Section
Economics
Devolution lacks easy answers over ‘fairness’
Andy Burnham, the UK’s incoming prime minister, has committed to shifting economic decision-making powers from Westminster to local and regional governments to stimulate growth and…
Welcome to the age of the Profit Dollar
The U.S. dollar has shifted from a gold-backed reserve currency held primarily by central banks to a liquid asset predominantly favored by private investors and…
The price of good intentions
Economists including Alvin Roth, Mariana Mazzucato, Gabriel Zucman, and others have published works challenging traditional views on markets, government roles, wealth taxation, and money creation.…
Bank of Mum and Dad drives a wave of early retirement
An increasing number of older workers in Britain are retiring before reaching state pension age due to larger and more frequent inheritances. This trend could…
Is the UK enjoying a productivity rebound?
New data from the ONS show conflicting measurements of UK productivity growth over the past year, with estimates ranging from 0.4% to 2.1% depending on…
Trump 'loves inflation' as oil pushes up US rate again
US inflation rose to an annual rate of 4.2% in May, driven largely by higher energy costs linked to the Iran conflict, marking the fastest…
Development at Every Point on Economic and Social Spectrum - James Heckman Interview
Economist James Heckman assessed China’s economic outlook, noting that geopolitical tensions and demographic changes are likely to slow growth in the short term despite the…
Why the case for raising interest rates is growing
Major central banks have kept interest rates steady despite the current Middle East energy shock, but rising inflation expectations and moderate labor market tightness suggest…
Why the case for raising interest rates is growing
Central banks have mostly kept interest rates steady despite Middle East tensions, but rising inflation expectations and persistent supply shocks suggest the Bank of England…
How Britain could afford to pay for war
The UK government aims to increase defence spending to 3 percent of GDP by the next parliamentary term amid rising public debt nearing 100 percent…
Bank of England governor warns on youth worklessness
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey warned lawmakers that rising youth unemployment combined with an ageing population poses a serious threat to the UK's economic…
Jobs and remittances to shrink in Middle East due to delayed hiring amid war
The World Economic Forum reports that hiring in the Middle East and North Africa is expected to decline sharply in 2026 due to ongoing regional…
Inflation jumps to highest mark in 3 years, report says
The U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index rose 3.8% year over year in April, reaching its highest level in three years and signaling broad-based inflation…
The legacy of Powell at the Fed
Jay Powell has concluded his term as Federal Reserve chair, having managed significant inflation and banking challenges while maintaining the Fed’s independence amid political pressure.…
This is the reality of European-style social spending
A new analysis reveals that adopting European-style social welfare programs in the U.S. is complicated by existing tax structures, spending patterns, and a national debt…
Central bank constraints mean the ‘policy put’ is no longer a given
Central banks and governments have historically intervened during market sell-offs and crises to stabilize financial markets, fostering a widespread belief in predictable policy support. However,…
The infantilism of an ‘ungovernable’ Britain
The UK has seen unprecedented political instability since 2010, with six prime ministers and the potential loss of Labour leader Keir Starmer, prompting concerns about…
The Gulf crisis may just be starting
Since late February, no tankers carrying critical commodities like oil, LNG, and refined products have transited the Strait of Hormuz due to armed conflict and…
Near-impossible revenue challenge amid mounting debt, say experts
Experts have criticized Bangladesh’s proposed 2026-27 budget for setting an overly ambitious revenue growth target above 20 percent amidst rising debt, subsidy pressures, and growing…
How can Trump turn things around on inflation?
U.S. workers experienced a decline in purchasing power as consumer prices rose 3.8 percent over the past year while wages increased by just 3.6 percent,…
Experts urge swift rollout of household income plan
China's household income growth slowed in the first quarter, increasing by 4.9 percent nominally but lagging behind overall economic expansion and consumption growth. Experts urge…
Housing nightmare: Massive migration hurting young Aussies
Australia’s budget projects an additional 55,000 migrants over the next two years, raising concerns about housing supply and affordability for younger Australians. To meet rising…
Labour’s wishful thinking problem
The UK Labour Party is considering a leadership change amid pressing economic challenges that require confronting budgetary limits rather than relying on optimistic policy assumptions.…
Wholesale Inflation Surges Amid Iran Conflict Disruptions
Wholesale inflation in the U.S. rose sharply in April, with the producer price index increasing 1.4% from March and reaching a 6.0% annual rate, driven…
Fed Official Flags Conditions for Possible Rate Hike
Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins signaled that the Fed might raise interest rates if inflation spreads beyond energy prices, although she currently expects inflationary…
'Workers on treadmill' despite pay rise
Average wages in Australia rose by 3.3 percent over the past year, but a 4.6 percent inflation rate driven by soaring oil prices has caused…
米財務長官発言 市場注視 利上げ支持、日銀を信頼
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen supported raising interest rates while expressing trust in the Bank of Japan’s continued monetary easing. This stance highlights ongoing coordination…
「不可能」を「可能」に 政府・日銀が為替介入
On April 30, the Japanese government and the Bank of Japan intervened in the foreign exchange market to halt the yen’s rapid depreciation amid sharp…
Peril Ahead for Pakistan’s Economy
Pakistan’s economy showed improvement in the first half of fiscal year 2026 with lower inflation, a fiscal surplus, and resumed growth, according to the State…
Australia economy hostage to Iran war, says Treasurer
Australia’s federal budget includes a controversial reform ending negative gearing for existing rental properties to improve homeownership affordability, alongside measures to bolster energy security amid…