Top economic and businesses stories of 2021

+ unemployed insurrectionists and the history of pasta US Edition - Today's top story: Jerome Powell keeps his job at the Fed, where he'll be responsible for preventing inflation from spiraling out of control – without tanking the economy [View in browser]( US Edition | 24 December 2021 [The Conversation]( Economists, businesses and consumers began the year with optimism. Back in January, trillions in additional coronavirus relief spending and new vaccines promised to end the pandemic and mend the U.S. economy. But 2021 is ending on a pessimistic note, as Americans prepare for skyrocketing coronavirus case counts brought on by omicron and fret about inflation, fueled by the pandemic, that’s the highest in 40 years. One of my favorite stories of the year was about the challenges the chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, will face in 2022. He’s the person, more than anyone else, tasked with the responsibility of somehow taming inflation. Economist Veronika Dolar deftly [explained just how important his job is]( in managing the economy and what it means for consumers and businesses. In another article we published in 2021, workplace scholar Elizabeth Tippett offered some straight talk to the insurrectionists who on Jan. 6 stormed the Capitol, many of whom promptly lost their day jobs as a result. Tippett [revealed how much power employers have to fire workers](, for almost any reason – or none at all – let alone for trying to overturn the democratic process. My third pick of the year is on a subject very near and dear to my heart: pasta. I’ve been making fresh pasta since I was in college, and so I was overjoyed when I finally got to commission my first story about noodles after someone invented a new shape. Food historian Jeffrey Miller heeded my call and [explained how agnolotti, bucatini and the new cascatelli]( got their shapes. We’ve also included three reader favorites from 2021. Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Bryan Keogh Senior Editor, Economy + Business We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you give now to support our work, our board will match your donation, up to $40,000. [Double my donation]( Editors' picks Biden reappointed Jerome Powell, seated at left, to head the Fed. Some progressives wanted him replaced with Lael Brainard, seated right. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta [Jerome Powell keeps his job at the Fed, where he’ll be responsible for preventing inflation from spiraling out of control – without tanking the economy]( Veronika Dolar, SUNY Old Westbury After weeks of mulling, Biden decided to give Powell another term as Fed chair, which means he will have more influence over the trajectory of inflation than anyone else. The man on the right wearing the Trump hat was identified by his badge as an employee of Navistar Direct Marketing, which fired him. AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta [Fired for storming the Capitol? Why most workers aren’t protected for what they do on their own time]( Elizabeth C. Tippett, University of Oregon The vast majority of US workers are deemed “at will,” which means they can be fired at any time, without notice, and for any reason. There are hundreds of varying shapes of pasta. AngiePhotos/E+ via Getty Images [Agnolotti, bucatini and the innovative new ‘cascatelli’ – a brief history of pasta shapes]( Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University Cascatelli, the world’s newest pasta shape, is shaped like a waterfall and designed to hold a generous quantity of sauce. Reader favorites Some workers aren’t that excited about a return to the office. Antonio Sanchez Albacete/EyeEm via Getty Images [Employees are feeling burned over broken work-from-home promises and corporate culture ‘BS’ as employers try to bring them back to the office]( Kimberly Merriman, UMass Lowell; David Greenway, UMass Lowell; Tamara Montag-Smit, UMass Lowell A divide is growing between workers and management over the return to the office and other issues. The global economy depends on shipping containers. AP Photo/Seth Wenig [Global shortage of shipping containers highlights their importance in getting goods to Amazon warehouses, store shelves and your door in time for Christmas]( Anna Nagurney, UMass Amherst Before the container was standardized, loading and unloading goods was very labor-intensive, inefficient and costly. Yachts, such as Roman Abramovich’s “Eclipse,” make up the biggest share of emissions for billionaires who own one. AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau [Private planes, mansions and superyachts: What gives billionaires like Musk and Abramovich such a massive carbon footprint]( Richard Wilk, Indiana University; Beatriz Barros, Indiana University Billionaires have carbon footprints hundreds of times higher than the average American. Two scholars tried to put a number on it. Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly emails: [Politics Weekly]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Weekly Highlights]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](