All Economy
Women in ‘deconstruction’ harvest value, and help one another (video)This team disassembles buildings that need to be razed, reclaiming quality materials that can no longer be produced – and elevating the roles of women and gender minorities in a long-exclusionary field.
FocusFor better or worse, this story was not written by a computerOur senior economics writer Laurent Belsie has seen a tech revolution before. This new one looks similarly transformative, but with difficult questions about ethics and bias.
First LookSubscriptions aren't just for movies. Now restaurants offer them, too.As subscription services continue on an upward trend, some restaurants are offering monthly subscription models that include benefits such as unlimited drinks and free delivery. The goal: to increase revenue and customer loyalty.
First Look'It's a nightmare': Indian workers receive brunt of US tech layoffsThe wave of tech layoffs in the U.S. is causing havoc for foreign workers on H-1B visas who must leave the country in 60 days if they are laid off. Indians received about 75% of approved special visa holder petitions in 2021.
First LookAfter a year of war in Ukraine, global economies show resilienceIt’s been almost exactly a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, and the world has seen the effects of it through inflation and economic uncertainty. But one thing proves clear – it could have been worse. Many economies are proving surprisingly resilient.
First LookLocked-up merchandise deters theft, but have retailers gone too far?The National Retail Federation reported $94.5 billion in inventory losses last year, and now some retailers are using more locked display cases to prevent shoplifting. But the practice can feel discriminatory, especially for people of color, critics say.
Inequality in decline? Tech jobs fade, waitstaff jobs boom.Tech-firm layoffs, coupled with hiring in lower-wage industries like restaurants, signal a shift back toward pre-pandemic job patterns. But for the first time in 40 years, the wage gap is declining.
First LookGlobal economy proves resilient as IMF predicts growth in 2023The International Monetary Fund has a positive outlook for the global economy. It expects 2.9% in growth this year as the world shows surprising resilience in the face of high inflation, elevated interest rates, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
‘Mutual aid’ is a radical ideal. Some live its communal spirit.The pandemic saw neighborly care expand in varied ways. For mutual aid societies, the effort reflected visions of society based on communal solidarity.
First LookUS national debt: Is balancing the budget possible?While President Joe Biden is pushing to raise the debt ceiling, Republicans insist the $31.4 trillion national debt is breaking the economy.
Trade turns chilly: Chip embargo symbolizes deeper US-China strainsIs global trade in Cold War 2.0? Whatever you call it, a key question now is how China and the West balance their national security concerns with a desire for growth.
Bringing US up to code: How outdated software has become a safety issueHuman error may have caused last week’s airline stoppage. But the incident pointed to deeper challenges of keeping key government software up to date.
First LookIs a recession inevitable? Maybe not, say economists.Inflation has been one of the most pressing issues for Americans as consumers struggle to keep up with rising prices. Now economists have hope that a recession might not hit in 2023 as wages have risen and prices cooled in recent months.
First LookNurses on strike: Walkout in New York ends with mutual dealNurses at two privately owned New York hospitals returned to work on Thursday, ending a strike calling for better working conditions and higher pay. Nurses say they have had to work overtime, handle twice as many patients, and skip breaks.
No ‘winter of discontent’ for West. But energy realities still hit home.The Ukraine war has elevated the importance of energy security worldwide. In practice, this means a push for fossil fuels alongside renewables.
First LookHoliday spending exceeds expected increase, despite inflationDespite the surging costs of food and rent, holiday spending rose by 7.6% – a slower pace than last year, but still a greater increase than expected.
First LookWhat could reparations look like? California task force seeks answers.A first-of-its-kind task force in California met Wednesday to discuss how reparations could work. The task force has a July 1 deadline to complete its final report though lawmakers will need to pass legislation for policy changes to take place.
First LookAs US inflation slows, FED plans interest rates hikeU.S. inflation slowed again in November for the fifth straight month, a sign that price increases are cooling. Despite slowing inflation, the Fed has continued raising interest rates, leading some economists to warn of an impending recession.
A night (or day) at the museum: Getting better for workers?At museums and other cultural institutions, traditions of low pay are changing as employees seek a stronger voice.
Why FTX collapse doesn’t mean an end for cryptocurrencyThe big question: If most of the trading in cryptocurrencies is high-risk speculation and they will require traditional regulation anyway, does the world really need such alternative money?
