All Economy
First LookFacing pressure to act on inflation, governments worldwide respondPolitical pressure and, in some cases, protests have led some EU countries, Turkey, and the U.S. to ease the impact of inflation.
First LookWhy economists think inflation could drop in the new yearOver the last year, prices rose by 6.8%, but economists are hopeful that inflation will start to decline within a few months. A few wildcards remain, however, including whether recent increases in workers鈥� wages will keep prices high.
First LookNew York Starbucks may become first location to unionizeA Starbucks store in Buffalo, New York, could become the first Starbucks-owned store in the U.S. to be represented by a union, after workers voted 19-8 in favor of unionizing on Thursday. Some say it's a sign that the labor movement is stirring.
First LookAmazon outage emphasizes weak links in internet concentrationOn Tuesday, a massive outage of Amazon鈥檚 cloud computing network impacted businesses around the U.S.聽Although resolved by the end of the day, the incident highlighted how reliant businesses have become on concentrated internet services.
First LookGlobal pinch: Pressures from inflation felt worldwideRising prices, whether for food or fuel, are impacting people across the world. The International Monetary Fund predicts world consumer prices will rise by 4.3% this year, and experts are worried that the poor in developing nations will be disproportionately impacted.
The ExplainerAirlines face 鈥榰nruly passenger鈥� test as holiday travel reboundsHoliday air travel can always be a test of patience. That鈥檚 taking on new meaning as unprecedented聽unruly behavior coincides with a rebound in travel.
First LookThanksgiving dinner without Target? Holiday closures to stay.Target chose not to open its doors on Thanksgiving last year due to the pandemic. Now, the company has made the move permanent, ending a holiday shopping tradition to reduce costs and ease stress. The decision could encourage other retailers to follow suit.聽
Worker shortages: Is access to child care a key solution?Matching parents with child care is an idea that some groups serving the trades are using to woo women to their ranks. Could it work for other U.S. industries facing shortages as well?
The ExplainerInflation at 30-year high. Where it goes next is (partly) up to you.Here鈥檚 why the answer to today鈥檚 worrisome price spike may revolve around consumer and business mindsets, not just kinks in supply chains.聽
Economics 101: More college classes bring moral debates to the surfaceProfessors have often presented economics as the realm of rational people making efficient choices. Now many highlight underlying ethical debates.
First Look'A struggle and a journey': Report shows US economy recoveringThe U.S. labor department鈥檚 recent report shows optimistic trends in unemployment rates and rising pay, which could help offset anticipated long-term inflation. Experts appear confident in the economy鈥檚 path to recovery.
First LookSupply chain delays mean walnuts may not make the holiday tableIn California, shipping delays are affecting not just imports but exports, too. Without a way to ship holiday crops such as almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, farmers are losing out on markets and profits from overseas.
For workers, labor shortage means new leverage 鈥� and higher payAs employers confront a labor shortage, working Americans have new leverage to bargain for pay, benefits, and flexibility.
The ExplainerPromises of a shorter workweek: Could it be a win-win?As Americans quit jobs at a record pace, we look at the advantages of spending less time at work and how thinkers from Keynes to Nixon predicted it.
First LookLabor shortages: American Airlines flights canceled, again.A shortage of pilots and flight attendants exacerbated problems caused by bad weather. Over three days, American Airlines canceled about 1,800 flights.聽
First LookPay up or quit your job? Surging US day care costs force a choice.Childcare has long been a high-cost market, and with the pandemic, tuition prices in the U.S. are increasing as workers demand higher wages. The effects are being felt in the larger economy as parents, who have been priced out, are leaving the workforce to care for their kids.
First Look'A good news story': Jobs in renewable energy grew in 2020Despite the global economic slowdown of the pandemic, the renewable energy sector grew in 2020 and is even faring better than the fossil fuel industry. Worldwide, there are 12 million jobs in renewable energy, up from 11.5 million in 2019, says a recent report.聽
First LookHourly workers in US say no to weekends and late nightsAs retail stores struggle to find employees to keep stores open into the holiday season, American workers are using newfound leverage to push back against rigid and erratic schedules 鈥� and employers are finding ways to accommodate.聽
Microchip shortage: Why US is poised to take rare actionA global shortage of microchips has crimped availability of cars and other consumer products. Can government policy help revive the U.S. industry?
First LookHow TikTok is becoming the new shopping networkIt鈥檚 not just dance videos that are becoming TikTok sensations. There are now a host of products gaining new appeal 鈥� from leggings to cleaning products to cheese. The trend is sparking a marketing rethink as companies try to find the key to influencers鈥� success.聽
