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China textiles
Sep 1, 2007
The U-S needs to take a tougher approach to China. That, from the President's pick for the top trade position. In confirmation hearings this week, Rob Portman said he'd do a top-to-bottom review of trade complaints with China. We have a pretty good sense of where he might begin. Since January, imports of Chinese t-shirts, underwear and other textiles have risen more than 60%. The American textile industry blames the end of longstanding quotas. And now the Bush Administration's warning China it may impose emergency safeguard restrictions. But as Marketplace's Jocelyn Ford reports, the threats may be a little threadbare.
Blair and immigration
Sep 1, 2007
British leader Tony Blair is on course to win a third term in office after the UK's election next month. On most of the key issues - like the economy , healthcare and education, Blair's ruling Labour party enjoys a big lead over its rivals. But on one issue the opposition Conservatives are ahead: immigration. As Marketplace's Stephen Beard reports, calls for tougher controls on immigration is proving highly popular with the British electorate.
Chinese, American forces battle piracy together - with mixed reviews
Sep 1, 2007
A court in Shanghai today ordered two Americans to serve jailtime and pay more than $60,000 in fines.Their crime - hawking pirated DVD's over the Internet. Some of them sold for as little as three bucks. As Marketplace's Jocelyn Ford reports, this is the first time American and Chinese officials have joined forces to crack down on violators of intellectual property laws. But not everyone is giving the arrangement rave reviews.
Vatican in the red
Sep 1, 2007
The conclave of cardinals met in Rome today to begin the business of choosing a new pope. But black smoke rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel--indicating the cardinals so far haven't agreed on a successor to John Paul II. Once a new pope is elected, not only will will he have to care for the souls of more than a billion church followers worldwide, he'll also have to pull the Vatican out of the red. From Rome, Megan Williams reports.
Another tragedy strikes Bangladesh
Sep 1, 2007
In Bangladesh today, rescue workers sorted through the rubble of a collapsed sweater factory. They could hear sounds from under the concrete and steel - survivors calling for help. Bangladesh is notorious for industrial disasters. Miranda Kennedy reports on the latest tragedy...
Taking a ride on the CAFTA bus ...
Sep 1, 2007
Tomorrow the Senate holds hearings on the Central American Free Trade Agreement. CAFTA, for short. Some U.S. farmers like the idea. A new $1.5 billion market. Sugar growers and textile workers are dubious. They're worried about cheaper Central American imports. Now a group of Central American ambassadors is trying to build up support for CAFTA. And they're using a staple of American politicking to do it. Think of it as a whistle stop tour without the whistle. From WBHM, reporter Tanya Ott caught up with the tour as it pulled into Birmingham, Alabama.
Out out, royalty spot
Sep 1, 2007
This weekend the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, will marry his long-time mistress, Camilla Parker-Bowles. The tabloids have been having a field day. The latest irreverentpress speculation has focused on the Prince's financial affairs. The word is that, even though he was "taken to the cleaners" by his first wife, Princess Diana, Charles has rejected legal advice and refused to draw up a pre-nup with Camilla. From London Stephen Beard reports.
Beer crisis!
Sep 1, 2007
These days you can lead Germans to beer, but you can't make 'em drink it. Breweries are selling off their vats and shuttering their doors. Beer and bratwurst are no longer the national food and drink. We asked reporter James Kyle to find out why beer is losing its buzz. From Berlin, he filed this report.
Outsourcing fraud
Sep 1, 2007
An Indian outsourcing firm has confirmed that several of its employees who work for Citibank were arrested. The employees stole at least $350,000 from Citibank customers they handled calls for. Marketplace's Alisa Roth examines how much damage this may do to India's outsourcing industry.
India's fight against AIDS, from the front lines
Sep 1, 2007
India has the highest number of AIDS cases in the world. 5.1 million. But with a population of more than a billion, the disease hasn't yet reached epidemic proportions. And because most Indians with AIDS work in the sex industry there is a heavy stigma surrounding the disease. So sex workers have to take prevention into their own hands. From Bombay, or Mumbai as its known locally, Marketplace's Julie Small reports.
