(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Apple is getting ever closer to becoming the first trillion-dollar company as investors cheered second-quarter earnings released yesterday. But with the company’s share price pacing higher, we’ll explain one race in which the tech titan has lost ground. Then, for centuries, diamonds have been seen as precious objects of desire, and near necessities for couples about to be married. But more synthetic versions of the stones are becoming more ubiquitous, and diamond giant De Beers says in September, it will begin offering a range of lab-created diamonds for the first time in its history. Today’s show is sponsored by Carbonite (Carbonite.com), Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (planetm.michiganbusiness.org). (08/01/2018)

(Markets Edition) Leslie Moonves, the CEO of CBS, will continue leading the company while it investigates sexual misconduct claims against him. We’ll talk to New York Times media reporter Ed Lee about why he’s keeping his position during a time when other CBS has taken swift action against other figures — like Charlie Rose and Matt Lauer — with allegations against them. Afterwards, we’ll  chat with economist Lindsey Piegza about what the latest data says about inflation and how the Fed might react to it, and then we’ll explore how long-distance buses are making a comeback. Today’s show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/31/2018)

(U.S. Edition) Puerto Rico’s bankrupt power company is moving closer to privatization now that the government has announced it’s reached a deal with the utility and its creditors over debt. We’ll look at what exactly both sides have agreed on. Afterwards, we’ll talk about the state of manufacturing in Texas, and then we’ll discuss how airlines are coping with a pilot “shortage.” Today’s show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/31/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … The Bank of Japan surprised investors today when it made no changes to monetary policy. We’ll explore why the decision from the BOJ – the last mover in the global central bank chain – was so closely watched. Then, new figures on U.K. car manufacturing look a bit shocking, but we look under the hood to identify what’s driving a domestic production decline and how Brexit is adding to a longer-term headache. Afterwards, large corporations, including Starbucks, have recently announced plans to eliminate single-use plastics. But is there more consumers can do to reduce their plastic footprint? We talk to the author of a new book out this week called “Turning the Tide on Plastic.”  Today’s show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace), and USPS (USPS.com/future). (07/31/2018)

(Markets Edition) The Federal Reserve is gearing up for another meeting this week. We spoke with Julia Coronado, economist at MacroPolicy Perspectives, about what to expect from the meeting and what the interest rate forecast looks for the rest of the year. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how Caterpillar’s performance as a company can reflect how the global economy is doing, and then we’ll explore the work obstacles some families face when trying to fulfill food stamp requirements. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org/advisors) and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/30/2018)

(U.S. Edition) With the U.S. Senate planning to look into how platforms like Facebook are used to influence elections, we’ll examine a new report from the U.K. that calls for media regulations. Afterwards, we’ll discuss where Italy-U.S. relations currently stand ahead of Trump’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, and then we’ll look at how Utah is using data to reduce its child poverty rate. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org/advisors) and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/30/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Less than a week after winning his election campaign — pledging to spend more on health care, education, and social safety – Pakistan’s soon-to-be prime minister may first look to the International Monetary Fund for his country’s biggest-ever bailout. Then, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn decades-old legislation banning sports betting has paved the way for a deal between British betting brands and MGM Resorts. What does this mean for the future of what could become a multibillion-dollar U.S. market? Afterwards, a visit to India where female rickshaw drivers are breaking down gender stereotypes with their bright pink rigs. Today’s show is sponsored by Alliance for Lifetime Income (retireyourrisk.org/advisors) and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/30/2018)

(Markets Edition) Second-quarter GDP numbers are out, revealing that the economy grew 4.1 percent. A major driver of this: increased consumer spending. We’ll take a look at some of factors that are fueling this behavior. Afterwards, we’ll recap yesterday’s testimony from Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative,  in front of Congress about major trade issues, and then we’ll discuss how Puerto Rico is looking to private investors to help with its financial struggles. Today’s show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/27/2018)

(U.S. Edition) It’s GDP Day! Get ready, because the Commerce Department is going to tell us how fast the economy grew in the last quarter, and expectations are high. We’ll talk about how consumer spending in particular is expected to show significant growth. Afterwards, we’ll look at how the U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm and the Dutch-based company NXP have abandoned plans to merge, and then we’ll discuss a recent survey that shows many CEOs feel they weren’t fully prepared to take on the top job. Today’s show is sponsored by Abby Connect (Abbyconnect.com/morning), Carbonite (Carbonite.com), and Indeed (Indeed.com/marketplace). (07/27/2018)