All Economy
Trump tightens screws on trade, raising risks for economy 鈥� and himselfTalk of a potential truce has given way to a ratcheting up of tensions between the US and key trading partners. Even supporters of tougher US policies say this holds hazards.
First LookEmployers attract Millennial workers with student loan benefitsNow that unemployment is at an 18-year low, US companies are implementing student loan repayment programs as a way to recruit younger workers and help relieve them of student debt.
First LookCalifornia city mayor proposes to combat poverty with guaranteed incomeMayor Michael Tubbs of Stockton, Calif., has planned an 18-month experiment to provide citizens living in poverty with $500 a month to see how they use the cash. The initiative will be privately funded by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes' philanthropic network.
First Look US economy shows firm footing with unemployment at 18-year lowAfter a slow economic start to 2018 in the United States,聽the unemployment rate reached a recent low of 3.8 percent, with record lows for black Americans and high school graduates.
First LookChina cuts tariffs again to boost consumer spending on local productsWith its third tariff reduction in six months, China wants its citizens to buy avocados, cosmetics shoes, and other goods from home instead of abroad in efforts聽to nurture self-sustaining economic growth based on consumer spending instead of trade and investment.聽
Is ditching fossil fuels entirely a reasonable goal?California and New York are leading the nation in a transition to cleaner energy. But even these states are finding聽it鈥檚 a lot easier to get to a 50 percent reduction in emissions than get to complete 鈥渄ecarbonization.鈥�
Dodd-Frank 'rollback'? What bipartisan easing of bank rules could mean.Banks are a fulcrum of the economy, either fueling growth or sometimes stifling it when their condition turns sour. So it's worth a closer look when some Democrats join Republicans to ease their regulatory boundaries.
Why the US and China settled for a trade truceTrump's threat of a US-China trade war has abated, but underlying tensions are likely to deepen over China's drive to catch up with the US on technology.聽
First LookWyoming tries to attract blockchain businessWyoming has passed several laws to make it a more friendly state for blockchain companies, the much-hyped decentralized database that records digital currency transactions. The state, dependent on fossil fuels, hopes to diversity its economy by attracting tech businesses.聽
Setback for workers: What fallout as Supreme Court OKs forced arbitration?Some employers have faced allegations of widespread workplace discrimination or cheating workers on their pay. Yet increasingly workers are asked to waive any right to class-action lawsuits in order to be hired. A Supreme Court ruling now gives employers added leverage.
Labor shortage? Employers tap foreign workers, visas permitting.Temporary visas are a small part of the politically fraught issue of immigration. But recent restrictions and a tight job market are putting fresh focus on the role foreign workers play in the US economy 鈥� and on issues such as fairness and openness.
One cost of trade tensions: economic uncertaintyOn trade issues, as in other arenas, President Trump has shown an eagerness to swing for the fences. That makes us wonder: Is聽an aggressive and unpredictable style backfiring or about to bear fruit?聽
First LookCareer guidance may be key to reducing unemploymentIn February, Congress passed a bill that would require states to spend a quarter of reemployment program budgets on "evidence-based interventions." Now, a career assistance program in Nevada that has seen remarkable success may become a federal standard.
First LookCrowdfunding loses luster as investment strategy for small businessesWhen small businesses began to use crowdfunding platforms to kickstart their investments, the approach was hailed as the future of start-ups. But two years later, with a dearth of small investors and strict regulations eating into funds, they are losing their appeal.
First LookAs US jobs market grows, cities look to support those left behindMillions of Americans are still struggling to find work despite a growing economy, many of whom are clustered in cities with chronic unemployment. Local and national officials are using targeted training schemes, new investment incentives, and other strategies to create jobs.
Disclosure in the Caymans: Global walls of financial secrecy are fallingA new British law could have big ripple effects as part of a global trend toward financial transparency. Disclosure of who really owns offshore companies can counter crime and reduce the inequality that arises from聽corruption or tax evasion.
First LookCalifornia ruling will cause 'seismic shift' in gig economyA California Supreme Court ruling will limit businesses from designating workers as independent contractors who are not able to attain certain benefits and employment protections. The ruling will likely increase the number of workers eligible for benefits under state wage laws.聽
After a long lull, inflation rises from gas-pumps to retail storesEnergy prices are rising, Amazon is raising Prime member fees, and broader price indexes are accelerating. Consumers and financial markets are taking note, and so are Federal Reserve policymakers.聽
First LookWomen's sports leagues unite in SheIS initiativeWomen's sports leagues are banding聽together for the first聽time to tackle the pay gap between men and women in sports and help each other increase resources, viewership, and attendance.聽
First LookTechnology's influence reshapes how employers assess job applicantsCompanies are challenging the notion that students who specialize in STEM courses and academia will be more likely to succeed in the job market. Instead, many employers are using computer programs to assess the qualitative skills of their candidates.聽
