Even with the eviction moratorium, landlords continued to find ways to kick renters out
Millions of renters in the U.S. lost a key protection keeping them in their homes on Aug. 26, 2021, with a Supreme Court ruling ending a national moratorium on eviction. The federal stay on evictions was put in place during the coronavirus pandemic to protect renters falling behind on monthly payments and therefore in danger […]
Racial income and wealth gaps are huge – but the Fed doesn’t have the right tools to fix them
Central bankers and economists from around the world are convening remotely for the annual Jackson Hole symposium on Aug. 27, 2021, to discuss the future of monetary policy. For the second year in a row, the annual conference will be virtual and the theme – Macroeconomic Policy in an Uneven Economy – seems appropriate given […]
Fed rate hikes are already forcing US to spend record amounts on interest payments – and it’s going to keep getting worse
Consumers and businesses aren’t the only ones feeling the pain of higher borrowing costs because of Federal Reserve rate hikes. Uncle Sam is, too. The U.S. government spent a record US$232 billion in interest payments on its debt in the first quarter of 2023, over 50% more than a year ago and over three times […]
Should Australia close its border to Bali in the fight against foot and mouth disease?
University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon discuss the week in politics. With the new parliament starting next Tuesday, they talk about the prospects for the Greens’ push to secure a toughening of the government’s climate bill. They also canvass the coming grim news when Treasurer Jim Chalmers […]
What happened during the last government shutdown: 4 essential reads
The U.S. is (once again) staring down the barrel of a government shutdown. Barring progress on a spending bill to fund government agencies past Sept. 30, 2021 – and Democrats are busying themselves trying to get such a measure through Congress – federal workers could find themselves being sent home, or asked not to come […]
why the maker of Marmite is feeling the squeeze
As a major manufacturer of well known cleaning products, it is perhaps fitting that events at Unilever have started to resemble something of a corporate soap opera. In the last few weeks there has been increased pressure at the top, a failed merger attempt, backlash from investors, and an announcement of major job cuts. Prior […]
How news affects people’s expectations and drives economic change
News of a big pay rise might see you booking the nearest fancy restaurant for a slap-up meal to celebrate, or encourage you to go on a shopping spree even before your raise hits your bank account. Recent research shows that this is also essentially what happens on a wider economic scale when news breaks […]
How to design clean energy subsidies that work – without wasting money on free riders
The planet is heating up as greenhouse gas emissions rise, contributing to extreme heat waves and once-unimaginable flooding. Yet despite the risks, countries’ policies are not on track to keep global warming in check. The problem isn’t a lack of technology. The International Energy Agency recently released a detailed analysis of the clean energy technology […]
Here are some of the political events that will dominate headlines in 2022
Last year started out hopeful with the emergence of COVID-19 vaccines, but quickly proved to be a challenging year for governments and communities worldwide. Still in the midst of the pandemic, 2022 will bring about a host of significant political issues and events that will impact communities, both locally and globally. Here are some of […]
Bongo’s rule ended by failed promises and shifting alliances
The Bongo family’s 56 year hold on power in Gabon was abruptly brought to an end with a military coup on 30 August. The military takeover happened hours after election results were announced that gave Ali Bongo Ondimba a third term. Gyldas Ofoulhast-Othamot, a professor of public and international affairs with published research on Gabon, […]