From the BBC World Service: Record-breaking floods across Pakistan are estimated to have washed away 45% of the nation’s croplands and with resources on the ground in short supply, delivering aid is a mammoth task. Australia’s government is moving quickly to try to address a chronic worker shortage that’s left businesses scrambling across the country; it will raise its cap on permanent migration for the first time in a decade. And nations in the Western Balkans are meeting to discuss more regional economic co-operation.

First, Diane Swonk of KPMG joins us for today’s talk about what the markets are doing in the wake of new unemployment data. The Biden administration’s restrictions on computer chip sales to China and Russia have put a Silicon Valley chipmaker in a bind. The BBC reports on how the idea of speed limits on Germany’s Autobahn has accelerated debate among drivers.

But first, Oxfam America put together a list of the best (and worst) states for workers to live in, and there are a few things that link the worst states together. We talk to senior economics contributor Chris Farrell about the economic lessons one can take from the Rolling Stones.

From the BBC World Service: Australia’s government is holding a two-day summit in Canberra with business groups and trade unions to figure out what to do about a lack of workers for some jobs. Also, the International Monetary Fund approved a $1.2 billion loan for Sri Lanka to prevent an all-out economic collapse, after a week of talks with government officials. And, in Ethiopia, we hear about the early effects of losing out on a lucrative U.S. trade deal because of the unrest in the country.

Susan Schmidt checks in with us for our discussion about market activity as the ADP jobs report numbers emerge. Some states still plan on taxing canceled student loan debt. We look into where gig workers fit in with this constantly reshaping economy.

Today, ADP Research Institute and Stanford Economy Lab releases what they say is more detailed employment data. We talk about what it’s like to form a startup under the current economic conditions.

From the BBC World Service: Japan’s defense ministry has requested a record $40 billion for its next budget, even though the country can’t have an active military under its pacifist constitution after losing World War II. Plus, Russia has again cut off gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany. And, Germany considers a speed limit on its famed autobahn (freeways) as part of efforts to save fuel.

First, reports on consumer confidence and jobs emerged today, offering up a clearer picture on what’s been a weird economy thus far. We delve into the Jones Act and its role in heating oil shortages. The BBC reports on the arrival of a grain ship in time to aid drought-ridden east Africa. The spike in diesel fuel prices has left an impact on rural business.

The FTC has zeroed in on a company that sells geolocation data, adding more fuel to the discussion about data privacy. Speaking of being watched, some companies are using software to remotely track worker productivity.