Marketplace Morning Report

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.

The FDA cracks down on the dietary supplement industry. Car insurance in California is cheaper than in other states, and heavy regulation might be to thank. Plus, Marketplace Senior Economics Contributor Chris Farrell talks about his new book Purpose and a Paycheck: Finding Meaning, Money and Happiness in the Second Half of Life. And if you've ever wanted to own the the house where the richest man in the world lived, now's your chance. Today's show is sponsored by the Alliance for Lifetime Income, Kronos, WellFrame  and Indeed.

Everyday items like toilet paper and garbage bags are getting a little more expensive, at least more than official inflation numbers would suggest. It's no secret the rent is too darn high in the Golden State, but after Californians rejected a cost control measure last year, lawmakers are looking for other ways to protect renters from the skyrocketing cost of living. The U.S.-China tariff deadline looms. Plus, as Venezuela's political and economic crisis deepens, the government is on the hunt for dollars. Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

Colleges and universities are bringing in a record amount of money in charitable donations, and it's no surprise which schools are getting the most. Construction in the U.S. appears to keep growing, but companies are having trouble hiring enough good workers to keep up with demand. A new report shows the powerful impact of breast cancer screenings over the decades. Plus, we take a brief look at Russia's looming Internet shutdown. Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

Delegations from the U.S. and China are meeting again to restart talks aimed at ending the ongoing trade stalemate. But, what would a win for eitherside look like, and is China now more willing to give in as consumer spending continues to slip? Then, it's been 40 years since revolutionaries overthrew Iran's monarchy, but the economy is struggling today. Plus, horse racing is the second-biggest spectator sport in Britain, generating billions for the economy. But just a month to go until a key racing event, 174 stables are in quarantine amid an outbreak of highly contagious equine flu. Today's show is sponsored by Kronos, Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

What happens when you hand struggling people money? A study on Finland's universal basic income experiment concludes that not much, for the economy at least. We take a look at the mysteriously falling benchmark interest rate. America's liquefied natural gas industry is growing, but are China's tariffs on LNG actually hurting it as some predicted? Plus, Johnson & Johnson becomes the first company to put the prices of its products — drugs in this case — in its TV ads.

Today's show is sponsored by Kronos  and Indeed.

Will Congress be able to pass legislation to sue the international oil cartel OPEC? Walgreens is put on notice for selling tobacco to minors, and in one case, for selling tobacco, period. Plus, as the idea of Medicare-for-all seems to gain traction, doctors, health care industry lobbyists and insurance companies are beginning to round the wagons. Today's show is sponsored by Kronos  and Indeed.

From the BBC World Service… There's been a flurry of attention in the U.K. over how social media platforms regulate content promoting self-harm. We'll hear from Instagram's boss about new changes coming to the platform to give more oversight to graphic images. Then, after nine months of negotiations, Lebanon has a government this week. But political paralysis has hit the economy, which ranks as the third most-indebted in the world. Will new reforms aimed at spurring growth be a long-lasting form of change?  Then, do gender and perfume mix?

Today's show is sponsored by Kronos  and Indeed.

Video game companies and content creators like Netflix are taking the "L" on the global phenomenon knows as Fortnite. Does the U.S. economy need a new stimulus to fend off a recession? Plus, copper is a valuable commodity readily available to thieves in the form of wire in public electrical lines. The State of Missouri is fighting back. Plus, what would you name the newest, big banking merger? Today's show is sponsored by Ling Ling Asian Foods, Avery Publishing, the Alliance for Lifetime Income and Indeed.

The federal consumer watchdog looks to roll back regulations on payday lenders. How is the American toy industry doing after Toys"R"Us pulled the plug? Plus, financial markets seem to be correcting following a slight downturn late last year, but one expert tells us it might not have been so slight. So, are we actually in a bear market? The thing is, we won't know until later. Today's show is sponsored by Ling Ling Asian Foods, Avery Publishing, the Alliance for Lifetime Income and Indeed.