From the BBC World Service: While high inflation concerns are keeping policymakers up at night in many parts of the world, prices in China are rising, but a slower rate than expected. Plus, Quebec plans to impose a tax on people who refuse to get a COVID-19 vaccine. And, the English company that’s looking to use nuclear fusion to help generate cheaper, greener power. 

Also today: Susan Schmidt joins us for our chat about the markets. Vaccine mandates could disrupt truckers heading into Canada from the United States, which could further compound supply chain issues.

Also today: Childrens’ data hits the dark web. California remains a holdout for legalized sports gambling, and many groups are jostling for position to control that potentially lucrative scene.

From the BBC World Service: The United Nations is asking for $5 billion to help alleviate a worsening humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan, with around half the population struggling to find enough to eat. Also, data show Heathrow Airport saw fewer travelers in 2021 than even during the height of the pandemic in 2020.

Also today: The Chinese city of Tianjin’s 14 million residents are going to undergo COVID testing after more than 40 cases popped up there over the weekend. The BBC reports on how people in rural Spain are campaigning for more investment and better infrastructure.

Also today: The Biden administration want to help small business. The art of the side hustle could be more complicated when it comes to taxes.

From the BBC World Service: That’s more than half of all employees at New Oriental, one of China’s biggest private-tutoring companies. It comes after Beijing implemented stricter rules on private education sector last summer as it tightens regulation in various industries. Plus, the Philippines is the latest Asian country to appeal to Indonesia to lift its ban on coal exports. And, people in rural Spain are campaigning for more investment and better infrastructure.

Also today: Julia Coronado joins us to discuss the release of the latest jobs data, which shows a somewhat underwhelming December. In an effort to turn things around, GameStop is about to explore the space of cryptocurrency and NFTs.

Also today: While inflation has been seen as a kind of economic dark cloud by many, some marketing possibilities might exist within it. The BBC reports on steel tariffs in the United Kingdom.