Marketplace Morning Report

What's next for New York City after Amazon announced its HQ2 will not be in The Big Apple anymore? The inspector general of the Dept. of Education says the agency is doing a lousy job of monitoring student loan servicing companies. Plus, what would the world be like if people worked four days a week? Two companies are trying out the idea. Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, WordPress and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service... Spain has just announced snap elections after separatist Catalan politicians refused to back the proposed budget. We explore what the implications are for the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy. Another country headed to the polls is Nigeria, which has the most extreme poverty in the world. We take a closer look at what's at stake. Then, it's the largest displacement crisis since World War II. The war in Syria has shattered lives and sent shock waves through the region. Millions of refugees have fled in search of a better life. But how do you measure unemployment in a war-torn country? And what are refugees willing to sacrifice for safety? We lift the lid on what life is like for refugees as the Syrian crisis enters its eighth year.

Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, WordPress and Indeed.

Retail sales fell sharply in December, the biggest drop since The Great Recession. Auto sales are up, but a lot of people—particularly those in the younger set—aren't paying their car notes. We head to Colorado where the ski industry is voicing its concerns over dwindling snowfall and shorter seasons on the slopes. Plus, you know those candy hearts you get on Valentine's Day? Well, you're not getting any this year.

Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… Showers and spa treatments while you fly. The Airbus A380 promised luxury when it first launched more than a decade ago. But the European aircraft manufacturer says it will stop making the world's largest passenger aircraft in 2021. Airbus boss Tom Enders explains the factors behind the decision. Then, Germany narrowly avoided falling into recession at the end of 2018. But with ongoing trade tensions threatening to undermine a nascent global recovery, will Europe's largest economy be able to bounce back? And, it's Valentine's Day, which means flowers, chocolates and romantic gifts, but what about a bit of synthetic sparkle? We'll look at how ethical "green" diamonds can still be a girl's best friend.

Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

The EPA says it's taking action on harmful chemicals known as "PFAS," which are found in everyday objects. Germany's economy didn't grow last year, and that's good news. Plus, we hear from Efosa Ojomo, author of "The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty," about taking a Silicon Valley-style approach to development. Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

A new report finds that, while unemployment around the world is relatively low, a lot of the jobs people have just stink. The consumer price index is also low, but will inflation stay down? Plus, there's paleo. There's keto. Now, there's the "Nordic diet." Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

Sprint and T-Mobile head to Capitol Hill to talk about their proposed, giant merger, but will it be what consumers need? As the threat of another government shutdown looms, we take a look at the toll the previous one has already taken on some federal workers. Seven million Americans are 90 days or more late on their car payments. Plus, how can farmers grow hemp when cannabis is still illegal federally? Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… More than 200 flights in and out of Belgium, impacting tens of thousands of travelers, have been cancelled due to a 24-hour strike by the country's main transportation unions. And, reports estimate it could cost the local economy 14-million dollars. Then, as Italy’s government central bank and government tussle over gold ownership, we investigate which one really owns the precious metal reserves. Plus,  a U.S. executive order signed in April directed Homeland Security to issue H-1B visas to the most skilled and best-paid foreigners. But now there’s been a drop off in the number of skilled graduates applying for visas in places like India.

Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

For all the talk of a booming economy, small businesses are pessimistic about the future, according to one recent survey. We look at what the coolest-sounding report on government data says about jobs in the U.S. Marco Rubio actually wants to raise one type of tax now. "Hamilton" isn't the only show taking on politics on and off The Great White Way. Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… Nissan sales took another tumble in 2018 and today slashed targets in key markets like China, the U.S. and Europe. So, can the company navigate slowing demand and executive turnover amid a troubled global economy? Then, South Africa's state-owned power company is struggling under tens-of-billions of dollars of debt, shrinking revenues and aging power stations. Now, a self-imposed blackout aimed at preventing a collapse of the company could end up adding pain to the economy. Plus, we follow cherry tomatoes on their journey from Spain to the U.K. and explore what the fresh food market for Britain looks like post Brexit.

Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.