Business

According to a new paper published in Oxford Open Economics by Oxford University Press, while digital financial services are frequently proposed as a means of reducing inequality, the cost and infrastructure barriers to accessing mobile phones may amplify economic disparities among women in developing countries. Previous research has indicated that digital financial services have the potential to enhance access to money and, as a result, minimize economic disparities. Many countries have switched to mobile money or digital payments during the COVID-19 epidemic. Rwanda's government has boosted the use of digital currency transfers. Senegal has increased the use of mobile money

The state of Texas experienced a catastrophic power outage in February 2021 as a result of three strong winter storms that swept over the United States on February 10–11, 13–17, and 15–20. The storms produced the biggest energy infrastructure breakdown in Texas history, resulting in water, food, and heat shortages. More than 4.5 million households and companies were without power for several days, with some going without for several weeks. At least 246 individuals were killed directly or indirectly as a result of the crisis, with some estimates putting the figure as high as 702 dead. One year after winter

In 2021, three bright and ambitious women with game-changing ideas made major, if very diverse, contributions to the troubled tech industry. In a technology sector where men have long commanded the spotlight, Frances Haugen, Lina Khan, and Elizabeth Holmes, a data scientist turned whistleblower, a law scholar turned antitrust enforcer, and a former Silicon Valley high-flyer turned criminal defendant, all figured prominently. Think Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk. Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, released internal documents to back up claims that the social media company prioritized profits over user safety. Khan is the youngest

According to new research, explaining the value of misshapen vegetables – that they are just as healthy as their picture-perfect counterparts and that buying them helps reduce food waste – could help boost sales of "ugly" produce. The study assessed consumers' reactions to hypothetical carrot shopping scenarios. After hearing both marketing messages promoting the personal and societal benefits of ugly carrots, participants were most likely to purchase bunches containing imperfect carrots. Either message alone was insufficient to persuade consumers to purchase mismatched carrots. Findings also revealed that respondents were willing to pay, with a small discount, for some level of