Author: Marketplace

From the BBC World Service: Energy thinktank Ember says that for the first time, solar and wind met all new global electricity demand in the first half of this year. Could this be a turning point for the global energy system? Then, London police dismantled an international gang suspected of smuggling up to 40,000 stolen cell phones. And, Zimbabwe is on a quest to become Africa’s blueberry capital after it signed a tariff-free export protocol with China.

Bridget and Ryan are at the Podcast Hosts for Youths Sleepaway Camp, but Ryan just can’t fall asleep. That’s when they meet Dougie Pickles, host of the Cozy Critters sleepy time podcast, with a surprising bedtime trick. Together, they unpack the world where animals and money collide, learn what bull and bear markets are, and introduce us to a fishy little entrepreneur, all while soothing Ryan to sleep. Plus, what do you think is more expensive to feed, a tiger or an elephant?

If your family is interested in learning even more about today’s question, check out our website. We’ve got conversation starters and a tip sheet!

This episode is sponsored by Greenlight. Sign up for Greenlight today at greenlight.com/million.

The number of scams involving job postings and offers nearly tripled between 2020 and 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The change translates to more than $500 million in reported losses.

These scams have proliferated on legitimate job boards and you might have even received some via email or text message — fake recruiters reach out with “enticing” offers which are too good to be true. Marketplace’s Nova Safo spoke with Mark Anthony Dyson, author of the Job Scam Report newsletter, about how to spot scams.

OpenAI announced it will invest big time in chipmaker AMD, potentially in exchange for a stake in the firm. As AI investment has ramped up, similar deals have become common. Do these partnerships signal a strengthening sector? Or are they a symptom of an AI bubble headed toward a burst? Also in this episode: Regional banks merge under Trump appointees’ relaxed regulatory rule, retailers are optimistic about the upcoming holiday shopping season, and Houston’s housing market experiences knock-on effects of deportation duress.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

Over the weekend, the White House threatened more layoffs if negotiations between Democrats and Republicans continue to go nowhere. Meanwhile, 100,000 earlier federal layoffs and buyouts finally took effect last week. But stocks hit a record on Friday. What gives? We'll discuss with Julia Coronado, founder and president of MacroPolicy Perspectives. Plus, a lack of trust in artificial intelligence is hampering its adoption among small and mid-sized businesses.

The nonprofit One Earth has been tracking $400 billion worth of private investment in climate change solutions. Thing is, the amount of money being invested in climate causes is both not enough and unevenly distributed. This morning, we'll find out what’s driving the gap and what can be done about it. But first, Costco members will soon be able to buy discounted weight-loss drugs, and beer makers are struggling with tariffs and changing consumer demand.

From the BBC World Service: The Nikkei 225 stock index in Japan rose sharply on the first day of trading after Sanae Takaichi won the contest to lead the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Then, Jaguar Land Rover plans to resume vehicle production in the U.K. today, six weeks after a cyberattack forced a production pause. And, although the artificial intelligence industry is worth close to $250 billion, some businesses are rejecting its use altogether. We'll hear from them.

Algorithms, which are just sets of instructions expressed in code, are harder to restrict than physical goods. But, as Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino reports, governments — including the U.S. — have long tried to prevent their export.

On today’s show, Kimberly is joined by Marketplace’s very own Henry Epp to chat about his reporting on the “maturing” of the craft beer industry, and just who's sipping all those IPAs and sours. They'll also get into how the Trump administration is using the government shutdown to consolidate power. Plus, we’ll play a round of Half Full/Half Empty!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• “For years, craft beer was booming. Now, it’s ‘maturing’” from Marketplace
• “Trump charts path to total control amid government shutdown” from Axios
• “AOL’s dial up internet takes its last bow, marking the end of an era” from the Associated Press
• “Colleges turn to video essays to counter AI-written submissions” from Marketplace Tech
• “Robots are learning to make human babies. Twenty have already been born.” from The Washington Post
• “Buy it in ChatGPT: Instant Checkout and the Agentic Commerce Protocol” from OpenAI
• “The future of loyalty” from Business Insider

The gap between how high-income and low-income Americans are faring in this economy is growing. One example? Fast food restaurants are struggling while sit-down joints that cater to wealthier customers are A-OK. Also in this episode: “Every Screen on the Planet” author Emily Baker-White talks geopolitics behind the U.S.-China TikTok deal and a Wyoming solar panel company preps for the end of federal subsidies for residential installation.

Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.

Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.