From the BBC World Service: There are weather warnings across Italy and the heatwave in Spain is set to intensify, with temperatures predicted to reach 112 degrees near Seville, and there’s no let-up in sight. Amsterdam’s city’s council has banned cruise ships from the city center — the aim is to limit visitor numbers and curb pollution. Despite the huge popularity of the women’s soccer, as the World Cup gets underway, there’s controversy over the pay disparity between the men’s and women’s games.

Although some elite colleges are dropping legacy preference as a way to increase diversity without affirmative action, others might keep it around to buoy their bottom line. Plus, the fight for fairer workers compensation death benefits.

With so much commercial real estate sitting empty, banks are concerned that difficulty selling could snowball into credit losses and a rise in loan defaults. Will the broader economy feel that stress? Plus, FEMA needs more cash and Netflix’s stock dropped.

From the BBC World Service: Wheat prices have spiked after Russian attacks on grain stores in Ukraine, and a declaration that ships heading to Ukrainian ports will be considered military targets. Plus, current and former staff at McDonald’s in the UK continue to come forward alleging bullying or harassment following a BBC investigation. On Wednesday McDonald’s asked anyone who has experienced or witnessed inappropriate behavior to contact its new confidential and independent reporting line. And, as the women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand we hear from a top agent about the changing commercial landscape.

We are looking at the business stories around women’s soccer this week with the Women’s World Cup starting on Thursday. Today the story is what it’s like to be a pro player and a mom, and how maternity leave rules have changed.

In a flurry of announcements, the White House rolled out new measures calling for transparency on so-called “junk fees” for renters, as well as new proposed guidelines for corporate mergers. Plus, why electric vehicles are getting cheaper, why homebuilders are feeling a flush of confidence, and the WTO urges countries not to restrict food exports in the wake of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. 

From the BBC World Service: The UK’s inflation figures remain high today at 7.9%, although this is down from 8.7%. Why is it so high when compared to the USA (3%) and the Eurozone (5.5%)? Mohamed El-Erian, Chief economic adviser at German financial services group Allianz, explains. Plus, we hear from the Director General of the World Trade Organization, who has urged countries not to restrict food exports in the wake of Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal.

Global leaders will convene in San Francisco this fall for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Mayor London Breed says it’s one step in attracting and retaining the tech companies the city is known for. Plus, what it means that retail sales for June were lower than expected.

Between a homelessness crisis and difficulty retaining retailers downtown, San Francisco has work to do to attract tourists in pre-pandemic numbers. Mayor London Breed says her plan involves addressing homeless encampments and spending on law enforcement. Plus, will that all-but-promised recession ever happen?