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Robert Smith Robert Smith is a correspondent for NPR's Planet Money where he reports on how the global economy is affecting our lives.
Robert Smith 2007
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Robert Smith

Planet Money

The Mysterious Missing Trillions In Donald Trump's Tax Plan

There are two possible versions of a Trump tax plan. He hasn't confirmed which one he plans to pursue. There's a $1.5 trillion difference between the two of them over 10 years.

The Mysterious Missing Trillions In Donald Trump's Tax Plan

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Planet Money

How Venezuela's Economy Collapsed And Led To Political Unrest

Venezuela has one of the worst economies in the world with food shortages and massive inflation. NPR's Planet Money team explains how it got so bad.

How Venezuela's Economy Collapsed And Led To Political Unrest

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Planet Money

Universal Postal Union Tries To Divvy Up Countries' Stamp Money Fairly

Planet Money digs into the complex economics of international postage. When we send a letter to a foreign country, how should the stamp money be shared with the people delivering the letter?

Universal Postal Union Tries To Divvy Up Countries' Stamp Money Fairly

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Planet Money Bought Some Oil

Planet Money's Oil Ends Its Journey In A Gas Tank

NPR's Planet Money team follows the oil they bought on the final part of its journey — into someone's gas tank.

Planet Money's Oil Ends Its Journey In A Gas Tank

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Planet Money Bought Some Oil

In The Oil Business, Why Timing Is Everything

NPR's "Planet Money" team embarked on a quest to buy, transport and refine crude oil. The team learns that you have to be as savvy as possible because oil prices go up — and down.

In The Oil Business, Why Timing Is Everything

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Planet Money Bought Some Oil

Planet Money Watches Crude Oil Transform Into Gasoline At Refinery

After buying 100 barrels of crude oil and delivering it to a pipeline, NPR's Planet Money team goes to a refinery to see it turned into gasoline.

Planet Money Watches Crude Oil Transform Into Gasoline At Refinery

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Planet Money Bought Some Oil

Planet Money Explores The Value Of Crude Oil

NPR's Planet Money team embarked on a quest to buy, transport and refine crude oil, and met all the people who make gasoline possible.

Planet Money Explores The Value Of Crude Oil

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Planet Money Bought Some Oil

'Planet Money' Team Heads To Kansas To Get Into The Oil Business

NPR's Planet Money team embarks on a quest to buy, transport and refine crude oil. We'll meet all the people who make our gasoline possible.

'Planet Money' Team Heads To Kansas To Get Into The Oil Business

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Planet Money

What Keeps Poor Farmers Poor?

The simple answer is a lack of money: no money to expand their fields or use the latest seeds and technology. But economists have a more complicated theory. Perhaps, farmers face too much risk.

What Keeps Poor Farmers Poor?

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Planet Money

Before Britain's EU Departure, We Fly To Some European Destinations

One of the perks of being in the European Union is easy travel. Flights are cheap and there are no border checks between most of the countries.

Before Britain's EU Departure, We Fly To Some European Destinations

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Planet Money

Was It Worth It For Lesotho To Sell Its Water To South Africa?

What happens when a country decides to sell its water then hits a drought? Our Planet Money team takes us to a country in Africa that might have given away its most valuable resource.

Was It Worth It For Lesotho To Sell Its Water To South Africa?

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Planet Money

When Temporary Toilets Become A Fixture In Poor Communities

We've all seen those portable plastic toilets at festivals and street fairs, but what happens when a community has to use them for more than a decade? Robert Smith from Planet Money takes us to a slum outside of Cape Town, South Africa where a temporary solution has lasted too long.

When Temporary Toilets Become A Fixture In Poor Communities

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Planet Money

Shoemaker New Balance Challenges Obama On Trans-Pacific Partnership

Shoemaker New Balance is criticizing the Obama administration over the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The company is trying to make a running shoe with 100 percent American parts and feel the trade deal will doom shoes made in the U.S.

Shoemaker New Balance Challenges Obama On Trans-Pacific Partnership

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Planet Money

Puerto Rico Credit Union Builds Confidence With A New Headquarters

As Puerto Rico faces a debt crisis, the island's banking institutions are trying to keep their customers calm. One great trick: making your building look solid.

Puerto Rico Credit Union Builds Confidence With A New Headquarters

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Planet Money

After 14 Years Of Lawsuits, Argentina Reaches Settlement To Repay Debt

Argentina is paying up. After a lengthy legal battle that could change how countries borrow money, Argentina has come to a settlement with its most stalwart creditors.

After 14 Years Of Lawsuits, Argentina Reaches Settlement To Repay Debt

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