Fears over how AI could be used to mislead voters are escalating in a year that will see hundreds of millions of people around the world cast ballots. As a result, tech giants are pledging action.
Rent has skyrocketed in the United States. That means Americans are handing over a bigger portion of their paycheck to their housing costs. They have less money for things like food, electricity, and commuting.
The pandemic and inflation have both played a role in pushing rents higher.
Whitney Airgood-Obrycki a Senior Research Associate at Harvard's Joint Center on Housing Studies says rents are actually going down, but that increases have been so large it's going to take time for the market to even out.
We look at how rent prices got so high and what it might take to bring them down.
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Recycling "does not solve the solid waste problem," the head of a plastics trade group said in 1989, around the time the industry was launching its recycling campaign.
In 2023, The Federal Reserve and other banking regulators announced they were making changes to how they grade banks on servicing local communities. This all stems from a 1977 law called the Community Reinvestment Act, which was designed to encourage banks to better meet the needs of moderate and low-income borrowers. However, major banking trade groups weren't too excited about the new rules and filed a lawsuit against the banking regulators last week.
Today on the show, we explain the history of racist housing policies in the United States and how that history informs the banks' fight with the government today.
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Match Group was sued on Wednesday for violating consumer protection laws for allegedly addicting dating app users through "predatory" practices that mislead people searching for romantic partners.
L, is for the way you Listen to Planet Money O, is for the Only podcast I hear V, is Very, very, fiduciary E, is for... ECONOMICS!
Every February, we dedicate a show to the things in our lives that have been giving us butterflies. Whether it's an obscure online marketplace or a piece of stunt journalism that made us green with envy. And then we go out into the world to proclaim our love...in the form of a Valentine. And we have a great roster this Valentine's Day:
- A grocery store in Los Angeles with the very best produce - A woodworking supply company with an innovative approach to... innovation! - A basketball player that makes a strong case for taking risky shots - A book that catalogues the raw materials that shape our world - A play that connects the 2008 financial crisis to the sale of the island of Manhattan in the 1600s - And, a podcast that turns corporate intrigue into watercooler chit-chat
So cozy up with a special someone and hand them the second earbud as we take you through our 2024 Valentines! Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
Egypt's economy is facing its worst crisis in decades. The situation could further destabilize the Middle East if it goes unresolved. Now, the International Monetary Fund is working with Egyptian leadership to figure out another deal for a multi-billion dollar loan ... but will it be enough? Today, we look at how Egypt has fallen into economic crisis and whether its economy is too big to fail.
Related episodes: What could convince Egypt to take in Gaza's refugees? (Apple / Spotify)
Red Sea tensions spell trouble for global supply chains (Apple / Spotify)
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Temu aggressively markets "hot deals," such as a hooded button-up fleece jacket for $8.32. But some U.S. officials accuse Temu of unfair and/or unethical practices.
Journalists have walked out of two dozen newsrooms over layoffs, budget cuts and fraught contract talks in just the past few weeks. All of them belong to the leading newspaper union, the NewsGuild.
Recreational fishermen and conservation groups worry overfishing for menhaden threatens the Chesapeake Bay. Industry says current data doesn't support shutting down the more than century-old fishery.
"As a news reporter ... I am confident to report that you are so special and amazing," Grover tweeted. Some responded with jokes about him getting laid off, a common occurrence in today's media world.
Roses are red. Violets are blue. We have another Indicator Quiz for you! Today's episode tests one loyal listener on their econ knowledge about our recent defense series, and they give us their best Valentine's Day cocktail recommendation. Play along with us and see how you do!
Are you interested in being a contestant on our next Indicator Quiz? Email us your name, city and phone number to indicator@npr.org and put "Indicator Quiz" in the subject line.
Related episodes: Can Just-In-Time handle a new era of war? (Apple / Spotify) Are we overpaying for military equipment? (Apple / Spotify) How to transform a war economy from peacetime (Apple / Spotify) How to transform a war economy from peacetime (Apple / Spotify) How the world economy could react to escalation in the Middle East (Apple / Spotify) How niche brands got into your grocery store (Apple / Spotify) WTF is a bitcoin ETF (Apple / Spotify)
For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.
Investors in dating app companies are suffering from heartbreak. As these companies shift gears and try to make a profit, many of their users are heartbroken too.
