Prices for new and used cars are finally falling, but prospective buyers may have another hurdle to overcome: rising rates on loans. We look at what that could mean for people who are looking to make their next big auto purchase. Plus, this year looks to be a hot one with the prospect of an “El Niño” weather event, which could affect the economy. And, how some people are using cryptocurrency to track criminals through the blockchain. 

From the BBC World Service: New results from Credit Suisse have given an insight into its demise — nearly $70 billion was withdrawn in the first three months of the year, leading to its eventual forced sale to Swiss rival UBS. Also, Australia is the latest country to ramp up its military spending after a review found its armed forces need to be radically overhauled. Plus it’s been a decade since the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh; has the industry learned the lessons of the disaster? And, how Ryan Reynolds’ and Rob McElhenney’s soccer adventure paid off.

Just about one week into companies reporting results for the first quarter, we take stock of what we’ve learned from banks sharing their numbers. For the most part, they seem to have done pretty well, considering the past three months included the sudden failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. But there are signs that the sector is bracing for a possible economic downturn in the months ahead. Also, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has just ended and billions of people around the world are now celebrating Eid. A big aspect of the holy month, and the Muslim faith in general, is zakat or charitable giving. During the pandemic, charitable donations increased across the U.S. generally, and so did zakat. Then, inflation entered the mix.

As in undersea internet cables. The competition between the U.S. and China is about national security and economic security, and these cables that connect our global economy touch both. Reuters published an extensive report on how the U.S. and China are facing off over who should build these cables and where they should connect to land. We take a closer look. Plus, home sales usually surge in the spring. But so far that’s not been the case. We take a look at why and what’s happening with prices for housing.

From the BBC World Service: Canadian police are investigating a $15 million gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport. We’ll hear from the person who broke the story, Brian Lilley, a columnist for the Toronto Sun newspaper. Plus, how would you feel about floating through the stratosphere with the finest selection of French food and wine? That’s the aim of one company as the BBC’s Chantal Hartle explains. And the increased cost of celebrating Eid in Egypt this weekend. We hear from the BBC’s Yolande Knell.

Media giant Fox, as you’ve likely heard, has agreed to settle with Dominion Voting Systems over defamation allegations against Fox News. The $787.5 million settlement could be the largest ever for a defamation case. How does Fox pay all that money? Plus, the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book is out. No, it’s not a New York Times bestseller. Yes, it does have some interesting things to say about where the economy’s heading and how different regions of the country were affected by that banking mess. We check in with Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG.

4/20 is the day lots of Americans celebrate, or at least give a wink to, pot. While it’s a business worth tens of billions of dollars with its own holiday, cannabis remains illegal at the federal level in the U.S. That’s posing problems for entrepreneurs trying to get insurance in the 20 or so states where you can buy and sell it. Plus, the increasingly crowded electric vehicle industry and what that mean’s for Tesla’s profits. And, how COVID, politics and stigma are preventing the federal government from achieving its goals to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S., despite hundreds of millions of dollars of funding.

From the BBC World Service: Turkey flips the switch on the Sakarya natural gas field in the Black Sea today. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is promising consumers lower natural gas bills ahead of next month’s election, and these new resources will make the import-dependent country more resilient. It’s also hoped the supplies will eventually help Europe switch away from its dependence on Russia. Plus, what’s day-to-day life like for those stuck in the Sudanese capital Khartoum as fighting continues? And, women in Spain will soon be able to take sick leave for serious menstrual pain. But some fear it could lead to more workplace discrimination.

Do you still own a DVD player? If so, and you’re relying on Netflix to watch those DVDs, it might be time to think of a new plan. Netflix is finally shutting down that part of its business. But why now? Plus, the European Union’s answers to the United States’ CHIPS Act. And, Indiana is one of 10 states that specifically prohibits undocumented college students from paying in-state tuition. That means an undocumented student in that state could pay nearly $17,000 more per year in tuition than their peers.