This week, millions of fresh-cut flowers are arriving in the U.S., mostly from South America. Imports account for more than 80% of flowers sold here, and it’s a $2 billion industry. We’ll draw back the curtain on the supply chain for those dozen red roses for your sweetheart. Also: the latest consumer price index reading, tensions in the B Corps world and the foreign aid freeze’s impact on U.S. farmers.
This week, we’re kicking off “Unlocking The Gates: How the North led housing discrimination in America.” The special series from Marketplace special correspondent Lee Hawkins investigates the relationship between housing access and economic opportunity. Today, Hawkins explains how a secret nighttime business deal unlocked the gates of a Minnesota suburb for dozens of Black families — his own family included. But first, the Trump administration mulls shrinking federal agencies t...
This week, we’re kicking off “Unlocking The Gates: How the North led housing discrimination in America.” The special series from Marketplace special correspondent Lee Hawkins investigates the relationship between housing access and economic opportunity. Today, Hawkins explains how a secret nighttime business deal unlocked the gates of a Minnesota suburb for dozens of Black families — his own family included. But first, the Trump administration mulls shrinking federal agencies t...
From the BBC World Service: Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau will be holding talks with European leaders in Brussels and warned they would work together to counter U.S. steel and aluminum tariff threats. Then, Goldman Sachs International scrapped a diversity rule that once barred the bank from advising all-male, all-white company boards on stock market flotations. Also, we look at how Spain is trying to combat disease threats to its olive harvest.
Key parts of the 2017 tax cuts expire at the end of this year, and the Trump administration is interested in Congress making them permanent. Supporters of a tax cut extension say it would pay for itself. But was that the case in 2017? We’ll do the numbers. Plus, it may sound straight out of a sci-fi flick, but one bioscience firm is attempting to resurrect woolly mammoths, dodo birds and other extinct wildlife.
Elon Musk is leading efforts to buy artificial intelligence leader OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, for roughly $100 billion. OpenAI’s founder, however, is not interested. We’ll hear more about the unsolicited bid. Plus, the new head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has ordered employees to stop work. We’ll look at the problems the CFPB was set up to solve. Also: how blue state republicans in the House could throw their weight around.
From the BBC World Service: At an ongoing summit in Paris, U.S. Vice President JD Vance gave a speech to world leaders and tech bosses, criticizing what he views as overly-stringent European tech regulation. Plus, can leaders there agree to a declaration of goals regarding AI? And later, some co-operative farmers in Ireland are on the verge of an incredible windfall after selling shares in the Kerry Group.
Social Security, signed into law 90 years ago by President Franklin Roosevelt, is the financial foundation of retirement in America. But it’s not just those getting to retire who feel positive impacts from the retirement benefits — more children living with older adults are benefiting from Social Security too. Also on the show: new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and a summit on artificial intelligence.
The latest numbers on Friday showed that job creation was weaker than expected in January, but the survey of households found that unemployment fell slightly. There were also revisions showing that 100,000 more people got jobs in the last two months of 2024 than previously thought. Revisions are normal, but how should we read these? Plus, as part of our What’s That Like? series , we’ll hear an Air Force musician reflect on his career....
From the BBC World Service: U.S. President Donald Trump plans a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminum entering the U.S. China, Canada and Mexico — some of the biggest suppliers — could be hit hard. Also: China’s trade flow shifted in response to tariffs, three Baltic nations cut ties with Russia’s power grid, and global leaders and tech bosses meet in Paris to figure out how to regulate artificial intelligence.
President Donald Trump’s firings of dozens of government officials have raised questions about whether or not those moves are legal. As a continuation of conversations from earlier today , it could be part of a broader attempt to overturn a legal precedent regarding presidential powers over independent commissions. Also: Secretary of State Marco Rubio on fees for U.S. vessels entering the Panama Canal and the outlook for Honeywell’s aerospace spinoff....
Chances are pretty good you’ve spent money on alcohol, drugs or gambling. That’s not just a good guess — a new Bankrate study said 84% of Americans spend money on at least one of the six most common “vices.” But turns out, age plays a major factor in your vice of choice. Also on the program: federal workers in limbo and one side of the debate over President Donald Trump’s firings.
From the BBC World Service: The Reserve Bank of India has reduced its main interest rate by 25 basis points to 6.25%. It’s the first cut since May 2020 and is aimed at boosting growth in Asia’s third biggest economy. Then, the South African city of Johannesburg has long had a reputation for being dangerous, but a huge effort is underway to make it more livable and attractive to visitors.
Let’s review recent news about federal funding: Much of U.S. foreign aid is on hold. Federal grants and funding streams were frozen last week, but that was blocked by two different courts, and then rolled back by the White House. Still, some nonprofits have had to furlough workers and put projects on hold. Also: zooming in on the importance of 10-year treasury note yields and celebrating 25 years of The Sims.
Newly-installed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that when it comes to interest rates, he and the president are less worried about what the Federal Reserve will do and more focused on one particular number: the 10-year treasury yield, which affects consumer borrowing costs. We’ll hear more. Also on the show: USAID supporters rallied on Capitol Hill yesterday, and the climate crisis is driving up business insurance — including at ski resorts.
From the BBC World Service: Beijing has strongly denied U.S. claims that illegal drug shipments from China are a national emergency. In a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization over tariffs imposed by Washington, China dismissed the allegations as unfounded. Plus, Norwegian energy giant Equinor is cutting its renewable investment in half over the next two years, and The Sims video game turns 25 this week.
Millions of federal workers have until Thursday to decide whether to accept a buyout promising pay through September if they quit now. The Trump administration styles it as a long, paid vacation, but the arrangement isn’t set in stone and unions are urging members against it. We’ll hear more. Also on the show: why lenders are rejecting so many applications for loans and why China’s tariff reaction includes an investigation into Google.
