News
The Graphic Truth: The great global (interest rate) hike
Interest rates and inflation figures in select economies.
GZERO Media
Inflation isn’t a sexy dinner party topic, but its impacts reach far and wide. This week, central banks in the US and the UK again raised interest rates to decade highs in a bid to cool their respective economies. The impacts of inflation – and government efforts to quash it – are reverberating throughout emerging market economies, where prices of food staples are soaring, as well as wealthy economies, where mortgage repayments are now unsustainable for many homeowners. We take a look at monetary policy in select economies over the past year.
From shopping to services, consumer spending is showing strength across categories. Holiday shopping got an early start, and it’s not just higher earners filling their carts. Bank of America Institute sees continued spending growth recovery for lower- and middle-income households. See what’s driving the trends.
Garment workers in Bangladesh have taken to the streets over the past week, demanding higher wages and forcing more than 600 factories to shut down nationwide.
As AI creates new opportunities, the people who understand a community best play an important role in determining how those opportunities take shape. Across the US, Microsoft is supporting AI literacy classes as part of a new program developed in collaboration with the Public Library Association, working through trusted local institutions to help people build practical AI skills. By pairing new technology with local knowledge, the initiative is helping communities explore how AI can support their needs and open new possibilities, while putting local leaders and organizations at the center of that work. Read the full story here.
We’re breaking down the three main issues that could help decide tomorrow’s elections: the cost of living, Israel, and AI.