Marketplace Morning Report

The owner of the Everton soccer club in England's Premier League has agreed to sell the Liverpool-based team to an investment group based in Miami. If approved, it would mean Americans own 10 of the 20 clubs in the world's most lucrative soccer league. What’s behind the surge in Yankee investment? Then, we examine how to combat both poverty and the climate crisis.

During the pandemic, federal subsidies kept many child care facilities afloat. But that aid will begin to disappear at the end of the month. Meanwhile, federal spending on kids has generally fallen. We examine the impact on children and families. We’ll also do the numbers on a potential government shutdown. And later: a kid-friendly guide to tipping.

From the BBC World Service: The United Kingdom is set to clear a fresh Microsoft-Activision deal. In August, the “Call of Duty” maker agreed to sell its streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment and the U.K.’s regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority has now said this “substantially addresses previous concerns.” Energy giant Chevron and unions have struck a deal to end strikes at two large liquefied natural gas facilities in Australia. The industrial action had threatened to disrupt exports of LNG. Plus, it was all about interest rates this week: Which central banks would up them or hold them? We look at some of those big decisions.

Almost a week into the autoworkers strike, there are few signs of progress. If little movement is made by tomorrow, the United Auto Workers union is promising to expand their strike. We look at the impact this could have. We also examine why more companies are going private and hear how one Skid Row nonprofit is grappling with a dip in volunteerism.

That seems to be the current approach by the Federal Reserve as it aims for a 2% inflation target. The central bank opted to leave interest rates unchanged yesterday, but what about the path forward? We dive in. Plus, TikTok drives “frenzies” of antisocial behavior, a BBC analysis shows. And later: a view of tipping from the United Kingdom.

From the BBC World Service: Poland has been one of Ukraine’s staunchest allies since Russia’s full scale invasion last year — welcoming more than a million refugees and helping to supply a stream of weapons. But now it says it will no longer supply its neighbour with arms in a row over grain imports. Plus, Tesla is eyeing expansion in India but how ready is the country’s charging infrastructure for a big electric vehicle push?

Expectations around tipping have evolved in the last couple of years. So how much should you be tipping these days? What about for dine-in versus takeout or delivery? And why does tipping stir up such strong emotions? We answer these questions — no tip required. But first, it’s decision day for the Federal Reserve. We preview today’s interest rate announcement, as well as the Fed’s economic projections.

The price of insurance premiums are not keeping up with the amount of risk homeowners face as the climate crisis plays out. A price correction is coming, a new report finds, and it’ll push housing affordability further out of reach. And later: How does tipping in South Korea compare to the United States?

From the BBC World Service: Japan’s fishing exports plummet 70% after China banned imports over the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima power plant, the BBC’s Mariko Oi reports. The United Kingdom is considering delaying a ban on the sale of new gasoline and diesel cars, watering down its green ambitions. Finally, Venice is set to introduce a daily tourist levy in an attempt to reduce the number of day-trippers to the city, the BBC’s Giovanna Girardi reports.

The legacy of a tipped minimum wages means that a worker can be paid as little as $2.13 an hour at the federal level. We’ll explore how COVID upended the tip-based restaurant industry and where we go from here. We also examine where the Federal Reserve thinks the economy is headed. Plus, rising oil prices is not what many global economies needs right now.

The central bank starts a two-day meeting on interest rates today, but significant headwinds are blowing. We’ll assess the biggest factors challenging the Federal Reserve right now that could threaten the economic balancing act it’s trying to pull off. And later, we delve into the “ugly and sordid” history of tipping in the U.S.

From the BBC World Service: It’s the sexual abuse scandal that’s rocked Japan, now the BBC’s Mariko Oi reports on the major brands that are cutting ties with the country’s biggest talent agency, Johnny and Associates. Plus, was the Libyan dam disaster caused by nature or neglect? The BBC’s Anna Foster is in Derna.

While homeownership has been a reliable way for families to build wealth in the U.S., the path to homeownership is more complicated for many observant Muslims. Paying interest — like you would in a traditional mortgage — goes against Islamic rules governing finance. Now, more institutions are offering Islamic financing to meet what they see as growing demand. Plus, what happens if the UAW strike grows?

Striking auto workers and Detroit automakers failed to reach a deal this weekend. One sticking point for members of the United Auto Workers union is the reliance on temporary and “tiered” workers by carmakers. How did the industry get here? Plus, a look at what’s behind the current rush to invest in gold.

From the BBC World Service: Small Italian islands off the coast of North Africa are struggling to cope with the influx of migrants, according to the Italian government. The BBC’s Katya Adler reports from the island of Lampedusa. Meanwhile, Japan’s government is facing criticism for failing to appoint a single woman to any junior ministerial roles in the latest cabinet reshuffle, despite 54 jobs being available. The BBC’s Will Leonardo reports. And in the United Kingdom, the BBC’s Leanna Byrne visits a gold merchant after the price of gold reaches all-time highs this year.

The UAW started a limited strike today at all three big automakers in the U.S. But this strike is about more than fair wages and benefits — the future of American-made cars, and how soon they can go electric, hangs in the balance. Plus, media mogul Byron Allen has offered Disney $10 billion for ABC. We’ll talk about why CEO Bob Iger might be inclined to take the deal.

A new trend in health-tech start-ups is to offer low premiums for insurance coverage and burn through billions of venture capital to stay in the green. When they crash, these firms leave customers without a way to access care or medication. Do regulators need to crack down? Plus, some public universities up their tuition and the UAW goes on strike.

From the BBC World Service: Have you noticed products that you buy getting smaller, while the price remains the same? It's called “shrinkflation” and French supermarket giant Carrefour is putting labels on such goods to alert customers to it. The World Health Organization is warning that survivors of flooding in Libya remain in danger from contaminated flood water and a lack of medical supplies. It’s Friday, but how do you have a night out in a war zone? Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine a year and a half ago, and Ukrainians have had to change every part of their lives to deal with the assault. That includes how they spend their downtime.

The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and even banks themselves have said the “last mile” of inflation will be hardest to beat. But research doesn’t really shows that. So what’s with the hype? Plus, chip designer Arm’s valuation is officially $54 billion, making it the biggest IPO of the year. We’ll also hear about Americans over 60 who still owe student loans.

One spending category that is seeing inflated costs compared to last year, according to the August CPI, is motor vehicle repairs. We’ll visit a mechanic to find out why. Hint: New car parts are a lot more expensive than they used to be. Plus, tech giants met with congressional leaders to talk AI regulations and some C-suite execs see climate change disruptions as, frankly, not their problem.

From the BBC World Service: The long-running civil war in Syria has led to fresh protests over the country’s crumbling economy; extreme inflation and a lack of basic supplies has pushed thousands to take to the streets. A major Australian property developer has apologized after calling for unemployment to rise in Australia by 50% so that people are reminded that they work for the employer — not the other way around. This weekend, Singapore plays host to Formula One's night race and organizers have pledged to halve energy emissions by 2028. The F1 Group is aiming for net zero by 2030.

Waterville, Maine used to be home to a factory and mill. But when jobs left, the economy suffered. Now, Waterville’s Colby College is spending millions to transform the town into a haven for performing and visual arts. Will their investment pay off? Plus, gas prices spiked August inflation calculations, but that doesn’t spell bad news for the overall economy.

Consumers spent $1.8 billion last year on decongestants, but next year might look different. Phenylephrine, a key ingredient found in most oral decongestants, was recently found to have zero efficacy. Basically, when it comes to un-stuffing your nose, it’s just as good as a sugar pill. Plus, video game developers in China are experimenting with AI and two states’ pension funds are suing Fox.

From the BBC World Service: American interest in the top level of English soccer continues. Miami investment firm 777 Partners is in talks to buy Everton, based in the city of Liverpool. If the deal goes through half of the clubs in England's Premier League will have U.S.-based owners. Plus, Bernard Looney, chief executive of oil major BP, has resigned abruptly amid a review of his personal relationships with colleagues. And, why French regulators are worried about radiation levels from the iPhone 12.

Only a third of teachers think their salary is adequate, according to a recent survey. Could raises be key to keeping teachers from quitting? Plus, the New York Fed says pessimism about credit, income, and the odds of getting laid off or fired is up. We’ll discuss why that gloomy outlook doesn’t match official reports of strong employment and cooling inflation.

In 2010, “Marketplace Morning Report” host David Brancaccio featured his hometown in a documentary about better ideas for the economy. It opened the film as an example of a place sorely needing solutions. A dozen years later, Waterville, Maine is experiencing the benefits of reinvestment. We’ll talk about how. Plus, Google’s antitrust trial begins today.

From the BBC World Service: U.K.-based Arm Holdings is set to launch on the Nasdaq this week. BBC’s Simon Jack explains why they’re probably the biggest company you’ve never heard of. Plus, caterers are facing increasing pressure to host extravagant weddings due to social media, as BBC’s Elizabeth Hotson reports.

Adjustments to SNAP — part of debt ceiling negotiations earlier this year — will start phasing in soon. Among them is a higher age cutoff for work requirements, which will go from 49 to 54 by 2024. Hundreds of thousands may lose SNAP benefits. Plus, UPS and FedEx rate hikes signal a back-to-normal supply chain, and we’ll recap Biden’s visit to Vietnam.

Did you know that Google pays other tech companies billions to remain the default search engine? The Justice Department says that’s abuse of monopoly power, but Google maintains it’s normal practice in the tech industry. Tomorrow, the antitrust trial begins. Plus, the UAW is just days away from a possible strike.

From the BBC World Service: As the death toll mounts following the earthquake in Morocco, businesses in Marrakesh are asking tourists not to turn their backs on them. The BBC’s Anna Holligan reports from Marrakesh. Also, with President Biden visiting, Vietnam has ordered $8 billion worth of jets from Boeing. Finally, Vivienne Nunis reports from Manchester, England, where the world’s best florists have congregated for the World Cup of Flowers.

Federal Reserve officials are keeping a low profile ahead of its upcoming meeting on interest rates. But some economists are playing detective — following the crumbs central bankers have left and trying to deduce whether rates will go up again. Plus, while U.S. office spaces remain empty, things look different Singapore. We’ll visit a business district during the lunch rush.

China’s president Xi Jinping won’t be at this weekend’s G20 summit in India. Could his absence be due to geopolitical tensions or economic troubles at home? We’ll check in with Marketplace’s China correspondent Jennifer Pak. Plus, Apple feels the fallout from further iPhone bans for Chinese government employees and the services sector has a sunny economic outlook.

From the BBC World Service: Workers are striking at Chevron Australia Liquid Natural Gas projects. The action could disrupt output from facilities that account for over 5% of global supply. Indian authorities have come in for criticism over efforts to spruce up the capital Delhi ahead of the G20 meeting this weekend. Unlike in the U.S., workers in Singapore have been returning to the office en-masse and city centers are booming. In London, 140,000 people have visited Sotheby’s auction house to view items that belonged to the late Queen singer, Freddie Mercury; his piano and handwritten lyrics have sold for millions.

China has barred government officials from using foreign-branded devices, according to the multiple published reports. Is the move because China’s own smartphone company is catching up to U.S.-designed ones, or is it a result of still-icy U.S.-China trade relations, especially when it comes to tech? Plus, as part of this week’s global look at real estate, we’ll visit Mumbai.

Wage theft — employers paying less than the minimum for time worked — is believed to be extremely common across the U.S. Often, rules against it are hard to enforce. We’ll visit one county that’s tackling the issue by putting food permits on the line for restaurant owners who won’t pay up. Plus, Google has new political advertising AI rules and 74 million Americans will gamble on NFL games this season.

From the BBC World Service: French streaming platform Deezer and Taylor Swift’s label Universal Music have agreed a new plan for the way artists receive royalties. It’s based on the idea of prioritizing professional musicians over amateurs, and streams of ambient sound and white noise. As Deezer puts it: Harry Styles deserves a bigger reward than the sound of a washing machine. But will it shake-up the market? We speak to Deezer’s chief operating officer Gitte Bendzulla. Plus, earlier this week we looked at how working from home had changed an office district in London. Today we’re off to India where the software company Zoho is trialling what you might call ‘working from the village’. The idea is to help employees enjoy a more affordable lifestyle whilst also boosting rural communities.

A new study from the Mozilla Foundation is looking at what types of data carmakers collect, and how they use it. It’s one thing if your car can guess what music you like, but its another for it to have medical information. How much is too much? Plus, a look at how empty office spaces are being repurposed in New York City.

Recession concerns, the war in Ukraine and more have prevented companies from going public for a while. Those risks, while not gone, are now old news. Could it be the perfect time for chip company Arm to launch its initial public offering? It could shock the IPO market out of a sluggish period. Plus, JCPenney is getting a billion dollar remodel. We’ll hear from its CEO.

From the BBC World Service: Services run by the world’s biggest tech companies are a part of everyone’s daily lives, but governments have been playing catch up when it comes to regulating their power. Today the European Union will publish a list of companies, known as gatekeepers, that will be subject to new rules aimed at encouraging competition and stopping big players from crushing smaller rivals. Plus, are you a fan of K-pop? It's now estimated the industry earns South Korea around $10 billion a year. But it's not just famous bands like BTS that are turning K-pop into a valuable export. Choreographers behind the dances are quickly gaining a following well beyond South Korea’s borders.

While a recession isn’t completely out of the question, the odds are certainly shrinking. We’ll do the economic forecast with Julia Coronado, president and founder of MacroPolicy Perspectives. Plus, a visit to London where remote work is changing the landscape of a district that used to be bustling with bankers.

In recent years, ESG funds — that’s environmental, social, government funds — have become popular for investors who are concerned about the impact of their portfolio beyond the bottom line. But could investing in green tech or net zero initiatives really help the fight against climate change? We’ll also look at women’s workforce participation and Spectrum’s clash with Disney.

From the BBC World Service: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the landmark Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine will not be restored until the West meets Moscow’s demands on its agricultural exports. BBC’s Victoria Craig joins us from Ankara in Turkey to discuss the latest developments. Also, Sarah Dalton, Head of the Doctors’ Union in New Zealand, explains why thousands of her members are going on strike for the first time ever. Finally, the BBC’s Leanna Byrne explores the impact of post-pandemic home working.