May 25, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, May 25, 2012

After a week that included Facebook's IPO fizzle, talks of a Greek exit, and the impending debt ceiling showdown, the economic landscape may be taking a toll on our psyche. After all the doom and gloom in the worldwide economy, we get a nun's take on the economic recovery in her community and her local service work. The ketchup bottle just got a major upgrade thanks to a team of M.I.T. scientists -- no more whacking the bottle to squeeze out the last dregs. And the automaker Ford cashes in on its logo in the form of toys, T-shirts, and videogames.

Segments From this episode

Independence could lead to a wealthier Scotland

by Christopher Werth

May 25, 2012

Scotland has been a part of the United Kingdom for the past 300 years, but many Scots think it's a bad deal. Scotland is home to most of the U.K.'s oil and gas production in the North Sea.

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Low U.S. employment growth and the tech sector slows

by David Brancaccio

May 25, 2012

Some point to the Facebook stock flop as sign of a slowing tech sector. Meanwhile, employment growth for unskilled workers in the U.S. remains stalled.

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Mid-day Update

PODCAST: A fake sandstorm and Businessweek's advice to 'bang head'

by Marketplace Contributor

May 25, 2012

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A week of economic woes and Facebook fizzle

by Scott Tong

May 25, 2012

In the last week, we've heard of a possible Greek exit from the euro, a U.S. debt ceiling showdown, HP layoffs, and a Facebook stock lawsuit. How does this news affect our psyche and what stories should we focus on amid all the turmoil?

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BBC World Service

New Zealand: First smoke-free country?

by Marketplace Contributor

May 25, 2012

This week New Zealand announced the price on cigarettes will rise by 40 percent over the next four years -- to more than $15 U.S. a pack -- as part of an effort to eliminate smoking in New Zealand completely by 2025.

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TV Networks sue Dish Network over ad-skipper

by Scott Tong

May 25, 2012

Satellite TV provider Dish Network has a new digital recorder called AutoHop that cuts out commercials. Fox, NBC, and CBS are now suing to stop it.

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A nun's take on the economic recovery

by Jeremy Hobson

May 25, 2012

Sister Albertina Morales works with some of the most economically destitute people in Los Angeles. And according to her, the economic recovery isn't much of a recovery at all.

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Ford finds a market beyond cars

by Marketplace Contributor

May 25, 2012

Ford's blue oval logo and pick-up truck slogan fuels sales of licensed products from Hot Wheels toys to girls’ T-shirts.

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Colorado cantaloupe growers try to spring back

by Marketplace Contributor

May 25, 2012

Last fall, a listeria outbreak in cantaloupes traced to a Colorado farm killed 30 people around the country. The economic fallout from the tragedy has been far reaching.

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Getting the most out of your ketchup bottle

by Queena Kim

May 25, 2012

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have come up with a coating that keeps condiments from sticking to the bottle.

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Campaign for Scotland's independence launches

by David Brancaccio

May 25, 2012

Supporters of cutting Scotland loose from the rest of the United Kingdom kicked off their independence campaign today. A key part of the U.K.'s wealth is the oil under the North Sea, which would become Scottish territory.

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After a week that included Facebook’s IPO fizzle, talks of a Greek exit, and the impending debt ceiling showdown, the economic landscape may be taking a toll on our psyche. After all the doom and gloom in the worldwide economy, we get a nun’s take on the economic recovery in her community and her local service work. The ketchup bottle just got a major upgrade thanks to a team of M.I.T. scientists — no more whacking the bottle to squeeze out the last dregs. And the automaker Ford cashes in on its logo in the form of toys, T-shirts, and videogames.