(Markets Edition) European politics are causing turbulence in the world’s financial markets. We’ll look how fresh elections in Italy and Spain are playing a role in all of this. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how Costco is holding up in the age of Amazon compared to retailers like Walmart and Target, and then we’ll look at the demographics of who invests in the stock market and what keeps some groups from investing. (05/29/2018)

(U.S. Edition) You may see a “closed” sign on your local Starbucks this afternoon. The reason? Nationwide, the coffee giant is giving its employees racial bias training. We’ll recap why Starbucks is offering this training and look at what topics the sessions will address. Afterwards, we’ll discuss the Trump administration’s push to make “short-term” health insurance plans to become permanent — and why they might not be a good fit for many people. Plus: We talk to the BBC’s Helene Schumacher about the world of instruction manuals and why they tell us more than how to operate a product. (05/29/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Italy is likely to return to the polls within months after the populist coalition’s nominee for finance minister raised the possibility of leaving the euro currency. But after the president prevented the appointment, protests broke out. So are his tactics merely delaying populists taking more power? Then, parents have become one of Britain’s largest mortgage lenders as younger generations struggle with soaring property prices the world over. Will young homebuyers ever have an opportunity to enter the market? Afterwards, it’s estimated more than 12 million people under the age of 30 will enter India’s labor force every year for the next two decades. One of our reporters headed to Kolkata to find out if there are enough jobs to go around. (05/29/2018)

(Markets Edition) In Italy, a group of populist, right-leaning parties had been preparing to put together a government, but that got derailed after Italy’s president vetoed their choice for finance minister — someone highly critical of the euro. We’ll look at what this means for Italian politics, the health of the European Union and the eurozone. Is this a harbinger for political conflict elsewhere in Europe?  Afterwards, we’ll explore how Amsterdam is trying to curb the disruptive effects of tourism. While the city only has a population of around 850,000 people, it gets about 18 million visitors each year. (05/28/2018)  

(U.S. Edition) Thousands of Starbucks stores across the country will close tomorrow afternoon so that the company can provide racial bias training to its employees. We’ll hear from some social scientists about the effectiveness of this plan. Afterwards, we’ll look at how the rise in gas prices could mean more expensive airline rides, and then we’ll take you to China, where an unusual industry has popped up: scorned wives can pay experts to make their husband’s mistresses break off the affair. (05/28/2018)

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … Italy’s populist coalition failed to form a new government after the country’s president rejected their choice for finance minister. The president is now holding talks today about a possible interim, technocratic administration. But it is welcome news for investors? Then, a state in southern India is threatening to permanently close a controversial copper smelting plant. There have been deadly demonstrations against the facility, which is run by a British firm. Afterwards, has wine earned a spot on your Memorial Day BBQ menu? If so, you might be interested to know about a new focus on Chilean wine, which is from a region that’s challenging winemakers with its desert climate. (05/28/2018) 

(Markets Edition) Investment money has been flowing out of several developing countries, including Turkey and Argentina. On today’s show, we’ll chat with Chris Low — chief economist with FTN Financial — about why selling’s been heavy and how these countries are trying to handle the issue. Next, we’ll look at whether the National Flood Insurance Program is doing after last year’s hurricane season, and whether it has the funds to tackle another Harvey. Plus: We explore how hotels are dealing with security in the digital age, as data breaches become more of a threat.  

(U.S. Edition) You may have noticed lots of emails from websites or apps saying they’ve changed their terms of service or privacy policies. They’re all trying to comply with a new European law known as the General Data Protection Regulation, which takes effect today. We’ll look at how the law benefits consumers and what it means for companies’ business models. Afterwards, we’ll discuss Arizona’s efforts to attract more tourists from Central Mexico. (05/25/2018)  

(Global Editon) From the BBC World Service … Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska has stepped down as a director of Russia’s biggest aluminium producer in a bid to lift crippling U.S. sanctions. We discuss the man, his motives and what’s next for Russia’s billionaires. Then, new European regulation will transform the way businesses deal with their customers. We look at the challenges and benefits as Europe gets tough on privacy. Next, India’s sporting prowess hit the headlines after athletes won a record 66 medals at the Commonwealth Games. Many of them were won by women. But as the BBC’s Rahul Tandon explains, a level playing field remains in the distance. Finally, what’s the link between 400 handbags and Malaysia’s former prime minister? (05/25/2018)