Episode 753: Blockchain Gang
Charlie Shrem went to prison. While he was there, he thought up a better way to move money behind bars. Now, he's out and trying to sell his idea to international investors.
Business
'Migrant Hire' Connects Refugees To German Tech Industry
With an aging population and skilled labor shortage, German industry leaders view the almost million migrants who have arrived since 2015 as an opportunity. But integrating them quickly into the labor market is a challenge. Syrian refugee Hussein Shaker may have the answer. He's founded Migrant Hire, a website that helps refugees with software development skills obtain jobs in the capital's lively tech scene.
American Love For The Family Sedan Fades As Sales Fall
America's affection for the family sedan is fading. Sales of mid-sized and large cars are falling as customers snap up pickup trucks and SUVs instead.
'Wired' Declares Coding As Next Blue-Collar Job Boom
This week, an article in Wired declared, "The Next Big Blue-Collar Job Is Coding." NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with reporter Clive Thompson about the article.
Mexicans In The U.S. Are Sending Home More Money Than Ever
A new report finds that remittances by migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean topped $69 billion last year — the highest amount on record.
Sen. Grassley Launches Inquiry Into Orphan Drug Law's Effect On Prices
Citing a Kaiser Health News investigation, Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will examine potential abuses of incentives to spur development of drugs for rare diseases.
How A Simple Fix For Medicare Prescribing Problems Got Complicated
In 2014, the government said health providers would have to register with Medicare in order to prescribe drugs to beneficiaries. Delays have pushed back the requirement until 2019.
The Ethics Of Trump Hosting Japan's Shinzo Abe At Mar-A-Lago
Kathleen Clark of Washington University in St. Louis discusses President Trump's meshing of business and public duties. Trump will host Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
TripAdvisor Backs Appeals Court Refusal To Reinstate Travel Ban
NPR's David Greene talks to TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer about why he signed an amicus brief opposing Trump's executive order on immigration. An appeals court has kept the ban on hold.
Trump's Possible 'Border Adjustment Tax,' Explained
President Trump has made American manufacturing a central concern. Can a complicated approach called a border adjustment tax make it happen? Planet Money looks at how it's supposed to work.