Mar 13, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Illinois governor Pat Quinn will appeal FEMA's decision to deny his state disaster aid in the wake of those deadly tornadoes a few weeks back. Voters in Mississippi and Alabama head to the polls today, and we take a closer look at the economic policies of Rick Santorum. Southern California ports currently receive most of the imports shipped from Asia. But that could change with a major expansion of the Panama Canal. And tonight, the new NBC TV show "Fashion Star" debuts, and the focus is more on retail than high fashion.

Segments From this episode

Switzerland agrees to cap vacation days

by Stephen Beard

Mar 13, 2012

In a national vote, the Swiss just decided against making employers give all workers an extra two weeks of paid vacation every year.

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: Rare earth could get rarer, retail sales rebounding

by Mary Dooe

Mar 13, 2012

U.S. retail sales were up 1.1 percent this month, the sharpest gain in five months.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

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Yahoo suing Facebook over patent infringements

by John Moe

Mar 13, 2012

Yahoo is suing Facebook for violating patents that Yahoo owns. The patents in question aren't for obscure parts of Facebook's business.

Federal Reserve meeting to focus on monetary policy

by Juli Niemann

Mar 13, 2012

The top policy makers at the Federal Reserve are holding a meeting today in Washington to decide what to do next when it comes to monetary policy. Will they shift their focus now that we have signs of economic recovery?

Mid-day Update

The first step to merger: Buying domain names?

by Jeremy Hobson and David Brancaccio

Mar 13, 2012

U.S. Airways is reportedly interested in a possible merger-type deal with American Airlines' parent company, AMR Corp. One way it is showing its affection? Buying up domain names.

What to expect from today's Fed meeting

by Jeremy Hobson

Mar 13, 2012

Can the Federal Reserve really do anything else to help stimulate the U.S. economy?

'Fashion Star' markets mass appeal

by Eve Troeh

Mar 13, 2012

Garments featured on the new reality show will be available in stores the minute an episode ends.

Illinois to appeal FEMA disaster decision

by Sarah Gardner

Mar 13, 2012

After February's devastating tornadoes, the feds say "no" to extra aid.

The future of U.S. ports after Panama Canal growth

by Jeff Tyler

Mar 13, 2012

It's possible America's busiest ports may not stay busy. Southern California currently receives most of the imports shipped from Asia. But that could change with a major expansion of the Panama Canal.

GOP Contenders

A closer look at Rick Santorum's economic platform

by Jeremy Hobson

Mar 13, 2012

The Republican presidential candidate has been quite vague about his stance on a number of economic issues -- what's been his record so far, and what is his personal background?

BBC World Service

U.S. challenges China in WTO over rare earth restrictions

by David Brancaccio

Mar 13, 2012

The Obama administration is taking China to the World Trade Organization saying it's not playing fair with those crucial raw materials.

Rule encouraging whistleblowers to come forward

by Gregory Warner

Mar 13, 2012

Whistleblowers at American corporations are sending thousands more tips to the Securities and Exchange Commission to take advantage of a program that can make turning in your employer more lucrative than winning the lottery.

U.S., EU and Japan protesting China's rare earth policy

by David Brancaccio

Mar 13, 2012

It takes a lot of what are called rare earths to make the electronics that keep us going in the 21st century. The Obama Administration believes China is holding back its supply of these special metals to drive up prices and now the U.S. , the European Union, and Japan are taking their beef about China to the World Trade Organization.

Illinois governor Pat Quinn will appeal FEMA’s decision to deny his state disaster aid in the wake of those deadly tornadoes a few weeks back. Voters in Mississippi and Alabama head to the polls today, and we take a closer look at the economic policies of Rick Santorum. Southern California ports currently receive most of the imports shipped from Asia. But that could change with a major expansion of the Panama Canal. And tonight, the new NBC TV show “Fashion Star” debuts, and the focus is more on retail than high fashion.