From the BBC World Service: After two years of regulatory crackdown, why has there been such a stark and sudden change in tone toward the Chinese tech sector? Plus, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has rebuffed an aid plan from South Korea calling it “the height of absurdity.” And, how extra summer sun is great for Sweden’s light-time economy.

First, we check in with KPMG’s Diane Swonk about some signs that hiring is strong. A federal judge in Ohio has ordered CVS, Walgreens and Walmart to pay $650 million dollars in damages to two counties that sued over the dispensing of opioid painkillers in their communities. The BBC reports from Tanzania about farmers struggling with a lack of fertilizer due to chaos surrounding food prices and supplies, as well as the war in Ukraine.

But first, it appears meme stocks are back. We look into whether or not that actually helps companies. Then, we talk about fun and risk with a lawyer who has built a class around the chronicled perils of a defunct and notorious amusement park.

From the BBC World Service: Leaders from the United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine are meeting in Lviv to work out how to deal with a backlog of grain exports from Ukraine. Plus, Washington has announced its will begin talks with Taiwan on a new trade and investment deal, turning up the heat on simmering tensions with China. And, a global shortage of fertilizer and the high price of importing it is putting pressure on African farmers in Tanzania.

First, retail data for July has emerged from the Commerce Department. The downturn in new home construction offers a peek into the state of the housing market. The BBC reports on food prices and the pressure they bring to Peru and Nigeria.

Later this year, it’ll be possible to acquire hearing aids without a prescription. We attempt to read the tea leaves on retail data and consumer behavior. The BBC reports on how Cuba will allow foreign investment in local wholesale and retail trade for the first time since 1959.

From the BBC World Service: Residential areas in China’s southwestern Sichuan province have been told to limit the amount of electricity they’re using. Plus, Cuba will allow foreign investment in local wholesale and retail trade for the first time since the 1959 Communist revolution. And, what price pressures mean for families and businesses in Peru and Nigeria.

First, we take the economy’s pulse with the help of MetLife’s Drew Matus. States that rely on the Colorado River are struggling with the logistics of conservation as a government deadline has come and gone. China correspondent Jennifer Pak discusses the job environment for the nation’s young people.

The soon-to-be signed Inflation Reduction Act includes a variety of health care provisions, including allowing Medicare to negotiate over prescription drug prices. There appear to be questions on a vaccine plan against COVID variants. We check in with the BBC’s Victoria Craig regarding her chat with the former governor of the Afghan Central Bank.