Latest from Meredith Garretson Morbey

• Jan 9, 2019

  Britain’s Brexit debate kicks off ahead of key vote

  

  From the BBC World Service … The holidays are over and the British parliament is back in business with Brexit at the top of its 2019 agenda. Wednesday, five days of debate begins again on Theresa May’s exit deal, and a vote is slated for next Tuesday. So, what do politicians want, what do the people want, and who’s likely to get what they want? Then, police and clothing-factory workers are seeing the third day of clashes in Bangladesh – the world’s second-biggest garment exporter – over wages. This after the government last year upped the minimum wage by more than 50%. We’ll explain what’s happening on the ground, and how the two sides are trying to come together. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 8, 2019

  Landfills across the U.S. are running out of room

  

  With trade talks between the U.S. and China resuming, we talk markets with economist Lindsey Piegza. We also have more out of the effects of the partial government shutdown, which is affecting the food stamp program called SNAP. The program helps to feed 40 million people. Then we talk a little trash: According to the Waste Business Journal, the typical landfill in the U.S. will be filled to capacity by the time a child born today becomes a teenager. There’s a Tennessee landfill that has six years left. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 8, 2019

  Examining the staying power of flu season

  

  It looks like tax refunds will still be coming, no matter how long the partial government shutdown drags on. Why the change, after tax refunds were declared a non-essential government activity? Then we turn to the upcoming flu season. The last one led to roughly 80,000 people dying prematurely from the flu and complications tied to it. It was the highest total in 40 years. So, why does the flu still do so much damage? Also, we check in on Liverpool, England, where Beatlemania remains as strong as ever. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 8, 2019

  China looks to Serbian steel to help offset growth slowdown

  

  From the BBC World Service … Embattled former Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn got his day in court today after being held in a Tokyo detention center for nearly 50 days. We’ll hear from his attorney and our correspondent who describes a gaunt but determined-looking Ghosn, and the huge demand to be in the courtroom. Then, like Apple, Samsung has warned of slower earnings growth in the fourth quarter. Afterwards, with revived talks between the U.S. and China ongoing, we take a look at how China is trying to offset the economic costs of the trade spat by spending its way out of a prolonged slowdown with an investment in Serbian steelworks. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 7, 2019

  The cost of loans for energy efficiency might not be worth it

  

  First, we take a look at the markets this Monday with economist Julia Coronado following what was an intriguing week. Then, we look at the roughly 68,000 jobs at risk if Sears and Kmart end up failing. We check in to see if a potential rescue plan by the Sears chairman could be the solution. We also look into PACE loans, which people reeling from the California wildfires are using to make their homes more fire-resistant and energy efficient. However, experts say these loans come with their own set of obstacles. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 7, 2019

  The gender pay discussion heads to the symphony

  

  The U.S. and China have agreed to “positive and constructive” trade dialogue as they resume talks Monday in Beijing. Andrew Walker with the BBC told us more. Also, the partial government shutdown might start messing with your tax refund, as the IRS is down to an eighth of its workforce during the ramp-up before tax season. Then we tackle the gender pay gap among professional musicians: The Boston Symphony Orchestra is being sued by its principal flute player, who said she makes $64,000 less per year than the male oboe player next to her. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 7, 2019

  Tesla breaks ground in Shanghai as China, U.S. trade talks resume

  

  From the BBC World Service … As the U.S. and China resurrect trade talks Monday, Elon Musk’s Tesla broke ground on a new facility in Shanghai that’ll allow the electric carmaker to build its autos locally and offset price hikes of imported models that came as a result of the trade spat. Then, commuters in big U.S. cities like New York know all too well the squeeze rising transportation costs have on their commuting budgets. But they’re not alone – we take a look at why trains in Britain, which saw a 3 percent fare increase this month, are more expensive and sometimes less reliable than many European services. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Pitney Bowes, U.S. Postal Service and Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage.

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• Jan 4, 2019

  Domestic workers, as seen through the lens of ‘Roma’

  

  The Department of Labor announced that 312,000 jobs were added in December to U.S. businesses. Unemployment also went up, but that’s partially tied to the increased labor participation rate. Then we look at car sales, which still look strong despite the chaotic stock market activity and rising interest rates. Automakers say more than 17 million new cars and light trucks were sold last year. We also check out, in a way, the movie “Roma,” a critically acclaimed Netflix film that tells the story of a domestic worker in Mexico. So, how did real-life domestic workers feel about it? Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

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• Jan 4, 2019

  Hospitals now have to post prices online. Is that a good thing?

  

  For the fifth time in a year, the People’s Bank of China has cut down on the amount of cash banks have to keep in reserve. It’s another way China is combatting a decrease in growth. Also, the arrival of 2019 brings new rules for hospitals: They now have to post prices for their services online. It’s a move to transparency, but not everyone is convinced. In football news, the NFL has locked down its first-ever deal with a gambling company. The league has been slower than other sports leagues to forge partnerships with the gambling industry. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

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• Jan 4, 2019

  Politicians, journalists caught up in Germany’s biggest personal-data leak

  

  From the BBC World Service … Germany has seen its biggest personal-data leak with information on hundreds of politicians – reportedly including Chancellor Angela Merkel – and journalists surfacing online. Then, global markets are taking on a bit of optimism after a bruising start to the year on hopes for a deal between the U.S. and China. Trade talks are set to officially restart next week. But how high level will the participants be? Afterwards, the holidays are over, but that doesn’t mean the celebration season is gone.  If you’re still shopping for that show-stopping party costume, we’ll take you to a place where some of the most iconic, highly priced accessories go on the auction block. Today’s show is sponsored by Indeed, Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage and WizardPins.

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