Latest from Jonathan Frewin

• Apr 16, 2021

  The light at the end of the tunnel … in numbers

  

  Those numbers: An 18.3% jump in GDP for China in the first quarter and U.S. stock market highs yesterday. They reflect an optimistic economic outlook going forward. Plus, a new Brookings Institution report on the “staggering” lack of diversity among the directors of the 12 regional Federal Reserve banks. And, continuing to gauge what’s ahead for the U.S. economy in terms of inflation.

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• Apr 16, 2021

  China’s 18.3% jump in GDP is impressive, but skewed

  

  From the BBC World Service: Economists say it’s difficult to compare the start of this year with the period between January and March 2020, because activity plunged when the pandemic started. Also, the boss of Europe’s biggest travel group TUI says vaccine passports and more testing will help save vacation season. And, why drone racing is a big money generator.

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• Apr 15, 2021

  March was a month of shopping in the U.S.

  

  Vaccinations and stimulus checks are behind the news that retail sales took off, up nearly 10% in March. Plus, new U.S. sanctions for Russia target Moscow’s sovereign debt, what investors are lending to Russia. Also, hundreds of companies sign statements opposing “any discriminatory legislation” that would make it harder for people to vote in the U.S. And, why small business owners are having trouble filling open positions.

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• Apr 15, 2021

  That design style for tech companies you see everywhere

  

  You know the one we’re talking about: sans-serif fonts, pastel palettes, long-limbed cartoon figures. Why is it so ubiquitous? And what is it hiding? Plus, expected new U.S. sanctions on Russia to respond to the massive hacking campaign attributed to Moscow, with digital intrusions into U.S. federal agencies. And, officials from Britain and the EU are set to meet and discuss the effects of Brexit on Northern Ireland.

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• Apr 15, 2021

  Let’s talk about the new Irish Sea trade border

  

  From the BBC World Service: Top officials from the U.K. and the European Union will discuss the effect Brexit is having on Northern Ireland, which has experienced trade bottlenecks and street protests. And, Taiwan shuts off irrigation to some farmers as it prioritizes its valuable semiconductor chip industry.

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• Apr 14, 2021

  New numbers on pandemic hardship

  

  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute studied how much material hardship has increased during the pandemic and for whom. Also, what big banks’ earnings reports have to say about consumer behavior. Plus, stockpiles of grounded airplanes parked in various deserts for the time being with air travel down. And, 50 years ago this week, “pingpong diplomacy” gave way to more economic engagement between the U.S. and China. 

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• Apr 14, 2021

  Coinbase set to hit the Nasdaq today

  

  The cryptocurrency exchange company will be the first major crypto business to go public in the U.S. Plus, the Ever Given cargo ship of Suez Canal fame is stuck again — but this time it’s being held by Egyptian officials over $900 million. And, big declines in enrollment for tribal community colleges during COVID.

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• Apr 14, 2021

  Europe’s goal for COVID recovery bonds? Nearly $1 trillion.

  

  From the BBC World Service: The European Commission plans to raise money through bonds to fund its COVID recovery plan. Also, Egypt impounds the Ever Given container ship demanding compensation. Plus, India, often called the world’s pharmacy, plans fast-track approval for COVID vaccine imports. And, the Netherlands experiments with bringing cafe and bar patrons back indoors.

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• Apr 13, 2021

  The era of the COVID lawsuit

  

  We start with news on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine: Federal health officials want a temporarily pause on giving it out. Plus, a former employee of the online retailer Wayfair sued the company, claiming he was fired because he needed to care for his kids during the pandemic. More cases like this are on the way, corporate lawyers say. Also, the latest reading of consumer prices shows they’re up, but let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture. And, White House data on how it thinks each state would benefit from the American Jobs Plan infrastructure proposal.

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• Apr 13, 2021

  New EU tariffs on Chinese aluminum go into effect today

  

  From the BBC World Service: European producers have complained that cheaper Chinese metal imports were putting them out of business. Could these provisional tariffs spark a tit-for-tat trade spat? Plus, we explore how Brexit may be fueling more conflict in Northern Ireland and how the U.S. could look to help ease tensions.

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