Latest from Jonathan Frewin

• May 28, 2021

  Good rental deals in cities are getting harder to find

  

  With workplaces reopening and people a little more certain about where they want to be, May apartment and home rental prices rose, on a national basis, at a record pace. Plus, some evidence that company mandates for vaccines can boost employee vaccination rates and aid communities. And, scientists have used artificial intelligence to set up a system that detects COVID-19 by the sound of a cough — with almost 100% accuracy.

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• May 28, 2021

  Russia blocks some flights that are avoiding Belarus

  

  From the BBC World Service: Russia has denied entry to two European airlines because they planned to avoid flying over Belarus to get to Moscow. EU leaders have asked European carriers to avoid Belarusian airspace this week after a Ryanair plane was forced to divert and land in Minsk on Sunday. Belarusian dissident journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were then arrested.

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• May 27, 2021

  How one Seattle business is reclaiming the narrative around Native art

  

  Eighth Generation is a retailer that had to close its Seattle store early in the pandemic but blossomed online. It features wool blankets and other items produced by Native artists. Also, more signs of recovery in new data on orders for long-lasting goods and weekly unemployment aid claims. And, bank profits were up nearly 30% in the first quarter this year, but the same report finds lending fell, driven by a drop in credit card balances. We take a closer look at how consumers are spending.

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• May 27, 2021

  The little engine that did … shake up the Exxon boardroom

  

  Activist hedge fund Engine No. 1, pushing for a change in Exxon Mobil’s climate strategy, got enough support from other shareholders to win at least two seats on the oil and gas company’s board. These types of challenges from activist investors tend not to get far. Plus, for the first time since President Joe Biden took office, the top trade representatives from the U.S. and China are talking. And, a study on the need for better, higher-paying jobs for young women as the pandemic recession recovery continues.

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• May 27, 2021

  Iran bans cryptocurrency mining for 4 months after blackouts

  

  From the BBC World Service: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani told a cabinet meeting that the main cause of the blackouts was a drought that had affected hydroelectric power generation. But he also said that cryptocurrency mining, 85% of which is unlicensed, was draining more than 2 gigawatts from the grid each day.

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• May 26, 2021

  Are Amazon prices fair or not?

  

  The District of Columbia is suing Amazon for allegedly fixing online prices at the expense of consumers. Plus, evidence that investors are seemingly less worried about inflation this week — at least so far. And, a new health care challenge is brewing: The part of Medicare that covers hospitalizations, hospice and skilled nursing is projected to become insolvent sooner than expected.

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• May 26, 2021

  Rosie the Riveter and Uncle Sam encourage service members to get the COVID vaccine

  

  We visit the airfield hangar at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, for a look at how military leaders are trying to convince soldiers to get vaccinated. Plus, the CEOs of big banks are testifying in Congress this week. We preview what they’ll be talking about. And, with more people out and about, the beauty market is rebounding.

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• May 26, 2021

  U.K. considers blocking stock listings on national security grounds

  

  From the BBC World Service: Companies could be blocked from listing on the London Stock Exchange on national security grounds, under new rules being considered by the U.K. Treasury.

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• May 25, 2021

  What Whole Foods and James Bond could soon have in common

  

  Amazon is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire MGM, which owns part of the Bond film franchise. The reported price tag at this point in time would make the acquisition Amazon’s second biggest after Whole Foods. Also, the latest national reading on home prices is up yet again. Plus, Peloton plans to build a factory in the U.S. And, an update on efforts to redirect police funding in cities across the country.

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• May 25, 2021

  Revisiting the costs of policing 1 year since George Floyd’s murder

  

  There’s legislation in Congress to change policing in the U.S., but it will not come today. We consult Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League. Also, a look at the current reading on consumer confidence. There are indications that some folks are ready to go on a spending spree.

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