Week of April 17th, 2006

As millions prepare for Earth Day observances Saturday, Brian Watt talks to an inventor looking to cure the world's addiction to plastic shopping bags.

Citrus growers in Florida have lost millions of dollars in crops because of two destructive plant diseases. But as Judith Smelser reports, the proposed cure could wipe out half of the state's citrus nurseries.

Federal officials have made it clear that they plan to crack down on businesses that employ undocumented immigrants. But will businesses really change their ways? Alex Cohen reports.

The search engine's earnings jumped nearly 80% in the first quarter, beating analysts' expectations. Lisa Napoli reports.

Marketplace Money for April 21, 2006

A year ago today, President Bush signed a major overhaul of America's bankruptcy law. It was meant to staunch the flow of people filing for bankruptcy. But Chris Farrell of American RadioWorks reports that the reform looks unlikely to do what it set out to do. A special report by Marketplace and American RadioWorks.

Chinese President Hu Jintao met President Bush today in Washington. Intellectual property protection was discussed, but the Chinese government is unlikely to do much to quell the problem, piracy expert Andrew Mertha tells host Kai Ryssdal. That's because China has too many other problems right now. Latest in a series: The Price of Piracy.

The Beijing High Court has upheld a judgment in favor of five luxury brands who sued the landlord of the city's most notorious counterfeit shopping center. But will anything change? Jocelyn Ford reports. Latest in a series: The Price of Piracy.

Ashley Milne-Tyte looks at efforts to prevent counterfeit prescription drugs from reaching consumers. Latest in a series: The Price of Piracy.

One year after new bankruptcy restrictions were signed into law, Chris Farrell reports that credit card companies aren't getting what they hoped. A special report by Marketplace and American RadioWorks.

Hockey's Stanley Cup playoffs get underway this weekend. You'll remember, there were no playoffs last year because the season was cancelled. Tess Vigeland reports.

iTunes and the iPod helped boost Apple's earning 41% according to its recent quarterly report. And as Sarah Gardner reports, the company might have already its Next Big Thing to stoke even more growth.

Shareholder watchdogs have been complaining loudly over runaway CEO compensation, but according to a new report, companies don't seem to be listening. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

Credit card companies, banks and other financial institutions are hoping to make it harder for people to say "charge it" when it comes to child pornography. Cheryl Glaser reports.

Chinese President Hu Jintao has been having a good old time in Seattle, even bought billions of dollars worth of American products. But the rest of his trip might not be quite as much fun. Scott Tong reports.

Commentator Robert Reich describes a recent encounter with a public relations firm representing General Motors.

SEC regulators want to let small companies take a pass on some of the toughest rules of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, one of the big legacies of the Enron scandal. Alisa Roth reports.

Making and selling counterfeit goods is no longer a cottage industry. And with huge profits on the table, organized criminal gangs from around the globe have moved in. Stephen Beard reports.

The recent roller coaster of the Indian stock market has spooked many foreign institutional investors but encouraged many local market players. Miranda Kennedy reports.

The leaders of Delta's pilots union sit down today to discuss a proposed compromise plan to keep both the pilots and the bankrupt carrier in business. As Alisa Roth reports, the pilots may have no choice but to accept the plan.

Author Tim Phillips tells host Lisa Napoli that organized criminal gangs are behind much of the world's product piracy.

Personal finance expert Chris Farrell tells host Scott Jagow if American companies can't beat product pirates, they should join them.

Home loan giant Freddie Mac has agreed to pay a record fine to settle charges that it made illegal campaign contributions. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.

As Chinese president Hu Jintao visits the US this week, Marketplace's special series on intellectual property piracy continues with a look at how counterfeit pharmaceuticals have entered the American supply chain.

Enthusiasm among builders over the continued strength of the housing market has fallen to lows not seen since 2001. Stacey Vanek-Smith has more.

The United States may be pointing the finger at China over piracy, but as Stephen Beard reports, the US has its own piracy skeletons in its closet.

The Federal Reserve is expected to release minutes from it most recent meeting today, and analysts are expected to pore over the text to find insight into the thinking of new Fed chief Ben Bernanke. Alisa Roth reports.

A new study from the American Medical Association finds that consolidation in the health insurance industry has led to higher premiums for consumers. Lisa Napoli reports.

Counterfeit goods are seeping into the US economy in ways you might not think. As Scott Tong reports, the auto parts business has been hit hard by knock-offs. First in a series on piracy.

In this special Tax Day installment, Alaskan Jerry Lieboff talks about his work as a tax preparer who makes house calls in the bush.

Thousands of people are being evacuated from rising waters in Romania, Hungary and the Balkans, as governments are dealing with some of the worst flooding in more than a century. Stefan Bos reports.

With today's deadline to file tax returns, Newsweek Wall Street editor Allan Sloan and host Scott Jagow look at the recent tax loophole windfall for International Paper.

Chinese President Hu Jintao visits the United States this week. He travels first to Seattle, where he'll visit Bill Gates. As Alisa Roth reports, the stop is a victory in Gates' ongoing battle against pirated software in China.