Mid-day Update

Unilever has shot down Kraft Heinz's $143 billion proposal to merge the two companies. We'll explore why it may have to do with an election in the Netherlands. Afterwards, we'll look at the reason mattresses are being heavily promoted today; Canada's reliance on immigrants to bolster its workforce; and an architectural design aimed at making your home ideal for AirBnb-like pursuits.

Americans are having trouble paying back their auto loans. We'll look at whether these delinquent payments pose risks to the financial system. Next, we'll discuss why there's been a rise in activism among athletes — especially among NBA players — and a plan in Washington that would keep water flowing to high-value crops.

Janet Yellen took a trip to Capitol Hill this week, with the message that the U.S. economy is entering 2017 better than it did a year ago. What does this mean for the Fed's future plans? Next, we'll discuss why Boeing workers in South Carolina decided to shoot down a plan for unionization, and then look at a new study that says some ER doctors are more likely than others to prescribe opioids.

Why Trump has signed a law that would let mining, oil and gas companies pay foreign governments without disclosing their actions; a discussion about when the Fed could next raise interest rates; and a cafe that's allowing patrons to pay how much they think their meals are worth.

A look at the Trump administration's vow to be pro-small business; how Mexican immigrants are fighting back against the possibility of deportation; and an exploration of how much say Snapchat shareholders will get when the company goes public next month.

Janet Yellen is set to brief Congress this week on the state of the economy, and there are some market participants who are excited by this. But Lindsey Piegza, chief economist at investment company Stifel Nicolaus, joins us to explain why she has some reservations about her testimony. Next, we'll look at Japan's strength with exports and its weakness with business at home. And afterwards, we'll look at how weather analysis is being incorporated in the curriculum at some fashion schools.

Analysts are crediting stock index leaps to a Trump statement about tax reform. But Karen Petrou, managing partner at Federal Financial Analytics, joins us to talk about the obstacles that lie ahead for any changes in the tax code. Afterward, we'll look at Japan's investment ties with the U.S., and then get some advice from author Beth Kobliner about how to teach your kids good money habits.

With workers at the world's biggest copper mine on strike, we'll discuss how the metal defines the Chilean economy. Next, we'll look at news that the number of people signing up for unemployment benefits has a hit a nearly three-month low, and then chat with journalist Lisa Napoli about the true origin story of McDonald's.

The markets are down, in part because of the uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration. Optimism about issues like infrastructure spending had been factored into prices, but details have been scarce. After we look at the reasons for these stock shifts, we'll discuss whether or not HBO can keep up with the rest of its competitors in the world of prestige TV. And finally, UC Berkeley professor Anne Joseph O'Connell joins us to break down the demographic diversity in the country's presidential cabinets.

A government rule that requires a company to disclose the pay gap between its CEO and his or her employees may get scrapped. We'll look at why the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission has ordered an early review of it. Next, we'll talk about how Disney is coping with the changing landscape of cable TV. Finally, we'll check out a parking meter in New Haven, Connecticut, that accepts coins for the homeless.