Latest from Leanna Byrne

• Feb 15, 2023

  There’s a new Space Race, and it’s private this time

  

  There’s a new race to the moon underway between private firms offering cargo-carrying services. This is just the beginning of a new age of space commercialization, says The Economist’s Tom Standage. The Securities and Exchange Commission is issuing new rules that tighten the window companies have to execute stock trades, which comes in response to the 2021 GameStop trading fiasco. And, natural gas firms, flush with profits, cut back hedging last year. 

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• Feb 15, 2023

  Could frozen Russian assets help rebuild Ukraine?

  

  From the BBC World Service: The European Union has formed a working group to look at the idea of using seized Russian assets – from central bank reserves to superyachts – to help rebuild Ukraine. Plus, the war in Ukraine contributed to soaring energy prices in Europe. Now a mechanism to limit natural gas prices on the continent has came into effect. We look at how it works and the impact it could have. And finally, why the British Royal Family has chosen not to include an infamous diamond in a coronation crown.

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• Feb 14, 2023

  Inflation moderates again — a bit

  

  Today’s inflation report showed a slight tapering in rising prices — it was 6.4% compared to 6.5% in December. That’s a marginal improvement, but it’s still much too high for comfort for the Federal Reserve and market watchers who may have been expecting a sharper decrease. The Fed’s Vice Chair, Lael Brainard, has been tapped by President Biden to lead the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers. Some states are moving to expand Medicaid to food-related health services, which would represent a shift from previous programs. And, why colleges may soon begin implementing more programs designed for midcareer professionals. 

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• Feb 14, 2023

  Romance scammers are loading up their Cupid’s arrows

  

  This Valentine’s Day, lots of people are going to be out in search of love — in the case of online romance scammers, they’ll be looking for a big payday. We talked with Dina Temple-Raston, host of the cyber-focused podcast “Click Here” about the proliferation of online romance scams and what her conversation with a former scammer revealed. Ford announced it will be cutting its workforce in Europe by more than a tenth, which the company said will allow it to invest more into electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S. And, online scammers are exploiting the earthquake in Turkey and Syria by creating fake donations accounts. 

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• Feb 14, 2023

  Ford slashes its workforce in Europe

  

  From the BBC World Service: Ford is cutting jobs to get over its next big hurdle: transitioning to electric vehicles. 3,800 jobs are going at the car maker, as part of a major restructuring programme in Europe. We find out why. Plus it’s all change at the Bank of Japan, as Kazuo Ueda is nominated to be its new head. And, we talk to an old-fashioned Irish matchmaker on Valentine’s Day.

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• Feb 13, 2023

  Senators, President Biden take aim at corporate “junk fees”

  

  As the new Congress gets underway, one priority for a bipartisan group of senators led by Massachusetts’ Ed Markey is getting rid of corporate “junk fees,” starting with ones airlines charge parents to sit with their young children. It’s a sentiment that’s been echoed by President Biden, who focused on extraneous fees in his recent State of the Union address. Recent economic data has been positively upbeat, but economist Julia Coronado warns that some of the good news could be overstated because of seasonal trends. And, a look inside the world of regenerative agriculture, a greener alternative to traditional farming. 

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• Feb 13, 2023

  How permanent is remote work really going to be?

  

  The remote working trend that started during the pandemic may be tapering off as employers require employees to come back in the office, but it’s likely to stick around in some form. According to Chris Farrell, that’s because employers that offer remote work will now be able to distinguish themselves in the labor market. The U.S. government is imposing economic restrictions on the Chinese firms that manufacture balloons from U.S. technology. And, consumers in the coming year may be a bit more inclined to shop cautiously as the economy slows and pocketbooks tighten.

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• Feb 13, 2023

  All out! Strikes continue across Europe

  

  From the BBC World Service: There’s been no rest for industrial unrest in Europe as another week of strikes kick off across the continent. We hear from France, Portugal and Spain. Plus, the authorities in Turkey make arrests over suspected building violations in the wake of the deadly earthquake. And, many economies depend on remittances – money sent home from workers or families overseas – but tighter budgets around the world mean less money is being sent to Pakistan at a time when it’s struggling with a foreign currency crisis.

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