Week of November 18th, 2024

Loans used to make up a third of military aid, but dropped to just 1% in 2001. Now the U.S. mostly provides grants.

Trump’s deportation plans would slow down construction, while his tariff and tax policies could keep interest rates high.

And, the disconnect between climate risk and the housing market is starting to change.

We check in on holiday season hiring. Plus, how ChatGPT has grown in the past two years.

Sisters Stevi Bell and Amanda Calhoun of Fantasy Island Toys, talk about their plans for the busiest shopping season of the year.

Demand for seasonal workers is robust but relatively low unemployment figures may make it harder for employers to find people.

Next week it’ll be two years since the debut of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Generative AI has developed a lot since then, though some people are still wary of it.

One master’s-level program remains in the state at a time when nurse-midwife advocates say there’s a critical need for more practitioners.

The two have outlined their approach to cutting the federal workforce. But it’s not yet clear which programs would be affected. Plus, work from home continues to shape the real estate market.

Amazon workers in New York voted to unionize more than two years ago. Amazon still has not met them at the bargaining table.

Donald Trump wants to find a treasury secretary who can champion tariffs and keep financial markets calm.

A new report shows that nearly half of people working from home, who moved to a different state, made their decision based on housing.

The company is reportedly working on its own AI-powered internet browser. Plus, we sit down with filmmaker Stephen Maing to discuss his new documentary, “Union.”

From the BBC World Service: Japan unveils a $140 billion stimulus plan to tackle inflation and boost the economy. And Australia considers restricting social media use for kids under the age of 16.

Maria Curi, tech policy reporter at Axios, joins Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino for “Tech Bytes: Week in Review.”

Why the U.S. wants the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser, and what AI has to do with it. Plus, the Leading Economic Index is looking a bit brighter.

A variety of businesses, including restaurants and grocery stores, cut back hours amid inflation, changing consumer habits and challenges in finding workers.

But the LEI’s declines are slowing and it’s no longer warning of a recession ahead. Plus, other economic indicators are looking positive.

Ford is cutting 4,000 jobs in its European workforce, noting that the industry shift to electric vehicles has been “highly disruptive.”

After years of rising premiums, policyholders may see some relief.

Howard Lutnick would oversee trade-related functions to promote U.S. business interests globally.

Janti Soeripto, CEO of Save the Children U.S., discusses the challenges of moving goods and making high-stakes decisions in response to crisis.

The complaint has a lot to do with Google’s Chrome web browser and dominant position in the search market.

Most Americans say they prefer to buy holiday gifts made in America. But prices tend to speak louder than words. Also: Wall Street has high expectations for Nvidia.

Chinese brands like SHEIN and Temu are expected to play a major role in holiday shopping this year. So will American consumers put their money where their mouth is this holiday season?

Spirit Airlines is in good company. While some airlines have recovered, others have shuttered or merged with other carriers.

The chipmaker is the most valuable company on the S&P 500 index, reporting about $19 billion in profit. But its stock price dipped after Wednesday’s earnings report.

From the BBC World Service: Gautam Adani is accused of orchestrating a $250 million bribery scheme to raise funds in the U.S. Plus, a BBC investigation finds thousands of dollars worth of British Raspberry Pi mini computers have been discovered in Russian drones used against Ukraine.

T. Christian Miller, a reporter at ProPublica, explains how EviCore’s tool is manipulated to increase denials and cut costs.

Media giants see the economics of cable TV weakening and consumer interest shifting to streaming, experts say, despite profitability issues.

Retailers are stuck with excess fall inventory after an unseasonably warm October. Plus, Americans want Trump to bring down inflation.

The Federal Reserve may take note of whether businesses anticipate having to pay higher wages or raise prices under the next administration.

Fear and anxiety became Jensen Huang’s favorite motivational tools, writes author Tae Kim in his upcoming book “The Nvidia Way.”

Some retailers are having to adapt to climate change.

Comcast moves to spin off its traditional cable networks.

With import charges looming, Wesley Rule, owner of Knoxville Fine Violins, is considering alternatives to Chinese-made instruments.

U.S.-based chipmaker Nvidia will report its earnings Wednesday after markets close. Plus, is long-haul trucking facing a driver shortage?

A new government-directed study casts doubt on the long-held idea that trucking is facing a labor shortage.

Keith Ferrazzi looked at 3,000 successful teams and asked the question: What are the most effective practices of those teams?

Trump picks Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, to head up the department. Also: how organizations can and should adapt for the post-pandemic work era.

At 5.3%, the unemployment rate for young university graduates is at its highest in around three years, said New York Fed economist Richard Deitz.

From the BBC World Service: Over 1,900 people in the UK are taking legal action against the manufacturer of Johnson’s baby powder, claiming it caused their cancers. And a Russian software company invites a seven-year-old coding prodigy to join its management team.

Google’s newest suite of smartphones come equipped with an AI-powered photo editing tool called “Reimagine.” The Verge’s Sarah Jeong says we’re not prepared for the impact the new tech could have.

Plus, an alternative fuel CEO on how Trump’s second term could influence the clean energy business and we take a self-driving taxi for a spin in China.

Has American exceptionalism failed us?

Conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East, potential trade wars and climate disasters have monetary policymakers around the globe on edge.

Blackstone buys a majority stake in sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s. Fast-casual is a growing segment of the enormous but risky restaurant trade.

“I am feeling ready to be surprised,” said Gene Gebolys of World Energy, an alternative fuels provider.

The National Association of Homebuilders reported its third straight month of improvement in its homebuilder confidence index, even though permits for new housing construction were down nearly 8% year over year.

China is speeding up permission to test autonomous vehicles. The most advanced pilot projects are in Beijing and Wuhan.

Move aside, touchscreens and digital controls. Buttons, dials and knobs have returned to electronics.

Japanese company Nippon Steel is racing to finalize its deal to purchase U.S. Steel before President-elect Trump takes office. Plus, we discuss market reactions to rising Ukraine-Russia tensions.

Rosina Samadani is the CEO of Oculogica, a medical device company that has created a new way to diagnose concussions.

The New York Federal Reserve found that rejection rates for loan applications are higher than they were in 2023 for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and refinances.

Roughly half of international students are from China or India — and many are grad students or recent graduates permitted to work on a student visa for a time after graduation.

In one antitrust case, the U.S. government wants to break up the tech giant’s search business by splitting off its Chrome browser into a separate company.

From the BBC World Service: The group has agreed to tax the ultra-rich in order to fund sustainable development projects. Also: UK farmers are protesting in London over a new estate tax on agricultural land.

Writer Ashlee Vance explains how Elon Musk’s company disrupted NASA’s traditional role. With new competitors also shooting for the stars, “it’s an exciting time,” he says.

“Million Bazillion” and “Forever Ago” team up to find out!

Has the gap between the wealthiest and poorest Americans shrunk since the pandemic started? It depends how you measure.

Some Trump critics are consulting lawyers and packing “go bags” in case of emergency.

The earlier, deeper discounts could mean retailers are a bit anxious.

From 2019 to 2022, total U.S. household wealth grew 25%., but there’s lots of evidence that Americans are disenchanted with this economy.

The dollar has appreciated almost 3% since the presidential election. In general, it’s because investors can make more money with dollars.

Walmart’s Q3 earnings should be good, analysts say. The retail giant has executed effectively in multiple areas.

How women-owned companies are getting vital seed funding.

A veteran angel investor shares how she evaluates potential investment opportunities.

And economists wonder how long those who are better-off can even keep it up.

The airline says it’s working with debt holders and hopes to bounce back soon. Plus, Loretta McCarthy of Golden Seeds Venture Fund joins us to continue our talk on angel investors.

Today, we talk with Deb Kemper of Golden Seeds Venture Fund about getting promising new startups off the ground. Also: what’s driving consumer spending as the holidays begin.

From the BBC World Service: Set against a backdrop of political turmoil, it’s going to be a big ask for the leading rich and developing nations to sign up to any meaningful declarations.

Rick Claypool, research director at the nonprofit Public Citizen, says AI chatbots are being sold to consumers to be more like humans, creating a dangerous attachment for some vulnerable users.