by global headwinds and turbulent financial markets. More from USA Today and the AP.
Europe to take closer look at Staples-Office Depot merger
The European Commission has launched a deeper inquiry into Staples' proposed $6.3 billion acquisition of Boca Raton-based Office Depot. Staples acknowledged what's called a "Phase II" review Friday morning, saying it is working cooperatively with the European regulatory authority. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
The non-affordable housing crisis
Palm Beach County faces an acute shortage of homes for sale at the low end of the market. But there’s also a dearth of mansions for sale in the high-end communities in the northern part of the county. More at the Palm Beach Post.
Next NASA contract could bring new competitor to Space Coast
Now that Blue Origin has committed to build and launch rockets in Cape Canaveral, the next hopeful company is Sierra Nevada, which wants to launch its Dream Chaser space plane from the Space Coast. More at the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida: The state that loves lawsuits
The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform reports that despite efforts in the state Legislature to improve the legal environment, the lawsuit climate in Florida is among the worst in the country, at 44 out of 50. More at Business Observer..
Research
Tree of Life
In the mid-90s, many of Doug Soltis’ colleagues told him that creating a tree of life – a map of Earth’s 2.3 million named species and the connections between them – couldn’t be done. Two decades later, the University of Florida plant biologist and colleagues have proved their detractors wrong, publishing the first draft of a Tree of Life that covers every named organism on the planet.
» More from UF News
Profile
The Melting Pot Dips Into Foreign Markets
Sensing its development opportunities in the U.S. were limited, St. Petersburg-based Melting Pot decided seven years ago to begin looking overseas to expand. Last spring, the restaurant chain opened its first outlet outside North America — in Jakarta, Indonesia. About 20 more foreign franchise locations are in various stages of development.
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