Episodes

  • When a cloud service that powers much of the internet goes down
    Oct 20 2025

    There's been a major outage of Amazon Web Services, the Amazon system that does computing for other companies. The list of impacted sites and platforms is lengthy: Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, Fortnite, Lyft, McDonald's, Robinhood, and Amazon itself, to name a few. We'll hear more. Plus, altcoins are poised to take a step into the financial mainstream, and China plans its economic future as it deals with tariff fallout and slowing economic growth.

    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • China's leaders meet to draw up an economic blueprint
    Oct 20 2025

    From the BBC World Service: As members of China's ruling Communist Party gather to discuss the country's economic plans for the next five years, news that growth has slowed to a one-year low hangs over proceedings. Then, Bolivia's next president has said a priority will be tackling his country’s economic crisis. And as Diwali — the Hindu festival of light — begins, we'll ask how consumers in India are dealing with the rising price of gold, which is central to gift-giving there.

    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
  • Regional bank jitters
    Oct 17 2025

    Global stocks took a hit today. There was red across the board from New York to Japan as investors have started to worry about the health of regional banks in the U.S., and the recent bankruptcies of an auto lender and car parts manufacturer. We'll learn the latest. Also, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing to block the Trump administration's planned visa charges, and fewer international travelers are opting to come to the States.

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • It's home improvement time
    Oct 17 2025

    Rates on 30-year mortgages fell again this week to an average of 6.27%, according to FreddieMac. That could boost consumer spending on home improvements in 2026, new research finds — and be driven by homeowners locked in with lower rates who recognize that an addition or coat of paint is less daunting than starting over in this housing market. Also on the show: a check-in on regional banks and a bite of a carbon fat croissant, from the latest season of Marketplace's "How We Survive."

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • U.S. tries to block a global emissions deal for shipping
    Oct 17 2025

    From the BBC World Service: A landmark agreement to reduce carbon emissions from global shipping is in danger of collapsing after President Donald Trump intervened. We'll unpack. Then, Singles' Day — China's biggest online shopping event — typically takes place on Nov. 11 but has started early this year as weak consumption dogs the world's second-largest economy. Plus, the global tattoo industry could grow to $6.5 billion by 2033. We talk with artists about the state of the tattoo biz.

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins
  • Trying to keep a fragile trade truce alive
    Oct 16 2025

    U.S. and Chinese officials are getting together on the sidelines of International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Washington to try and preserve a fraying trade truce. Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered a ray of hope, ahead of a planned meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month. Plus, what economic picture is non-governmental data painting right now? And, we’ll hear how some countries are vying for a piece of the AI revolution.

    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Expect a spendy but price-conscious holiday season
    Oct 16 2025

    Retailers are getting ready for the most magical time of their year: holiday shopping season. Holiday spending is expected to tick up, though that's driven mostly by higher prices. We'll hear more. Plus, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund supports mission-driven lenders operating in rural, tribal, and otherwise underserved parts of the country. President Donald Trump recently tried to fire the entire staff of the CDFI as part of recent federal job cuts.

    Show More Show Less
    7 mins
  • Thousands in the UK take Johnson & Johnson to court
    Oct 16 2025

    From the BBC World Service: A major legal claim has been filed in the United Kingdom against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, accusing the firm of knowingly selling baby powder contaminated with asbestos. The case mirrors American litigation, where billions of dollars in damages have been awarded to plaintiffs. Plus, President Donald Trump says India will stop buying Russian oil. And, how can countries outside the biggest players — the U.S. and China — get plugged into AI infrastructure?

    Show More Show Less
    6 mins