President Biden’s call for a suspension of the gas tax holiday probably sounds like an awesome way to ease the pain of high gas prices, but it might not be as productive as it sounds. In fact, it could make some things worse. The Food and Drug Administration is poised to ban Juul e-cigarettes from store shelves. Dr. Trevon Logan of The Ohio State University joins us to discuss some history behind the Fed’s interest rate raises.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell told the Senate Banking Committee on Wednesday that recession is possible, and he’s expected to testify before the House Financial Services Committee today as part of his twice-a-year report to Congress on monetary policy. The Oscar-nominated documentary “Ascension” examines the concept of the Chinese dream through the lens of several people woven into its shifting economy. China correspondent Jennifer Pak discusses how Chinese society is actively manifesting that dream. 

From the BBC World Service: The Taliban government in Afghanistan is appealing for more international support as the country struggles to cope with yesterday’s devastating earthquake. The European Union is expected to approve Ukraine as a candidate for membership of the bloc. And French President Emmanuel Macron has lost his majority in parliament, so what next for his economic agenda?

The agriculture industry is feeling the effects of a heat wave making its way across the country. China correspondent Jennifer Pak provides another update from Shanghai, which is shaking off the effects of a long COVID lockdown. Meta and the Department of Justice have reached a settlement regarding its housing-related advertising.

A recent report shows that tech companies – many who have been at the forefront of climate action – could actually be aiding the expansion of the fossil fuel industry through their significant bank deposits. Bill McKibben, a longtime environmental activist and founder of the new climate advocacy group Third Act, helps us dive into what this means. President Biden is officially supporting a three-month suspension of the federal fuel tax to ease the pain at the pump. A group of renewable energy developers is ready to buy $6 billion in solar panels … if they’re American made.

From the BBC World Service: As its economy falters, Turkey welcomes the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the first time since the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.  As the world gears up for the soccer World Cup in Qatar, a migrant worker who helped build its infrastructure speaks out about his treatment. And the Glastonbury Music Festival is back for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

The appointee is Marilynn Malerba, chief of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut. In her new role, Malerba will have the distinction of being the first Native American whose name will appear on U.S. currency. Lindsey Piegza of Stifel Financial joins us to discuss the markets. Homebuyers are still paying top dollar to live in high-tier school districts. 

A new study from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania finds that 47.7% of workers are not covered by a retirement plan at work. The data also shows disparities based on race, gender, and education. Senior economics contributor Chris Farrell helps break down some of the information. President Biden is considering the suspension of the federal gas tax. The BBC reports on a massive workers strike that has halted railways in the U.K.

From the BBC World Service: Russia summons the EU ambassador after Lithuania’s blocks goods travelling by rail to Kaliningrad – a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea. British train schedules are thrown into chaos this morning by the biggest strike of railways workers in three decades. And Thailand has recently legalized cannabis, sparking a boom in related businesses.