What a Trump presidency means for millions of migrants and their families in the US
==========

Donald Trump, elected president in 2024, has promised mass deportations and tougher immigration enforcement through 'Operation Aurora'; historical context includes Eisenhower's 1954 Operation Wetback, which deported over 1 million Mexican nationals; Trump's immigration policies may face logistical, financial, and legal challenges; over 8 million US citizens live in mixed-status families, with 5.9 million being children; Trump's plans threaten birthright citizenship and could destabilize communities; bipartisan complexities in immigration policy noted, with Obama and Biden also having high deportation numbers.

#Trump #Immigration #Deportation #MixedstatusFamilies #BirthrightCitizenship #OperationAurora #UsPolitics #Bipartisan #CommunityImpact #LegalChallenges

https://theconversation.com/what-a-trump-presidency-means-for-millions-of-migrants-and-their-families-in-the-us-243078 

 What a Trump presidency means for millions of migrants and their families in the US
==========

Donald Trump, elected president in 2024, has promised mass deportations and tougher immigration enforcement through 'Operation Aurora'; historical context includes Eisenhower's 1954 Operation Wetback, which deported over 1 million Mexican nationals; Trump's immigration policies may face logistical, financial, and legal challenges; over 8 million US citizens live in mixed-status families, with 5.9 million being children; Trump's plans threaten birthright citizenship and could destabilize communities; bipartisan complexities in immigration policy noted, with Obama and Biden also having high deportation numbers.

#Trump #Immigration #Deportation #MixedstatusFamilies #BirthrightCitizenship #OperationAurora #UsPolitics #Bipartisan #CommunityImpact #LegalChallenges

https://theconversation.com/what-a-trump-presidency-means-for-millions-of-migrants-and-their-families-in-the-us-243078 

 Undoing the ‘deep state’ means Trump would undo over a century of progress in building a federal government for the people and not just for rich white men
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Donald Trump vows to dismantle the 'deep state' if elected, aiming to fire thousands of civil servants and replace them with loyalists; his running mate, JD Vance, supports this plan; Trump proposes Elon Musk to lead a government efficiency commission; the article argues this threatens democracy and reverses progress made since the New Deal; the administrative state, established by FDR nearly 100 years ago, has been crucial for protecting rights and regulating industries; historical context includes the Gilded Age, labor struggles, and the Great Depression; the article emphasizes the importance of a meritocratic bureaucracy over political loyalty.

#Trump #DeepState #AdministrativeState #NewDeal #Democracy #CivilRights #Bureaucracy #Fdr #2024Elections #Politics

https://theconversation.com/undoing-the-deep-state-means-trump-would-undo-over-a-century-of-progress-in-building-a-federal-government-for-the-people-and-not-just-for-rich-white-men-234421 

 How do US presidential elections affect the economy and the stock market?
==========

The US presidential election is imminent, with significant implications for the economy and stock market; historical data shows GDP growth averaged 4.86% under Democratic presidents versus 1.7% under Republicans from 1927 to 2015; the equity risk premium was 10.9% higher under Democrats, peaking at 17.4% from 1999 to 2015; transitions from Republican to Democratic presidencies often occur during economic downturns, influencing voter preferences; Australian stock markets also reflect higher returns under Democratic US presidencies, with an 11.3% higher equity risk premium; a Democratic win in 2024 may not lead to a stock market boom due to a strong economy and lack of significant policy shifts; the US economy added 254,000 jobs in September 2024, with a 3% annualized growth rate in Q2 2024; surprise Republican wins can lead to 2-3% higher stock returns around election days.

#UsElections #Economy #StockMarket #Democrats #Republicans #Gdp #EquityRiskPremium #GlobalMarkets #FinancialAnalysis #2024Elections

https://theconversation.com/how-do-us-presidential-elections-affect-the-economy-and-the-stock-market-241805 

 How Harris and Trump’s economic pledges stack up
==========

The US election race is heating up as economic concerns dominate voter priorities; Kamala Harris and Donald Trump propose differing strategies to address high living costs; Trump pledges low taxes, reduced regulations, and tariffs up to 60% on Chinese goods; he aims to reduce energy prices and housing costs by deporting up to 11 million immigrants; Harris focuses on increasing competition in the food industry, proposing government support for new meatpacking companies and a federal ban on price gouging; she plans to build 3 million new housing units and provide $25,000 to first-time home buyers; both candidates lack detailed funding plans for their proposals; over 20 Nobel laureates in economics endorse Harris' agenda as superior; the election outcome will be determined by voter response to these economic pledges.

#UsElections #Economics #KamalaHarris #DonaldTrump #CostOfLiving #FoodPrices #Housing #TaxPolicy #NobelLaureates #2024

https://theconversation.com/how-harris-and-trumps-economic-pledges-stack-up-241644 

 Donald Trump is planning more trade barriers if he becomes president – but they didn’t work last time
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Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs up to 20% on imports and 200% on Mexican cars if re-elected; he previously favored tariffs during his presidency (2017-2021) to address trade imbalances and boost manufacturing; research indicates tariffs increased reliance on foreign suppliers and raised consumer costs; retaliatory tariffs were imposed by China, EU, Canada, and others; reshoring manufacturing is complicated by the loss of US manufacturing capability; automation may limit job creation in reshored industries; tariffs are still supported by some politicians, but former VP Mike Pence opposes them; Trump's tariff strategy may repeat past failures.

#DonaldTrump #Tariffs #TradePolicy #Manufacturing #Economy #UsPolitics #2024Election #China #Eu #Reshoring

https://theconversation.com/donald-trump-is-planning-more-trade-barriers-if-he-becomes-president-but-they-didnt-work-last-time-240964 

 What does China want from the next US president?
==========

Taiwanese president Lai Ching-te stated on October 10, 2024, that Taiwan will defend its sovereignty against China; China responded with a record 153 warplanes surrounding Taiwan; Beijing views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory; the US maintains a strong economic relationship with Taiwan, a key supplier of semiconductors; Xi Jinping hopes the 2024 US presidential election will yield a leader with a different approach to Taiwan; Trump and Harris present contrasting views on Taiwan and China; Trump may intensify the trade war and could negotiate with China, while Harris aims to 'de-risk' China; both candidates have implications for China's economic recovery and relations with Russia; Beijing desires a US leader focused on economic cooperation rather than Taiwan's defense.

#China #Us #Taiwan #XiJinping #2024Election #Trump #Harris #Semiconductors #Russia #TradeWar

https://theconversation.com/what-does-china-want-from-the-next-us-president-240516 

 US inflation rate fell to 2.4% in September − here’s what that means for interest rates and markets
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US inflation rate decreased to 2.4% in September 2024; down from 2.5% in August; peaked at 8.9% in June 2022; Federal Reserve's target is 2%; Jerome Powell is the Fed chair; Fed cut federal funds rate by 0.5 percentage points in September; unemployment rose to 4.3% in July; markets optimistic about potential further rate cuts in November and December 2024; investors expect two 25-basis-point cuts by end of 2024.

#Inflation #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Economy #Cpi #JeromePowell #MarketTrends #Employment #FinancialAnalysis #2024

https://theconversation.com/us-inflation-rate-fell-to-2-4-in-september-heres-what-that-means-for-interest-rates-and-markets-240872 

 Despite progress on poverty, Mexico’s first female president inherits a shaky economy
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Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's first female president, inherits a US$1.79 trillion economy; she pledges to continue social policies of predecessor AMLO; 36% of Mexicans are still poor, with 7% in extreme poverty; GDP per capita fell during AMLO's term; central bank estimates 1.2% GDP growth next year; Sheinbaum faces largest budget deficit since 1980s, nearing 6% of GDP; tax revenues at 17% of GDP, below Latin American average; high energy subsidies strain public finances; Sheinbaum aims for green energy transition and infrastructure development; she previously halved murders in Mexico City; challenges include attracting foreign investment and combating organized crime.

#ClaudiaSheinbaum #Mexico #Economy #Poverty #Amlo #BudgetDeficit #GreenEnergy #Infrastructure #ForeignInvestment #OrganizedCrime

https://theconversation.com/despite-progress-on-poverty-mexicos-first-female-president-inherits-a-shaky-economy-240136 

 From mass deportations to huge tariff hikes, here’s what Trump’s economic program would do the US and to Australia
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Donald Trump is likely to be elected US president in four weeks; his economic program includes mass deportations of up to 20 million unauthorized immigrants, steep import restrictions, and presidential influence over interest rates; the Peterson Institute for International Economics models the economic impact, predicting the US economy could be 6.7% weaker by 2035 under extreme scenarios; Australia would be the fourth-worst hit, with a potential 0.2% reduction in its economy; Trump aims to increase tariffs by 10 percentage points on all imports and 60% on Chinese imports; his proposed policies could lead to higher inflation and reduced competitiveness for US exports; the modeling suggests that Trump's policies represent a significant departure from traditional economic practices.

#Trump #Economy #Australia #Us #Tariffs #Deportations #Inflation #PetersonInstitute #2024Election #EconomicModeling

https://theconversation.com/from-mass-deportations-to-huge-tariff-hikes-heres-what-trumps-economic-program-would-do-the-us-and-to-australia-240650 

 Only the United States benefits from renegotiating the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade deal
==========

The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) requires a review every six years, with the next review in 2026; Canadian businesses are urging the government to prepare for renegotiation; CUSMA undermines Canadian policy autonomy and creates a 'regulatory chill'; The Business Council of Canada suggested revoking a digital services tax to avoid jeopardizing negotiations; Editorials propose significant concessions from Canada to eliminate regular reviews; The U.S. is no longer a free-trade champion, and concessions are unlikely to yield desired results; The 2018 CUSMA marks the end of reliable trade agreements and the return of power politics.

#Cusma #Trade #Canada #UnitedStates #Mexico #Policy #Economy #Regulation #Nafta #Biden

https://theconversation.com/only-the-united-states-benefits-from-renegotiating-the-canada-u-s-mexico-trade-deal-239170 

 Official US poverty rate declined in 2023, but more people faced economic hardship
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The official US poverty rate fell to 11.1% in 2023 from 11.5% in 2022, with approximately 36.8 million Americans living in poverty; however, the supplemental poverty measure increased to 12.9% from 12.4% due to higher out-of-pocket medical expenses and reduced effectiveness of Social Security and SNAP; 58.5% of Americans will experience poverty at least once between ages 20 and 75; the US has one of the highest poverty rates among Western nations; poverty rate was cut in half from 22.4% in 1959 to 11.1% in 1973; in 2023, 9.7% of older Americans were in poverty, down from 35.2% in 1959; childhood poverty rose to 13.7% in 2023, the highest since 2018.

#Poverty #UsEconomy #CensusBureau #Snap #SocialSecurity #EconomicHardship #ChildPoverty #Inequality #Sociology #MarkRank

https://theconversation.com/official-us-poverty-rate-declined-in-2023-but-more-people-faced-economic-hardship-238520 

 Democratic Party’s embrace of organized labor in 2024 elections has long roots that had started to wither
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The Democratic Party's historical ties to organized labor began to weaken post-1947 with the Taft-Hartley Act; union membership has declined to 1 in 10 U.S. workers; FDR's New Deal was pivotal for labor; Bill Clinton's NAFTA led to significant job losses; Joe Biden is the first president to walk a picket line; in 2024, Democrats recognize the importance of union support for electoral success; Liz Shuler of AFL-CIO and other union leaders spoke at the Democratic National Convention, contrasting with minimal union representation at the Republican National Convention.

#DemocraticParty #Labor #Unions #2024Elections #Fdr #Biden #Nafta #Aflcio #PoliticalHistory #WorkingClass

https://theconversation.com/democratic-partys-embrace-of-organized-labor-in-2024-elections-has-long-roots-that-had-started-to-wither-237002 

 Japan stock meltdown: why it rattled the crypto market
==========

Japan's stock market plunged 12% on August 5, triggering losses in stock markets worldwide; fear of a slowdown in the US economy is a key reason; US job market data reported the highest unemployment rate since October 2021 and weaker than expected job growth; the chairman of the US Federal Reserve suggested an interest rate cut in September; the cooling of the US job market led to speculation that the Fed has waited too long to act; shares of tech companies and cryptocurrency markets also declined; Bitcoin's price dipped below $50,000 after trading close to a record $70,000; the cryptocurrency sell-off is attributed to fears of a US recession; cryptocurrencies have become more integrated into the financial system and are no longer immune to volatility spillovers from non-crypto markets; the value of cryptocurrencies is largely driven by investor sentiment and can respond more severely to shocks than stock markets; crypto assets are volatile and prices may still have room to fall further; early academic research on cryptocurrency bubbles concluded that Bitcoin's true price is zero.

#Japan #StockMarket #CryptoMarket #UsEconomy #Recession #InterestRates #TechCompanies #Bitcoin #Cryptocurrencies

https://theconversation.com/japan-stock-meltdown-why-it-rattled-the-crypto-market-236266 

 Can Kamala Harris win the US presidency after Joe Biden’s withdrawal? Here’s what the polls say
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President Joe Biden has withdrawn from the presidential election contest and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris. Harris is likely to be the Democratic candidate to face former Republican president Donald Trump in November. Biden's withdrawal was supported by Democratic voters in a recent Ipsos poll. Trump's lead over Biden in national polls has increased following the Republican convention. The Electoral Votes (EVs) system is likely to skew towards Trump. Biden's net approval rating is -17.7, while Trump's net favorability rating is -12.0. It is too soon to analyze Harris vs Trump polls, but Harris may have advantages such as improved economic data and a more favorable age split compared to Biden. Nominating a candidate who has not been battle-tested in the primaries is risky, but switching to a new candidate could be a sensible move for the Democrats. US Senate polls in swing states suggest that Democratic candidates are performing better than Biden. Recent economic data shows a drop in inflation and an increase in real earnings. In June, a net 206,000 jobs were added, but the unemployment rate increased to 4.1%.

#UsPresidentialElection #KamalaHarris #JoeBiden #DonaldTrump #Polls

https://theconversation.com/can-kamala-harris-win-the-us-presidency-after-joe-bidens-withdrawal-heres-what-the-polls-say-235185 

 How Trump’s appeal to nostalgia deliberately evokes America’s more-racist, more-sexist past
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Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign is using nostalgia to appeal to voters. Research shows that people who are nostalgic for America's 'good old days' were more likely to vote for Republican candidates in the 2022 midterm elections. The 2024 Republican National Convention also focuses on nostalgic themes. Approximately 54% of respondents in a survey agreed that 'the world used to be a better place.' The influence of nostalgia on vote choice is most pronounced among independent voters. Looking ahead to the 2024 general election, nostalgic appeals could attract swing voters to the Republican Party. Trump's campaign slogan 'Make America Great Again' evokes a specific American past and connects it to his presidency. Nostalgia in political campaigns is not new, as Ronald Reagan used it in his 1980 campaign. However, Trump's nostalgia also evokes a time when women and minorities had less power. Research shows that nostalgia is strongly related to sexism and racism. Trump's nostalgic appeal is potent and polarizing because it harks back to an era before the Civil Rights Movement and feminist movement gained momentum.

#DonaldTrump #Nostalgia #RepublicanParty #2024PresidentialCampaign #Voters #Research #IndependentVoters #2022MidtermElections #RepublicanNationalConvention #AmericanPast #RonaldReagan #Sexism #Racism #CivilRightsMovement #FeministMovement

https://theconversation.com/how-trumps-appeal-to-nostalgia-deliberately-evokes-americas-more-racist-more-sexist-past-227207 

 How the economics of oil could sway the US presidential election
==========

Oil continues to influence global economics and politics in the 2024 US presidential election. Donald Trump has promised to "drill, drill, drill" and has received $7.3 million in donations from industry giants. Joe Biden has attempted to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while overseeing an increase in domestic oil production and promising to keep petrol prices low. Gasoline prices are a significant factor influencing voters, with studies showing that they have an "outsized effect" on inflation expectations and consumer sentiment. The US has not reduced its dependence on fossil fuels for transport, with only 8% of vehicles sold being electric models. The US president has limited ability to influence gasoline prices as around 50% of the pump price is the cost of crude oil, which is set by international markets. The US continues to trade its oil around the world despite producing enough oil domestically to cover its consumption. The structure of the US oil industry is dominated by a large number of small independent producers. Rising gasoline prices and the international economics of oil markets may drive voters' decisions in the election.

#Oil #Economics #UsPresidentialElection #DonaldTrump #JoeBiden #GasolinePrices #FossilFuels #ElectricVehicles

https://theconversation.com/how-the-economics-of-oil-could-sway-the-us-presidential-election-232956 

 Cheaper mortgages, tamed inflation and even higher home prices in store for next year
==========

Australia's top economic forecasters expect the Reserve Bank to start cutting interest rates by March next year, taking 0.35 points of its cash rate by June. The panel of 29 forecasters assembled by The Conversation expects a further cut of 0.3 points by the end of 2025. The forecasts were produced after last week's news of a higher than expected monthly consumers price index. Only two expect higher rates by mid next year. Only four expect no change. Eight of the 29 expect the first cut to come this year, by either November or December. One of them is Luci Ellis, who was until recently assistant governor (economic) at the Reserve Bank and is now at Westpac. She and her team are forecasting three interest rate cuts by the middle of next year, taking the cash rate from 4.35 to 3.6 per cent. The panel expects inflation to be back within the Reserve Bank's 2-3 per cent target band by June next year, and to be close to it (3.3 per cent) by the end of this year. The panel expects wages growth to fall from 4 to 3.5 per cent over the year ahead, contributing to downward pressure on inflation, but to remain higher than prices growth, producing gains in so-called real wages. The panel expects Australia's unemployment rate to climb steadily from its present historically low 4 to 4.4 per cent. Panellists expect China's economic growth to slip from 5.3 to 5 per cent and US growth to slip from 2.9 to 2.4 per cent. Australia's economic growth is expected to climb from the present very low 1.1 to 1.3 per cent by the end of this year and to 2 per cent by the end of next year. Home prices are expected to continue to climb notwithstanding economic weakness. Sydney prices are expected to increase a further 5 per cent in the year ahead after climbing 7.4 per cent in the year to May. Melbourne prices are expected to rise a further 2.8 per cent after climbing 1.8 per cent in the year to May. The panel expects non-mining business investment to continue to climb in the year ahead, by 5.2 per cent, down from 6.9 per cent. It expects the Australian share market to climb by a further 5.6 per cent.

#InterestRates #Inflation #HomePrices #EconomicForecast #Unemployment #EconomicGrowth

https://theconversation.com/cheaper-mortgages-tamed-inflation-and-even-higher-home-prices-how-29-forecasters-see-australias-economic-recovery-in-2024-25-233244 

 Generative AI at school, work and the hospital – the risks and rewards laid bare
==========

Generative AI, unlike traditional AI, can produce novel content and has the potential to reshape society. It can enhance productivity and job satisfaction, but uneven access to AI technologies could worsen existing inequalities. Generative AI can also transform education by providing personalized instruction and support, but careful implementation is needed to avoid biases. In healthcare, generative AI can guide practitioners during diagnosis and reduce workloads, but it may not improve the diagnostic performance of expert physicians. Generative AI has the potential to exacerbate the spread of misinformation or reduce it, and governments should balance AI innovation with social equity and consumer protection.

#Ai #GenerativeAi #Education #Healthcare #Information #Work #Inequalities #Misinformation #GovernmentRegulation

https://theconversation.com/generative-ai-at-school-work-and-the-hospital-the-risks-and-rewards-laid-bare-227967 

 The UN chief has called for a ban on fossil fuel advertising – is the NZ industry listening?
==========

The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has called for a ban on advertising from fossil fuel companies, referring to them as the 'godfathers of climate chaos' who have greenwashed environmental issues. France has already banned fossil fuel ads, and a private member's bill in Canada's parliament has passed its first reading. In Australia, there is an ongoing inquiry into greenwashing, and several cities and regions in the UK and Europe have enacted similar ad bans. In New Zealand, Z Energy, the largest fossil fuel company, is facing legal action for breaching the Fair Trading Act. However, no local or regional councils in New Zealand have enacted ad bans, and major advertising and PR firms have not divested from fossil fuel clients. The advertising industry itself has shown support for Guterres' call, with industry professionals expressing climate anxiety and ethical concerns.

#FossilFuelAdvertising #ClimateChange #Un #NewZealand #AdvertisingIndustry

https://theconversation.com/the-un-chief-has-called-for-a-ban-on-fossil-fuel-advertising-is-the-nz-industry-listening-231809 

 New book provides insights into Jewish life and community in Argentina and Canada
==========

A new book titled 'Promised Lands North and South: Jewish Canada and Jewish Argentina in Conversation' explores the Jewish communities in Argentina and Canada. The book examines the similarities and differences in the Jewish experience in both countries, including the evolution of Yiddish-language theatre, Jewish ties to populist movements, and the response to populist politics. It also discusses the economic conditions and the arts in both countries, as well as the issue of antisemitism. The book highlights how Jewish communities in Argentina and Canada have evolved in conjunction with larger national changes and contributed to national historical narratives.

#JewishCommunity #Argentina #Canada #JewishImmigration #YiddishlanguageTheatre #PopulistPolitics #Antisemitism

https://theconversation.com/new-book-provides-insights-into-jewish-life-and-community-in-argentina-and-canada-228103 

 Rwanda’s role in eastern DRC conflict: why international law is failing to end the fighting
==========

The article discusses the role of international law in addressing the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) involving Rwanda. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are two international courts that can potentially address the conflict. However, Rwanda has refused to join these institutions, making it difficult for the DRC to bring Rwanda to justice. The DRC previously brought a claim against Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda to the ICJ, but Rwanda did not consent to the court's jurisdiction. The ICC has been investigating atrocities in the DRC since 2004 and has convicted individuals, but the structural issues and involvement of states remain unresolved. Rwanda has been accused of financing the rebel group M23, which has contributed to the escalation of violence in the region. The article highlights the limitations of international law in resolving the conflict and calls for international pressure on Rwanda to submit to international legal jurisdiction.

#Rwanda #Drc #InternationalLaw #Conflict #Icj #Icc

https://theconversation.com/rwandas-role-in-eastern-drc-conflict-why-international-law-is-failing-to-end-the-fighting-229731 

 Latest inflation figures are good news – even if they give a lot of people heartburn
==========

The latest U.S. consumer price index (CPI) figures, released on May 15, 2024, showed a 3.4% year-over-year increase in consumer prices, down slightly from the 3.5% increase reported in March 2024. While prices are rising, they are not increasing as sharply as before, which is good news for shoppers. Energy and shelter prices increased modestly in April, while food prices remained steady compared to last year and even declined by 0.2% compared to March. New and used vehicle prices also fell in April. The "core" CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, slowed to 3.6% in April. The overall report is relatively positive, with inflation rates slightly lower than market expectations. The data suggests that economic growth is slowing in a good way, as the economy grew at a lower-than-expected rate in the first quarter of 2024 and there was a slowdown in hiring and job vacancies. The Federal Reserve's main objective is to maintain stable employment and ensure price stability. After the May report, it is unlikely that the Fed will rush to cut interest rates. The economy is stable, inflation is not surging, and consumer spending is still growing. Hopes for a "soft landing" will depend on U.S. shoppers, as consumer spending makes up roughly two-thirds of U.S. GDP. If American shoppers stop spending, inflation will slow, job vacancies will decrease, and GDP could contract. However, there has been a troubling uptick in consumer credit card delinquency rates, which could indicate shakier ground for the economy. Overall, while inflation rates are not ideal for the Fed, the economy appears to be on a stable path for now.

#Inflation #ConsumerPrices #EconomicGrowth #ConsumerSpending #FederalReserve

https://theconversation.com/latest-inflation-figures-are-good-news-even-if-they-give-a-lot-of-people-heartburn-230180 

 Understanding AI outputs: study shows pro-western cultural bias in the way AI decisions are explained
==========

A recent systematic review analyzed over 200 studies from the last ten years in which the explanations given by explainable AI (XAI) systems were tested on people. The findings suggest that many existing systems may produce explanations that are primarily tailored to individualist, typically western, populations. Cultural differences in explanations indicate that preferences in explaining behavior are relevant for designing inclusive systems of XAI. However, the research suggests that XAI developers are not sensitive to potential cultural differences in explanation preferences. A striking 93.7% of the studies reviewed did not indicate awareness of cultural variations potentially relevant to designing explainable AI. Moreover, 48.1% of the studies did not report on cultural background at all. Of those that did report on cultural background, 81.3% only sampled western, industrialized, educated, rich, and democratic populations. The oversight of culture in explainable AI research can lead to systems that do not meet the explanatory requirements of other populations, diminishing trust in AI. To address this cultural bias, developers and psychologists should collaborate to test for relevant cultural differences and report the cultural backgrounds of study samples in XAI user study findings.

#Ai #CulturalBias #ExplainableAi #SystematicReview

https://theconversation.com/understanding-ai-outputs-study-shows-pro-western-cultural-bias-in-the-way-ai-decisions-are-explained-227262 

 Excessively high rents are a major burden for immigrants in US cities
==========

Excessively high rents are a major burden for immigrants in US cities. Rents across the US have climbed to staggering levels in recent years, with millions of renters spending more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are particularly affected by high rents. Immigrant workers in Nashville, a fast-growing immigrant metropolis, often spend more than 50% of their incomes on rent, making it difficult for them to afford education, job training, healthcare, and other necessities. The heavy rent burdens undermine their ability to have a higher standard of living and be included in mainstream society. As immigrants fan out across the US, cities receiving new foreign-born residents should anticipate a growing need for affordable housing. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened housing insecurity for people of color, including Latino and Somali communities. Immigration is the main driver of population growth in the US, and foreign-born residents make up 7.15% of the population. Nashville, the largest metropolis in Tennessee, has been a gateway for Latinos and other foreign-born residents since the early 2000s. Census data estimates for Nashville show that neighborhoods with high shares of foreign-born residents who are not yet citizens have the highest levels of rent burden. Gentrification and urban renewal have forced several Black and Somali communities from ownership into renting. Building more housing and creating affordable housing are effective ways to mitigate rent burdens, but communities sometimes oppose affordable housing projects. Helping immigrants afford housing is a smart strategy for growth-oriented cities.

#Rents #Immigrants #Housing #AffordableHousing #Nashville

https://theconversation.com/excessively-high-rents-are-a-major-burden-for-immigrants-in-us-cities-219467 

 China: why the country’s economy has hit a wall – and what it plans to do about it
==========

China's annual parliamentary meetings concluded with the government targeting GDP growth of 5% in 2024, lower than the 5.2% achieved in 2023 but higher than the IMF's projection of 4.6%. The country's economic growth drivers, including market incentives, cheap labor, infrastructure investment, exports, and foreign direct investment, are currently not working effectively. The real estate sector, which was a major driver of China's economy, is facing a crisis with property developers defaulting on debts. Weak consumer demand is related to the real estate crisis, leading to a decline in the price of goods and services. The government emphasized the need to strengthen the self-reliance of the Chinese economy and highlighted the importance of technology and innovation, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). However, transforming the economy to be driven by innovation and technology poses challenges such as the need for incentives, skilled human capital, and securing energy supply chains.

#China #Economy #GdpGrowth #RealEstate #Technology #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence

https://theconversation.com/china-why-the-countrys-economy-has-hit-a-wall-and-what-it-plans-to-do-about-it-225623 

 Economic forces are at play in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
==========

The article discusses the role of economic forces in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It highlights the attack by Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthi on commercial ships in the Red Sea, which disrupted international maritime transport. Israel seeks to cooperate with Egypt and Saudi Arabia to develop an integrated economic zone in the Suez Canal and the Red Sea region. The article also mentions Israel's interest in developing its energy sector, particularly the Leviathan gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean. The ongoing conflict affects the supply of Middle Eastern oil and gas resources. The international community's view of Israel has shifted due to the conflict, with protests and boycotts of pro-Israeli products. The US support for Israel opens up opportunities for China and Russia to expand their influence in the Middle East. This could potentially undermine the US' influence as Israel's main ally.

#Israeli-palestinianConflict #EconomicForces #RedSea #SuezCanal #LeviathanGasField #MiddleEast #InternationalRelations

https://theconversation.com/economic-forces-are-at-play-in-israeli-palestinian-conflict-221410