Latest from James Graham

• Dec 28, 2022

  Bitcoin on the frontline

  

  From the BBC World Service: In the second of our week-long crypto series, Alex Bornyakov, Ukraine’s deputy minister for digital transformation, tells us how Ukraine’s using crypto to boost supplies. In many parts of the developing world, cryptocurrencies are becoming a tool for people to move money more freely – we hear from a dedicated bitcoin education center in Ghana. Then, we look at a El Salvador, which has adopted bitcoin as legal tender and how it’s coping with such a volatile market. 

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 27, 2022

  China’s strict COVID policy is nearly down to zero

  

  China correspondent Jennifer Pak discusses the country’s pending reopening. Julia Coronado of MacroPolicy Perspectives checks in regarding the markets for the holidays, especially when it comes to consumers. There’s an increased demand for medication as COVID and other viruses emerge.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 27, 2022

  The skies haven’t gotten any friendlier for holiday travel

  

  Flight cancellations and delays abound as the new year approaches, and it’s been especially rough for Southwest Airlines. Europe’s focus on green energy has had to take a temporary back seat to coal because of the war in Ukraine. A prison unit in Indiana aids incarcerated moms.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 27, 2022

  China scraps quarantines for all international visitors

  

  From the BBC World Service: China will effectively re-open on Jan. 8 after three years of closed borders – but the country’s economy has taken a battering, with nearly one in five young people out of work. The E.U. rolls out its “single charger” law, which means all electronics manufacturers will have to use a standard USB port charger. Plus, we begin our week-long series on cryptocurrencies, starting off by talking to the investors themselves.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 26, 2022

  If you want a job, keep your friends close but your acquaintances closer

  

  That’s the message of a social science theory developed in the 1970s. It puts a different spin on networking, and has gotten a boost from new research. We look back at a summer piece from the BBC’s Victoria Craig, which educated us about royal warrants and took us on a shopping trip.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 26, 2022

  Why inflated eggs were a part of your Christmas baking

  

  The price of eggs has spiked, and we get into some of the reasons why. Also, our very own Andy Uhler joins us for a year-end wrap on energy.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 26, 2022

  2022: The year prices rose

  

  From the BBC World Service: Today we look back at some of the stories we’ve covered this year, from economic pressures in Greece and Turkey to the death of Queen Elizabeth II. It was a period in which war in Ukraine and post-COVID supply chain problems caused rising inflation around the world. Turkey was already grappling with higher prices, so we traveled to the country to get a sense of the impact on household budgets.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 23, 2022

  Let’s talk pantomime. It’s probably not what you’re thinking.

  

  First, lawmakers are closing on the passage of a big government funding bill. In Europe, Airbnb has been ordered to offer up some information to tax authorities. Also, there’s a host of reasons why air travel is still a very difficult undertaking. Finally, the BBC explores the Christmas tradition of “pantomimes,” but they aren’t what you might be expecting.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 23, 2022

  Big federal spending bill brings new retirement benefits

  

  Lawmakers are close to passing a $1.7 trillion government funding bill, and we follow where the money is going. Also, we speak with Marta Tellado, president and CEO of Consumer Reports, about the cloudy picture of consumer rights in the digital age.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 23, 2022

  Japan’s inflation hits fresh 40-year high

  

  From the BBC World Service: For decades, inflation in Japan has been strictly controlled by the central bank. But in the past year, the yen has fallen dramatically against the dollar, driving up the cost of imports, and as a result – prices. Plus, we hear from Sir Ian McKellen on the post-COVID return of pantomimes – a festive British tradition, and a crucial part of the theater industry’s year.

  Read MoreSaveShare