Marketplace Morning Report

The official jobs numbers come out Friday, but private data already show what we've known for a while now: the job market is hot. With CVS's acquisition of health insurer Aetna, the drug store chain has moved towards providing health services in-house. Plus, we look at how some people who live in so-called "food deserts" are gaining access to healthy fruits and vegetables. Today's show is sponsored by BitSight Technologies, Capital One and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

A new study finds that raising the minimum wage could prevent suicides. The U.S. will begin to implement largely ignored sanctions against Cuba. How will the island retaliate? Plus, we take a look at the booming business around soon-to-be parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their forthcoming royal bundle of joy. Today's show is sponsored by BitSight Technologies, Capital One and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

From the BBC World Service... Paris is bracing itself for a day of protests amid fears that the traditional May Day rally could turn violent. Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro has claimed victory over an attempted coup. Plus, the waivers that allowed some countries to continue importing Iranian oil without penalty are coming to an end. The Trump administration wants to reduce the Islamic Republic’s oil exports to zero. But is this realistic?

Today's show is sponsored by BitSight Technologies, Capital One and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

Government figures indicate it's not that hard to get a job these days, but it does take a little more work to get a raise. Cleveland and Ohio go the state's supreme court to decide the fate of the city's local hire ordinance, which the state says is discriminating against some people based on where they live. Plus, the whole of Japan takes a break to bid farewell to Emperor Akihito, who has abdicated the seat he's held for three decades. Today's show is sponsored by Acquia and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

As the Trump administration preps for talks with Democrats on the country's crumbling infrastructure, we take a look at why public-private partnerships get complicated. A new survey suggest over a third of the people who can get paid vacation will choose or feel forced to leave half of it on the table this year. Plus, what happens when makers of specialty products just stop making? Today's show is sponsored by Acquia and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

From the BBC World Service... Economic growth in Europe strengthened at the start of 2019, with both the eurozone and wider European Union expanding at a faster pace than expected. Also, a cross-party group of British politicians are backing a "Green New Deal" for the U.K. They say dramatic change is needed, but is the plan realistic? Finally, Japan's Emperor Akihito has abdicated, marking the end of an imperial era for Japan. We take a look at what it means, and what Japan's workaholics make of their unprecedented "golden," two-week vacation. Today's show is sponsored by Acquia and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

Consumers were spending a lot last month, according to new government data. An African swine flu epidemic is affecting China's food supply. Plus, Spotify faces stiff competition as Amazon and Google enter the streaming music business. Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Forex, Kronos and the United States Postal Service.

Shareholders of German agriculture and pharmaceutical conglomerate Bayer send a resounding rebuke against management stemming from the company's acquisition of Monsanto, whose Roundup weed killer has allegedly been linked to cancer. As fuel prices rise, we look at how gas stations are differentiating themselves to stay competitive. Plus, the average FICO credit score is up compared to that before the Great Recession, but are these figures being inflated, and why should creditors care about the number, anyway? And President Trump's "new NAFTA" faces resistance from his own party. Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Forex, Kronos and the United States Postal Service.

From the BBC World Service... Spain's socialist party has won the most seats in the general election. We explain what it means for the Eurozone's fourth largest economy. Then, should the U.K. scrap the penny coin? Six out of ten copper coins in the U.K. are used just once. We hear arguments on both sides as the government prepares to announce its decision. And, the fight for votes in India’s election has entered its fourth round. We explain why meeting the rising aspirations of rural voters will be one of the biggest challenges.

Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Forex, Kronos and the United States Postal Service.

Hispanic home ownership has been rising. The president of France wants his citizens to work more. Plus, are you are on Team Paypal or Team Zelle? Today's show is sponsored by WellFrame, the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and Brother Printers.