The bottom line

Living in the U.S. on $2 a day

In 2011, 1.65 million American households—including 3.55 million children—were living on less than $2 per person per day, placing them below the World Bank’s average poverty line for developing countries.

WashingtonPost.com

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Sandwich sales rise

Sandwich sales in the U.S. have risen by 4.8 percent since 2010, according to food consulting firm Technomic. The rise reflects Americans’ growing tendency to buy rather than make their sandwiches. Sandwiches purchased from restaurants or food-service locations made up 49 percent of all sandwiches eaten in 2012, up from 44 percent in 2010.

AdAge.com

Hong Kong gets a rubber duck

A 54-foot-tall, inflatable rubber duck installed in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor has ignited a local frenzy. One Hong Kong–based manufacturer, which already makes 1 million rubber ducks a year, says inquiries have risen by 60 percent since the giant yellow bird arrived earlier this month.

The Wall Street Journal

Drinking coffee with Tim Cook

An anonymous bidder has offered $610,000 to have coffee with Apple CEO Tim Cook. The sum, bid in an online charity auction, will go to the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. Bidding opened at $50,000 and drew 86 offers, “many of them from companies that do business (or want to do business) with Apple.”

CNN.com

How parenthood affects pay

Parenthood can affect pay. A recent study found that women with children earn 5 percent less per child than women without children. Fathers, on the other hand, are often offered higher starting salaries than their childless male counterparts.

NewYorker.com