All posts tagged: economic

Tehran Claims US Faces Escalating Economic Fallout From ‘War Of Choice’ As Hardship Mounts Inside Iran

Tehran Claims US Faces Escalating Economic Fallout From ‘War Of Choice’ As Hardship Mounts Inside Iran

Published by Jenni Sidey

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Saturday that the United States would face mounting economic fallout from its “war of choice” against Iran, as both sides appear settled into a long game of waiting to inflict the most severe economic and political damage on the other. In a post on X, Araghchi said Americans would bear the escalating financial costs of the conflict with Tehran. “Put aside gas price hike and stock market bubble. Real pain begins when U.S. debt and mortgage rates start to jump,” he wrote in English. This isn’t the first time Iranian officials and state media have tried to directly appeal to the American public. Araghchi also pointed to growing economic strain inside the United States, saying auto loan delinquencies had already climbed to their highest level in more than 30 years. “This was all avoidable,” he added, framing the start of the conflict as Trump’s ‘war of choice’ in the Middle East. Of course, the Pentagon has a big card to play too, as on Saturday US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced …

‘Career bridges’, raising wages of AI-resilient work: Economic Strategy Review proposes ways to create good jobs

‘Career bridges’, raising wages of AI-resilient work: Economic Strategy Review proposes ways to create good jobs

Published by Sam Flores

Another recommendation was to create “career bridges” for workers that are in at-risk roles.  Some sectors and occupations are more likely to be disrupted from automation, AI and changing cost structures. The review said that workforce transition plans should be proactively developed for such roles before large-scale displacement happens. A structured pathway – or career bridge – could be created to map workers in riskier roles to more resilient occupations, taking into account their existing skills and experience. The “bridge” could also include targeted training, career guidance and job matching, and should be prioritised for areas with more acute disruption pressures. “The principle … is to protect the worker, but not the job,” said Mr Siow. The ESR also recommended that Singapore closely monitor the impact of AI on workers and adjust policies where needed. If AI leads to more severe disruption than expected, the government should consider more structural changes to ensure the gains are shared fairly across society. “The benefits of AI cannot accrue only to those with capital. Workers must also benefit through …

Mother Ventures is looking at moms as the ‘economic engine’

Mother Ventures is looking at moms as the ‘economic engine’

Published by skeptic

As families across the U.S. prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, Allison Stern is looking beyond the single day of appreciation. Stern just closed $10 million in commitments for her debut early-stage fund, Mother Ventures, which focuses exclusively on the mother as a consumer. “In the U.S., moms are responsible for 85% of household purchases and have $2.4 trillion in spending power,” Stern (pictured below) told TechCrunch. “The numbers say that moms are the buyers, and they really are a very unique economic engine.” Stern, a mother of two, is tapping into that spending clout by backing startups that reflect the needs of modern mothers. Since launching Mother Ventures two years ago, she has already deployed $4 million into 13 startups. Her portfolio includes Coral Care, which allows instant booking of pediatric specialists for children with developmental delays, and Tin Can, a popular Wi-Fi-enabled “landline” designed as a retro-style phone for kids. Before launching her own fund, she co-founded Tubular Labs, a social video analytics startup she helped grow to $25 million in annual recurring revenue …

Indonesia posts fastest economic growth in more than three years in Q1 of 2026

Indonesia posts fastest economic growth in more than three years in Q1 of 2026

Published by Sam Flores

Growth in household spending, which makes up more than half of GDP, rose by an annual 5.52 per cent in the quarter, helped by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Spending, including on travel, normally rises during the festivities, which started in mid-February this year. Investment expanded by 5.96 per cent, slightly slower than the 6.12 per cent growth in the previous quarter. Prabowo came into office in late 2024 pledging to lift growth, which had hovered around 5 per cent since the pandemic, to 8 per cent during his term.  However, he faces challenges including budget pressures and from the war in the Middle East, which has led to higher energy prices and a weaker rupiah. The government is targeting 5.4 per cent GDP growth for 2026, while Bank Indonesia forecast growth of 4.9 per cent to 5.7 per cent for the year. The International Monetary Fund last month cut its global growth outlook for 2026 due to war-driven energy price spikes. It also shaved 0.1 percentage points off its outlook for Indonesia, cutting its forecast …

Voices: Donald Trump has no idea just how close he is bringing us to economic ruin

Voices: Donald Trump has no idea just how close he is bringing us to economic ruin

Published by Sam Flores

One of the many bold, indeed brave, remarks the King made during his address to both houses of the US Congress concerned the genius of the American constitution and Magna Carta, “not least as the foundation of the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances”. Yet despite this timely reminder, many legislators in the audience seem disinclined to exert their constitutional power as equal partners in the governance of the United States, nor even be stirred to uphold the laws they themselves enacted. So it is that the Republican majorities will not enforce the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which requires a president to terminate a military campaign at the end of the 60-day period unless Congress has declared war or authorised the use of military force. In the case of Iran, it has done neither. That resolution was passed during a previous period of imperial presidential overreach when lawmakers were attempting to wind down the war in Southeast Asia, and was actually a dilution of the power the constitution confers on …

Maine Governor Vetos Data Center Moratorium, Citing Job Creation And Economic Growth

Maine Governor Vetos Data Center Moratorium, Citing Job Creation And Economic Growth

Published by Jenni Sidey

Maine Governor Janet Mills has vetoed a bill that would have temporarily limited the development of large data centers across Maine, despite expressing support for a broader pause on such projects, according to Maine’s website. The governor said she would have approved the legislation if it had included an exemption for a $550 million data center redevelopment already underway at the former Androscoggin Mill in Jay, a project backed by local officials and seen as critical to economic recovery in the region. Mills emphasized that while a moratorium makes sense due to concerns about environmental impact and rising electricity costs seen in other states, the bill in its final form failed to account for the Jay project’s potential benefits. The redevelopment is expected to bring hundreds of construction jobs, create at least 100 permanent positions, and restore a major portion of the town’s lost tax base following the mill’s closure in 2023. The site says that Mills plans to move forward with an executive order to study the impact of large-scale data centers in Maine. …

Iran shifts economic focus to essentials during war uncertainty | US-Israel war on Iran News

Iran shifts economic focus to essentials during war uncertainty | US-Israel war on Iran News

Published by Sam Flores

Tehran, Iran – Across Iran’s capital, life has returned to a kind of normal. Markets, cafes and shops are opening their doors, and some highways are buzzing with traffic once again as a fragile ceasefire with the United States largely holds after weeks of devastating US-Israeli attacks. Yet customers are cautious. “Standing in a shop, most things are still available, but a lot of times now, it’s a question of whether you want something or need it,” said a young resident of western Tehran who asked not to be named. “Many people are resorting to buying just the basics now.” As worries about the future rise and purchasing habits change, the government is moving to ensure the availability of food and medicines in an effort to ease the mounting pressure the war is placing on the Iranian people. On Sunday, the cabinet added a clause to implementation guidelines for the annual budget to restart a preferential exchange rate for imports of essentials like wheat, medicines, medical equipment and baby formula. This means the government plans …

Coffee has positive impacts to your gut health — even when it’s decaf

Coffee has positive impacts to your gut health — even when it’s decaf

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Drinking coffeeis good for your gut health — whether it’s the fully caffeinated or decaf kind, according to a new study from researchers in Ireland. Even just three cups a day can help to improve mood and decrease stress levels, researchers said, adding to an increasing body of research showing the benefits of the morning brew. The researchers found that levels of healthy gut bacteria were increased in regular coffee drinkers, including Firmicutes bacteria that have been linked to positive emotions in women. Bacteria in the gut make up what is known as the gut microbiome, which in the intestine and regulate the immune system, brain and heart health. The findings could help drinkers better understand the impact of coffee on their health beyond stimulating caffeine and potentially even provide a reason for more people to drink coffee, although it does …