Week of April 23rd, 2018

This week European leaders met with President Trump, there's new numbers on the economy out … let's break down the week's economic news.

We revisit a dairy farmer, a convenience store owner, a homeowner and a community center to see where things stand seven months after Hurricane Maria.

App-based lenders, like Rocket Mortgage, are getting more and more powerful.

The football rookie draft is expected to bring $100 million in economic activity.

The impact of a looming school closure on the owners of a food truck who have been feeding students and parents for 31 years.

You don't usually get to choose who you spend your days with, so Ask a Manager's Alison Green teaches you how to navigate choppy waters.

We check in with Gov. Ricardo Rosselló on housing, education, pensions, and who is actually in charge.

(Markets Edition) The U.S. GDP’s growth figure is out for the first quarter, showing that the economy grew at a rate of 2.3 percent — a slowdown from 2.9 percent during the previous quarter. We’ll hear from Chris Low — chief economist at FTN Financial — about the reasons for this, and why this percentage is still actually better than many people expected. Afterwards, we’ll talk to Marketplace Weekend host Lizzie O’Leary about Puerto Rico’s housing crisis. 

Consumer spending turned in the weakest performance in nearly five years.

In a historic moment, North and South Korea have pledged there will be "no more war."

(U.S. Edition) North and South Korea have pledged they will never fight another war — but are these truce talks too good to be true? We’ll take a look at their decision to pursue “complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.” Afterwards, we’ll talk about the percentage of GDP that Germany spends on defense, and how it’s committed to hitting a 2 percent target by 2024, like all NATO countries. Plus: We chat with political science professor Diana Mutz about her recent study arguing that the 2016 presidential election was not, as prevailing narratives suggest, driven by economic frustration. 

One political science professor says that the "left behind" argument isn't what really drove the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

The e-cigarette manufacturer Juul started off aiming its product at adult smokers looking to quit, but now the brightly-colored, fruit-flavored refill cartridges have caught on with teens, and the FDA is stepping in. We’ll talk about it. Plus: the view from Dallas on NFL Draft Day, and the Avengers’ infinite sponsorships. Plus, everything’s looking up at Amazon: profits — and the cost of a prime membership.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … A historic joint statement from the leaders of North and South Korea caps an equally historic day in the border village of Panmunjom. We’ll take you there and hear from the two leaders. Then, to Liverpool of Beatles fame. The city gets around 62 million visitors a year, but we’ll hear from a guide there who says formal tours to the Cavern Quarter are ticking down. 

Last week 34 tech companies signed the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, saying they won’t help any government, including the U.S., carry out cyber-attacks. That came amid warnings from the U.S. and the U.K. about the Russian government’s global attempts to hack routers and other network equipment. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood spoke with Bruce Schneier, a cybersecurity expert at Harvard, about how tech companies will play a role in combating international cyber threats.

Some tech companies agree they won't help nations launch cyberattacks, but will they have a choice?

Government officials plan to close over 280 public schools, combine resources and introduce charter schools and a private school voucher program to the island.

(Markets Edition) On Friday, we’ll get the first government reading on economic growth from January to March. We’ll hear from Diane Swonk, chief economist at the consulting and accounting firm Grant Thorton, about what should we expect. Afterwards, we’ll look at how Facebook fared in its first-quarter earnings report, and then we’ll visit the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China — one of the world’s largest import and export trade fairs — about how manufacturers are reacting toward the threat of U.S. tariffs. 

There's no official count of how many people lived in makeshift, informal housing but estimates put over half of the housing on the island as built informally.

We spoke to Chinese manufacturers in Guangzhou city in Southern China at one of the world’s biggest trade shows — the Canton Fair.

Los Angeles’ homeless population grew by more than 20 percent last year, and three-fourths of that population lives outdoors.

"This is a very big deal … for all small entrepreneurs everywhere," Etsy's CEO says.

(U.S. Edition) As Amazon gets ready to report its first-quarter earnings today, we’ll look at the online retailer’s massive success, which includes a milestone of 100 million Prime members and the growth of its cloud storage service. But can it keep up with this pace? Then, ahead of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit with President Trump on Friday, we’ll discuss what Merkel hopes to get out of these talks. Plus: How informal housing in Puerto Rico has made it harder for the territory’s residents to get FEMA money to rebuild. 

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … A big restructuring at Deutsche Bank means job cuts are on the way. Where is Germany’s biggest lender shifting focus under a newly minted CEO?  Then, a French billionaire is under formal investigation for alleged meddling in two African countries. Afterward, melting Arctic ice is making Greenland’s vast mineral resources more accessible. We’ll explain why elections this week may help the country’s economy shift toward a bigger focus on mining. 

Will online business be forced to collect state sales taxes? That question will go before the Supreme Court sometime in June. Traditionally, businesses only need to collect sales taxes in states where they have a physical presence. But South Dakota recently passed a law to change that. Two companies, Wayfair and Overstock, sued the state. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood spoke with Josh Silverman, the CEO of Etsy, about how the court battle could affect smaller online retailers.   

Midland, in the heart of the Permian Basin, struggles to house workers and even longtime residents.

We took a look at requests submitted to the Department of Commerce.

Amid tensions, Chinese manufacturers at the Canton Fair say they are squeezed on many fronts.

If what’s past is prologue, we’re in for a change of mood at the White House. French President Emmanuel Macron’s on his way out of town, after what you can only call a very warm reception from President Donald Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel shows up on Friday. The two European leaders are pushing the same agenda, but they’re going to be greeted much differently. Then: CFPB head Mick Mulvaney said last night he wants to take the agency’s database of consumer complaints offline, out of public view. We’ll explain what’s going on. Plus: A visit to Guangzhou, the south China home of the world’s biggest trade show, Canton Fair. 

Marketplace is looking for stories that relate to disability and the economy.

Commissioner Jay Monahan talks about how the sport needs to keep up with technology.

Jay Monahan is a little over a year into running the PGA Tour, and he wants you to know it's OK to bring your cellphone onto the green.

(Markets Edition) The 10-year Treasury yield remains above 3 percent, which some are blaming for our market decline. We’ll talk with Susan Schmidt, senior portfolio manager at Westwood Holdings Group, about why this narrative might be wrong. Afterwards, we’ll look at the connection between high gas prices and SUV/pick-up truck sales, and then we’ll visit Midland, Texas, to find out why the region — one of the richest in the nation — has schools that consistently rank among the poorest in Texas. 

(U.S. Edition) As the U.S. increasingly looks to Europe as a model for how to regulate internet companies, we’ll look at how Europe is cracking down on one popular communication tool. There’s word Whatsapp, which allows you to text and make voice and video calls using encrypted Wi-Fi, will cut off kids under 16. Afterwards, we’ll talk to Zanny Minton Beddoes — editor in chief of The Economist — about how she thinks liberalism should adapt to the needs of the 21st century.    

Midland, Texas, is doing well with high oil prices but having trouble retaining teachers for its public schools.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … The fifth time might just be a charm for Japanese drug maker Takeda in its bid to buy Shire. What’s the Irish company’s big allure, and how much is Takeda willing to pay? Then, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is at 3 percent for the first time in four years. How does it impact you, and why does that level matter? Afterwards, today marks three years since Nepal was hit with a series of deadly earthquakes. We’ll take you to Kathmandu where one architect thinks he has the answer for making more indestructible buildings. 

Bamboo is very lightweight. It compares to bird's bone in density, but in strength it compares to steel.

A conversation with Zanny Minton Beddoes, the editor-in-chief of the Economist.

Political campaigns want your data. At least that’s what the Facebook and Cambridge Analytica scandal taught us. But data isn’t just a factor in presidential politics. Local campaigns collect lots of data as well, and that data needs to be secured. Marketpalce Tech host Molly Wood spoke with Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams about what kinds of information smaller campaigns have. 

Many people arrested for low-level offenses get bail set at amounts they can’t afford. Lives fall apart because of it.

In LA, sitting in and complaining about traffic is a way of life. But the congestion is also a sign of a thriving economy.

Times are good in the Permian Basin, but schools and roads still need improvement.

(Markets Edition) A key benchmark for interest rates in America — the government’s 10-year Treasury note — just crossed above 3 percent since the first time since 2013. We’ll talk with economist Julia Coronado about some of the causes for this increase. Afterwards, we’ll look at the disparities between the rich and poor in oil-rich Midland, Texas — an area where the median household income  is $70,000. Plus: A look at the quarterly earnings report of Google’s parent company, Alphabet.

Political leaders tend to favor short-term policies.

In Midland, Texas, the gap between rich and poor is evident at every turn.

(U.S. Edition) As French President Emmanuel Macron prepares to meet with President Trump at the White House today, we’ll discuss what’s on the agenda. A major item you can expect: steel and aluminium tariffs. Afterwards, we’ll look at how smaller banks are restructuring to get away from tougher Federal Reserve regulation, and then we’ll talk with political scientist Ian Bremmer — founder of the political risk consultancy The Eurasia Group — about why he thinks globalism has failed. 

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Iran’s president today warned of “severe consequences” if President Trump pulls America out of the nuclear deal Iran signed with global leaders in 2015. Can French President Emmanuel Macron talk the American leader into staying in the pact during his state visit? Then, a report from McKinsey says Asian countries could add $4.5 trillion to their collective annual GDP by getting more women in the workplace. Afterwards, the Me Too movement has reached India, a country seeing a decline in the number of working women as some businesses flat-out refuse to hire females. We’ll take you to Kolkata to hear from some of the women pushing for more equality. 

The economy is doing well, but the average person is angry. "The alternative is that you change the social contract," one expert says.

The days are numbered for federal net neutrality regulations. In response, some states are working on their own versions to prevent internet service providers (ISP) from blocking, slowing or charging more for some web traffic. Oregon, Washington and several other states have made new rules, but a bill working its way through the California legislature would go the furthest. Marketplace Tech host Molly Wood spoke with Ryan Singel, a media and strategy fellow at Stanford Law School, about how a state can regulate a business that crosses state lines.  

Recent scary movie hits like "Get Out" show that a movie doesn't need a big budget to be a hit.

An excerpt from economist Dambisa Moyo's book, "Edge of Chaos."

Chlorpyrifos has helped protect crops from pests since 1965, but it's also been linked in studies to low-IQ babies and dead fish.

A look at the origins of the song that the FBI investigated for 18 months.

(Markets Edition) The fiduciary rule — which says investment advisers and stockbrokers have to act in the best interest of their clients — is going away. We’ll look at the standards that were previously in place, and what the Securities and Exchange Commission is pushing for now. Afterwards, we’ll talk about one personal finance expert’s decision to sue Facebook after he saw his image used in ads for get-rich-quick schemes. 

But economists say more hiring and bigger profits ahead have little to do with tax cuts.

(U.S. Edition) In the coming days, the Supreme Court will feature arguments in some interesting cases. Today, we’ll look at Lucia vs. the Securities and Exchange Commission, which focuses on whether judges within the SEC should be political appointees. Afterwards, we’ll discuss what net neutrality advocates are still doing to challenge the Federal Communication Commission’s repeal of the law. Plus: A conversation with reporter David Weinberg about the backstory of the famous song “Louie Louie.”

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Politics, income differences and immigration are some of the biggest factors dividing societies around the world, according to a new study commissioned by the BBC.  We’ll explain where the tension is strongest, and why people think their countries are more divided now than 10 years ago. Then, Fashion Revolution Week is raising awareness about transparency in the fashion supply chain as it marks five years since a factory collapse in Bangladesh killed more than 1,000 people. While there’s been an improvement in reporting of things like worker conditions and waste, there’s still a ways to go.

The U.S. rank might be a bit surprising.

Robots are coming for all our jobs, right? It can be hard not to feel that way given the pace of automation. But if it really is inevitable, are we doing anything to prepare for it? Enter the Automation Readiness Index, a research project put together by The Economist and funded by Swiss robotics giant ABB. It’s a global list ranking the nations most prepared to smoothly integrate “intelligent automation into their economies.” Marketplace Tech Host Molly Wood spoke with Guido Jouret, ABB’s chief digital officer, about which countries came out on top and how the United States is faring.