(Markets Edition) Interest rates moved sharply higher this morning (Tuesday, May 15, 2018) after a solid retail sales report. What does this mean for consumers? Then, we’ll hear a Michigan manufacturing CEO’s thoughts on tariffs ahead of the office of the United States Trade Representative’s hearing on the topic. And, emergency rooms are often the first places people end up during a mental health crisis, but hospital officials say many ERs aren’t equipped to help.  

(U.S. Edition) For three days starting today (Tuesday, May 15, 2018), the office of the United States Trade Representative will hear sharply diverging views from American businesses about $50 billion worth of China tariffs. We hear from the CEO of a Michigan manufacturer, Lucerne International, who says tariffs could cripple the company’s supply chain. Then, we check in on Germany’s economic growth over the last three months (it’s not what analysts expected). Finally, with all the talk of immigration reform, one of the president’s immigration proposals has gotten less attention lately: Trump and many republicans want to eliminate a law that lets naturalized U.S. citizens sponsor their parents and siblings for permanent residency in the United States. How exactly does family-based immigration affect the economy? 

(Markets Edition) Trump has plans to ease up on his seven-year ban of ZTE, a Chinese telecommunications company. We’ll look at how international trade experts are reacting to the news. Afterwards, we’ll discuss a study that shows a majority of people don’t know the interest rates on their credit cards, and then explore why there are lower airfares to destinations across the Atlantic.

(U.S. Edition) President Trump has tweeted that he wants to reverse a U.S. ban on products made by ZTE, a Chinese-based telecommunications equipment maker. We’ll discuss whether this tweet signals a softening of trade relations with China. Afterwards, we’ll discuss how Southern California is trying to improve Census counts, which can overlook people of color and people in urban areas. 

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service … After two months of protracted negotiations, two anti-establishment parties in Italy are close to forming a government. With both promising to rip-up reforms and splash the cash, will their policies hurt or hinder the eurozone’s third largest economy? Professor Enrico Colombatto at Turin University analyzes what’s next. Then, oil giants Royal Dutch Shell and Eni are in court today over corruption charges relating to a $1.1 billion Nigerian oil deal. Barnaby Pace at Global Witness has been following the case. And, the time-honored method of using windmills to grind grain in the Netherlands has earned UNESCO protection, joining Naples’ pizza spinners and Spain’s flamenco dancers. But fears remain that these windmills may all turn into tourist attractions if more young people don’t learn how to run them. The BBC’s Anna Holligan reports.

(Markets Edition) Top auto industry executives meet with President Trump at the White House today. Trump’s EPA and the Department of Transportation have drafted a proposal outlining eight different options for rolling back fuel efficiency standards in new cars.  Car buyers like fuel efficient cars, though….so automakers want to see regulations relax, but, not too much. And on the two year anniversary of the Brexit announcement, there still doesn’t seem to be a consensus building about how borders will function. Plus, we take a look at a bipartisan bill aimed at prison reform that advanced in the House this week and would require that the Federal Bureau of Prisons place some 180-thousand inmates closer to home.

(U.S. Edition) Home equity lines of credit have hit a 9-year high…but are we forgetting the risks? Plus, we run down the Presidents’ promise to lower drug companies’ prices for consumers, a currency exchange network the U.S. government believes is funneling cash to Iran’s revolutionary guard and a scam a little closer to home you may want to pay attention to: a robo-call known as neighbor-spoofing. The FCC just fined a Florida man $120 million for making nearly 100 million such calls.

(Global Edition) From the BBC World Service… the European Commission’s president appealed for unity in Europe at a time when a number of governments are questioning the appeal of the bloc. Then, UNICEF, the UN children’s agency, is warning that 400 thousand children in central Africa are dying of starvation. What’s contributing to the crisis and how can the agency help those in need? Afterwards, it’s 30 years since former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher laid the stone for a new financial center in London. We’ll take you there and explore how global firms are helping the area evolve.