Latest from James Graham

• Dec 19, 2022

  Brand Messi to go “stratospheric” after World Cup win

  

  From the BBC World Service: Argentina are soccer’s new world champions, and their star forward Lionel Messi’s marketing power is about to go through the roof, according to one of the industry’s biggest figures. Also today, a first trade visit by Australia’s foreign minister to China in three years, and the BBC World Service celebrates its 90th birthday.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 16, 2022

  Special: The Transistor at 75

  

  The future began 75 years ago with the invention of something small that’s now considered the most manufactured item in human history and the biggest thing since fire. This is a Marketplace special report on the birth of the transistor, which happened in New Jersey on Dec. 16, 1947 at Bell Telephone Laboratories. Bell Labs was at that time the research arm of the telephone monopoly AT&T. But what were the other ingredients needed for this place to become a hotspot for innovation? Why did it take years for the transistor to find a home inside the first commercial pocket radio? How did the transistor contribute to the rise of Silicon Valley? Transistors defined the last half of the 20th century and nearly the first quarter of the century we live in now. We spent some time exploring the ecosystems of innovation that created this world.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 16, 2022

  Could “Avatar: The Way of Water” show a way forward for the U.S. and China?

  

  Christopher Low pores over the markets with us. A recent study further illustrates how young adults are handling debt. Jennifer Pak discusses how the “Avatar” sequel could improve relations between the U.S. and China.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 16, 2022

  Happy birthday to the transistor

  

  Congress is trying to get TikTok banned in the U.S. over cybersecurity concerns. The final part of our series on the transistor chronicles how two men – one from Egypt, the other from Korea – became key figures in its development. 

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 16, 2022

  Rates ramp up in Europe

  

  From the BBC World Service: Europe’s central bank boss Christine Lagarde has warned there’s a long way to go in the fight against inflation as interest rates continue to rise. Plus, a legal case in Kenya is alleging Facebook didn’t do enough to stop viral posts that encouraged the spread of hate and violence during Ethiopia’s civil war. And, the Brit Billion – a new way to recognize music streams.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 15, 2022

  More rounds to go in the fight against inflation

  

  We follow up with more on what’s next for the Fed after it raised interest rates again. Lawmakers are zeroing in on crypto regulation following the collapse of FTX. Could free transit in D.C. become reality?

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 15, 2022

  The transistor helped signal the start of Silicon Valley

  

  First, we have more on the Federal Reserve, which raised interest rates Wednesday. Our next chapter in our series about the transistor details its impact on the place that would come to be known as Silicon Valley. 

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 15, 2022

  China’s economic activity slumps

  

  From the BBC World Service: New data from China sounds the economic alarm bells – it performed worse than expected last month, before the government abandoned its zero-COVID strategy. Plus, why Bosnia and Herzegovina is pinning its hopes on membership in the European Union. And, Nigeria’s issuing new banknotes, saying it wants to reduce the amount of cash in circulation. With elections due in February, the move might affect some politicians who hand out cash as part of their campaign.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 14, 2022

  You know about interest rates. Ever heard of the Fed’s balance sheet?

  

  The Fed is expected to raise interest rates again, but not by as much as before. Susan Schmidt explains what that could mean. Sticking with the Fed, we look into another tool it has that can affect your mortgage. The number of H-2B seasonal worker visas being offered has sharply increased.

  Read MoreSaveShare
• Dec 14, 2022

  How Texas became instrumental in making the transistor a pop hit

  

  First, lawmakers are closing in on a federal budget deal to avoid government shutdown. For the next chapter in our series on the transistor, we examine the device’s entry into mainstream culture.

  Read MoreSaveShare