From the BBC World Service: The Chinese Foreign Ministry described Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan as an “egregious provocation” and that it ignored China’s “serious concerns”. Plus, three more grain ships have sailed from Ukraine, bound for Turkey, Ireland and the U.K. And, medical recruitment is a global challenge for hospitals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ JOLTS report is out, and it indicates that the labor market may be in the early stages of cooling off. We talk about what the report means, and if businesses are feeling less hiring pressure. The Bank of England raised rates today in its biggest increase since 1995. And, horses are back working in French wine country, bucking their mechanical tractor counterparts. 

Senate Democrats are working out the details of their latest spending bill, dubbed the “Inflation Reduction Act.” We go over what’s been going on with the bill, and some contentious corporate tax proposals. Tensions between Taiwan and China are starting to disrupt commerce and some flights. The Department of Transportation is beginning to take comments on a potential move to boost protections for airline passengers seeking refunds for tickets.

From the BBC World Service: We hear from the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan, an organization with more than 500 member firms there. Plus, the Bank of England is expected to make its biggest interest rates rise in 27 years. And, with fears of gas shortages intensifying in Germany, businesses are preparing for what could be a tough winter ahead. 

China correspondent Jennifer Pak joins us to discuss the economic implications of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. The rate of people who don’t have health coverage in the U.S. has lowered. The surge of warehouse building raises concerns about the environment.

From the BBC World Service: Taiwan’s President Tsai highlighted a growing military threat from China, the economic reality of the highest-profile U.S. visit in 25 years. Plus, inspections on the first grain ship to leave Ukraine since the war broke out have been completed in waters off Istanbul. And, farmers say Dutch government proposals to reduce nitrogen emissions in the sector by 30% are unrealistic and unfair.

The bill especially helps Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. Questions are swirling around schools’ use of tracking software on student laptops. A study finds that low-income people suffer the most when it comes to the effects of wildfires.

Global shipping giant Maersk offers up a snapshot of the state of the supply chain. Larry Adam at Raymond James co-pilots today’s discussion about market activity. A study reveals that in the face of rising costs, there’s no place like home for younger people.

BP raked in $8.5 billion in profits in the three months ending in June, and you can add that figure to the mountain of profits from other Western oil and gas companies. The position of substitute teacher has grown in prominence. High-tech companies in the U.S. are investing in China, and that raises a lot of questions.