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Union Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> highlighted India's significant progress in electrification, <keyword id="23692737" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="water-accessibility" source="keywords">water accessibility</keyword>, and <keyword id="20879840" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-empowerment" source="keywords">economic empowerment</keyword> during a fireside chat with John J Hamre, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in Washington, DC. Highlighting the progress made in <keyword id="23003732" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rural-electrification" source="keywords">rural electrification</keyword>, <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> highlighted that every village in India now has access to electricity. She noted that in 2014, many villages across India, including those near state capitals, lacked even basic infrastructure for electrification. She said "I don't think any village in India is unelectrified today. Households have received the connections. So, if I remember the situation in 2014, there were still many villages in many parts of India, some even very close to the state capital, provincial headquarters, without even a pole to receive the electric wires. Now, all that has been overcome. Houses have got their electricity." The Finance Minister also discussed the <keyword id="19971121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jal-Jeevan-Mission" source="keywords">Jal Jeevan Mission</keyword>, a program initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide tap water connections to every household. She explained, "Earlier, one tap water connection was provided to a village, from where everyone would take water to their home. But under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission,' each and every house gets a tap water connection." Sitharaman emphasized the positive impact of this initiative on health, sanitation, and convenience for millions of Indian families. Turning to the economic empowerment of <keyword id="20101496" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="municipalities" source="keywords">municipalities</keyword> and urban centers, Sitharaman noted that these local governments are receiving increased autonomy and financial support. She explained that municipalities receive a portion of taxes collected by the central government, along with additional funds based on the Finance Commission's recommendations. "Over and above, today, we are enhancing their capacities to raise resources from the market. Municipalities are a very powerful instrument of economic development and they, on their own, are raising a lot of resources," she added. Sitharaman also expressed confidence in India's economic growth and its appeal to <keyword id="20632552" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-investors" source="keywords">global investors</keyword>. "The policies are working, reforms are happening, and they shall continue to happen," she stated, adding that "greater liberalisation of the economy will be there and, in a way, we are accessing newer markets and speaking about the <keyword id="19948184" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-economy" source="keywords">Indian economy</keyword> in more avenues and platforms that will attract more investors." With ongoing reforms and increased global engagement, Sitharaman noted, India is solidifying its position as a significant player on the world stage, expanding its economic reach and inviting foreign investment.

No village in India left without access to electricity, claims FM Nirmala Sitharaman

The Karnataka government is considering proposals to allow tents and <keyword id="21356640" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="alcohol-sales" source="keywords">alcohol sales</keyword> on the state's beaches, similar to <keyword id="19895061" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Goa" source="keywords">Goa</keyword>, in an effort to boost tourism. Speaking at the 'Connect 2024' event in <keyword id="19936741" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mangalore" source="keywords">Mangalore</keyword> on Wednesday, Rajendra K V, tourism department's director, emphasised that changes are necessary to attract tourists. "We need to relax restrictions on alcohol consumption along the beaches of Karnataka, which may bring more influx of tourists just like in the state of Goa," he added. According to him, to enhance safety and encourage people to spend more time at the beaches during the night, the department is contemplating the installation of additional lights along the coast. District officials have been instructed to identify government and private lands near beaches to promote <keyword id="23668481" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tent-tourism" source="keywords">tent tourism</keyword> in the state. Rajendra also revealed that a facilitation centre would soon be established to expedite approvals for tourism projects, including CRZ (<keyword id="20495401" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Coastal-Regulation-Zone" source="keywords">Coastal Regulation Zone</keyword>) permissions. He added that the new <keyword id="20021259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourism-policy" source="keywords">tourism policy</keyword> will include specific guidelines for coastal tourism. Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, Mullai Muhilan, said tourists should be allowed access to beaches late at night. "Restaurant and licensed business operating hours in Mangalore city have already been extended to 1 am and the same should apply to the beaches as well," he added. He further stated that discussions would be held with the police department to resolve issues regarding the current restrictions on <keyword id="22266283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="beach-access" source="keywords">beach access</keyword> after 9 pm and appropriate action would be taken.

Karnataka to go Goa way and allow alcohol sales in coastal cities to lure tourists

Google's new report on <keyword id="19904566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="keywords">artificial intelligence</keyword> (AI) emphasizes responsible AI development and suggests recommendations for policymakers, companies, and civil society. The report titled "An AI Opportunity Agenda for India" outlines how artificial intelligence can drive <keyword id="19900794" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-growth" source="keywords">economic growth</keyword>, social progress and global leadership for the nation. The report says India with its rapidly growing economy, outstanding tech talent, young demography and vibrant start-up ecosystem, is poised to reap the immense benefits of artificial intelligence. A comprehensive and responsible approach to AI can unlock significant economic growth and societal progress in India. "The potential economic impact of AI in India is substantial - reports estimate that at least INR 33.8 lakh crore of economic value from <keyword id="20037918" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="AI-adoption" source="keywords">AI adoption</keyword> can be achieved in India in 2030. While these achievements signify a promising beginning, unlocking the full potential of AI hinges on the strategic decisions we make today," says a Google's press release. The report suggests that to maximize the AI opportunity for India collaborative efforts are needed across government, industry, and civil society. They need to prioritise three key areas which include investments in infrastructure and innovation, building human capital and an AI-powered workforce and promoting wide adoption and universal accessibility. AI is already addressing some of the most pressing challenges like revolutionizing farming practices and improving <keyword id="20646060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="healthcare-access" source="keywords">healthcare access</keyword>. The <keyword id="20214323" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="agriculture-sector" source="keywords">agriculture sector</keyword> is getting the benefits of AI through minimizing climate risks, optimizing productivity and sustainability, and providing access to real-time crop pricing information and early warning of potential crop threats. Many <keyword id="23569666" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-powered-platforms" source="keywords">AI-powered platforms</keyword> are empowering farmers to boost crop yields and encourage sustainable practices. In the healthcare sector, AI is being used for better diagnosis, bigger access, and personalized care, especially for underserved communities. Google has partnered with <keyword id="23569667" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ARMMAN" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="ARMMAN" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="ARMMAN">ARMMAN</keyword> to use AI to identify women at risk of dropping out of their health information program, allowing for personalized interventions to improve maternal health outcomes. ARMAAN seeks to address the pervasive systemic problems underlying maternal and child mortality and morbidity in India.

AI adoption can unleash Rs 33.8 lakh crore of economic benefit to India in 2030: Google Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Soula app has an AI chatbot, Dua, that aids mothers with postpartum depression support.</li><li>AI chatbots like Dua aim to reduce healthcare burdens and improve mental health access.</li></ul>Caring for a month-old newborn and two-year-old son felt overwhelming for LeRonika Francis.During her first postpartum period, Francis said she experienced a heavy wave of depression while dealing with a baby with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/parenting/why-is-my-newborn-crying">colic</a>. She ultimately sought the help of a counselor. It was not until her most recent pregnancy that she also started to use an AI chatbot on the fem-tech app Soula, which she said helped with reducing depressive symptoms and reassuring her about her mental health."It tells me: 'Welcome back, LeRonika. Your reactions are natural,'" said Francis, who is based in New Iberia, Louisiana.The AI chatbot called "Dua" also sent her some videos that she could watch about self-hugging, a practice that could reduce stress levels."I feel like Dua is there more than anything. It really showed me: OK, this is what you could do. Make sure you make time for yourself, too, because that's important as well," said Francis.Soula was co-founded by Natallia Miranchuk and Andrei Kulik, who conceptualized a 24/7 AI doula that could close the gap in mental health support for mothers during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Rather than replacing medical providers, apps such as Soula aim to increase broader access to maternal healthcare. Healthcare providers said that these apps could also help reduce the burden on the healthcare system, where wait times can be long and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-nurses-strike-labor-union-staffing-shortage-covid-2023-1">workers face burnout</a>.Business Insider spoke with OB/GYN doctors and doulas, who largely welcomed the rise in AI chatbots because they can make information more accessible to patients.According to data obtained from Sensor Tower, Soula now has more than 35,000 downloads. The startup has fundraised over $750,000 and is backed by investors such as Andrey Mikhaylyuk, the former vice president of product at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/unicorn-pitch-deck-flo-health-raises-200-million-series-c-2024-7">Flo Health</a>, a period tracking app.Miranchuk told BI that her experiences as a single mother of two and her work as a former maternity photographer inspired her to develop a supportive app for women. Initially conceptualized as a hub to connect doulas worldwide to those in need, the generative AI boom shifted the startup's focus to integrating a chatbot that could serve more populations."Women are shy to ask questions, even in the community, because they have the feeling that maybe 'as a mom, I should have known that, but I don't.' And she doesn't know where to go," Miranchuk said.The ease of customizing ChatGPT has spurred a wave of new AI-based chatbots like Soula. According to Sensor Tower, the companion apps <a target="_blank" href="http://Character.ai">Character.ai</a>, Talkie, and Paradot have more than 73 million collective downloads, soaring more than 130% between 2023 and 2024. AI therapy apps such as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wysa-mental-health-startup-raises-fresh-vc-funding-expand-coverage-2021-5">Wysa</a> and Woebot received over 1 million downloads, the data said.Corenia Smith, director of the Birth Justice Collaborative in Minnesota, said that while popularizing tools like chatbots can help broaden healthcare access, it is important to avoid a "one size fits all" and ensure that AI can reflect the communities it serves."There are cultural practices that exist and have existed for thousands of years that people still use," Smith said. "A human could talk about all their experience and what they've seen and give referrals. When you reach that limitation with an AI, it has to have the ability to hand over care or make a referral in a way where people don't feel dropped."<h2 id="245c9b56-b4a4-4a1a-abbc-5f6bbf950f49">The role of a doula</h2>The AI chatbot Dua aims to function like a doula, providing mothers with information about the pregnancy experience during a time of transition.Doulas are trained professionals who can provide non-medical, continuous physical, emotional, and information support for women before, during, and after childbirth, helping to <a target="_blank" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10292163/">reduce</a> mental health-related morbidity for the mother and reduce infant mortality rates.Access to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/reproductive-health/what-is-a-doula">doulas</a> can be costly. While there's Medicaid coverage for doulas in several states, not all private health insurance plans cover these expenses. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266613821003120">Long wait times and socioeconomic inequality</a> also contribute to increased levels of stress and lack of healthcare usage among mothers and pregnant people."Traditionally, it's been something that's been available only to folks with a lot of money and a lot of resources. The people that benefit the most from doula care are those that might not trust the healthcare system," said Dr. Devon Rupley, an attending physician and OB/GYN specialist at NYC Health. "That tends to be people of color who've had previously negative experiences with racism and bias that can really harm their experience in the healthcare system generally."Rupley added that using an AI healthcare app to address basic questions can allow patients to spend higher-quality time with doctors by asking high-level questions and discussing their healthcare issues.<div type="image" title="Dua, an AI chatbot, talks to the user with texts." height="3000" width="4000" msid="114502558" hostid="261" sizebytes="72158"></div><h2 id="7b015d0f-002f-4d99-8f8d-2ae73851d6bc">How to design an empathetic AI chatbot</h2>Soula enlisted real-life doulas to help train its chatbot and strike the right tone."We can't create it to be as personable as talking to a real-life person, but we can try to create that as much as possible," said Lexi Pacheco, a doula from Arizona who worked to help refine the dialogue in Soula's chatbot Dua. For $22 per hour, she helped improve the chatbot by using it "hand-in-hand" during her pregnancies, adding in her expertise.While asking questions on Google could yield more informational responses, Pacheco said mothers would want something that provided "more of that reassurance that Google wouldn't."For Armani Grant, a Soula user who became pregnant at 18, Google felt overwhelming. The chatbot allowed her to ask questions that she wouldn't feel comfortable asking her mother. Pacheco said many women she's worked with reported similar experiences."They might even feel incompetent to ask the question, which no woman should ever feel, but with my history of working with people, they definitely tend to revert to: I'm sorry, I'm asking this question for some reason, and that might just be because of the societal pressure that more medicalized doctors have put on people that they don't give the time and day to us," Pacheco said.The app isn't meant to completely replace a doula. Moreover, retention rates of AI healthcare chatbots can be low, said Johannes Eichstaedt, a computational social scientist and assistant professor of psychology at Stanford University. The high dropout rates for healthcare apps are "an elephant in the room," he said.At the same time, Pacheco said AI bots can help "calm nerves" and fill the gaps when patients feel they are "bothering" their healthcare providers."AI isn't like a healthcare provider to give you guidance, but it's supposed to be there to give you a little bit more comfort," Pacheco said.

The AI app Soula seeks to improve healthcare access for pregnant women

<ul class="summary-list"><li>AI and robotics are driving innovation in assistive technology.</li><li>But there's still work to be done to ensure that the tech is affordable and widely available.</li></ul>The first time Esther Klang tried the Atalante X, a self-balancing robotic exoskeleton, she was elated.Klang, who is quadriplegic, works with Fable, an accessibility-testing platform that pairs product developers and people with disabilities who test and give feedback on assistive technology.At first, Klang was skeptical. It took a few minutes for physical therapists to strap her into the exoskeleton. "It empowered me to stand up and walk independently for the first time in 18 years," she told Business Insider. She credited assistive technologies more broadly with saving her from "desperation and extremely dark thoughts."The Atalante X is made by Wandercraft, a company founded by a group of engineers in 2012 that develops mobility technologies. The exoskeleton recently gained attention when Kevin Piette, a Paralympic athlete, wore it to carry the Olympic torch.<div type="image" title="Kevin Piette wearing Wandercraft's robotic exoskeleton device and carrying the Olympic Torch on a street in Paris." height="853" width="1280" msid="114293346" hostid="261" sizebytes="96656"></div>The Atalante X is one of many game-changing developments in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/what-is-assistive-technology">assistive technologies</a>, a market predicted to exceed $12 billion by the end of 2036. Innovations like AI-powered or robotic mobility aids and communication tools are poised to transform everyday life for millions of people. But widespread adoption hinges on ensuring that the tech is affordable and reaches the people who need it.<h2 id="6b8634a2-d442-4b58-b920-512b06194598">Advancing rehabilitation</h2>Dr. Laurent Metz, Wandercraft's global chief medical officer, described the Atalante X as a "walking robot full of sensors." The exoskeleton uses AI to predict which motions are needed to keep the user upright and moving, translating these into commands that are sent to a series of motors. "It's an interactive process that's repeated a thousand times a second," Metz said.This process takes place in rehabilitation hospitals and walking centers across the US, Europe, and Brazil under the guidance of medical professionals. One rehabilitation center said it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/villa-beretta-rehabilitation-research-innovation-institute_prof-matteo-parsani-during-a-training-session-activity-7188120806672003073-f1UX/?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop">conducted 750 sessions with more than 60 patients</a> in just over nine months and that its patients had taken more than a million steps in the Atalante X.Wandercraft is preparing to move out of hospitals and launch a personal exoskeleton. While the company hasn't provided a timeline for the tech, its work is part of efforts to expand the availability and capabilities of assistive technology.ReWalk Robotics has also been modifying an at-home exoskeleton to help users mount stairs and curbs. The exoskeleton was approved for personal use in 2014, but until recently it could be used only on flat ground. ReWalk says the modifications are designed to make more daily environments and activities accessible to people with spinal-cord injuries.<h2 id="5b8f2dff-a16f-4f8d-a003-2319b441fd59">Assistive tech for everyday use</h2>Accessibility technologies are already being used in homes nationwide. "You probably don't think of a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-robot-vacuum">Roomba vacuum </a>cleaner as an assistive technology, but it is," said Elaine Schaertl Short, an assistant professor of computer science at Tufts University.While the tech can be a quick fix for people who don't have time to vacuum, Short said, it also aids those with physical challenges. "I also have a mobility impairment, so vacuuming isn't the best use of my energy — I have this robot do it for me," she said.Other assistive technologies are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virtual-reality-physical-therapy-pain-relief-coordination-exercises-2024-8">redefining accessibility and mobility</a>. For example, the Tatum T1, developed by Tatum Robotics, is a robotic hand designed to translate live voice and text output into American Sign Language. And Chronus Robotics has developed Kim-e, what it calls a hands-free "invisible wheelchair" with an adjustable seat that can be raised to standing height.Robotics are also advancing the capabilities of prosthetic limbs. Dani Clode, an augmentation designer based in the UK, has worked alongside neuroscientists for several years to create and fine-tune <a target="_blank" href="https://www.daniclodedesign.com/thethirdthumb">the Third Thumb</a>, which she describes as a "flexible, 3D printed thumb extension for the hand."<div type="image" title="Person looking sideways at the Third Thumb device attached to their right hand." height="3394" width="4751" msid="114293347" hostid="261" sizebytes="252202"></div>Clode said developing the Third Thumb was a trial-and-error process, involving "several iterations and prototypes, refining both the mechanical design and the wireless control system." The tech was the result of Clode's quest to "design something that could be an extension of the body, accessible to everyone."<h2 id="91e6fa93-4c34-4672-9b64-06447b95f8f9">The road to accessibility</h2>While there are small-scale examples of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-much-does-a-personal-assistant-robot-cost-roomba-humanoid-2023-12">assistive robots</a> offering help in the house, technologies like robotic exoskeletons, limbs, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_1043333_en.html">guide dogs</a> have a long way to go before they become widespread.In the meantime, researchers like Short and product testers like Klang work alongside engineers to ensure that marginalized people are factored into the development process.Klang said it's crucial that product-development teams "listen to and incorporate the insights of people with disabilities" as early in the process as possible. "We know what works for us and what doesn't," she added, describing it as "deeply frustrating" when products claim to be accessible but fall short.Assistive technologies can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. That's a problem for many Americans with disabilities, whom the National Disability Institute has found are <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/disability-race-poverty-in-america.pdf">more likely than their able-bodied counterparts to live below the poverty line</a>.Short said she's confident that prices will decrease. Fifteen years ago, assistive robots like the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/a-look-back-at-willow-garage-2016-2">PR2</a>, which is no longer available, cost about $400,000. Now, similar tech — such as the Stretch 3 by Hello Robot — is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://hello-robot.com/stretch-3-product">available online for $25,000</a>. "It's still not accessible to most people," she said, "but it's an improvement."Still, Short told BI she considers most robots to be decades away from reaching the American home.Short said she urges tech developers to consider "nonnormative users," or people who aren't able-bodied. Short pointed to the cellphone as an example of how technology can evolve to serve a wider range of users. "This is an incredible piece of assistive technology, but it wasn't invented for disabled people," she said. "There was a lot of catch-up work that had to happen on accessibility, but that work transformed a cellphone into something that could be used as assistive technology."While accessibility improvements take time, they can result in meaningful progress. Klang said her experience with the Atalante X has been life-changing.Klang credits assistive technologies with enabling her to walk independently, adding that her work as an advocate and consultant for disabled communities feels life-affirming."I'm filled with anticipation for the continuous and rapid advancements in the assistive technologies which have significantly enriched my life," Klang said.

Robots and AI-powered assistive tech are poised to transform accessibility and mobility   

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Walmart is testing tech that lets employees use an app to unlock anti-shoplifting displays.</li><li>The tech, currently in several hundred stores, could lead to shoppers having access too.</li></ul>For all of the conveniences of modern retail, one frustration seems to get more ubiquitous: the task of finding a store employee to unlock merchandise in an anti-theft display.Now Walmart is working on a solution: new tech that lets employees use an app on their work device to unlock anti-shoplifting displays for customers.Experts tell Business Insider the move could have several benefits for the retail giant."Most decisions that Walmart makes — most big decisions — check more than one box," said retail strategist Carol Spieckerman.While the system is currently in several hundred of the company's 4,600 US stores, Bloomberg, which first <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-05/walmart-s-wmt-antidote-to-locked-up-products-a-key-on-your-phone">reported</a> the move, indicated shoppers may eventually have access to the feature as well. Walmart confirmed the report to BI.While shoplifting costs retailers money, anti-shoplifting measures can also cost retailers lost sales. More than half of shoppers in a recent Numerator <a target="_blank" href="https://www.numerator.com/resources/report/unlocking-shopper-reactions-to-secured-products/">survey</a> said they regularly encounter locked-up products, and nearly a fifth of respondents said they buy the item from another retailer when they find it in a locked display.In this case, the digital tech could cut down on shoplifting while serving as an incentive to get customers to sign up for Walmart's digital services, including Walmart+.The company already offers several perks for Plus members, like free shipping and the Scan and Go functionality, which take some of the friction out of shopping.Chris Walton, a former store manager, Target executive, and cofounder of Omni Talk, said the company would likely tread very carefully about requiring customers to pay a membership fee to get permission to access merchandise, calling it "a delicate issue for Walmart."Still, Walmart's mobile app is available to shoppers regardless of whether they have a membership, and the company could gain plenty of value and drive downloads if they make the option free to use.Last year, security device maker Indyme tested <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retailers-testing-tech-to-help-customers-get-locked-away-products-2023-2">a product called the Freedom Case at several retailers</a>, including Lowe's, Kroger, Safeway, and Family Dollar.The assumption behind the Freedom Case is that customers who share their personal information in order to access merchandise are unlikely to steal."Trust is the name of the game all the way around in terms of loyalty programs and just an overall loyalty proposition," Spieckerman said. "Nothing says trust quite like literally giving them the keys."

Walmart is testing a new way to make it easier to access locked-up items. Here's why that's smart.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tracy Young said she couldn't be a CEO and a mother without reproductive rights.</li><li>Deciding if and when to have children impacts women's ability to be in the workforce.</li></ul>It might be common sense to many women, but Tracy Young decided to say it out loud."As both a mother and CEO of two companies, I've experienced firsthand how crucial reproductive rights have been to my journey," she wrote in a post on LinkedIn last month.Young, who studied construction engineering, has cofounded and served as the CEO of two startups: Plan Grid, a construction software company, and TigerEye, an AI analyst for go-to-market teams."It's surprising to me that in 2024, these are the conversations we are having, and part of the reason why I wrote that essay is because there's so much debate," Young told Business Insider. "I can guarantee you that I would not have been able to see through this journey of being a founder and CEO had it not been for the reproductive rights I was given."Young's story highlights what's at risk for women who don't have access to reproductive care, and how the issue can impact not only women in the workplace but the economy at large.Things like birth control to abortion access have been "game changers" for women's ability to participate in the workforce, said Alina Salganicoff, the senior vice president and director of the Women's Health Policy Program at KFF, a health policy research organization."Being able to control whether and when you have a child makes a huge difference in your life, your personal life, as well as the professional options and the education that you can pursue," Salganicoff told BI.The issue is now front and center two weeks from a presidential election. Several states will have <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/states-putting-abortion-access-on-ballot-2024-8">abortion access on the ballot</a>.It's largely been a winning <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/democrats-arent-shying-away-from-abortion-talk-this-election-2024-6">issue for Democrats</a> since the Supreme Court <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/supreme-court-abortion-decision-final-ruling-scotus-roe-v-wade-2022-6">overturned Roe v. Wade</a> in 2022, ending the federal legalization of abortion. Even states that typically lean conservative have seen <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/abortion-rights-ohio-virginia-kentucky-elections-gop-roe-v-wade-2023-11">votes in favor of legalizing abortion</a>.<h2 id="4f684b4f-9934-42e2-b8a3-86717fb3c43c">How reproductive care helped Young's career</h2>Young knew that she wanted to be a parent, but the timing wasn't right when she was in college, working on a construction site, or building a company, she said."Birth control helped me time pregnancy for when I was ready," Young said. "When I was building a startup for the first time and leading it as CEO for the first time, doing the biggest job I've ever done before, it was just not the right time for me."Young and her husband had their first child in 2018, after Young said she had "matured as a CEO and as a leader.""I just felt more competent," she said. "At that point, it felt right."Access to reproductive healthcare made the difference again for Young when she experienced a miscarriage at work during a subsequent pregnancy. Young said her doctors in California gave her misoprostol, one of two common drugs doctors use to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/midwife-language-procedures-miscarriage-or-termination-can-be-the-same-2022-6">manage abortions or miscarriages</a>. She also had a surgical procedure."There was no hesitation for the doctors to give me the treatment that they knew I needed," Young said. "Because of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, many states now have heavy restrictions on prescribing the drugs that were given to me as a treatment."More than half of US states now have restrictions on when during the gestational period an abortion can legally be performed, and 13 states have total abortion bans that impede access to care with few exceptions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research and policy nonprofit organization.Abortion denial has downstream effects on women's economic potential, Salganicoff said, impacting everything from their education level to their ability to advance in their careers.For example, the ongoing "Turnaway Study" from the University of California, San Francisco, found that denying abortion care to women increases their likelihood of experiencing poverty, joblessness, and other economic hardships. Similarly, a recently published study from the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality found that restrictions on abortion access "pose significant risks to the well-being and economic security of women," especially low-income women.The result harms women and the world at large, Young said."There's a lot of problems in the world. We probably want half of the population's brains helping solve these really hard problems," Young said. "I do."

How access to reproductive care shaped a founder's career, highlighting its importance as an economic driver

<ul class="summary-list"><li>GM is the latest company to get access to Tesla's Superchargers.</li><li>Most major automakers said last year they would adopt Tesla's NCAS.</li></ul><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chevrolet-ready-to-close-gap-with-tesla-silverado-equinox-2024-5">General Motors</a> is the latest car company to grant its drivers access to Tesla's vast Supercharger network.The company announced Wednesday that GM electric vehicle drivers, including those from brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac, can charge at any of Tesla's 17,800 <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-supercharger-map">Supercharger</a> stations using a $225 adapter. This is the latest move by GM to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-charging-stations-explained-levels-plugs-tesla-supercharger-2022-12">improve charging access</a> for its EV customers. With the addition of the Supercharger network, GM drivers can now charge at more than 231,800 Level 2 and DC fast chargers across North America, according to the Detroit-based automaker.That number is expected to grow even more in the coming months as GM expands its network of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gm-ev-chargers-look-like-gas-stations-2024-9">public charging stations with EVgo</a>. Earlier in September, the companies announced they are working together on a network of fast-charging hubs that will look and operate like gas stations (minus the gas). These back-to-back charging announcements from GM should signal to customers that the Detroit car company is committed to improving the public charging experience, said GM Energy Vice President Wade Sheffer."It is our intent to be the leader in providing fast, convenient, and safe charging in the public infrastructure," Sheffer told Business Insider.<h2 id="cb4e0e8a-ed18-4c61-a275-f9d027c4619c">Car companies working together is rare — but necessary for EV charging</h2>GM was among the many car companies that partnered with Tesla last year to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NCAS). Crosstown rival <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla-to-bring-supercharger-network-to-rival-ford-musk-says-2023-5">Ford was the first to join Tesla</a> on NCAS in May 2023, and companies like GM, Rivian, Volvo, and BMW later followed suit.Adoption has been slow, however, as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gm-recruiter-wants-to-hire-interns-impacted-by-tesla-cuts-2024-5">Tesla shrank its Supercharger team</a> earlier this year. GM is only the third company to gain access after Ford and Rivian drivers started using Superchargers earlier this year.Efforts to patch holes in the US charging infrastructure have been haphazard over the past decade, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-charging-range-improving-americans-still-dont-want-electric-cars-2024-9">access to public charging</a> on longer drives has long been a pain point for electric vehicle drivers.The last few years have seen rapid improvements, with the number of charging stations in the US more than doubling since 2020 and $7.5 billion in promised federal funding for 500,000 new EV stations by 2030.In the meantime, though, Sheffer says otherwise aggressive competitors will have to work together to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/electric-vehicle-range-ev-charging-station-infrastructure-issues-2024-5">solve the charging problem</a>."Even though there is fierce competition when it comes to our vehicles, we can all align on wanting to provide the best charger experience for our customers collectively," Sheffer told Business Insider.

GM's EV drivers are finally getting access to the Tesla Supercharger network

<keyword id="19945815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="startups" source="keywords">Startups</keyword> in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> have high expectations from this year's upcoming <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword>. Early-age startups hope for the removal of angel taxes, while <keyword id="20677283" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="health-tech-startups" source="keywords">health tech startups</keyword> expect increased <keyword id="19913964" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="funding" source="keywords">funding</keyword> for the sector. Startups function as engines of economic growth, playing a crucial role in generating new jobs, ideas, products, and services. As of December 2023, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had recognised 1,17,254 startups. These startups have reportedly created over 12.42 lakh direct jobs, significantly impacting the economy. Eklavya Gupta, CEO and Co-founder of Recur Club, stated, "We are confident that India's business credit landscape is on the brink of a major digital overhaul. FinTechs are at the forefront of this change, deploying innovative technologies and utilising in-depth data analytics to streamline and expand <keyword id="20974354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-access" source="keywords">credit access</keyword>." He added, "While the current allocation of Rs 10,000 crore is an excellent initial step, realising the full capabilities of India's SME and startup ecosystem will necessitate greater investment, especially in credit guarantee schemes." Vinod K Singh, Co-Founder and CTO of Concirrus, expressed his expectations from the budget: "As the Union Budget 2024-25 approaches, we hope the government will address the pressing issue of the 'angel tax.' Eliminating this tax will enhance capital formation and attract vital <keyword id="19895633" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investments" source="keywords">investments</keyword>. Streamlining the duty structure and reducing high tariffs on electronic inputs are also crucial to bolstering the startup ecosystem and driving innovation. Expanding the Fund of Funds and introducing low-interest loans would be beneficial." Rajiv Lamba, co-founder and CEO of AI-enabled customer feedback platform Surveysensum, added, "Just as the government has prioritised financial inclusion, it should now focus on <keyword id="22405441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technological-inclusion" source="keywords">technological inclusion</keyword> to propel India to the next stage of growth. By training youth in AI, the government can make a strategic investment in the nation's technological future. Given the rapidly evolving job market, a substantial increase of 20 to 25 percent in budget allocation should be considered for AI-based skill development and entrepreneurship." He further emphasised, "Incentivizing investment in <keyword id="20328842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-startups" source="keywords">AI startups</keyword> and R&amp;D initiatives can boost local innovation in the AI space. The last budget introduced a deep tech fund of Rs 1 lakh crore with a 50-year interest-free loan period; the government should now establish a clear and transparent mechanism for access to this fund." Raja S, founder and MD of Hearzap, highlighted the expectations of health tech startups: "Health tech startups are eagerly anticipating increased funding that could usher in transformative advancements. This crucial investment holds the promise of extending cutting-edge healthcare solutions to rural and underserved areas, effectively bridging existing gaps in care. The upcoming budget ensures that every individual in our diverse population, from the youngest to the oldest, can access essential health services, including specialised care." Discussing taxation for startups in India, Vvihan Gulati, Director of Mediagraphics PR, commented, "Removing the angel tax is a highly anticipated move that would benefit early-stage startups and their investors. It would foster a more favourable environment for innovation and growth, allowing startups to attract much-needed capital without the burden of excessive taxation. This change could significantly enhance the ease of doing business and contribute to the overall growth of the startup ecosystem in India." The Union Budget 2024 will be tabled on July 23 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. With this, she will become the first Finance Minister to deliver seven consecutive budgets, surpassing Morarji Desai. She presented the interim budget on February 1 of this year.

Startups demand angel tax elimination, incentives on investments in upcoming budget

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Investment firms want to offer private-credit ETFs to ordinary investors, the WSJ reported. </li><li>It would give retail investors access to a $1.7 trillion market. </li></ul>A booming corner of the financial markets that has only been available to institutions might soon be open to everyday investors. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/wall-street-races-to-bring-private-credit-to-the-masses-8a25b624?mod=finance_lead_story">According to The Wall Street Journal,</a> some of the biggest private equity and investment management giants want to offer retail investors access to exchange-traded funds backed by private credit. The term broadly refers to loans made to companies and consumers by nonbank lenders. Historically, fund managers have sold "alternative assets" like private debt to institutional investors at a high cost, generating returns of around 10% in recent years — more than they would have seen from investing in the stock or bond markets.Now, as those institutions slow allocations to private credit, the biggest players in the space want to target a new class of investors. According to the Journal, firms like State Street, Apollo Global Management, and BlackRock are working to roll out private credit ETFs to regular investors. The challenge, though, is building a highly liquid ETF out of illiquid private loans. That hurdle is also what will likely draw the eye of regulators as they ensure the ETFs are appropriate for retail investors. But if these ETFs get approved, they will enable regular investors to tap into a booming market, one that BlackRock expects will more than double to $3.5 trillion by 2028. The race to launch private credit ETFs has heated up in recent months.In May, Capital Group and KKR teamed up to start offering funds investing in both public and private assets—including in private credit—starting next year.Last month, State Street proposed a private debt ETF to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The ETF would blend public debt with private debt on mortgage, corporate, and consumer loans purchased from Apollo Global Management. Anna Paglia, State Street's chief business officer, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://investors.statestreet.com/investor-news-events/press-releases/news-details/2024/State-Street-Global-Advisors-and-Apollo-Global-Management-Join-Forces-to-Increase-and-Broaden-Investor-Access-to-Private-Markets/default.aspx">said in a statement</a> the ETF would "democratize access to private asset exposures," and make them "more accessible to a wider swathe of investors.""It is our goal to bring these investments to scale and help facilitate the process of making private assets more accessible and liquid over time. We see this as only the beginning of a new wave of innovation as public and private markets increasingly converge," Paglia said. Alternative assets make up a small share—less than 3%—of individual investors' global investments, KKR's head of Global Client Solutions Eric Mogelof, told the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/wall-street-races-to-bring-private-credit-to-the-masses-8a25b624">Wall Street Journal</a>.But he says there is huge potential for that share to grow by over three times. "We anticipate these allocations to rise to 10% or greater in the future," he told the Journal.

Investing giants want to offer retail traders access to a booming sector of financial markets

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elon Musk's X says it inadvertently restored access to the platform in Brazil on Wednesday.</li><li>The social media network changed network providers, causing a temporary service restoration.</li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk">Elon Musk's</a> X says it accidentally restored temporary access to the social media platform in Brazil on Wednesday, just weeks after it was banned in the country. The company's Global Government Affairs account <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1836567745229365552">posted</a> on Wednesday night that it had changed network providers, resulting in "an inadvertent and temporary service restoration to Brazilian users."The post said, "While we expect the platform to be inaccessible again shortly, we continue efforts to work with the Brazilian government to return very soon for the people of Brazil."The Brazilian Association of Internet and Telecommunications Providers (ABRINT) said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://abrint.com.br/nota-sobre-o-funcionamento-do-aplicativo-x/">statement</a> on Wednesday that access to the platform was temporarily restored following an overnight update.X users who had the app on their phone in Brazil got an automatic update, ABRINT said, which meant they were now accessing X via an IP addresses linked to cybersecurity firm Cloudfare. This made "blocking the app much more complicated," the country's trade group for internet service providers added. However, Basílio Rodriguez Pérez, an advisor to ABRINT, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4dn4z02emo">told the BBC</a> that X's actions seemed intentional. "Everything that happened during the day led us to believe that it was on purpose," Pérez said. The incident comes amid a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-brazil-x-ban-feud-content-moderation-free-speech-2024-9#:~:text=Musk%20closed%20X%20offices%20in,a%20legal%20representative%20for%20X.">feud between Musk and Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes</a> that centers around content moderation concerns and free speech. X initially agreed to remove over 100 accounts flagged for hate speech, misinformation, and attacks on democracy but <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1776729732970594483">said</a> it would "challenge the orders legally when possible."Musk then said in April that he was reversing the restrictions, saying in an X post that "principles matter more than profit." Moraes responded that Musk would face a hefty fine each time an account was reactivated, French news outlet AFP <a target="_blank" href="https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20240408-brazil-supreme-court-judge-orders-probe-on-elon-musk-for-censorship">reported</a>.Moraes also said the billionaire would be investigated for obstruction of justice after refusing to remove the accounts and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-defies-brazil-order-to-block-x-accounts-2024-4">content related to far-right groups</a>. X was then banned in Brazil last month following an order from Moraes. In response, Musk closed X's Brazil offices and refused to comply with an order to name a legal representative in the country.The Supreme Court judge threatened Brazilians with daily fines of about $8,900 if they <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vpn-demand-surges-brazil-x-banned-legal-threats-fines-2024-9">tried to bypass the ban by using VPNs</a> to access the platform, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/31/technology/x-blocked-brazil-reactions.html">The New York Times</a> reported.X didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

X users in Brazil temporarily regained access. Elon Musk's company says it was accidental.

<keyword id="21354159" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-government-bonds" source="keywords">Indian Government Bonds</keyword> are set to be included in the JP Morgan Government Bond Index, <keyword id="20036608" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Emerging-Market" source="keywords">Emerging Market</keyword> (GBI-EM) from June 28. The inclusion will take place over a period of 10 months starting June 28, 2024, through to March 31, 2025. India will have a 1% weightage in the <keyword id="19967624" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JPMorgan" source="keywords">JPMorgan</keyword> Emerging Market (EM) Bond index, which will gradually rise to 10% over a 10-month period, at an inclusion rate of about 1% weight per month. The inclusion is estimated to bring $20-25 billion of inflows into the Indian bond market. However, India's index-eligible bonds have already attracted $10 billion since the inclusion was announced in September last year. On September 21, 2023, Global index provider JPMorgan announced that it would include Indian government's bonds in its emerging market indices. Only Indian government bonds issued by the Reserve Bank of India (<keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>) under the <keyword id="12313402" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fully-Accessible-Route" source="Orion">Fully Accessible Route</keyword> (FAR) will be included in the indices. All FAR-designated IGBs maturing after December 31, 2026, will be eligible to be included in the JPMorgan Emerging Market (EM) Bond index. In the post-monetary policy press conference on June 7, RBI Governor <keyword id="6359111" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shaktikanta-Das" source="Orion">Shaktikanta Das</keyword> said the central bank is not worried about the big <keyword id="20072947" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="foreign-fund-inflows" source="keywords">foreign fund inflows</keyword> from global bond inclusion. "The RBI has a number of instrumentalities to manage the flows. We have managed it in the past and we will manage it in future also. No worries on that," Das said. Experts believe the index inclusion-related heavy flows is likely to boost demand for Indian government securities in the current fiscal, once short-term liquidity issues in certain papers get sorted. Vishal Gupta, Co-founder of IndiaBonds.com says the inclusion of Indian government bonds in JP Morgan Index is a watershed moment for the <keyword id="22201110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fixed-income-markets" source="keywords">fixed-income markets</keyword> in India. "This compulsorily puts Indian bond markets on the radar of global bond investors and although initial investments are supposed to be to the tune of $25-30 billion, index inclusion paves the way for this number to keep growing in the next few years," said Vishal Gupta. Gupta further added that it is important to grow the investor base for any market, and index inclusion helps in expanding the number of players, which further benefits everyone in the form of additional market liquidity. "Global investors have been looking to allocate capital to emerging markets given their reluctance to invest in other large countries like Russia or China in the past couple of years. Hence, the timing of this index inclusion is also almost perfect. I reckon investments will start via government bonds initially, but filter into AAA to lower credit ratings as well in the years to come", he continued.

You Searched For "accessibility" and got 12 results

No village in India left without access to electricity, claims FM Nirmala Sitharaman

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