Latest from Jonathan Frewin

• Aug 24, 2022

  Finding new ways to fundraise for Ukraine

  

  From the BBC World Service: The U.S., which has already sent $10 billion to Ukraine, is expected to announce another $3 billion package, the largest so far. Charities of all shapes and sizes have been doing what they can on the ground, but recently giving has slowed. We caught up again with Ukrainian chef and cookbook author Olia Hercules in her London home to hear about her latest fundraising efforts. And, South Africans are taking to the streets to protest against soaring food and fuel prices, and ongoing power cuts.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 23, 2022

  Markets want to believe we’ve hit peak inflation. The Fed might not be so sure.

  

  Markets saw their worst day yesterday since June with traders worried about potentially more interest rate increases to come from the Federal Reserve. We’ll get a better idea of where the Fed is at when Chair Jerome Powell speaks Friday at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. Today, we spoke with Stifel chief economist Lindsey Piegza about what might be next in the Fed’s fight against inflation. Plus, the average minimum salary someone is willing to accept for a new job has risen since last year. We get the latest snapshot of the labor market. And, the demand for help from local abortion funds has risen as some states move to restrict or ban abortion.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 23, 2022

  Feeling anxious about a potential recession? You’re not alone.

  

  There’s fresh data out on when and if the U.S. economy will see a recession — 72% of economists surveyed by the National Association of Business Economics believe we’ll be in a recession a little less than a year. But all this recession talk weighs on Americans and their mental health. We talked to one therapist and executive coach about why we may be feeling more anxious about the economy this time around. Plus, Ford announced yesterday that it would lay off 3,000 workers to cut costs as the automaker moves more toward electric vehicles. And, we hear about the economics of offshore wind farms in Scotland.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 23, 2022

  Key European fertilizer maker suspends more production over high natural gas prices

  

  From the BBC World Service: Poland’s Grupa Azoty is one of Europe’s biggest fertilizer and chemical producers. It’s now suspended fertilizer production and cut back further on manufacturing of other chemicals due to the high natural gas prices. Plus, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm is now generating electricity and will eventually generate enough power for 1 million homes. And, Japan’s supermarket on wheels is offering a lifeline to older consumers.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 22, 2022

  Farmers of color were promised relief money. Where is it?

  

  A federal relief program for farmers of color is facing changes with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. We delve into how the legislation strips out language referencing race, and what that means for farmers who have been waiting for the money. We talked to Julia Coronado, founder and president of MacroPolicy Perspectives, on the latest in the global economy and the buzz ahead of the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium hosted by the Federal Reserve. Also, we hear from Japan about the country’s struggle to combat work days that are so long they might be illegal.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 22, 2022

  Local news, brought to you by your friendly neighborhood oil company

  

  The oil giant Chevron recently launched a news website geared toward the population of the Permian Basin in Texas, complete with local stories about puppies laid side by side with stories about the company. We talk to Molly Taft, who writes for Gizmodo, about what this site says about journalism in the digital age. Plus, there’s a new report out today from the Joint Economic Committee in Congress that delves into which people are most susceptible to being “unbanked” and “underbanked,” and what kinds of problems that causes. And, Cineworld, the owner of the Regal chain of movie theaters in the U.S., has filed for bankruptcy protection.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 22, 2022

  Could LNG from Australia help ease Europe’s energy crisis?

  

  From the BBC World Service: A rare cargo of liquified natural gas is arriving in England, and some of it could be piped to mainland Europe. Many European countries are struggling to find a solution to an energy crisis after Russia cut gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to just 20% of normal levels. Plus, more than 10,000 employers in Japan have been found to be forcing staff to work illegally long hours. And, as South Africa expands its vaccine production capacity, is more localized manufacturing still relevant?

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 19, 2022

  Interest rates and high prices seem to be cooling off the housing market

  

  Data this week seem to indicate that the white-hot housing market is finally cooling down. We dive into what could be causing the chilling effect, including rising interest rates and still-sky-high prices for homes. And, we speak to FHN Financial chief economist Christopher Low about the latest buzz with the Federal Reserve and meme stocks.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 19, 2022

  How hotter temperatures lead to less productive work days

  

  It’s been a hot summer in much of the country so far, and the number of extremely hot days is expected to rise because of climate change. We look into how heat affects worker productivity, especially for people who work outside. The Big Ten collegiate sports conference closed in on what’s being reported as the most lucrative sports media contract in college sports yesterday. We cover the details. And, hear from two enterprising youngsters in Wisconsin who got a chicken coop and started their own business selling eggs.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Aug 19, 2022

  China’s government wants an “affectionate” relationship with the tech sector

  

  From the BBC World Service: After two years of regulatory crackdown, why has there been such a stark and sudden change in tone toward the Chinese tech sector? Plus, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has rebuffed an aid plan from South Korea calling it “the height of absurdity.” And, how extra summer sun is great for Sweden’s light-time economy.

  Read MoreSaveShare