Week of November 4th, 2019

Steven Mufson of The Washington Post explains why companies are struggling to farm cocoa sustainably.

Facebook is hoping a new shopping feature might lead to a new revenue stream.

What’s happening at WeWork is the latest example of informal organizing by workers.

They aren’t the only ones. Plus: The economic legacy of the Berlin Wall and the history of office paper.

As part of our “I’ve Always Wondered” series, a listener asks why we’ve ended up with these arbitrary-seeming dimensions for office paper.

Many Eastern Germans celebrate freedom but mourn the loss of economic security.

Mayor Hillary Schieve said playing on the region’s strengths and diversifying its economy helped revive the struggling, post-recession city.

The 692nd global ambassador for the City of London takes office during a silent ceremony today.

A possible U.S.-China trade is driving up interest rates. Spain is holding yet another election. Older people who’ve had success in the real world are heading back to school.

The continuing political stalemate could hamper economic growth.

The deadline to file a claim against PG&E will likely be extended.

It’s the biggest shopping event of the year, and smaller American companies may feel the impact, analysts say.

Chinese consumers might shun American good on the biggest shopping day of the year, and it’s not Black Friday. Electric trucks take over a former GM plant. How Reno became a tech hub.

London’s new Lord Mayor. Huge Brazilian oil fields for sale that almost no one wants to buy. How demonetization is impacting small business in India.

But there’s tension between California communities wanting self-reliance and big utilities, says David Roberts of Vox.

Plus: AI isn’t quite here yet, but Black Friday is.

These tend to be highly guarded secrets.

The difference between paying in cash, stock or a combination of the two says a lot about the nature of the merger itself. It also can reflect how the companies feel about the overall economy.

Some recent economic indicators suggest the risk of a recession in the U.S. over the next 12 to 18 months is diminishing.

Plus more advice from our friends on splitting the bill at dinner and taking control of your finances, this week in the “The Group Chat.”

There is no guarantee of financial stability, even after 36 years at one company.

AI may be everywhere, but it still has a hard time with the human stuff.

On the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, we’re contrasting that economic picture with the steep economic division in the U.S. today.

There might be a “mini” deal on U.S.-China tariffs. Germany keeps pushing the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. A debrief on Saudi oil giant Aramco’s massive, forthcoming IPO.

On a roller coaster of higher prices and falling attendance, theme park revenue has been on the up and up.

Former Twitter employees are accused of spying. Disney’s theme parks continue to be huge moneymakers. Why the U.S. could benefit from a German-style investment injection.

Kilkenomics: an Irish festival where comedy meets economics. There’s progress in the U.S.-China trade war. A financial win for Australian women’s soccer.

Amazon and other tech giants appeal, saying the award of the DOD contract to Microsoft was rigged.

Both companies have been office equipment mainstays.

Without intervention, the disparity between thriving and lagging economies will worsen.

Plus: how climate change is affecting the wine industry, why a country short on affordable housing also has millions of vacant homes and what you aren’t learning in civics class.

As Americans grapple with questions of impeachment, many schools have shifted attention away from civics education.

Diverse crops and uncomplicated export markets have helped defend farmers’ fortunes.

Warmer temperatures are pushing wineries to new northern territories. Elin McCoy of Bloomberg News explains.

There are now more vacant housing units than at the height of the foreclosure crisis.

No, it’s not because of social media or politics.

After 45 years, the songs are still a hit in classrooms.

A group of UK fruit growers and scientists have found a way to grow raspberries, a summer fruit, well into November.

The U.S. and China could be softening on tariffs. The T-Mobile-Sprint merger is a go. The hunt for the president’s tax returns continues. CVS floats drone-delivered drugs.

Retailers want to gain support for drone delivery. Prescription medication might be a smart place to start.

The president will have to sign spending bills to keep the government funded as impeachment proceedings move forward. Germany’s reunification could have lessons for closing the American wealth gap.

New British varieties can be grown into Winter. Softbank reports its first loss in 14 years. Plus, revelations of a Boeing whistleblower.

Atlantic writer Bianca Bosker explains why data centers, which generate a humming sound from chillers, don’t always make good neighbors.

Farmers in Montana have been stung by the hit on their income caused by trade war. Plus, conversations about carpooling, VCs and the future of banking.

Financial technology could help life on reservations — if the tribal communities could access it.

Is it an asset or a security? Jelena McWilliams, head of the banking insurance agency, talks about balancing innovation and regulation.

Several California cities are pushing for a public takeover of the investor-owned utility.

Tariffs on foreign-made imports to the U.S., and retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, are dragging down exports and imports.

Bad weather, low prices, and a trade war — it’s not looking bright for America’s farmers.

Will a British makeover save Barnes & Noble? TikTok forgoes an appearance before U.S. lawmakers. Colleges in Africa focus on problem-solving, not degree curricula.

The stock market just won’t quit. Apple invests in housing in California. Germany’s $2-trillion gambit on the reunification of East and West.

What increased scrutiny means for the biggest tobacco brands. Chile’s president won’t resign. Plus, a new chapter at Barnes and Noble.

After the Berlin Wall came down, the German government poured billions in to the Eastern states. Was the money well spent?

Are you compliant? Your employer may have some data on that.

National security officials are reportedly investigating the popular social video app because of its user data practices.

Accounting rules get complicated quickly.

The move follows commitments of $1 billion each from Google’s parent company and Facebook.

Plus: Why the government is concerned about TikTok, Apple’s affordable housing play and making the “perfect” Thanksgiving dinner.

The individual mandate no longer results in a tax penalty, and so-called “skinny plans” that don’t meet Obamacare requirements abound.

A new book outlines the experience of 31 female founders and CEOs in business today.

Editor-in-Chief Adam Rapoport also has some tips.

“It’s kind of a moving target,” one analyst says. Some retailers started offering holiday deals before Halloween.

Supporters of the pilot program say it’s a step toward economic equality.

Jobs numbers were better than expected, and stock markets start the week of strong. We look at Uber’s stock “lockup” period. A Stockton, California charity tries out a guaranteed $500 a month for families.

McDonald’s ousts its tech-friendly CEO after an inappropriate relationship. What are the economic lessons 30 years after the the fall of the Berlin Wall? Holiday shopping season no longer starts on Black Friday.

Demand for the red sauce is falling. A car rationing system is launched as Delhi battles air pollution. Oslo Airport pioneers greener aviation fuel.

In 1989, Germany was divided by much more than a concrete wall: West and East were separated by stark economic differences.

All-digital banking is becoming more popular in the United States.