Apr 17, 2013

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Farmers in Niuchong village in the Central Chinese province of Hubei are standing up to a local phosphate mining operation and fertilizer factory they blame for polluting the village's water and air, killing their crops and livestock, and leading to a sharp increase in cancer rates in the region. Britain's biggest retailer Tesco has just announced its first drop in profit in 20 years -- and it seems the U.S. is part of the problem. And the race for music sales is heating up as Amazon nabs a piece of the market from Apple.

Segments From this episode

China's toxic harvest: A "cancer village" rises in protest

by Rob Schmitz

Apr 17, 2013

Farmers in Liuchong village in the Central Chinese province of Hubei are standing up to a local phosphate mining operation and fertilizer factory they blame for polluting the village's water and air, killing their crops and livestock, and leading to a sharp increase in cancer rates in the region.

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Citizenship can make a difference in your paycheck

by Marketplace Contributor

Apr 17, 2013

A new study links citizenship for undocumented workers to better pay and working conditions. But other experts say newly legalized low-wage workers still run the risk of poor treatment on the job.

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Amazon nabs bigger share of music downloads (poll)

by Amy Scott

Apr 17, 2013

iTunes still dominates the music download arena, but Amazon is coming on, and other competitors are in the wings.

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British retailer Tesco packs up after failing in the U.S.

by Stephen Beard

Apr 17, 2013

Britain's biggest retailer, the supermarket Tesco, has announced its first drop in profit in 20 years -- and its U.S. business expansion may be partly to blame.

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Money Matters

How does the falling price of gold affect you?

by Paddy Hirsch

Apr 17, 2013

Gold prices are down again this morning, after falling by more than 10 percent since Friday. Oil prices are also lower. But how do these drops in commodity prices affect your wallet?

After a dazzling rise to more than $1,900 an ounce, the yellow metal has clearly lost its luster. The price of bullion has slumped by 10 percent since the end of last week, down to $1,420 an ounce.

SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images

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Who needs consumer demand to make money?

by Jeremy Hobson

Apr 17, 2013

David Kelly, chief global strategist with JP Morgan Funds, explains what's got corporate profits up in a weak economy.

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Global clean energy progress stalled: Report

by Scott Tong

Apr 17, 2013

Reports over the past couple years have suggested sky-high U.S. carbon-dioxide emissions have been falling, but what about the global energy picture? A new report suggests its nothing to write home about.

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Mid-day Update

PODCAST: Gold prices, deflation, and your wallet

by Jeremy Hobson

Apr 17, 2013

Gold prices, deflation, and your wallet. The state of global clean energy. And who needs consumer demand to make money anyway?

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Farmers in Niuchong village in the Central Chinese province of Hubei are standing up to a local phosphate mining operation and fertilizer factory they blame for polluting the village’s water and air, killing their crops and livestock, and leading to a sharp increase in cancer rates in the region. Britain’s biggest retailer Tesco has just announced its first drop in profit in 20 years — and it seems the U.S. is part of the problem. And the race for music sales is heating up as Amazon nabs a piece of the market from Apple.