Economy
- The Explainer$1 extra fries? McDonald’s value menu marks how chains are adapting or closing.Restaurants are grappling with inflation and a changing consumer, a mix that has pushed some eateries into bankruptcy. Analysts expect more to come.
- First LookAmazon workers are on strike. Will your gifts arrive on time?The strike – spanning seven facilities across the United States – is the largest against Amazon in U.S. history, according to the Teamsters. More are “prepared to join,” says the union, which represents nearly 10,000 workers at the online retailer.
- First LookJapanese automakers want to fend off China. But Nissan and Honda deny merger rumors.Nissan and Honda said they are considering collaboration but denied rumors of a merger. The Japanese automakers announced in August that they, along with Mitsubishi, will share components for electric vehicles as Chinese EVs cut into their market share.
- The ExplainerWhy is the US in a housing crisis, and what can be done about it?More people are seeking homes than there are places to buy or rent, which contributes to high prices. Here’s what led to the housing crisis, and some potential solutions.
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- In UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing, industry frustration crowds out empathyThe shooting of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has put a spotlight on frustrations over medical debt and lack of security for threatened executives.
- First LookBitcoin just crossed the $100,000 mark. Why did its value explode in the last month?Donald Trump’s potential SEC commissioner, as well as his campaign promises, have encouraged investors to put more money in the cryptocurrency. Though the value of bitcoin more than doubled this year, some experts continue to warn of investment risks.
- The Trump economy: How will tariffs, taxes, and big debt affect workers?The president-elect’s economic team will face a minefield of fiscal and economic challenges, with no clarity as to how American workers will fare.
- Surprisingly, Wall Street doesn’t seem to care who gets elected. So far, at least.The stock market isn’t panicking amid the tumult of the Harris-Trump presidential race. Still, the Trump tariff proposals draw warnings.
- Housing costs are a top voter issue. Here’s how Harris and Trump compare on solutions.Affordable housing shortages have become a huge voter concern in swing states like Nevada and beyond. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump contrast sharply on their policies in response.
- First Look‘Even McDonald’s is expensive.’ Will upping Social Security checks be enough?As U.S. consumers grapple with high costs, the Social Security Administration is increasing its monthly checks by more than $50 on average starting in 2025. At the same time, the social insurance plan faces a severe financial shortfall in the coming years.
- Harris and Trump spar over economic impact of taxes and tariffsThe Trump and Harris campaigns both feature low taxes for average Americans. The similarities largely end there.
- First LookSchool cafeterias went cashless. Lower income families ended up paying more.School cafeterias going cashless has an unexpected consequence. Families who can load only a limited amount of money at a time end up paying transaction fees more often.
- How Fed’s aggressive rate cut may boost Harris’ prospectsThe state of the economy influences elections. Will voters look backward to inflation under President Joe Biden or forward to hopes of finding tamer prices and avoiding a recession?
- First LookA group of autoworkers learned sign language. Then came an unexpected benefit.With four hearing-impaired colleagues, the entire 25-member bumper-paint team at a Nissan plant in Sunderland, England, began learning to sign. Kindness in the workplace has been shown to improve productivity, some studies show.
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- The ExplainerWhy does Trump want to dismantle the Department of Education?
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