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The hack that almost broke the internet

Last month, the world narrowly avoided a cyberattack of stunning ambition. The targets were some of the most important computers on the planet. Computers that power the internet. Computers used by banks and airlines and even the military.

What these computers had in common was that they all relied on open source software.

A strange fact about modern life is that most of the computers responsible for it are running open source software. That is, software mostly written by unpaid, sometimes even anonymous volunteers. Some crucial open source programs are managed by just a single overworked programmer. And as the world learned last month, these programs can become attractive targets for hackers.

In this case, the hackers had infiltrated a popular open source program called XZ. Slowly, over the course of two years, they transformed XZ into a secret backdoor. And if they hadn't been caught, they could have taken control of large swaths of the internet.

On today's show, we get the story behind the XZ hack and what made it possible. How the hackers took advantage of the strange way we make modern software. And what that tells us about the economics of one of the most important industries in the world.

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How tariffs — like those on Chinese goods — might impact inflation and jobs

When the U.S. imposes tariffs on specific foreign-made goods, what is the effect on American consumers and on the regions and industries the tariffs were supposed to protect? It's complicated.

Comcast plans to offer a new streaming bundle. Is streaming the new cable?

Comcast announced that it plans to offer a new streaming bundle with Peacock, Netflix and Apple TV+, which sounds a lot like the cable channels packages that consumers left cable TV to get away from.

Mercedes workers vote no to union. UAW says they were illegally intimidated

More than 5,000 Mercedes-Benz workers who build luxury SUVs in Alabama were eligible to vote on whether to join the UAW. Workers faced intense anti-union messaging from Mercedes in the run-up.

The result of a union election at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama is about to be revealed

Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama finish up five days of voting on whether to join the United Auto Workers union. A ballot count begins Friday morning.

Troubled plane-maker Boeing holds its annual shareholders meeting on Friday

The airplane maker continues to answer difficult questions about production and quality control lapses on its 737 Max jets.

Morning news brief

President Biden to meet leaders of Black sororities and fraternities. Mercedes-Benz workers in Alabama finish union vote. Boeing's shareholder meeting comes at a turbulent time for the company.

'The Indicator from Planet Money' sheds light on the 'winner-take-all' problem

Gender equality in the workplace has been stalled for years. And one big reason behind this trend is something called the "winner-take-all" approach to business.

How the Dominican Republic became Latin America's economic superstar

For decades, the Dominican Republic's economy has been growing at a remarkably steady pace. The Caribbean nation of 11 million people is today considered a middle-income nation, but the International Monetary Fund projects it could become an advanced economy within the next 40 years.

Today on the show, we uncover the reasons behind the Dominican Republic's economic success and whether or not these benefits are being felt widely in the country.

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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UAW president Shawn Fain's swagger has helped unionize the deeply anti-union South

Auto workers are doing what long seemed impossible – unionizing in the South. The United Auto Workers chief Shawn Fain's connection with workers and willingness to fight have led to the resurgence.

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