Marketplace Staff

Latest from Marketplace Staff

Apr 23, 2008
Italy trying to keep Alitalia in the air
The Italian government will loan Alitalia about half a billion dollars to prevent the troubled airline's collapse. But Alitalia is losing $1 million a day and facing ever higher fuel costs. Stephen Beard reports from London.
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Apr 23, 2008
Social Security backlog needs funding
Waits for disability benefit hearings now average 16 months. Today, Congress considers President Bush's request for $600 million to hire more judges and support staff. John Dimsdale reports from Washington.
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Apr 23, 2008
Correction
On Tuesday, we ran a story about the so-called "Millionaires' Amendment." That federal law allows congressional candidates to accept larger contributions if opponents finance their own campaigns. We reported Congressman Tom Reynolds of New York qualified for larger contributions under this rule. But he didn't qualify and he didn't accept higher donations. We regret the error.
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Apr 23, 2008
Campaign politics and the food crisis
Food shortages and the subsequent spike in food prices have caused a U.N. program to stop providing meals to schools in three countries. Commentator Will Wilkinson says the U.S. political process contributed to the worldwide food crisis.
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Apr 23, 2008
Grain elevators hold on as prices go up
Crops such as corn and wheat have jumped 50% or more in price in the past year. Those prices are hitting everyone in the food chain, including a group stuck squarely in the middle — grain elevator operators. Adriene Hill reports.
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Apr 22, 2008
U.K. looking at airport competition
London's Heathrow Airport has more to worry about than flight delays. The company that runs Heathrow also owns six other U.K. airports, and a British regulator is expected to press it to sell one off. Stephen Beard reports from London.
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Apr 22, 2008
Global crises call for common efforts
Some of the world's poorest consumers in Africa and Asia have rioted recently over rising prices of wheat and rice. Economist Jeffrey Sachs, author of "Common Wealth," talks with host Kai Ryssdal about how more food riots and skyrocketing energy costs may be on the way.
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Apr 22, 2008
Cheaper suppliers now come at a price
American businesses save tons of money buying parts and products from overseas suppliers. But sometimes they're buying worries, too — from tainted pet food to poisonous toothpaste — which have led some to work on ethical supply chains. Curt Nickisch reports.
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Apr 22, 2008
French flock to film about a simpler life
A low-budget comedy movie in France with no big-name stars and little marketing is setting box-office records. Critics say the response to its feel-good message is a backlash against President Sarkozy's flamboyance, or to fears of globalization. John Laurenson reports.
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Apr 22, 2008
Pensions are too risky to plan on
Commentator and economist Peter Lindert says that for all the talk about a Social Security crisis, the real problem is with private pensions and the risks they hold for retirement.
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