In New York, some restaurant owners are opening outposts on a vast scale, seating hundreds of diners at a time. Can these giants survive? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
The House has approved legislation that could make your cable bill a whole lot cheaper. How? By helping communications companies like Verizon and AT&T get in on cable TV action. Alisa Roth reports.
A French company is looking to bring to the United States its purported hangover cure. Stephen Beard reports on the product's claims . . . and its limitations.
China recently completed the Three Gorges Dam. It will be another two years before it's generatinig power. But debate over the project's value could drag on even longer. Ruth Kirchner reports from Hubei province.
The World Cup kicks off today in Germany. Adidas has traditionally dominated the soccer arena. But as Marketplace's Tess Vigeland reports, Nike is making a bigger push than ever to win over the sport's fans.
Did you know that there are hundreds of unapproved prescription drugs on the market? Some pose a health threat. So now the Food and Drug Administration is cracking down. Helen Palmer reports.
Commentator Adrian Wooldridge says departing Republican Congressman Tom DeLay should be hailed as a departing giant. The congressman known as The Hammer played hardball, but he played it effectively.
For many Americans, online banking offers a free and easy way to balance their checkbooks. But beware of hidden traps. USA Today's Sandra Block checks off the list.
Internet phone provider Vonage's initial public offering hasn't done so well. How bad is it? So bad that customers who bought the stock are suing. Kai speaks with James Granelli of the Los Angeles Times.
Associate Producer Rico Gagliano takes a harrowing journey into the heart of credit darkness. Learn the sneaky ways credit card companies try to squeeze more money out of you.
Start with a thick booklet from Human Resources. Add some confusing insurance-speak about health care. Toss in a deadline. Mix it all together and you've cooked up one of the sourest periods in the workplace: open enrollment. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
A French court has lifted the country's ban on a hangover cure said to work by quickly removing alcohol from the bloodstream. Now the makers of Security Feel Better are eager to step up sales. Stephen Beard reports.
Former House Majority leader Tom DeLay leaves Congress today. He faces trial for money-laundering and he's tied to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Scott Tong takes a look at whether his legacy is likely to last.
Your cable bill could be going down. So say proponents of legislation passed last night by the House. The measure would help phone companies get into the cable business, but it still has to make it through the Senate. Alisa Roth reports.
The World Cup kicks off today in Germany. Soccer's quadrennial world championship tournament is an advertising bonanza in most countries. With one notable exception. Curt Nickisch tells us why.
The White House yesterday released a rosier forecast for economic growth than originally estimated, but some economists see the glass a little differently. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
The Senate won't hold hearings on the NSA's alleged purchase of millions of domestic calling records from US phone companies. But commentator Austan Goolsbee says consumers are owed an explanation — and more.
Motorola was down on its luck until the Razr cell phone helped turn things around. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to Fortune magazine writer Adam Lashinsky about how Moto found its mojo — and what's next.
June is the unofficial start of wedding season. One problem that often besets married couples is arguing about money. But there's a new tool to help them get back to happily ever after — a post-nuptial agreement. Hillary Wicai reports.
Pakistan's economy has been booming since 9/11. The reason? Many wealthy Pakistanis living abroad chose to return fearing harassment abroad. Miranda Kennedy reports from Islamabad.
Congress is set to vote tomorrow on a telecom bill that could have big implications for how the Internet works. It's setting up a big fight: phone and cable companies on one side — Internet firms on the other. John Dimsdale reports.
The Fed's not the only one worried about inflation. Seven central banks raised short-term interest rates this week. Those jitters are shaking confidence in commodities too. Stephen Beard reports from London.
The No. 3 US fast-food chain announced it's switching cooking oil to significantly reduce trans-fats in french fries and chicken items. But will customers like it? Helen Palmer reports.
The latest proposal to wean the US off Middle Eastern oil is called 25 by 25. It calls for us to get a quarter of our energy from renewable sources by 2025. But getting it through Congress is another matter. Sam Eaton reports.
The US Department of Agriculture yesterday announced a ban on shipments of fresh Florida citrus fruit to other citrus-growing states to prevent the spread of citrus canker. Dan Grech reports on the impact.
Given its ever-tighter budget to clean up contaminated sites, the EPA is trying a new tack: Selling Superfund sites to developers who agree to remove toxic substances. Alex Cohen reports.
Concern about inflation and interest rates is cutting deeper and deeper into world markets. Today, Asian stocks fell to their lowest levels in months. Jocelyn Ford reports.
It looked like things were finally going Delta's way. The bankrupt airline reached an agreement with its pilots union to save nearly $300 million a year. But now the government's calling the deal unfair. Alisa Roth reports.
Business of sports expert David Carter and host Mark Austin Thomas discuss how the World Cup soccer tournament could spark greater interest in US professional soccer.
Americans are putting more money on their credit cards these days. A new report from the Federal Reserve says borrowing jumped almost six percent in April. Tess Vigeland looks at possible reasons why.
Oil prices dropped below $70 a barrel today after US-led airstrike yesterday killed al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq. Oil exports there have been the constant target of sabotage. Stephen Beard reports.
A forecast out yesterday predicts double-digit growth for microchip sales by next year, but higher sales don't automatically translate into higher profits. Jeff Tyler reports.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia plans to create a genetic database of over 100,000 children. The initiative raises questions about privacy and who should profit from such information. Helen Palmer reports.
The Senate again takes up repealing the estate tax this week. But in a time of rising deficits, will lawmakers really sign off on a permanent tax cut? John Dimsdale reports.
After months of negotiating, talks have broken down between Merrill Lynch and dozens of its African American financial advisers who sued for "systemic discrimination and retaliation." Amy Scott reports.
Dunkin' Donuts is one of 6,200 US companies taking part in a new federal program checking new workers against existing databases to find out if they're legal. But checking current employees is illegal. Sean Cole reports.
American and European drug companies have filed thousands of patents on unorthodox treatments that have been used in India for centuries. Now, India is fighting back to protect its ancient intellectual property. Suzanne Marmion reports.
New Fed chief Ben Bernanke has been getting some heat lately for sending Wall Street on a wild ride. Down, mostly. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to James Grant of Grant's Interest Rate Observer to put it in perspective.
The statistics say everything is fine with the American economy. But ask most people on the street, and they'll tell you the economy is only so-so. Commentator and economist Glenn Hubbard thinks he has an answer.
Commentator Robert Reich argues that repealing the estate tax would cost the US Treasury $1 trillion in 10 years — and sap entrepreneurial gumption from the growing ranks of trust-fund Americans.
Miranda Kennedy reports that for Pakistani boys forced to work as camel jockeys in the Middle East, life is still tenuous once they return to their home country.
A college student pleaded guilty yesterday to charges he conned investors into pouring millions into a bogus hedge fund named for the mythical architect who confounded many a Greek with his complex labyrinth. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Northwest flight attendants rejected the airline's pay cut proposal Tuesday, a move that could put a recent agreement with its pilots in jeopardy too. Janet Babin reports.
Co-founder Sergey Brin admitted yesterday that the deal Google struck with China to allow some censorship on its search engine in that country may have been a mistake. Jocelyn Ford reports.
Yesterday's prime-time presidential debate was considered crucial point in Mexico's decision to remain right of center or elect a more leftist president. Dan Grech has more.
A report out today looks at the potential for fuels such as ethanol to go global — and World Bank's potential interest in funding biofuel projects in developing countries is fueling the buzz. Sam Eaton reports.
Dissident shareholders voted Tuesday in favor of a new resolution that would change how company directors are elected. It's part of a larger trend in corporate governance, Alisa Roth reports.
That laptop stolen from a Veteran's Affairs employee? It didn't just have personal information on 26 million veterans. Turns out information for most active-duty military was on there as well. Alisa Roth reports.
French President Jacques Chirac has pooh-poohed the American takeover of Paris-based stock exchange operator Euronext. Chiraq says he'd prefer a merger with the Germans. Stephen Beard reports.
Last week, the White House was hailed for making concessions to Iran. Today, another proposal: The US will supply Tehran with some nuclear technology if it stops enriching uranium. And Iran didn't say no right away. Bob Moon reports.
GM shareholders approved two reform proposals today — a first — but the company isn't obligated to listen. So what do the votes mean? Host Kai Ryssdal asks around.
Writer and commentator Rob Long says that when it comes to Janet Jackson, her wardrobe and indecency, the FCC has too much brawn and not enough brains.
Iraqi interpreters work with foreign troops and media at great personal risk. About 5,000 fill that vital role for the US military. Ben Gilbert visited a base outside Ramadi and talked to some of them about their jobs.
A new report says the US government's pension obligations are underfunded by trillions of dollars — could our retirement future possibly be worse than we already thought? Tess Vigeland reports.
Google has introduced an online spreadsheet application to compete with Microsoft's Excel. It lacks some of Excel's bells and whistles — but it's free. Amy Scott reports.
New Orleans residents have just begun to rebuild their city as the new hurricane season gets underway. Which is why Baton Rouge sees an opportunity. Sam Eaton reports.
Many big name companies are amassing huge piles of cash in their bank accounts. That's a good thing, right? Commentator Robert Cottrell says not so fast.
Hurricane Katrina wiped away most of East Biloxi, Miss. Now city officials are faced with two competing visions for the area's future. Stephen Smith reports.
The Senate could begin debate as early as today on a possible repeal of the estate tax. Prospects for passage don't look good, but don't expect the issue to go away any time soon. Scott Tong reports.
Bidding is expected to close today for Pfizer's over-the-counter division. The top bidder so far is said to be pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. Janet Babin reports.
Democrats are taking a page from the Republican playbook, trying to ensure big voter turnouts in key states with ballot initiatives aimed at Democratic-leaning voters. John Dimsdale reports.
Today the British daily is scheduled to begin offering a new US edition in New York City and environs. But who's going to read it? Ethan Lindsey takes a look.
Interest rates are taking a toll on the residential market, but office real estate is still going gangbusters.And yesterday a deal between Brookfield and Trizec created one of the biggest landlords in North America. Steve Tripoli reports.
Business doesn't usually line up to ask for more regulation, but a group of senior British executives is demanding stricter curbs on carbon dioxide emissions. From London, Stephen Beard reports.
Our special report continues from San Diego — home to the biggest sponsor of Congressional staff travel, defense contractor General Atomics. Steve Henn reports.
Detroit has been bragging about its adoption of ethanol as an alternative fuel. But, as Los Angeles Times auto critic Dan Neil tells host Kai Ryssdal, corn-based fuel isn't all that efficient.
Airlines may be hurting, but a study out today predicts the hotel industry will rake in record profits this year. Cheryl Glaser looks at what's driving the boom — and it's not cheaper rates.
Twentieth Century Fox is releasing "The Omen" tomorrow, tied to the 6/6/06 date it has used to market the horror film. But opening a movie on a Tuesday can be scary for the box office. Will it work? Jeff Tyler reports.
The airline industry is struggling against the rising cost of jet fuel. It's already cut costs by renegotiating labor contracts. Now, it's raising prices. But how high can they go? Tess Vigeland reports.
Democrats accuse President Bush of trying to rally his conservative base with a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. But Republicans say Democrats are doing the same thing by trying to hike the minimum wage. John Dimsdale reports.
The House is expected to vote on a Senate bill this week to hike indecency fines for broadcasters tenfold. But broadcasters are ready to do battle. Jeff Tyler reports.
Yesterday in Peru, disgraced former president Alan Garcia beat Ollanta Humala, the fiery candidate backed by Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Dan Grech reports.
Today is the deadline for Congress to decide if it wants to intervene in the contract dispute between air traffic controllers and the Federal Aviation Administration. Alisa Roth tells us what's at stake.
The battle to take over one of Europe's largest airport operators is lifting off. A large Australian bank has joined a consortium led by Goldman Sachs and is poised to make a bid. From London, Stephen Beard reports.
