Latest from Jonathan Frewin

• Jul 6, 2021

  Hong Kong defends new data privacy rules as Big Tech bristles

  

  From the BBC World Service: The Asia Internet Coalition, which represents tech giants operating in Hong Kong, warned some firms might leave the territory over worries about the proposed law. The regulation is intended to tackle “doxxing,” the act of maliciously publishing people’s personal information online. Plus, a court in India asks Twitter to clarify how it is complying with new social media laws in the country. And, Cannes Film Festival rolls out its red carpet after being canceled last year.

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• Jul 5, 2021

  The return of back-to-school shopping

  

  School is back on for the fall, and so is back-to-school shopping. We look at how spending is expected to change. Also, the NCAA has temporarily suspended its rules restricting college athletes from making money by selling the rights to their names, images and likenesses. This new policy will likely prove to be a big financial boon for not just athletes, but also agents. Plus, what Spotify’s expansion into more than 40 African countries means for local streaming services there. And, how the pandemic may have changed theme parks for good going forward.

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• Jul 5, 2021

  The latest global ransomware attack

  

  The hackers behind a massive, worldwide cyberattack have a new demand. Now they apparently want $70 million. Plus, those in commercial fishing fear that offshore wind farms pose an existential threat to their industry. And, another place where touchless technology and mobile transactions are taking hold: U.S. theme parks.

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• Jul 5, 2021

  UAE stands firm against proposals to ramp up oil production

  

  From the BBC World Service: Russia and Saudi Arabia want to increase crude oil production later this year, as many Western countries ease pandemic restrictions. But anything that could see prices fall will be difficult to negotiate with the United Arab Emirates. Plus, a ransomware cyberattack on U.S. company Kaseya is having an effect in Swedish stores and even some schools in New Zealand. And, China’s crackdown on Big Tech is gaining momentum.

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• Jul 2, 2021

  The economy gained 850,000 jobs in June

  

  That’s better than expected. One economist says this is clear evidence that if there are problems in hiring, it’s because the economy is reopening so quickly, and bringing back millions of workers will take time. We also look at wage growth in the U.S. economy, where it’s concentrated and what it says about the state of the labor market. Also, AAA predicts a record number of Americans will travel by car this July Fourth weekend. Meanwhile, gas prices are expected to be at their highest levels since 2014. Plus, the bipartisan infrastructure deal could bring back a tax on toxic chemicals that expired in 1995. And, a roadmap from U.K. officials for how Britain plans to attract business in a post-Brexit world.

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• Jul 2, 2021

  Employers say they can’t fill jobs, but wages are still pretty stagnant

  

  Even though employers say they can’t find people available to work right now, there isn’t evidence of a widespread labor shortage, according to one economist we spoke to. We’ll explain. Plus, President Joe Biden’s plan for a global minimum corporate tax is one step closer reality. And, a plan for changing college admissions that one professor argues would help even the playing field: a lottery system.

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• Jul 2, 2021

  A global tax plan, but with compromises for China and India

  

  From the BBC World Service: In order to get countries including China and India to agree to a global corporate tax rate of at least 15%, other nations had to agree to an exemption for manufacturing. Plus, with financial services firms moving some jobs out of London since Brexit, the U.K. government has unveiled its plan to make the industry more competitive. We hear from Nicola Watkinson at TheCityUK on what a successful post-Brexit strategy could look like.

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• Jul 1, 2021

  A couple of reasons for investors to feel confident

  

  Those two indicators are weekly jobless claims and oil prices. Unemployment claims dropped again, and crude oil prices are north of $75 per barrel, the highest since 2018. Plus, a record financial penalty for online brokerage Robinhood. Plus, as the Chinese Communist Party turns 100, how the worker-employer relationship has changed in China over the years. And, why corporations must look internally as well as externally to address social inequity.

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• Jul 1, 2021

  A 4th of July without fireworks?

  

  Dry conditions and heat in parts of the West have raised the fire risk, so some cities are canceling fireworks celebrations. And even in places that are allowing shows, like with so much else these days, there’s a supply problem. Plus, an update on COVID vaccine passports from Europe. Also, a surge in tourism for national parks and what it means for local economies. And, our “Back to Business” series takes us today to Nebraska’s largest Black-owned business and how it’s handled the pandemic.

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• Jul 1, 2021

  U.K. plans for closer ties to U.S. on financial services

  

  From the BBC World Service: Britain’s finance minister Rishi Sunak says he wants to build on the $28 billion in financial services that the U.K. exports to the United States each year. We hear from Jonathan Hill, a former European Commissioner for Financial Stability who carried out a review for the British government on making the sector more competitive. Also, as China’s Communist Party turns 100, President Xi Jinping said his country’s economic and military renaissance has become irreversible. While the country has grown richer, its government has embraced private business, but with limits.

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