In the 12 years since apartheid ended, Soweto has been transformed. The country even leads the world in some major technological realms. Gretchen Wilson reports.
Al Gore's movie, "An Inconvenient Truth," is getting some good reviews. But commentator Clive Crook says if you believe in democracy, you've got to be turned off by the global warming debate.
With the sale date of its super-jumbo A380 plane pushed back and its stock price tumbling, the aircraft manufacturer is now struggling with internal politics that have come into the open. Stephen Beard reports.
The New Jersey state attorney general has been sued by the federal government for asking telephone companies to admit if they gave customer records to the National Security Agency. Bob Moon reports.
Now that Bill Gates is devoting himself to philanthropic efforts, could he become the next John D. Rockefeller? Helen Palmer reports on what his changed role could mean to health care.
Thousands of General Motors workers have just over a week to decide if they're going to be part of one of the biggest buyout programs in corporate history. Mhari Saito spoke to union workers at a GM plant near Cleveland.
The European Union says it will initially provide $126 million directly to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, head of the Fatah faction. The idea is to bypass Fatah's rival, Hamas, until it renounces violence. Scott Tong reports.
It's time once again for economics editor Chris Farrell to help you sort out what's smart, what's stupid and what's the Straight Story. This week, report after report points to gloomy financial prospects for retirees. But Chris sees blue skies, for those willing to work a bit longer.
Life is hard enough without having to decipher everything. Each week, Marketplace Money brings you a word or a phrase that has bubbled to the top of the news. For instance, correction. You hear it, you see it, but do you really know it?
Don't think the "do not disturb" sign on your hotel room will allow you privacy. These days, hotels and retailers have found a new way to keep tabs on what you're doing. Chief Brand strategist, Eli Portnoy, takes Kai inside the new frontier of customer data collection.
Companies, take your corners. Phone and cable businesses on one side. Internet firms on the other. And consumers are in the middle of a fight over how the internet should be run. Kai speaks to CNET's Declan McCullagh.
There comes a time when parents can't avoid the topic anymore. Kids, we're rich. Marketplace's Sean Cole reports on how wealthy families handle the "money talk."
Ever get together with friends, have a glass of wine and beat the pants off the S&P 500? If you're an active member of an investment club and you're not shy, then you and your club members might be perfect for a new segment on Marketplace Money.
A new investment bank opened in New York Thursday, a boutique firm catering to wealthy investors and companies. If it sparks a trader exodus, does the common investor go to the back of the line? Ethan Lindsey reports.
Wall Street's new found optimism turned out to be contagious. After yesterday's sharp rally in New York, European stock markets all opened higher this morning. From London, Stephen Beard reports.
It's has been a year since the puzzle game started to appear in US papers, and it's pretty much created its own business empire since. Nancy Farghalli has the story.
Federal regulators report Fannie Mae's accounting missteps cost shareholders $11 billion, reviving efforts by lawmakers to rein in the mortgage lending giant. John Dimsdale reports.
The AMA has changed the criteria for juvenile obesity, expanding the number of children deemed overweight. A report out today says the move largely benefits drug companies and humiliates kids. Janet Babin explains.
Daily Variety editor Stuart Levine and host Mark Austin Thomas discuss the unexpected popularity of Al Gore's global warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, and the unprecedented 7-day opening "weekend" for Superman.
Retailers are trying to boost Father's Day sales this year with marketing gimmicks that among things link dad's special day to Christmas. Charla Bear explains.
President Bush today created the country's largest national monument in the oceans off the Hawaiian islands. The marine preserve is 1,400 miles long and home to some 7,000 species, many of which can't be found elsewhere. Sam Eaton reports.
A survey today that said 50% of marketing execs have paid to get their "news" mentioned in the mainstream press. And almost half of those who haven't said they would. Lisa Napoli reports.
A new report says the number of doctors graduating from medical school is not keeping pace with the health care needs of US patients. Why aren't people getting their MDs? Helen Palmer reports.
Commercial whaling has been banned for 20 years, but Japan, Norway and Iceland mostly ignore the ban. And this year, they might even have enough votes to turn the tides their way when the International Whaling Commission meets. Alex Cohen reports.
A week ago it looked like two of the world's biggest stock exchanges were set to merge. Oh how things change! How much does the NYSE need to worry about Europe's rising political opposition to the deal? Bob Moon looks into it.
More lawsuits are expected to be filed today against companies that allegedly backdated stock options for executives as angry shareholders hope to recoup some of the money they claim they lost. Janet Babin reports.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dreams of a hydrogen highway linking Los Angeles and San Francisco. But there are a few roadblocks in the way — like the lack of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Sarah Gardner reports.
With yesterday's favorable IPO by ethanol producer VeraSun, Stacey Vanek-Smith looks at investor enthusiasm for public offerings from other biofuel companies.
Investors are already looking past this month's Federal Reserve meeting and starting to worry about possible interest rate hikes at the next meeting in August. Bob Moon reports.
The Senate yesterday voted down a proposal requiring chemical facilities at risk of terrorist attacks to use fewer toxic substances. Some say that leaves us vulnerable. Sam Eaton reports.
United Airlines was supposed to have been restructured and ready to compete when it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February. So why did it announce new job cuts yesterday? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Nielsen Media Research plans to monitor TV viewership trends on computers, cell phones, iPods and other handheld devices and advertisers are eager to hear the results. Lisa Napoli reports.
Today in Asian trading, shares of Chinese oil company CNOOC soared more than 6% on news of a big, new energy find deep under the South China Sea. Jocelyn Ford reports from Beijing.
Boeing shares surged Wednesday after Airbus announced its new A380 super-sized jumbo jet wasn't going to be ready as early as promised. Alisa Roth reports.
Parts of Biloxi, Miss. wiped out by Hurricane Katrina are now prime turf for casinos. Some homeowners are getting big bucks for their storm-ravaged lots. Others won't be so lucky. Stephen Smith of American RadioWorks reports.
The United Auto Workers' ranks have shrunk by more than half in 25 years. But, says commentator Robert Reich, there are still plenty of jobs for American auto workers — it's the quality of jobs that's changed.
Congress looked today at an audit that found massive abuse of FEMA relief money. As much as $1.4 billion — or 16% — was spent on things like tropical vacations, a divorce attorney, even a sex change. John Dimsdale reports
Congress is considering a bill that would roll back consumers' ability to freeze their own credit — a move critics say would make it harder for consumers to protect themselves from identity thieves. Amy Scott explains.
Big, costly weddings are all the rage in Pakistan. So much so that the government dusted off an old law to crack down on the new extravagance it sees as a social problem. Miranda Kennedy reports.
Spend more time with your co-workers than your family? Commentator Lucy Kellaway recommends an office spouse. As she searches for her new workplace beau, she offers up these tips and warnings.
Today Congress looks at an audit that found massive abuse of FEMA relief money. As much $1.4 billion — or 16% — of the money was spent on things like tropical vacations, football tickets, even a sex change.
A bankruptcy court has given the thumbs-up to deals Northwest Airlines struck with pilots, baggage handlers and ground workers. But there's still no agreement with one important group of workers. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
The American Medical Association yesterday urged restaurants and food manufactures to cut their use of salt in half to help prevent high blood pressure and heart disease. Helen Palmer reports.
Shares for European airplane maker Airbus fell sharply today. Driving the nosedive was news of yet another delay in the delivery of its A-380 super jumbo jet. From London, Stephen Beard reports.
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 to talk to some of them about their jobs.
Two traders who specialize in creating markets for underperforming stocks on the New York Stock Exchange go on trial today for allegedly cheating investors. Alisa Roth reports.
President Bush's spending habits in Iraq are getting a closer look on the Hill. More than four years and $400 billion later, Congress appears ready to put its foot down on the use of emergency budget requests for the war. John Dimsdale reports.
Ford Motor's chief executive has unveiled a new policy on meetings. Sometimes, he says, they're counterproductive. No kidding. Tess Vigeland went looking for ways to help them avoid meeting mayhem.
Goldman Sachs today reported gangbuster earnings for last quarter, only to see its share price fall three percent. Yesterday something similar happened to Lehman Brothers. Amy Scott has the story.
Commentator and Washington Post columnist Jeff Birnbaum says the Jack Abramoff scandal in Washington has made politicians admit something they didn't want to: Money has power.
The housing boom is slowing across the country, but there is one home market that's still expanding — the closet. Intrepid reporter Cash Peters went on a tour of the oversized closet.
It's the farm of tomorrow hundreds of feet underground, where big companies test bio-engineered crops in huge caverns to prevent the accidental spread of seeds. Janet Babin reports.
Financial markets around the world today await the first of two reports on inflationary trends due out this week. An increase in the Producer Price Index could trigger a global stock sell-off. Amy Scott reports.
Survivors from hurricanes Katrina and Rita are scheduled to rally in the nation's capital today to protest cuts in federal housing assistance. Eric Niiler reports.
College has gotten so expensive that many students can't just count on what their parents may have saved up. Commentator Jonathan Hobbs gives us a good laugh over that one.
Six-time champion Brazil makes its debut in the 2006 World Cup today and the nation is using its prowess on the soccer field to promote trade. Paulo Prada reports from Rio de Janeiro.
You know all those previews for upcoming films they play at the movies? A new cable channel aims to serve the same function 24 hours a day. But will anyone watch? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
With the year's first named storm battering the Gulf Coast, Sam Eaton checks in on how the region's oyster industry has recovered from last year's storms.
Last year, Wal-Mart was praised for responding to the hurricanes faster than the government. As Florida's Gulf Coast braces for Alberto, it looks like the retailer is at it again. Dan Grech reports from Miami.
The government reports that the federal budget deficit in May was higher than a year ago, but that the deficit overall is on pace to shrink by the end of the fiscal year. Tess Vigeland checks it out.
Russia has revealed details of what could be one of the biggest IPOs in history. The Kremlin is preparing to float shares in the oil giant Rosneft on the London Stock exchange. Stephen Beard reports.
Billions have been spent to save Venice from sinking into the sea. Now there's debate about whether it's worth all that money to save the storied city. Stephen Beard reports.
The United Auto Workers president had a tough message for his union's members today: The auto industry is changing, and some of those changes won't benefit auto workers. John Dimsdale reports.
Gone are the days when American soldiers cooked chow and did their own laundry. Now contractors in Iraq do those duties, and the workers come from all over the world. Ben Gilbert reports.
The US has plans to remove Libya from its blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism and restore diplomatic relations. But, says writer and commentator Reza Aslan, we really need to help Libya diversify its economy.
Many Americans are almost defiantly indifferent to the World Cup, leaving companies to aim their soccer marketing at fans of non-US teams. No. 1 on the list: Mexico. Nate DiMeo has the story.
Monster joins a growing list of US companies whose stock option grants to senior executives are being investigated by the SEC. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Marketplace's Bob Moon about what's at issue.
Traders who buy and sell oil do so on several exchanges, including the New York Mercantile Exchange. It's going electronic today in a bid to compete against rival exchange ICE. Amy Scott reports.
Among the issues on the agenda for today's meeting of signatories to the Antarctic Treaty: What, if anything, should be done about the growing tourism trade to the frozen continent? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
The farm lobby is looking to regroup after winding up on the losing end of a Congressional compromise to provide emergency funding for the war in Iraq. John Dimsdale reports.
A new technology could provide the answer to annoying cell calls in theaters and other public places. But intentionally jamming cell signals could be illegal. Lisa Napoli reports.
