Apr 4, 2012

Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday, April 4, 2012

The Federal Reserve has released its latest minutes as well as the results of an investigation which found that the Fed didn't contribute funds to Watergate, or other scandalous causes. The U.S. is increasing pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear program, but India -- a long-time U.S. ally -- is reluctant to go along. And last year, Starbucks initiated the Create Jobs for USA Fund; because of its success, Google and Gap are ready to join in.

Segments From this episode

Starbucks finds partners for job fund

by Eve Troeh

Apr 4, 2012

Google Offers and Banana Republic are the first businesses to join Starbucks in raising money for its U.S. job creation fund.

Fed money played no role in Watergate

by David Gura

Apr 4, 2012

At the Federal Reserve's latest meeting, only two of 10 voting committee members support additional stimulus. The Fed inspector general, meanwhile, released a report that Fed money didn't contribute to the Watergate burglary, or to Saddam Hussein and Iraq getting weapons in the 1980s.

India's oil purchases from Iran irk U.S.

by Christopher Werth

Apr 4, 2012

India is a U.S. ally but also one of the top importers of Iranian oil. It could face U.S. sanctions unless it curbs these oil purchases.

Yahoo to chop 2,000 more jobs

by David Gura

Apr 4, 2012

Shares of Yahoo are down this morning. The Internet giant is handing out 2,000 pink slips today. It's the sixth mass layoff for the tech company in just the past four years.

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: Yahoo cuts 2,000 jobs, James Bond grabs a Heineken

by Mary Dooe

Apr 4, 2012

The end of "shaken, not stirred?" Reports are out that James Bond will sip a Heineken beer in the latest movie.

Dave M. Benett/Getty Images for Martini

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China's premier calls for break up of bank monopoly

by Stacey Vanek Smith

Apr 4, 2012

A top Chinese official called for the country to crack down on its bank monopoly. Small businesses have had trouble getting loans and that's putting a damper on China's growth.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao accompanies Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti to view an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on March 31, 2012 in Beijing, China.

Feng Li-Pool/Getty Images

Foreign chains struggling in Syria

by Stacey Vanek Smith

Apr 4, 2012

The economic and social unrest in Syria is making it difficult for foreign businesses, like KFC, Cinnabon and United Colors of Benetton, to expand there.

Syrian women walk past a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Damascus in 2006. The economic and social unrest in Syria lately is making it difficult for foreign businesses, like KFC, Cinnabon and United Colors of Benetton, to expand there.

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP/Getty Images

P&G bars office access to Pandora, Netflix

by Sarah Gardner

Apr 4, 2012

Proctor & Gamble has shut down access to Pandora and Netflix for all its employees globally.

Groupon shareholder sues over alleged misinformation

by John Moe

Apr 4, 2012

The daily deals website Groupon is being sued by a shareholder who says the company misled investors about its finances. Last week Groupon revised its fourth quarter earnings saying it failed to set aside enough money for customer refunds.

Study: Intelligent people less likely to take sick leave

by Stacey Vanek Smith and Jeremy Hobson

Apr 4, 2012

According to a new study out in the U.K., there is a correlation between intelligence levels and the likelihood that someone will end up on long-term sick leave.

British officials demonstrate how to sneeze during a visit to a school in north London. A new study in the U.K has found a strong correlation between intelligence and those who are less likely to go on long-term sick leave.

SHAUN CURRY/AFP/Getty Images

Markets react to Fed news, ADP jobs report

by Josh Brown

Apr 4, 2012

The payroll processing company ADP said the U.S. private sector added 209,000 jobs last month, a sign that job growth has yet to be affected by high gas prices. The seeming recovery has also led the Fed to announce it will ease off with quantitative easing.

STOCK Act becomes law

by Elizabeth Wynne Johnson

Apr 4, 2012

Today President Obama will sign the STOCK Act -- short for “Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge.” It says Capitol Hill finally has to follow the same insider trading rules as everybody else.

The Federal Reserve has released its latest minutes as well as the results of an investigation which found that the Fed didn’t contribute funds to Watergate, or other scandalous causes. The U.S. is increasing pressure on Iran to curb its nuclear program, but India — a long-time U.S. ally — is reluctant to go along. And last year, Starbucks initiated the Create Jobs for USA Fund; because of its success, Google and Gap are ready to join in.