Legislatures in various Republican-controlled states have passed or are mulling restricting banks from ESG investing, which considers environmental, social, and governance factors. We look at what’s behind the backlash to ESG and why some are assailing it as “woke investing.” The Biden Administration released its new Cybersecurity Strategy yesterday, which includes a call to companies to play a greater role in securing their own products. And, excerpts from Marketplace host Kai Ryssdal’s interview with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, where they discussed the economics of the war in Ukraine. 

From the BBC World Service: The fallout from Tuesday’s deadly train crash has brought attention to the era of privatization that followed Greece’s financial crisis in 2015. We look at what role that could have played in the leadup to the disaster. A new report says Chinese scientists are leading their American counterparts in dozens of fields of technological research. And, could South Korean reality TV be the next big streaming sensation?

The disparity between how much wealth — on average — people of different racial groups hold has been well-documented through research. Yet according to one study, the size of that gap is frequently underappreciated. We talk to Ivy Oyeandor, a professor at Northwestern University and co-author of the study, about that misperception as part of our Econ Extra Credit series. And, KPMG Chief Economist Diane Swonk dissects the latest economic data, which indicates economic strength because of infrastructure spending but risks prolonging inflation. 

Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly announced it would cut the prices of some of its most-used insulin products by 70%, as well as cap out-of-pocket costs for consumers at $35. We look at what that could mean for patients, most of whom have been paying sky-high prices for the drug. Congress yesterday passed a bill to prohibit ESG — Economic, Social, and Governance — retirement investing, a measure likely to be vetoed by President Biden. And, as part of American Public Media’s “Call to Mind” campaign around mental health, we look at the effects of social media on loneliness. 

From the BBC World Service: A new report by the International Energy Agency says global carbon dioxide emissions rose to a record high last year, but new technology — including sea-floating solar panels in Portugal — have helped slow it; BBC reporter Paul Carter has been to see them up close. Plus with a new president-elect in place, BBC’s Bisi Adebayo reports on the brain drain of young talent leaving Nigeria.

Amazon’s recent acquisition of a chain of health care clinics from One Medical is raising questions of Big Tech’s growing role in the sector. We talk to University of Michigan professor Erik Gordon about the potential antitrust implications, and what the Amazon example could mean for the sector going forward. Congress’ newest committee, which focuses on competition with China, held its first hearing yesterday, at a time of increased tensions with the People’s Republic. And, we talk to Susan Schmidt, Head of Public Equity at the State of Wisconsin Investment Fund, about the increasingly tenuous economic picture. 

Loneliness can have major effects on employees and employers alike in the workplace — in addition to the mental health effects, one study found it can cost businesses up to $154 billion annually. As part of American Public Media’s “Call to Mind” mental health initiative, we look into the effects of loneliness and how employers can mitigate it. Expanded SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, are due to expire today after receiving a pandemic-era boost. And, Hong Kong is dropping its masking requirement amid a broader push from the government to revive the island’s slumping economy. 

From the BBC World Service: Bola Tinubu, who ran for the ruling All Progress Congress, has been declared the winner of Nigeria’s presidential election. BBC’s Peter Okwoche reports for us from the capital Abuja with the harsh economic reality and high unemployment high on his to-do list. In Sri Lanka hospitals, banks and ports close as people go on strike in defiance of a government ban; plus Leanna Byrne reports from Germany, as from today the city of Berlin is paying for young people to go out in the evening.

Government funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, signed into law by President Biden last year, will come with a number of conditions for companies that receive a portion of the money. We look at some of the stipulations, such as employer-provided childcare and potential profit sharing with the government. Manufacturers spent more money on computers and other equipment, a sign that demand is growing as companies try to deal with persistent labor shortages. And, a look at a project in Georgia that’s using genetically-modified trees to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.