Aug 9, 2023

Political economics, zero-COVID and China’s slowing recovery

Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Today, we look at what's behind China's slowing economic recovery. Then, how useful are year-on-year inflation measures anymore?

Segments From this episode

Why year-over-year inflation changes aren’t a great indicator of today’s inflation

by Justin Ho

Aug 9, 2023

Year-over-year inflation figures grab a lot of attention when the Labor Department reports its monthly consumer price index. But those 12-month figures can gloss over the recent slowdown in inflation.

While year-over-year inflation can be helpful to filter out temporary changes that happen month-to-month, it can gloss over the recent slowdown in inflation.

Fredric J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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National Debt

What lawmakers are fighting over when they fight about appropriations

by Kimberly Adams

Aug 9, 2023

The portion of federal spending being determined by what’s called the appropriations process is relatively small.

The amount of nondefense discretionary spending that Congress fights over every year is getting smaller.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

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New study examines the viability of turning empty office blocks into homes

by Henry Epp

Aug 9, 2023

The paper considers whether tax breaks might incentivize developers to take on the conversions.

Converting empty office buildings into apartments can add affordable housing, bring more people into downtowns and cut carbon emissions, according to the paper.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Workplace Culture

Co-working spaces are not what they used to be. Companies are trying to adjust.

by Kristin Schwab

Aug 9, 2023

Once a Wall Street darling, WeWork says it may not be able to stay in business.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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Why it's getting more expensive to hire workers in China

by Jennifer Pak

Aug 9, 2023

China’s government is making employers pay more into its social welfare system, just as the economy is stalling.

STR/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Burn the Witch Radiohead

Test Drive Vulfpeck, Vulf

The Adults Are Talking The Strokes

Starring You Shafiq Husaym

Luv Letter DJ Okawari

State of the Art Goyte

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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