Marketplace Morning Report

GDP numbers are out Friday, and it looks like growth for the first quarter of 2019 was right in the sweet spot -- not too big, not too small. The NRA shifts its marketing away from firearms towards its criticism of the Left. Plus, Charlotte, North Carolina aims to become a food destination. Today's show is sponsored by WellFrame,  the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and Brother Printers.

From the BBC World Service… There’s been growing worry about China’s rising influence as it expands it international trade project. At the Belt and Road conference in Beijing today, China’s president tried to quell those concerns. Then, over the weekend, Spanish voters will head to the polls in the fourth general elections in the last three years. The next leader will have to content with a range of issues including an uneven economic recovery, Catalonia separatism and foreign-policy changes. Plus, we take a look a what draws visitors to the island of Sri Lanka and how business, which depends largely on tourism, is dealing with the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bombings.

Today's show is sponsored by WellFrame,  the University of Florida Warrington College of Business and Brother Printers.

Amazon's first quarter figures are out Thursday, and though business appears to be going gangbusters in the U.S., it could be time to take offerings like Prime to other markets. As for GDP Q1 numbers, they're out Friday. Plus, it was revealed this week the U.S. might be able to squeeze out one more year out of Social Security before it runs out — that's in 2035 now. But could the upcoming presidential election actually shift the focus towards the safety net and extend the program?

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

Facebook releases positive financial first quarter data amid continued scrutiny over privacy violations. Meanwhile, Tesla reports it lost $700 million, but CEO Elon Musk says it's "crazy" to not buy one of his cars and talks about the company's foray into car insurance. Plus, some U.S. farmers and the immigrant workers they employ want to replace the current H-2A work visa with some a bit more permanent. Today's show is sponsored by Capital One and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

From the BBC World Service… The Royal Bank of Scotland's boss resigned today after more than five years at the helm. Who's next to lead the bank, which is still more than 60% owned by U.K. taxpayers? Then, we take a look at the U.K.'s role in China's Belt and Road conference in Beijing taking place this week. Plus, artificial intelligence is supposed to be helpful, but funny…unintentionally? We hear some humorous examples of AI gone wrong and from one expert who says robots aren't likely to take over humanity anytime soon.

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

The S&P hits a record high, another indicator of investor confidence. Taiwanese tech giant Foxconn asks to tweak an already tenuous deal to build a plant in Wisconsin after the governor criticizes the $4 billion in tax incentives the company received. Plus, nurses in New York reach a deal with hospitals to get increased staffing levels for lower caregiver-patient ratios. Today's show is sponsored by Panopto, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage, Indeed and the United States Postal Service.

The fallout from two deadly Boeing plane crashes continues, as dozens of the company's 737-MAX aircraft remain on the tarmac and another scandal with a different model might be brewing. Kohl's sees its stock tick up following news of a deal with Amazon regarding returns. Plus, the highest court in the land weighs in on workplace discrimination for LGBTQ employees. Today's show is sponsored by Panopto, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage, Indeed and the United States Postal Service.

From the BBC World Service... Britain's prime minister has approved plans for the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei to supply bits of its 5G network, despite security concerns. Cyber chiefs say they can fend off any threats, while others claim sabotage is still a possibility. Then, Britain's central bank is looking for a new governor to steer the country though a post-Brexit world. Plus, we take you inside Dubai's coffee boom, driven by demand from millennials. Today's show is sponsored by Panopto, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage, Indeed and the United States Postal Service.

We've been hearing about an imminent economic downturn for a while now, but will the forthcoming first quarter GDP numbers confirm some of those fears? Samsung is in damage control after reviewers break its $2,000, folding-screen phone ahead of its big release. Plus, the famed mint julep isn't the only cocktail being slung at this year's Kentucky Derby. Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, BitSight Technologies and Wordpress.

Social Security is predicted to run out a year later than previously forecast. It's home-buying season, and home-building numbers are just OK. Plus, ahead of the Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta, we take a look some of the myriad problems caused by addiction and what public agencies are doing to address them. Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, BitSight Technologies and Wordpress.