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Marketplace Music

Playlist: Mortgages and job numbers

Katharine Crnko Mar 2, 2011

Posted by Katharine Crnko

For Marketplace Morning Report, Wednesday March 2, 2011

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urged members of a House committee yesterday to overhaul the mortgage finance system, including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The Obama Administration recently offered several options on how to deal with Fannie and Freddie, but left it to lawmakers to figure out what role the government should play in the mortgage market. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.

Bing has overtaken Yahoo with the second largest amount of search traffic in the world. But Google is still far in the lead.

A California lawmaker has proposed a penny-per-ounce tax on sweetened beverages like soda. Bob Moon speaks to LA Times consumer columnist David Lazarus about whether the tax would work and why it may hit lower-income households hardest.

Rebel forces in Libya have seized control of several oil export terminals in the country. While the government attempts to regain control, a senior Libyan official promised the country will still get paid for existing oil deals. Samuel Ciszuk, senior analyst for IHS Energy, explains.

The 81st International Geneva Motor Show has been billed as the “greenest car show ever.” But while auto companies show off their all-electric concept cars, experts say it will be a long time before there is a consumer-led craze for electric cars. Stephen Beard has more.

Border collies and other sheepdogs run into trouble because of their boundless energy. But some farmers get paid to let those dogs herd a real flock of sheep.

A report from the job placement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas says the number of planned layoffs at U.S. firms rose last month to the highest level in almost a year. Bob Moon speaks with CEO John Challenger about the numbers.

The House GOP looks at whether the financial reform law will hurt small banks and businesses.

In the wake of the housing crisis, the U.S. government is considering making it more difficult for people to buy homes. Regulators may encourage banks to require homeowners bring as much as 20 percent down to the process. Nancy Marshall Genzer explains.

According to figures from ADP Employers Services, U.S. employment increased by 217,000 in January. Bob Moon speaks with Richard DeKaser of The Parthenon Group about the numbers.

The International Air Transport Association today said airline profits will be impacted because of rising jet fuel costs. And those costs will likely be passed along to the consumer. Seth Kaplan with Airline Weekly explains.

His first role in Hollywood was playing himself in the 1993 movie “Dave.” But former Sen. Chris Dodd now has a new role — head of the Motion Picture Association of America. Nancy Marshall Genzer has more.

Here are the songs we played:

  • Caleidoscopic Gaze — StereolabBuy
  • Phantom Broadcast (War Child) — The Go! TeamBuy
  • Blinking Lights (for You) — EelsBuy
  • Class System– Handsome Boy Modeling SchoolBuy
  • You Dropped a Bomb on Me — The Gap BandBuy

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