The U.S. has been policing bribery all over the world for nearly half a century using a law called the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. But now, President Trump has said that this anti-corruption law is crippling American businesses. Since taking office, his administration has reduced the number of investigators, killed some cases, and changed the rules.
In this episode, we look at the FCPA case against Glencore, a large commodity trading company, found guilty in 2022 for paying cash bribes in exchange for lucrative contracts all over the world.
And we go back to the inception of the law, a time when using bribes to pay off foreign officials was considered "grease in the wheels" - a reasonable (if unethical) way to get business done.
This episode was hosted by Amanda Aronczyk and Erika Beras. It was produced by Willa Rubin. It was fact-checked by Emily Crawford with help from Willa Rubin. It was edited by Marianne McCune. It was engineered by James Willetts. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.
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PBS News Hour - World - European leaders meet with Iran’s foreign minister as war with Israel rages on
It's now one full week since Israel launched a punishing campaign of airstrikes against Iran and its nuclear infrastructure. Iran has responded with its own missile strikes, but to far lesser effect. President Trump reiterated his desire to negotiate with Iran within a two-week window he set Thursday, as the U.S. marshals its forces in support of the Israeli operations. Geoff Bennett reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
PBS News Hour - World - How people inside Iran are reacting to the war
All week we’ve been talking to experts on Iran’s nuclear program, its leadership and on U.S. foreign policy, as President Trump weighs entering the war. But speaking directly to people in Iran has been difficult. Nazanin Boniadi, an actress and human rights activist focused on Iran, where she was born and which her family fled after the 1979 revolution, joins Amna Nawaz with more from Los Angeles. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
PBS News Hour - Health - How to stay safe from the dangers of extreme heat
For more on the dangers of extreme temperatures and key tips for dealing with the heat, Stephanie Sy speaks with Ashley Ward, director of the Heat Policy Innovation Hub at Duke University. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
PBS News Hour - Art Beat - Carla Hayden on her time as a pioneering librarian of Congress and getting fired by Trump
Dr. Carla Hayden, a trailblazing librarian of Congress, was fired by President Trump in May. Geoff Bennett recently spoke with her about being blindsided by the decision, the administration’s ongoing efforts to reshape key institutions and why she intends to keep speaking out. It’s for our series, Art in Action, exploring the intersection of art and democracy, as part of our CANVAS coverage. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Marketplace All-in-One - Auto repair shops struggle under Trump’s tariffs
In the “tariffs the Trump administration has announced and actually put into long-term effect” category? A 25% tax on some automotive parts. In this episode, we visit an auto repair shop in Vermont where unexpected price increases are affecting business. Plus: Cities invest in revitalized waterways as recreational moneymakers and the Philly Fed reports manufacturing employment slumped in the region.
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1A - The Effect Of Climate Policy Changes On Your Life
In his first six months back in the Oval Office, President Trump rolled back decades of U.S. climate policy.
So far, he's scaled back regulations that help keep our air and water clean, delayed critical protections for endangered species, withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time, and cut staffing and federal spending on critical environmental agencies and programs – among other changes.
Trump's commitment to increase oil and gas production will escalate the effects we're already seeing from global warming as humans continue to burn fossil fuels.
We discuss what changes to U.S. environmental policy could have the greatest impact on the fight to curb climate change.
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So far, he's scaled back regulations that help keep our air and water clean, delayed critical protections for endangered species, withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time, and cut staffing and federal spending on critical environmental agencies and programs – among other changes.
Trump's commitment to increase oil and gas production will escalate the effects we're already seeing from global warming as humans continue to burn fossil fuels.
We discuss what changes to U.S. environmental policy could have the greatest impact on the fight to curb climate change.
Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
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The Gist - Funny You Should Mention: Rosebud Baker
Rosebud Baker joins Funny You Should Mention with the rare gift of making life’s toughest moments hilarious, and a point of view that’s inseparable from the punchline. Her Netflix special Motherlode delivers pregnancy, parenting, and political edge in one biting package. We talk about her SNL writing process and how to satirize breastfeeding pressure without becoming a parenting brand. Plus: how riding a dolphin convinced her husband to get a hair transplant.
Produced by Corey Wara
Production Coordinator Ashley Khan
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The Daily Signal - Victor Davis Hanson: The Optimistic, the Realistic, and the Pessimistic Scenarios for Iran
With the Israel-Iran war stretching into its second week, commentators from all sides of the political arena have been delivering their optimistic, pessimistic, and realistic opinions on the conflict.
Here are the facts:
The war is going in Israel's favor. There’s a 50-50 chance of regime change, but only a 25% chance the new leaders will be better than Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Trump administration might have to intervene but is holding back because it thinks Israel will find a creative way to destroy Iran's underground nuclear facilities on its own, surmises Victor Davis Hanson on today’s edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words:”
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00:00 Introduction to the Iranian-Israeli Conflict
00:19 Optimistic Scenario
01:32 Pessimistic Scenario
04:57 Realistic Scenario
07:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons - WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: June 20, 2025
It’s time for your favorite weekly news catch-up! This week: thousands gather for “No Kings” protests in the Chicago area, Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes back on presidential threats to increase deportations, and Chicago’s City Council passes stricter teen curfew that could face a veto.
Reset dives into these and other top local stories in our Weekly News Recap, with Ravi Baichwal, ABC-7 News anchor; Paris Schutz, Fox-32 political correspondent; and Francia Garcia Hernandez, Block Club Chicago reporter.
For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.