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BBC Marketplace Senior Producer

Stephen Ryan

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

Latest from Stephen Ryan

  • Jan 11, 2021

    The next round of PPP loans

    Larger companies initially took advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program, which was intended to offer forgivable loans to smaller businesses.
    Kameleon007 via Getty Images

    Initially, only first-time loan applications from businesses working with small, community lenders will be accepted. Plus, the social media platforms and internet service providers that have blocked or otherwise cut ties with President Trump. And, Biden’s vow to make the environment a top priority.

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  • Jan 8, 2021

    The jobs recovery is over for now

    The unemployment rate stayed at 6.7%, the first time it hasn’t fallen since April.
    Mark Makela/Getty Images

    For the first month since April, the U.S. economy lost jobs in December. Plus, Biden taps nominees for the Departments of Commerce and Labor. And, at the current government auction, prices for 5G radio spectrum are through the roof.

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  • Jan 8, 2021

    Speeding up vaccine delivery

    "I'm hopeful that additional funding to public health will allow public health officials to start setting up publicly accessible, large-scale vaccination clinics," says Dr. Kelly Moore, deputy director of the Immunization Action Coalition.
    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    We’ve seen a slow start in many places. Plus, will hiring pick up in the new year with more vaccine rollout and COVID relief money? And, calls from a flight attendants union to ban people who invaded the U.S. Capitol from boarding flights.

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  • Jan 8, 2021

    Travelers to the U.K. need a negative COVID test starting next week

    Travelers to the U.K. will require proof of a negative result or face a fine on arrival.
    Leon Neal/Getty Images

    Airline and other travel executives have called for testing for months. So why has it taken this long? Plus, tariff-free access to the European Union is proving complex for U.K. exporters. And, the DIY “face-lift.”

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  • Jan 7, 2021

    What a Democratic Senate means for economic policy

    Jon Ossoff, left, and Raphael Warnock campaign with President-elect Joe Biden in Atlanta. With the victories of Ossoff and Warnock, Democrats will control the Senate.
    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    Plus, yesterday’s violence at the Capitol caused chaos for our democracy but also for people living, working and running businesses in Washington, D.C. And, delays on stimulus payments mean some won’t get the money until they file their taxes for 2020.

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  • Jan 7, 2021

    “The deeper structural ills of the American political system”

    An extremist holds a Trump flag inside the U.S. Capitol near the Senate chamber on Jan. 6.
    Win McNamee/Getty Images

    Plus, big business groups and corporations are condemning President Donald Trump after the violence at the Capitol yesterday. And, the Department of Labor just finalized a rule to makes it easier for companies to treat workers as independent contractors.

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  • Jan 7, 2021

    The social media president can’t tweet right now

    President Trump's account now shows some of his tweets are unavailable because they violate the social media platform's policies.
    EPA

    Twitter and Facebook temporarily suspended President Donald Trump’s accounts. Also, global stock markets rise despite violence and chaos in Washington, D.C. And Japan’s latest state of emergency over COVID-19.

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  • Jan 6, 2021

    Tracking donations for Georgia’s runoff election

    Democrat Jon Ossoff has raised the most money in direct donations to candidates so far, according to the latest Federal Election Commission reports.
    Megan Varner/Getty Images

    Record amounts of money poured into Georgia for the Senate runoff elections. Plus, ongoing reaction to runoff results from markets. Also, what’s behind rising oil prices. And, more action against Chinese software apps from President Trump.

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  • Jan 6, 2021

    How much does Trump’s ban on Chinese payment apps matter?

    The Chinese payment apps face a ban over national security concerns.
    Nicolas Asfouri/AFP via Getty Images

    A ban on apps including AliPay and WeChat in the U.S. could be largely symbolic as most of their customers are in China. Plus, traveling the world from the comfort of your home.

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  • Jan 6, 2021

    How markets are reading Georgia election results

    Democrat Raphael Warnock speaks at his Labor Canvass Launch at IBEW Local 613 on Jan. 5, 2021 in Marietta, Ga.
    Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

    How Georgia runoff election results are driving up U.S. Treasury note yields and fueling expectations about government spending. Plus, a forecast for the 2021 world economy with World Bank President David Malpass. And, a drop in marriages and divorces during the pandemic.

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