Week of February 11th, 2019

Congress approved a spending bill this week to support broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. Besides keeping the government open, we look at what that means for rural America. Then: How businesses are preparing for a no-deal Brexit. Plus, we talk about the biggest economic stories of the past seven days in the Weekly Wrap.

There’s a family of chemicals inside our bodies that’s linked to birth defects, immune system problems and, possibly, cancer. The chemicals — known by the acronym P.F.A.S. — are contained in Teflon, which is found in everything from microwave popcorn bags to non-stick pans. This week, the Environmental Protection Agency made a plan to regulate […]

President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to secure funding for the much-touted wall along the southern border, but he faces an uphill battle. New data out Friday confirms low retail sales numbers for December from earlier this week. Plus, California’s bullet train plans get rejiggered. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, WordPress and Indeed.

What’s next for New York City after Amazon announced its HQ2 will not be in The Big Apple anymore? The inspector general of the Dept. of Education says the agency is doing a lousy job of monitoring student loan servicing companies. Plus, what would the world be like if people worked four days a week? Two companies are trying out the idea. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, WordPress and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… Spain has just announced snap elections after separatist Catalan politicians refused to back the proposed budget. We explore what the implications are for the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy. Another country headed to the polls is Nigeria, which has the most extreme poverty in the world. We take a closer look at what’s at stake. Then, it’s the largest displacement crisis since World War II. The war in Syria has shattered lives and sent shock waves through the region. Millions of refugees have fled in search of a better life. But how do you measure unemployment in a war-torn country? And what are refugees willing to sacrifice for safety? We lift the lid on what life is like for refugees as the Syrian crisis enters its eighth year. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, WordPress and Indeed.

This week, activist shareholders in Alphabet, the parent company of Google, spoke out against development of Google’s Dragonfly. That’s the internal code name for a project reportedly working on a censored search engine for China. We hear a lot about web censorship in China, but how does it work? What’s it like to use? Host Jed Kim talks with Marketplace correspondent Jennifer Pak about it. Now based in Shanghai, Pak has reported from inside China for years. She says censorship is getting stronger. Today’s show is sponsored by Nulab  and Indeed.

Thanks to her best-selling book and new Netflix show, Marie Kondo is inspiring Americans to get organized. But what happens to all the stuff that doesn’t “spark joy”? We look at the cost of tidying up and who foots the bill. But first: What you need to know about Amazon and New York City’s big breakup, and the challenges that come with putting the census online.

Retail sales fell sharply in December, the biggest drop since The Great Recession. Auto sales are up, but a lot of people—particularly those in the younger set—aren’t paying their car notes. We head to Colorado where the ski industry is voicing its concerns over dwindling snowfall and shorter seasons on the slopes. Plus, you know those candy hearts you get on Valentine’s Day? Well, you’re not getting any this year. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… Showers and spa treatments while you fly. The Airbus A380 promised luxury when it first launched more than a decade ago. But the European aircraft manufacturer says it will stop making the world’s largest passenger aircraft in 2021. Airbus boss Tom Enders explains the factors behind the decision. Then, Germany narrowly avoided falling into recession at the end of 2018. But with ongoing trade tensions threatening to undermine a nascent global recovery, will Europe’s largest economy be able to bounce back? And, it’s Valentine’s Day, which means flowers, chocolates and romantic gifts, but what about a bit of synthetic sparkle? We’ll look at how ethical “green” diamonds can still be a girl’s best friend. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

The EPA says it’s taking action on harmful chemicals known as “PFAS,” which are found in everyday objects. Germany’s economy didn’t grow last year, and that’s good news. Plus, we hear from Efosa Ojomo, author of “The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty,” about taking a Silicon Valley-style approach to development. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

This week, trade talks continue between the United States and China. U.S. officials complain that China has long failed to protect U.S. intellectual property rights, a charge China rejects. The U.S. wants China to put an end to what’s known as “forced technology transfers.” That’s when U.S. companies have to share their valuable tech secrets with local partners in order to access China’s much-coveted market. Finding a solution has been a big sticking point in trade negotiations. And the history of countries sparring over IP issues goes back centuries. Marketplace’s Tracey Samuelson talks with Greg Clark, a professor of economics at the University of California, Davis. He says, in its infancy, the United States took advantage of some stolen tech. Today’s show is sponsored by Topo Athletic, WellFrame and Indeed.

Some 600,000 American-born children whose parents have returned to Mexico, voluntarily or not, are believed to be in Mexican schools. Today, we look at the economics of them coming back to the United States. Plus: What you need to know about the potential Huawei and ZTE bans, and why Levis is trying to go public … again.

A new report finds that, while unemployment around the world is relatively low, a lot of the jobs people have just stink. The consumer price index is also low, but will inflation stay down? Plus, there’s paleo. There’s keto. Now, there’s the “Nordic diet.” Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

It’s Oscar season, a time when we celebrate the history of film. But what if you want to sit down and watch some classics? That was the selling point of one streaming service, FilmStruck, that AT&T recently shuttered. FilmStruck showcased directors like Federico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa and Stanley Kubrick. It was the darling of cinephiles for the two years it existed. Given that streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon seem to be focused on making original content, could the golden age of streaming mean that film history falls through the cracks? Jed Kim talks with Ann Hornaday, a senior film critic for the Washington Post, about the death of FilmStruck and the future of classic film. Today’s show is sponsored by Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… More than 200 flights in and out of Belgium, impacting tens of thousands of travelers, have been cancelled due to a 24-hour strike by the country’s main transportation unions. And, reports estimate it could cost the local economy 14-million dollars. Then, as Italy’s government central bank and government tussle over gold ownership, we investigate which one really owns the precious metal reserves. Plus,  a U.S. executive order signed in April directed Homeland Security to issue H-1B visas to the most skilled and best-paid foreigners. But now there’s been a drop off in the number of skilled graduates applying for visas in places like India. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

Sprint and T-Mobile head to Capitol Hill to talk about their proposed, giant merger, but will it be what consumers need? As the threat of another government shutdown looms, we take a look at the toll the previous one has already taken on some federal workers. Seven million Americans are 90 days or more late on their car payments. Plus, how can farmers grow hemp when cannabis is still illegal federally? Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

“1888, have the press check it out,” President Donald Trump said at a rally Monday night, citing one of his favorite historical precedents for tariffs. Well, we did. Plus: cross-border commerce in the Trump era and the race to make the perfect fake meat.

For all the talk of a booming economy, small businesses are pessimistic about the future, according to one recent survey. We look at what the coolest-sounding report on government data says about jobs in the U.S. Marco Rubio actually wants to raise one type of tax now. “Hamilton” isn’t the only show taking on politics on and off The Great White Way. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… Nissan sales took another tumble in 2018 and today slashed targets in key markets like China, the U.S. and Europe. So, can the company navigate slowing demand and executive turnover amid a troubled global economy? Then, South Africa’s state-owned power company is struggling under tens-of-billions of dollars of debt, shrinking revenues and aging power stations. Now, a self-imposed blackout aimed at preventing a collapse of the company could end up adding pain to the economy. Plus, we follow cherry tomatoes on their journey from Spain to the U.K. and explore what the fresh food market for Britain looks like post Brexit. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

The FDA cracks down on the dietary supplement industry. Car insurance in California is cheaper than in other states, and heavy regulation might be to thank. Plus, Marketplace Senior Economics Contributor Chris Farrell talks about his new book Purpose and a Paycheck: Finding Meaning, Money and Happiness in the Second Half of Life. And if you’ve ever wanted to own the the house where the richest man in the world lived, now’s your chance. Today’s show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

Can we agree that flying these days is kind of the worst? It feels like the changes airlines have made are rarely in our favor. Take smaller seats, narrower aisles and baggage restrictions. Plus, consumers have lost some technological ground. When the Concorde stopped flying more than 15 years ago, we lost access to super fast flights across the ocean. Now some companies are working on ways to bring supersonic travel back for commercial flights within the next decade. They’re talking everything from Mach 1, the speed of sound, to many times faster than that. Jed Kim talks with Guy Norris, a technology editor at Aviation Week. He says at Mach 2.2, flights from New York to London would go from six hours long to just under three. He expects we’ll see companies ease into this market rather than make a space-age leap. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Ultimate Software, Topo Athletic and Lenovo for Small Business.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order this afternoon to create a program to boost U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. No new funding per se, that’s up to Congress. But the White House is directing federal agencies to prioritize AI investments, develop training programs, and collaborate with international allies. The American AI Initiative — that’s what […]

If you own a home, or want to own one, chances are you’ve spent some time with one of the many apps that estimate home values. Watching those prices rise, at least on paper, has become something of a national pastime — but it could be doing a number on you. But first, we look at the race with China to make better artificial intelligence. Plus, a conversation with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg.

Everyday items like toilet paper and garbage bags are getting a little more expensive, at least more than official inflation numbers would suggest. It’s no secret the rent is too darn high in the Golden State, but after Californians rejected a cost control measure last year, lawmakers are looking for other ways to protect renters from the skyrocketing cost of living. The U.S.-China tariff deadline looms. Plus, as Venezuela’s political and economic crisis deepens, the government is on the hunt for dollars. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

Colleges and universities are bringing in a record amount of money in charitable donations, and it’s no surprise which schools are getting the most. Construction in the U.S. appears to keep growing, but companies are having trouble hiring enough good workers to keep up with demand. A new report shows the powerful impact of breast cancer screenings over the decades. Plus, we take a brief look at Russia’s looming Internet shutdown. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

Delegations from the U.S. and China are meeting again to restart talks aimed at ending the ongoing trade stalemate. But, what would a win for eitherside look like, and is China now more willing to give in as consumer spending continues to slip? Then, it’s been 40 years since revolutionaries overthrew Iran’s monarchy, but the economy is struggling today. Plus, horse racing is the second-biggest spectator sport in Britain, generating billions for the economy. But just a month to go until a key racing event, 174 stables are in quarantine amid an outbreak of highly contagious equine flu. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

Over the weekend in Beverly Hills, California, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held its annual Scientific and Technical Oscars ceremony. These awards, handed out two weeks ahead of that “other” Oscars broadcast, are specifically for scientific and technical achievements. This year the academy honored technologies like a security system that lets production teams share raw footage or drafts over the internet without them being stolen or leaked. And, of course, there were awards for motion graphics, 3D modeling, all the things that create incredible visual worlds in the movies. The process of evaluating which technologies warrant awards is the really interesting part. Molly Wood talks with Doug Roble, a visual effects artist and chair of the committee that chooses the winners. He says a whole lot of research goes into every choice. Today’s show is sponsored by Kronos, WordPress and Indeed.