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BBC Marketplace Senior Producer

Stephen Ryan

Senior Producer, BBC World Service/Marketplace (in London)

Latest from Stephen Ryan

  • Nov 29, 2022

    Markets react positively as China vows to boost vaccination rate

    BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 29: Epidemic control workers who perform nucleic acid tests wear PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they walk in an area where communities are in lockdown on November 29, 2022 in Beijing, China. In recent days, China has been recording its highest number of daily COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, as authorities are sticking to their strict zero tolerance approach to containing the virus with lockdowns, mandatory testing, mask mandates, and quarantines as it struggles to contain outbreaks.In an effort to try to bring rising cases under control, the government last week closed most stores and restaurants for inside dining, switched schools to online studies, and told people to work from home among other measures. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

    From the BBC World Service: Beijing vowed today to boost the COVID vaccination rate for people 80 and older. Brazil’s president-elect has presented a new budget to Congress, which circumvents the nation’s strict budget ceiling rules. And this year marks the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in the city of Bilbao, in northern Spain. Perhaps its biggest legacy is a phenomenon now known as the “Guggenheim effect” – when a single iconic building helps to drive urban regeneration.

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  • Nov 28, 2022

    The story of holiday shopping – and inflation – so far

    The story of holiday shopping – and inflation – so far
    Kena Betancur/Getty Images

    We check in on some of the results from Black Friday as Cyber Monday gets underway. Julia Coronado of MacroPolicy Perspectives gives us her take on what the shopping could tell us about inflation. Then, we take a look at regenerative agriculture and how restaurants could be pitching in on it.

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  • Nov 28, 2022

    China’s zero-COVID policy leads to unrest in the streets and the markets

    China’s zero-COVID policy leads to unrest in the streets and the markets
    Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

    China correspondent Jennifer Pak checks in with the latest. Also, we speak to Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti about the Summer Olympics – with all the costs it can incur – coming to town in 2028.

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  • Nov 28, 2022

    Markets react to ongoing protests in China

    BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 28: Police stand as part of a cordon during a protest against China's strict zero COVID measures on November 28, 2022 in Beijing, China. Protesters took to the streets in multiple Chinese cities after a deadly apartment fire in Xinjiang province sparked a national outcry as many blamed COVID restrictions for the deaths. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

    From the BBC World Service: Stock markets in Shanghai, Hong Kong and other places in Asia have fallen as anti-government protests spread across China. Ukraine’s use of Turkish-made drones has made the world take notice. The BBC sits down with the brothers who run drone manufacturing at their Istanbul offices.

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  • Nov 25, 2022

    Consumers vs. inflation becomes the biggest fight of the holiday shopping season

    Consumers vs. inflation becomes the biggest fight of the holiday shopping season
    Kena Betancur/Getty Images

    As holiday shopping kicks off today, we check in on what could await consumers and retailers alike. Most of the people responding to a University of Michigan survey think it’s a bad time to buy a house. There’s a new gold-oriented currency making its way around four states, but is it a worthy venture? 

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  • Nov 25, 2022

    Remote work helps soothe the pain of holiday travel

    Remote work helps soothe the pain of holiday travel
    Scott Olson/Getty Images

    The week of Thanksgiving is typically the busiest in terms of travel, but remote work has found ways to take the pressure off. Then, we look into the importance of the final two months of the year when it comes to holiday retail. Also, we speak to a New York Times reporter about a special way countries are fighting both debt and climate change.

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  • Nov 25, 2022

    Seoul offers cash to people who leave basement homes

    A man walks past an unscrewed security grill for a basement flat known as "banjiha" where three tenants, including a disabled woman and a teenager, died after they became trapped by floodwaters in their basement home in the Gwanak district of Seoul on August 11, 2022. - South Korea's capital has moved to ban the cramped basement flats made famous by Oscar-winning movie "Parasite" after four people drowned in subterranean dwellings during flooding caused by record-breaking rains this week. (Photo by Anthony WALLACE / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)

    From the BBC World Service: South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is offering cash rewards of around $150/month to people who leave their cheap basement properties. The city is trying to phase out these out after four people drowned during severe flooding last summer. A new type of flu vaccine, which could offer protection against all known strains of flu, could soon begin human trials. And as Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season, retailers across Europe worry it could be the worst season in at least a decade.

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  • Nov 24, 2022

    Bird flu threatens to gobble up Thanksgiving worldwide

    Bird flu threatens to gobble up Thanksgiving worldwide
    Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images

    First, the BBC checks in on China, which is facing more COVID-related challenges. More homeowners are getting thankful for HELOCs – we’ll explain. A avian flu epidemic is one reason your turkey may have cost more than usual, and the issue is even worse in other parts of the world.

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  • Nov 24, 2022

    Telecom and aviation engage in another tussle over 5G

    Telecom and aviation engage in another tussle over 5G
    Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images

    The aviation industry argues that 5G cell phone network will mess with altimeters. The BBC reports from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, which is still mostly without power following Russian attacks. We speak with the CEO of an atypical food business about what it’s been like to navigate an unpredictable economy. 

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  • Nov 24, 2022

    Amid turkey shortage, Brits turn to festive alternatives

    Amid turkey shortage, Brits turn to festive alternatives
    Victoria Craig

    From the BBC World Service: The U.K. is experiencing a turkey shortage due to its biggest-ever outbreak of bird flu. That’s impacting U.S. expats this Thanksgiving, as well as many British families who would normally cook a turkey at Christmas. And the International Monetary Fund is calling on China to boost vaccinations and reconsider its zero-COVID strategy.

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