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: burnable movies. You hear it, you see it, but do you really know it?
What do kids want these days? You might find the answer at your neighborhood spa. Steve Tripoli reports on the grownup tastes today's of tweens and teens.
The nation is in the middle of a heat wave, but don't let high electricity bills make your wallet suffer a meltdown. We sent Lisa Napoli to consider the costs of keeping you cool.
The Texas computer maker said today that its profits may fall as much as 30% due to slowing computer sales. Is the PC market poised for a swan dive? Amy Scott takes a look.
More than 140,000 people are expected to swarm a comic-book convention in San Diego this weeknd. In the crowd will be movie types looking for fresh characters and plotlines to put on screen. Ethan Lindsey reports.
Thousands of evacuees from war-torn Lebanon are inundating the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus, straining services already taxed by its peak tourist season. Kai Ryssdal talks to reporters on the scene.
Stephen Beard reports on the growing controversy in Britain over the extradition treaty that was used to send three British bankers to Texas last week.
Author Christopher Noxon talks with Kai Ryssdal about how American adults nowadays are living in ways once thought to be strictly for the younger set. They're not stunted adolescents; they're something new — rejuveniles.
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco is suing the federal government over oil leases in the Gulf of Mexico. She claims the feds are cutting her state out of royalties it deserves. Hillary Wicai reports.
Israeli prime minister says his army's offensive in Lebanon will last "as long as necessary." Financial Times reporter Ferry Biedermann is in Beirut and says critical infrastructure is simply wiped out.
Three British bankers charged with fraud in the US will learn today whether they'll be allowed to return temporarily to Britain. They were brought here last week after losing a long extradition battle. Stephen Beard reports.
US Airways plans to put ads on airsickness bags this fall. American is considering putting them on cups and napkins. Does any of this do anything for the bottom line? Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
The Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission have brought the first criminal charges in the expanding stock options backdating probe. John Dimsdale reports.
A federal judge halts work on $320 million irrigation project to protect a rare woodpecker. Pro-business lawmakers call it an example of the Endangered Species Act run amok. Scott Tong reports.
The black market for kidneys in India is swelling as the poor trade their organs for cash. For Marketplace and public television's Frontline/World, Samantha Grant filed this dispatch from India.
Brocade Communications, a Silicon Valley company you've probably never heard of, has become Exhibit A in the backdated stock option scandal. The company's former CEO was hit with civil and criminal charges today. John Dimsdale reports.
Ford Motor Company announced today it lost more than $120 million last quarter. Amy Scott reports on the continuing problems at the nation's second-largest automaker.
Federal prosecutors announced today they won't indict major leaguer Barry Bonds for perjury or tax evasion. But, business-of-sports analyst Ed Derse tells Kai Ryssdal, the story isn't about taxes. It's about steroids.
As the battle between Israel and Hezbollah continues, Lebanon faces a growing humanitarian crisis. Hillary Wicai reports that getting aid on the ground will be a tricky thing.
Host Cheryl Glaser talks to record producer Nick Gold about his latest album — the last with African blues guitarist Ali Farka Toure — and the business of bringing World Music to the world.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has vowed legal action against the backdating of stock options. But commentator Robert Reich says not everyone at the SEC is on board.
Bill and Melinda Gates are committing $187 billion toward finding an AIDS vaccine. Janet Babin looks at past efforts to find a vaccine and how the new push will likely differ.
With wildfire season in full swing, Rachel Myrow reports on some quick-thinking entrepreneurs who rush to the site of blazes to sell souvenirs while others flee.
A tiny Caribbean nation miffed at US efforts to restrict online gambling is calling on the World Trade Organization for help. Ashley Milne-Tyte has the story.
The US Department of Agriculture is expected to announce today that it's scaling back inspections of American cattle for signs of mad cow disease. Some cattlemen think that's a mistake, Helen Palmer reports.
States looking to compel Wal-Mart to offer greater health benefits for employees are examining their options in the wake of yesterday's federal court ruling against such an effort in Maryland. Alex Cohen reports.
Internet gambling executives in Britain have been warned: They risk extradition to the US for breaking American gaming laws. And that has caused anxiety in the British business community. Stephen Beard reports.
New requirements for TV and movie studios could be on the way. Today the Senate considers a bill that would require Hollywood to keep record of ages of the actors in all those steamy sex scenes. Scott Tong reports.
Democrats in Washington, D.C., are staunchly against tax cuts. But some Democratic governors have been falling off that wagon. Commentator Steve Moore says the party is dividing over how to generate revenue.
In his semi-annual address to the Senate banking committee, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said just what the markets wanted to hear. Hillary Wicai reports.
Reacting to reports of wasteful spending, US senators today approved an amendment that would set up expert panels to review Army Corps of Engineers projects costing more than $40 million. John Dimsdale reports.
Investigators say workers in the Homeland Security Department wasted hundreds of thousands of dollars in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Scott Tong reports.
You've probably never heard of her, but she's one of the key players in rap music. She runs the advocacy group called Rap Coalition. Sean Cole reports.
What does Syria have to gain from its connection to the militant group Hezbollah? Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Joshua Landis, who studies Syrian politics and economy at the University of Oklahoma.
Earlier this year, inflation seemed mostly limited to the gas pump, but now higher prices are showing up elsewhere. The core consumer price index and core inflation rate are on the rise.
Corona is America's No. 1 imported beer. Tuesday its brewer announced a shakeup in how it's distributed in the US. Franc Contreras reports from Mexico City.
House lawmakers today consider a proposal to create independent commissions to review spending programs for waste and possible termination. John Dimsdale reports.
British oil giant BP appears to have sprung a leak in more ways than one. The company is shutting down even more wells in Alaska after whistleblowers contacted the Financial Times. Stephen Beard reports.
It wasn't just everyday citizens taking advantage of disaster relief chaos in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Now auditors report tales of wasteful spending by Homeland Security workers. Scott Tong reports.
Russia's state-owned oil company Rosneft went public today, offering shares on the London Stock Exchange. Stephen Beard reports the move highlights Russia's new brand of "state capitalism."
Chinese squatters have been registering trademarks of high-profile Western companies, hoping they'll pay ransom to retrieve their logo rights in China. Jocelyn Ford reports, they don't always know who they're targeting.
An Arizona congressman wants to abolish the penny, but his state stands to benefit from the move. And some say the one-cent coin is an important American institution. Alex Cohen reports.
The US is leading the effort to reconstruct Afghanistan's roads and schools. One ambitious project: a bridge connecting it to neighboring Tajikistan, which Afghans hope will help them get back to business, Miranda Kennedy reports.
American authorities have arrested the CEO of a British online gambling site. And the move has many in the British business community concerned, Stephen Beard reports.
As Israel continues its campaign against Hezbollah throughout Lebanon, the country has shut down for business. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to journalist Leena Saidi about conditions there.
Commentator and CEO Carl Yankowski says the current trend of paying CEOs only a dollar hides a much bigger pay package that shareholders rarely find out about.
Today, the government reported that producer prices rose last month, but there are some stores that can't pass cost increases onto consumers — because it's part of their name. Right? Alex Goldmark reports.
Federal regulators plan to take legal action soon against several companies accused of backdating stock options. It's a widening scandal that may affect hundreds of companies. Scott Tong explains.
Democrats today are highlighting Medicare's "Doughnut Hole" coverage gap, but there's disagreement over just how many people will actually fall into the hole. Helen Palmer reports.
US authorities have arrested the British CEO of an online gambling company and charged 10 other execs with racketeering. The move comes just a week after the US House passed a bill cracking down on Internet betting. Stephen Beard reports.
The Senate today considers giving the Army Corps of Engineers $10 billion for new navigation and flood control projects. But after the New Orleans levee breaches, many lawmakers want outside supervision. Scott Tong reports.
An Arizona congressman proposes retiring the penny today, but his state stands to benefit from the move. And many consumers are fearful that it would lead to higher prices. Alex Cohen reports.
It's hot out there. The first six months of 2006 have been the hottest on record in the US. So why haven't we seen any rolling blackouts, brownouts or other effects of energy drains? Amy Scott reports.
The Senate is debating a bill that would allow federal funding of stem cell research. It's expected to pass, but President Bush has threatened to veto any such bill — and money may not be the key issue, Hillary Wicai explains.
Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Haifa resident David Rudge about daily life on the streets of Israel after six days of violence. Like how does he withdraw money from the ATM?
Texas may still have some wide, open spaces, but not for motorists in rapidly growing Austin. A shortage of parking spots has fueled an outbreak of illegally used handicapped permits. Michael May reports.
Another food-related scandal has its grip on the Iraqi government. Lawmakers there are investigating contractors who provide food and other life support services, to the Iraqi military, as Ben Gilbert reports.
Ford today announced it will invest almost $2 billion to develop better hybrid technology in its automobiles. But the automaker will do it all in Britain. John Dimsdale reports.
Despite sky-high energy prices, rising interest rates and a bi-polar stock market, second-quarter numbers are coming in at all-time highs. So what's the secret? Commentator Kim Clark says it's deceptively simple.
The soaring price of oil has been bad news for most of the world's airlines, but plane manufacturers say aircraft sales could take off anyway. Stephen Beard explains.
Wisconsin grows the world's most sought-after ginseng, but trademark piracy has made it harder to know if you're getting the real thing. Brian Bull reports on efforts underway in the state to reclaim the glory days of ginseng.
The Israeli-Hezbollah warfare has taken a human and economic toll on both sides. Hilary Krieger reports on small business owners in Northern Israel, trying to stay afloat while trying to stay alive.
Host Cheryl Glaser and Newsweek Wall Street editor Allan Sloan look at what's behind the push to partner GM with Nissan and Renault. It may not be what you think.
The Senate today begins debate on a bill that could open the door for more federal funding of stem cell research. But President Bush has vowed to stamp his first-ever veto on the legislation. Sarah Gardner reports.
Starting today Northwest can impose wage and benefit cuts on its flight attendants as part of restructuring efforts. Flight attendants have threatened surprise walkouts — but passengers may have the final say. Larry Schooler reports.
US private equity firms raised nearly $100 billion over the first six months of the year, a 43% jump over the same period last year. But having so many dollars in play could mean too much of a good thing. Janet Babin reports.
There's a new trend in health care delivery: Your neighborhood drug store could soon offer in-store clinics that might save you a trip to the doctor's office. Lisa Napoli reports.
It's been almost 11 months since Hurricane Katrina hit the US Gulf Coast, and this week the first federal checks should finally go out to people who lost their homes in the storm. Scott Tong reports.
