Week of January 7th, 2019

British lawmakers weigh the costs of leaving the EU without securing a deal.

Searches for "volatility" rose 253 percent in 2018, according to data from Merriam-Webster.

For years, when stocks were making gains, hedge funds were criticized for their fees and lackluster performance.

We asked shoppers in Shanghai if they're feeling the economic slowdown.

We talk to Chris Low, chief economist at FTN Financial about some new inflation data and how the benchmark 10-year interest rate is down. We also turn our attention to how the chaos of the stock market was actually welcome activity for hedge funds, which were made for this sort of thing. Then we head to Iran, where a Boeing 737 has been stuck since a technical issue cause it to land at Shiraz Airport. The delay is partly due to the U.S. government shutdown. Anu Anand of the BBC has more. Today’s show is sponsored by PDFfiller, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

A national survey finds that 80 percent of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. So, as the government shutdown lingers for federal workers who aren’t getting paid Friday, how do they manage the bills? We also talk to Sam Sherazi, who works for the federal government in D.C., about how the shutdown has affected life at home. Then we check in on airlines, which are reporting a decline in stocks and less positive outlooks on future revenue. Sabri Ben-Achour takes a deeper dive into why. Today’s show is sponsored by PDFfiller, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.  

Booth babes, tech bros and gender bias. Why is this still happening in 2019?

From the BBC World Service … What does former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn’s detention mean for the future of the car alliance as automakers struggle with slowing consumer demand, geopolitical tension, and worries of waning global growth?  Then, you might think the U.S. government shutdown only impacts the United States, but a Norwegian Boeing plane is stranded in Iran after an emergency landing four weeks ago. We’ll tell you why and explain what it’ll take to get it back in the air. Then, we ask: How do you grow your economy without fouling up the air and heating the planet? Today’s show is sponsored by PDFfiller, Pitney Bowes and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.    

Today is the last day of the huge Las Vegas tech conference CES, and it’s ending on a mixed note when it comes to gender and diversity. On one hand, the Consumer Technology Association, which puts on CES, announced a $10 million fund at the show to support women and minority tech founders. On the other hand, the CTA gave an innovation award to a company that makes a robotic vibrator for women, but then, before the show even started, took it away and banned the company and its product from the show floor (while sex tech like augmented reality porn did show up on the CES floor.) And CES still has no explicit ban on what are commonly called booth babes, models in skimpy clothes hired to draw attention to company booths at the event. Molly Wood talks with Heather Kelly, a tech reporter at CNN. Kelly was also at CES and says progress is just … slow. (1/11/2019)

Progress is just … slow.

Thousands of federal workers with high-stress jobs won’t get their paychecks Friday.

Several states automatically increase their minimum wage based on inflation. But is it enough?

An estimated 5 million Venezuelans have left the country due to high poverty rates.

The federal government shutdown has stopped many inspections meant to keep our food supply safe.

American is cutting its estimate of 2018 earnings per share.

High school students weigh in on admissions policies and race as the college application season comes to a close.

Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been directly affected by the partial government shutdown. Among them are people tasked to keep things safe. That includes the Food and Drug Administration, which keeps watch on about 80 percent of everything we eat. Then we check in on CES in Las Vegas, where Marketplace Tech’s Molly Wood is taking in the biggest tech showcase of the year. We also update the tumultuous economic situation in Venezuela as its president begins his second term. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

But augmented reality … that might just be a different story.

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time to hear from economist Diane Swonk of Grant Thornton. She helps us understand some of the history regarding the macroeconomic effects of past government shutdowns. Then we head to Europe, where the Ford Motor Company announced a sweeping overhaul. The BBC’s Bill Wilson told us more. We also talk about food, specifically how certain items that are typically seen as precious and dear are now strangely cheap. This time, it’s truffles, and apparently we have rain in Italy to thank for it. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

But there's no guarantee that will continue.

From the BBC World Service … As Brexit continues in the U.K. Parliament, Japan’s prime minister is meeting with Theresa May to warn of the consequences of a no-deal edit. So, what’s at stake for the Japanese economy? Then, as Venezuela’s president begins a second term, what’s in store for the nation’s struggling economy? Afterwards, we look at whether dating apps be successful in a country where the majority of marriages are still arranged. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

What could relaxing regulations mean for businesses?

The arrival of a new Congress sets off a flurry of activity on — and under — Capitol Hill.

From mergers and food regulation to taxes and immigration, daily commerce is in limbo.

The "internet of things" has come for our cars and for our mirrors.

Sometimes flying a longer distance is less expensive.

A new law aims to help the state's overcrowded animal shelters.

After enjoying a nearly three-decade ascension, auto sales numbers in China are actually down. Scott Tong fills us in on why the world’s largest car market seems to be slowing down. Then we talk with Susan Schmidt of Aviva Investors about how the slowdown in China might persuade people to buy stock. Also, there’s a new law in California requiring pet stores to sell only dogs, cats and rabbits that come from rescues or shelters. What does this mean for owners, stores and breeders? Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

Oncology experts say advances in cancer drugs have played a major role.

President Trump made his pitch for more wall funding Tuesday night as the partial government shutdown remains in place. The shutdown is affecting the SNAP program, which helps feed tens of millions of Americans. There’s a chance SNAP benefits will keep coming through the end of February. Also, a report from the American Cancer Society reported that the death rate from cancer has dropped for the 25th straight year. Andy Uhler has more on the factors that have led to the decline. Then, we talk to Washington Post columnist Allan Sloan on how one can keep calm and carry on in the face of chaotic stock market activity. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

From the BBC World Service … The holidays are over and the British parliament is back in business with Brexit at the top of its 2019 agenda. Wednesday, five days of debate begins again on Theresa May’s exit deal, and a vote is slated for next Tuesday. So, what do politicians want, what do the people want, and who’s likely to get what they want? Then, police and clothing-factory workers are seeing the third day of clashes in Bangladesh – the world’s second-biggest garment exporter – over wages. This after the government last year upped the minimum wage by more than 50%. We’ll explain what’s happening on the ground, and how the two sides are trying to come together. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

Part of the Trump administration’s hard line against China is focused on intellectual property concerns. One fear is that widespread investment of Chinese money in startups gives the Chinese too much access to cutting-edge American tech innovations. That’s why legislation was passed to limit foreign investment. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, is now able to probe foreign investments in startups. And that is making investors, especially Chinese, balk. Deals are being abandoned. Silicon Valley watchers say Chinese money has pretty much stopped coming into the Valley. Marketplace’s Jed Kim talks about it with Heather Somerville, a tech reporter for Reuters, based in San Francisco. (01/08/19)

U.S. legislation is making Chinese investors balk.

President Trump's televised address comes as the partial government shutdown continues.

Two days of the trade show have (technically) passed and there's alot to talk about.

Las Vegas and innovative tech – what more could you ask for?

According to the Waste Business Journal, by 2021 the average landfill will only have 15 years of life left.

Can design thinking help us solve this country’s problems at scale? What about existential-crisis scale?

With trade talks between the U.S. and China resuming, we talk markets with economist Lindsey Piegza. We also have more out of the effects of the partial government shutdown, which is affecting the food stamp program called SNAP. The program helps to feed 40 million people. Then we talk a little trash: According to the Waste Business Journal, the typical landfill in the U.S. will be filled to capacity by the time a child born today becomes a teenager. There’s a Tennessee landfill that has six years left. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

Growing Beatles tourism has helped other businesses in Liverpool — many hotels, restaurants and shopping centers have opened up in recent years.

During last year’s season, an estimated 80,000 people died.

It looks like tax refunds will still be coming, no matter how long the partial government shutdown drags on. Why the change, after tax refunds were declared a non-essential government activity? Then we turn to the upcoming flu season. The last one led to roughly 80,000 people dying prematurely from the flu and complications tied to it. It was the highest total in 40 years. So, why does the flu still do so much damage? Also, we check in on Liverpool, England, where Beatlemania remains as strong as ever. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

From the BBC World Service … Embattled former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn got his day in court today after being held in a Tokyo detention center for nearly 50 days. We’ll hear from his attorney and our correspondent who describes a gaunt but determined-looking Ghosn, and the huge demand to be in the courtroom. Then, like Apple, Samsung has warned of slower earnings growth in the fourth quarter. Afterwards, with revived talks between the U.S. and China ongoing, we take a look at how China is trying to offset the economic costs of the trade spat by spending its way out of a prolonged slowdown with an investment in Serbian steelworks. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

If there’s one thing that’s clear from the 2016 election, it’s that the internet and social media have a huge influence on the political process. These days if you want to run a successful campaign, you need an effective digital strategy. Fortunately for politicians, Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook provide representatives to embed within a campaign. They help navigate digital platforms and give tech support. But are those tech reps getting too much access to politicians and future leaders? We talk about it with Daniel Stevens, executive director of the Campaign for Accountability, a nonprofit watchdog group in Washington, D.C. (01/08/19)

What can we expect in 2020?

Between unresolved tariffs and a partial government shutdown, it's a tough moment for American farmers.

Washington regulators are debating a ban on Chinese telecom hardwire, but rural America may pay the price.

In some hospitals, you could pay thousands of dollars just to sit in the waiting room.

Who goes to these trade talks matters.

The orchestra's principal flutist, Elizabeth Rowe, found out she makes about $65,000 less than the male oboe player next to her.

Some see a conflict of interest in how PACE loans are made.

First, we take a look at the markets this Monday with economist Julia Coronado following what was an intriguing week. Then, we look at the roughly 68,000 jobs at risk if Sears and Kmart end up failing. We check in to see if a potential rescue plan by the Sears chairman could be the solution. We also look into PACE loans, which people reeling from the California wildfires are using to make their homes more fire-resistant and energy efficient. However, experts say these loans come with their own set of obstacles. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

The U.S. and China have agreed to “positive and constructive” trade dialogue as they resume talks Monday in Beijing. Andrew Walker with the BBC told us more. Also, the partial government shutdown might start messing with your tax refund, as the IRS is down to an eighth of its workforce during the ramp-up before tax season. Then we tackle the gender pay gap among professional musicians: The Boston Symphony Orchestra is being sued by its principal flute player, who said she makes $64,000 less per year than the male oboe player next to her. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

From the BBC World Service … As the U.S. and China resurrect trade talks Monday, Elon Musk’s Tesla broke ground on a new facility in Shanghai that’ll allow the electric carmaker to build its autos locally and offset price hikes of imported models that came as a result of the trade spat. Then, commuters in big U.S. cities like New York know all too well the squeeze rising transportation costs have on their commuting budgets. But they’re not alone – we take a look at why trains in Britain, which saw a 3 percent fare increase this month, are more expensive and sometimes less reliable than many European services. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

Hardly anything happens these days that isn’t caught on video. Cell phones, security cameras, drones, even doorbells have cameras built in these days. All of that video would seem to be evidence galore for law enforcement, except for a few problems. First: there’s so much of it. Companies and law enforcement agencies are developing algorithms and machine learning to sift through all that video, looking for patterns or places or people. Second: that technology can have all the same biases and flaws as the people who designed it. Molly Wood talks about this with Kelly Gates, associate professor at the University of California San Diego, who’s studied the rise of forensic video evidence. (1/7/19)

Forensic video evidence is no smoking gun.