Marketplace®

Daily business news and economic stories

PODCAST: China’s slowing growth

A disease ravaging shrimp is pushing up prices for the small shellfish. And a look at homelessness in Silicon Valley.

Two Chinese workers prepare to remove scaffolding at a construction site in Beijing on April 15, 2014. Chinese exports and imports fell sharply in March, data showed on April 10, as officials noted that the world's second-largest economy faces headwinds from tougher regional competition and 'friction' with trade partners. 
Two Chinese workers prepare to remove scaffolding at a construction site in Beijing on April 15, 2014. Chinese exports and imports fell sharply in March, data showed on April 10, as officials noted that the world's second-largest economy faces headwinds from tougher regional competition and 'friction' with trade partners. 
WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images

China’s first quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2014 was 7.4 percent, the slowest China’s economy has grown in a year and a half.  Markets in Asia rose because of China’s GDP news. Slower growth, however, could be an indication that China’s leadership is serious about making tough changes to its economic model.

If you’re a shrimp lover, you may be wondering why you’re paying more for your favorite shrimp cocktail or Pad Thai. It’s a bacterial infection ravaging shrimp farms in Southeast Asia called “early mortality syndrome” or EMS. The disease doesn’t affect people, but it kills baby shrimp. The resulting shortage is causing price spikes.

Santa Clara County in the Bay Area has the fifth largest homeless population in the US. The area is also home to some of the country’s most expensive real estate. And that’s got the area’s homeless population turning to some unlikely places for shelter.

Related Topics

Collections: