Week of September 29th, 2014

Iraqi Saed Toma Sliwa tells us what life is like under ISIS rule.

What SNAP benefits and food pantries can tell us about food insecury in the U.S.

When have you skipped the middle man, and just done it yourself?

The struggling tech company could plug its Alibaba windfall into Snapchat.

Hollywood isn't wild about letting authors adapt their books for the big screen

Lizzie O'Leary sits down for brunch to discuss the economic news of last week and what's on the plate this week (get it?).

To understand our economic choices, scientist Dave Eagleman says we should look at how our brains process time and information.

The unemployment rate is falling and some are now calling on the Federal Reserve  to start raising interest rates.  Does the famous “Phillips Curve” still apply in an age where the nature of unemployment has changed so radically? Next, in the wake of JP Morgan’s admission that 76 million households were hit with a data breach, up from just a few million in August, we explain how companies determine they have been breached, the forensics that go into identifying and repairing the breach, and what this means for JPMorgan’s 76 million households. We also take a look at the world of film adaptations – Gillian Flynn adapted her book “Gone Girl” into a screenplay herself, and she’s not the only author who has done the same very recently for high profile pics. It used to be pretty  hard for authors to get these gigs.  And, last but certainly not least, we trace the boom and bust of guar gum – a product used in everything from toothpaste to fracking.    

This weekend, Iraqi Saed Toma Sliwa tells us what life is like for residents in the war-torn country. Then, one in seven Americans is food insecure, meaning at least one member in a household goes without the recommended number of meals. How does that impact communities? Plus, heard of that new social network Ello? Find out what that has to do with the future of the internet. Doctors now have to disclose how much money they receive from pharmaceutical and other health-care organizations. What does that mean for patients? And D. Celine Gounder and Ben Walsh of the Huffington Post join us for brunch.

JP Morgan Chase says 76 million households' accounts were compromised this summer.

Inflation hawks see the specter of higher wages and prices in lower unemployment numbers, as workers gain leverage versus bosses.

Inside Energy traveled to Williston, the heart of the oil boom, to get answers.

Encouraging jobs reports, JPMorgan's data breach and Facebook's new health focus.

The jobs report for September, the economy of Brazil, and Canada's railways.

First up, JPMorgan Chase, one of the biggest of banks, has more information now on a colossal cyberattack from the summer. The bank says accounts were not cracked, but well over half the households in America had personal information taken, if you do the math. And today, government statisticians answer the question: was August’s weak employment report a fluke or a worrisome trend. So, what happened with jobs in September? Forecasters–and job seekers–will be especially disappointed if job creation doesn’t start with a two…as in something in the 200-thousands. Plus, as Marketplace celebrates its 25th birthday this year, we are looking at the surprising, sometimes delightful and sometimes destructive ways that prices have changed during that quarter century. Today, it’s the time policymakers tinkered with the government’s official measure of retail inflation, the Consumer Price Index. That’s calculated by monitoring the changing prices of a pre-determined basket of goods.

First up, Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, a contributor to PCMag, talks about high tech Hajj and whether or not it’s OK to take a pilgrimage selfie. And how well have you kept up with the week in tech news? Host Ben Johnson takes on Marketplace reporter Tracey Samuelson for this week’s Silicon Tally.

How well have you kept up with the week in tech news?

The humble railroad is a hot investment, thanks in part to crude oil.

In the 90s, the Boskin Commission changed the way we measure inflation.

High school students with college ambitions don’t always get there.

A study ranks Wi-Fi speeds at America's top coffee shop chains.

Berkshire Hathaway is buying the country’s fifth-largest group of auto dealers.

The causes of the rising dollar, and the winners and losers.

A global glut of oil has potential to pit key suppliers in a price war.

The dollar is getting stronger. For that, you can thank the decision to roll back quantitative easing in the U.S., and the European Central Bank’s decision to do more QE in the EU. Some people love a strong dollar, but others don’t. We look at why the dollar’s doing better, and who the winners and losers are this time round. Meanwhile, oil prices are falling in part because the global production of oil is reducing Saudi Arabia’s — and therefore OPEC’s — influence. Saudi Arabia was the swing state that could turn production up or down to affect prices. Now it’s keeping production up despite falling prices to avoid losing foreign buyers. Plus, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is getting into the auto market. The company is buying the Van Tuyl Group, which is America’s fifth-largest dealership. The purchase price is unknown, but we do know that whatever Buffett does, others watch very closely. What’s behind the move, and what does it say about the auto biz?

Loan fraud, prison banks and domain name speculation: Here's what we're reading.

The list of what can come after the 'dot' in a web address is growing.

CEO Brian Moynihan is getting another title: chairman of the board.

First up, Ashkan Soltani, an independent security researcher who studies privacy issues, talks about the balance between privacy and safety when it comes to mobile device encryption. Plus, you’ve heard it before: “We have an app, you know, so stop using our website.” That’s the message companies are trying to drum into users. Mobile is convenient, it’s personalized. But there’s more to it than that. Apps let companies mine far more of your personal data than websites.

First up, in the face of flagging recovery in the area that uses the Euro, the Europe Central Central Bank has already made it clear it plans to start a kind of Quantative Easing-lite: creating money to buy assets to stimulate the economy. More on that. And what can President Obama say to tout the U.S. economic picture? He has to try to explain why there’s something of a malaise among consumers (and voters) about the state of the economy. Plus, ever since Bill Gross, dubbed the King of Bonds, quit without notice from PIMCO less than a week ago, customers have withdrawn a colossal $23 billion out of PIMCO’s famous Total Return Fund. That’s by far a record for people taking their money and running from PIMCO. Bill Gross is now at Janus Capital. This may be a useful time for investors far and wide to reflect on their own investment strategies. 

A preview of the Jobs Report for September, a new title for Brian Moynihan and apps get nosy.

While unemployment has fallen to 6.1 percent, many people still feel uneasy.

Mary Barra promises higher profits, but also better cars.

Apps let companies mine far more of your personal data than websites.

Comedian Kurt Braunohler explains how what seemed like a huge waste of money actually turned into a valuable investment.

Many low-income students don't have the luxury of making even minor mistakes.

Enrollment, enrollment, enrollment. But why?

How the sci-fi franchise beat expectations and "conquered the universe.”

The Wall Street Journal reports on "planetary defense."

Intel plans to make its supply chain conflict-free by 2016.

Faced with price hikes for content, some small cable companies are cutting ties to big providers like Viacom.

The simple reality is that drug manufacturers want to make money.

Reddit announces new funding, and wants to work out a way to give back to its loyal community.

Higher fees and lower interest are pushing these small companies away from TV.

The first case of Ebola diagnosed in the U.S. raises the question of whether there will be a more concerted effort to create a vaccine or drug treatment for the disease. We explain the incentives at play when companies and governments pursue drugs, how the industry/marketplace respond to outbreaks, and how drug resources get mobilized. Next, small cable companies are getting out of the TV side of the business or reducing their offerings. We look at what this means for shows. Finally: Reddit has just raised $50 million in funding from investors and is preparing to give 10 percent of these shares back to its community of users as equity. This is a “long-held dream” says CEO Yishan Wong, and now it’s time to figure out how that model could actually work.

Jobs, drought and arrests in mainland China: Here's what we're reading Wednesday.

Health officials say beefing up bioterrorism preparedness years ago is paying off.

Ebola in the U.S., Colorado students get counted and signs of life at Jaguar.

First up, we’ll check in on business in Hong Hong amid the protests. Financial markets were closed there for the first of two days of planned national holidays. The time off work prompted some families to come out and view the pro-democracy demonstrations, a bet that there would be no crackdown by authorities at least for now.  And now that it’s October, medical charities make the big push for dollars; Down Syndrome Awareness month, Breast Cancer Awareness and more. We take a look at the business of charitable months. Plus, U.S. Military personnel get discounts on a variety of products at the commissary. But a piece of next year’s spending bill would eliminate the discount for tobacco. Supporters of the change highlight the $1.6 billion that the defense department spends on tobacco-related health issues.

First up, Brian Fung, who writes about technology for the Washington Post, talks about new rules in the works that could change the way the FCC regulates Aereo-like services online. Plus, we’re joined by Mike Toth, President of RB Toth Associates, to talk about using spectral imaging to identify hidden writing in manuscripts and historical documents.

Legislation wants the big business of selling tobacco to military members to stop.

There's a census of sorts in Colorado schools on Wednesday, which helps determine school budgets.

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And Physical Therapy Month. And more. Why?

Homelessness is on the rise among K–12 students.

Yes, about bricks.

Companies can use your mobile location data to learn what you do and what you buy.

The service has a virtual monopoly on streaming TV. How can anyone compete?

Read a passage from Paul Barrett's book about one lawyer's face-off with oil executives.

Today eBay announced that it’s going to split with PayPal and make both entities separate companies. Will PayPal users actually notice? In other tech-companies-talking news, Netflix has forged a deal with the Weinstein Company to stream a sequel to the hit movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” next year on the same day the movie is released in selected theaters. This disrupts the current movie distribution system, which mandates a delay between a movie’s release in theaters and its being made available in other forms – DVD, Pay TV and Video on Demand platforms. And finally, it’s the anniversary of the launch of HealthCare.gov. We check in.  

Netflix's new feature film deal leaves the big theater chains in the dust.

David Gura talks to Kenneth Shropshire of Wharton Sports Business Initiative.

EBay announced that it’s going to split with PayPal.

What a difference eight months makes.

But the NFL may still be able to black out games.

Secret Service slipups, solar power and the death of Saturday morning cartoons.

PayPal and eBay split, a change in health care payment and impact investing.

First up, Madeline Earp, a research analyst for the advocacy group Freedom House, joins us to talk about messaging apps and protests in Hong Kong. Plus, most people don’t want to think about what happens when you die. Lots of us don’t even have wills. But what happens to our digital accounts has become a more pressing issue in recent years, as people store more valuable and personal information virtually?

Health groups, nonprofits and drug companies have touted intrauterine devices.

There’s news today about which country will end the year as the top producer of petroleum. It’s a statistic that is altering both the oil market and geopolitics. And with tomorrow being the first of October, one year since the roll-out of healthcare.gov, the texture of health care in America is changing. For instance, there’s been disruption in the old pattern of health care providers sending bills and the insurance companies paying their portion. Now, some insurers are tying what they pay to how well the doctors, hospitals, and labs are doing their job. Plus, call it “Social and Environmental investing,” call it “Impact Investing,” applying our personal values to our portfolios is not a new idea. One big example in the 1980s, when college students forced their universities to sell their stakes in companies that did business with apartheid South Africa. But now a group of countries has come together and is recommending that governments help impact investing become an even more powerful force for making the world a better place.

Families of the deceased struggle to access the digital life of loved ones.

Commercial insurers are ditching or at least tweaking the way they pay providers.

Dating coaches update wardrobes, make reservations and even buy new hand towels.

Enrollment numbers are down for the second straight year.

The BBC's Justin Rowlatt looks at the economics behind chemical elements.

The student loan default rate in 2013 dipped to its lowest point since the recession.

A commentary on innovation, honesty and other words brands really like in videos.

Heisenberg may be off the air, but he's still part of Albuquerque's economic plan.

Thai scientists say they have a robot that can tell whether ethnic food is "real."

When phone users were allowed to keep their numbers, a new system was created to track them.

Facebook's new advertising tool Atlas helps companies improve their targeting.

Hong Kong is uniquely positioned in the global economy.

Three days of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have nearly shut down the city. They’ve also made financial traders around the world nervous. Prices dropped on Asian and European exchanges today and U.S. stocks also opened lower. Why what happens in Hong Kong matters to U.S. and global markets. Meanwhile, Facebook has launched its rebuilt advertising platform. Atlas, as it’s called, will let marketers use the knowledge and information the company has of its users to target them on mobile apps and websites. Why has it taken so long for Facebook to launch this, and what impact will it have on the company’s competitors and users?

Hong Kong protests, Bernanke in court and more Facebook privacy concerns.

Communing on investing with a conscience.

Former CEO of AIG Hank Greenberg is suing over the 2008 bailout.

AIG goes to trial, Narendra Modi visits the U.S. and food gets VC funding.

“Food Tech” is a hotspot in Silicon Valley right now. So of course, if you’re hungry, there’s an app for that. Plus, we talk about Xbox’s debut in China with Molly Wood, technology columnist for the New York Times.

Does copyright law favor the famous?

Banks are making money by charging fees to customers of other banks.

Hungry? There's an algorithm for that …

There are more than 3 million Indian-Americans, and many are prospering here.

First up, questions are being raised on whether Apple and other companies took advantage of illegal tax arrangements. The European Union is reportedly set to take Apple and Ireland to task for what regulators see as a sweetheart tax deal for the Silicon Valley giant. Plus, you think of the ATM as a way to get money, but a new study shows that increasingly, it’s the other way around. Bankrate.com released a survey today showing that ATM fees are up as much as 5 percent in some parts of the country. And an update on the art of the steal: over the past few years there have been a number of legal spats between artists accusing other artists of swiping their concept. Richard Prince, or the late David Smith come to mind. Stealing art is legally okay…except when it’s not. More on how that vagueness is a thorn in the side of the expensive art market.