Marketplace All-in-One

The markets appear to be in decline this morning as investors recover from last week’s surprising inflation numbers as well as concerns over new COVID lockdowns in China. Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson spoke to us at length about a variety of topics, which range from inflation to gun control to the legislative duel between Florida and Disney.

From the BBC World Service: Stock benchmarks across Asia and Europe have fallen this morning; worries about inflation and the global central bank responses to it are spooking investors. Truck drivers in South Korea are entering the second week of striking, threatening global supply chains for everything from steel to semiconductors. And a new fast food chain has replaced the now-absent McDonald’s in Russia, called “Tasty, and that’s it.”

The Russian Association for Electronic Communications, a tech trade association, reported in March that as many as 70,000 tech workers had fled Russia since late February. The organization’s economists expect that number to more than double by summer. They’re headed to places like Turkey, Poland and other parts of Europe, as well as Central European countries like Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Some are even coming to the United States. But Russians who are fleeing may not be welcomed with open arms in other countries, even if they disagree with the war. Dina Temple-Raston, the host of the podcast “Click Here,” tells us the stories of two tech workers who got out of Russia.

Last night we tuned in to the prime-time airing of the Jan. 6 committee hearing (we’d love to hear your thoughts if you were too). And today we’re going to talk about it. We’ve also got updates on COVID testing for international flyers to the U.S. and a possible falling out between Meta and its chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg. Then during Half Full/Half Empty, Kai and Kimberly weigh in on financial literacy classes, the Novavax COVID vaccine, converting classic cars into electric vehicles, a new European Union tech rule and Taco Bell’s new drive-thru architecture.

Here’s everything we talked about on the show today:

Are you keeping an eye on the Jan. 6 hearings? Send us an email with your thoughts or questions at [email protected] or leave us a voice message at (508) 827-6278 or (508) U-B-SMART.

One of the causes of the grimace-inducing inflation we’re experiencing is a congested global supply chain. Port bottlenecks are finally easing, but we’re not in the clear yet. With COVID-19 restrictions lifting in China, the U.S. could be in store for what one freight broker calls a “freight tsunami.” Plus, a look at why inflation is so pervasive and persistent, and creating federal protections workers who face extreme heat.

Metlife’s Drew Matus joins us to discuss the markets as Consumer Price Index data rolls in and shows us that inflation is still very much on the move up. New research is showing that tenants who have longer commutes to the courthouse are more likely to get evicted from their homes. There’s a coal boom going on right now, but what are the long-term implications as the world makes a push toward renewable energy?

With “Jurassic World: Dominion” opening this weekend and the success of “Top Gun: Maverick” reigniting box office numbers, we look into whether the season of the summer blockbuster has returned after years of pandemic-induced inconsistency. The BBC reports on Japan’s reopening to tourists. A recycling company in France is transforming discarded face masks into different kinds of items.

From the BBC World Service: Japan is open once again to foreign travelers for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with strict rules being maintained in order to mitigate potential risks. Plus, a look at the factors behind Russia’s central bank’s key decision on interest rates. And we hear from one of the U.K. companies taking part in the biggest ever trial of a four-day working week with no loss of pay.

Last night, the House Select Committee investigating the attack on the Capitol started showing the evidence it has been gathering about who knew what and when. To build that case and tell the story, members are relying on video footage, social media communication and text messages. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams speaks with Alex Howard, director of The Digital Democracy Project. He says a major focus is the role social media and virtual communication played before, during and after the attack.

This week, U.S. Sens. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York introduced a bill to regulate cryptocurrencies. Then, they went on TV pumping up bitcoin. We’ll explain why that’s not cool, starting with the fact that, according to her financial disclosures, Lummis is a big-time crypto investor. Consult your own financial advisers, and think twice before investing in crypto via your retirement account. Plus, tonight’s Jan. 6 committee hearings are this generation’s Watergate moment. Will you be watching? And, are UFOs real? NASA wants to find out.

Here’s everything we talked about today:

We’d love to hear from you. Let us know what you think about today’s show or anything else that’s on your mind. You can reach us at [email protected] and (508) 827-6278 or (508) U-B-SMART.