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, IMF. You hear it, you see it, but do you really know it?
Cablevision admitted that it awarded stock options to a vice chairman after he died. The company backdated the options to make it look like the executive had received them while he was still alive. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Mark Hurd held a news conference today to address issues surrounding HP's investigation of boardroom leaks. Host Kai Ryssdal discusses with Marketplace's Steve Tripoli what Hurd had to say and what it might mean for him and the company.
At least 25 people died after a high-speed magnetic levitation train hit a maintenance vehicle and crashed in Germany. The crash is yet more bad news for the train's development. Stephen Beard reports.
Commentator and business historian John Steele Gordon tells the story of how one man's attempt to corner the gold market left New York's financial district in utter chaos. Could it happen again?
It's time to wish happy birthday to one of the more popular market investments: Index funds just turned 30. But why isn't everyone cheering? Jeff Tyler reports.
India's government has been tearing down illegal buildings in its capital and this week enraged business owners fought back. Three people were killed when protests turned violent. Miranda Kennedy explains the situation.
Hewlett Packard's share price takes it worst plunge since the "pretexting" scandal broke two weeks ago. The drop followed news that CEO Mark Hurd has been linked to the spying allegations. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Host Scott Jagow talks to business of sports commentator Diana Nyad about the fallout over allegations that star running back Reggie Bush took money and gifts from sports agents while playing college football.
Not all the students China's prestigious Peking University are thrilled about the school's investment in a sport only the wealthy can afford. But some say it's an important business asset. Jocelyn Ford reports.
The lobby for fruit and vegetable growers is considering a marketing campaign to restore consumer confidence in spinach once the E.coli warning is lifted. Rachel Dornhelm looks at its chances for success.
Dubai-based airline company Emirates may rethink its $13.5 billion order for 43 new Airbus super jumbo jets. Company executives are angry at the prospect of further delays. Stephen Beard reports.
Retail giant Wal-Mart plans to begin selling almost 300 generic prescription drugs for only $4 for a month's supply — up to 70% savings on some. It will test the program in Florida. Helen Palmer reports.
France is bucking Europe's trend of declining birthrates by providing benefits such as guaranteed parental leave and large childcare subsidies. Eleanor Beardsley has the story.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has suggested paying poor people for making good choices such as staying in school or seeing a doctor regularly. Newt Gingrich, who joins Marketplace as an occasional commentator, says it's an idea worth considering.
Connecticut-based hedge fund Amaranth Advisors this week reported losses of almost $6 billion over the past month after it placed a multi-billion dollar bet on natural gas and lost. Amy Scott reports.
British business mogul Richard Branson today pledged $3 billion to combat global warming over the next decade: 100% of the profits from Virgin's transportation and airline sectors. But there might be motive besides saving the planet, Sam Eaton reports.
Hewlett-Packard's stock price fell nearly 5% today as investors found out that the internal leak investigation might go all the way to the top. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Adam Lashinsky of Fortune magazine who's been following the story.
This year's Ryder Cup at the K Club in Ireland is expected to turn a profit of about $20 million. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks with Ed Derse about the business side of the golf tournament.
US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson met with students at one of China's top universities. They asked him about serious stuff, like bilateral relations, but several also got personal, reports Jocelyn Ford.
One rural New Hampshire farmers market has put its produce up for sale on the Internet. Shoppers still have to pick up the goods in person, but the concept could be replicated in your community. Amy Quinton has the story.
Mega-retailer Wal-Mart announced a new drug-pricing program this morning: It plans to sell generic drugs to employees and customers at drastically reduced prices, starting in Tampa, Florida. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
British police have arrested a third person in connection with a campaign finance scandal. Political parties allegedly have been selling knighthoods and other honors in return for donations. Stephen Beard reports.
The Golden State is suing GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Honda and Nissan over greenhouse gas emissions. Some cry politics, but the case could have legs, Sam Eaton reports.
Host Scott Jagow and Marketplace economic correspondent Chris Farrell look at what's behind the current drop in oil prices — and whether the trend will continue.
The Food and Drug Administration warned yesterday that the birth control patch comes with possible dangerous side effects. Helen Palmer looks at what the news is likely to do to sales.
McDonald's has announced plans to reconfigure stores to allow breakfast items to be served all day in an effort to maximize some of the its most popular offerings. Rachel Dornhelm reports.
Boeing just received a big contract to build a high-tech border fence for the government's Secure Border Initiative. Scott Tong looks at what the company's taking on in its bid to become a big player in the homeland security biz.
The price of oil has dropped almost $18 since mid-July. Good news for the consumer in the short-term, but some worry it'll undermine the growing swell of support for alternative energies. Hillary Wicai reports.
Farmers in southwest China this year suffered the country's worst drought in 50 years. Two-thirds of the region's rivers dried up. Rains returned this month, but not in time to save the crops. Jocelyn Ford reports.
Nobel-prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz speaks to host Kai Ryssdal about what's wrong with globalization as it stands today — and what governments can do to fix it.
A new Congressional report says there's a crisis looming in the nation's airports. And that conclusion came before all the new no-liquid rules began forcing more checked luggage. Lisa Napoli reports.
The Big Three U.S. automakers are all in financial trouble, but commentator Robert Reich says Americans have more to be worried about than what's happening in Detroit.
The editor and publisher of the LA Times are leading an open revolt against the newspaper's owner, Chicago-based Tribune Co., protesting staff cuts they say have gutted its reputation for good journalism. Sarah Gardner has the story.
Japan's ruling party has elected Shinzo Abe as its leader and he's expected to win next week's parliamentary elections. Jocelyn Ford looks at what he'll face when he takes charge of the world's second-largest economy.
Southwest and American airlines both begin talking to pilots about pay this week as they look to control cost and improve productivity. The talks could go very differently, Janet Babin reports.
Yesterday's military coup in Thailand, while peaceful, has essentially shut down that country for the day and rattled markets in Japan, Singapore and South Korea. But could it bring greater stability in the end? Joe Zefran reports.
The Russians have bought an option to buy $3 billion worth of planes from Boeing, but the deal with the American planemaker may not be as straightforward as it seems. Stephen Beard reports.
Thousands rioted in the Hungarian capital of Budapest last night after a leaked audio tape revealed its Prime Minister saying he and his party lied about the economy for four years to get reelected. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to reporter Stefan Bos in Budapest.
The MacArthur Foundation announced its "genius grants" today. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to winner Victoria Hale, who founded a non-profit drug company that researches drugs for developing nations.
Beyond dry bagels, stale air and slide shows, conferences produce a lot of trash. That's gotten some folks working to make the conference business a little more environmentally-friendly. David Welch reports.
Thailand's military seized control of the country today. Officers said the civilian government was corrupt and running the country into the ground. Host Kai Ryssdal speaks to journalists and experts in Thailand.
Under a new Norwegian law, all public corporations there have a year to put women in 40 percent of boardroom seats. Stephen Beard reports on the game of musical boardroom chairs that's ensued.
New home construction fell 6% last month — double what was expected. Wholesale prices came in flat. And that may be good news when the Fed meets to discuss interest rates tomorrow. Lisa Napoli looks at the numbers.
Even the White House is joining the YouTube craze. It said today it's distributing government-produced, anti-drug videos on the site. Commentator and engineer Bill Hammack says these video sites are the start of another high-tech revolution.
The National Retail Federation today releases its forecast for this year's holiday sales season. And retailers aren't feeling too jolly about it. Rachel Dornhelm reports.
Commentator Paul Lamb argues online social networks can be used for real-world social good. It'll just take a little entrepreneurial spirit to make the technology accessible to everyone.
An audio tape on which Hungary's Prime Minister said he and his Socialist party lied about the economy for four years to get reelected was leaked to the media sparking violent protests there. Host Scott Jagow talks to reporter Stefan Bos in Budapest.
In an effort to curb its growing budget for oil-based jet fuel, the Air Force is testing an alternative blend today. And commercial airlines will be watching closely. Jason Paur reports.
The appliance brand best known for its TV ads featuring a bored repairman hopes to reverse slumping sales with its first line of products under new ownership by Whirlpool. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Hank Paulson has arrived in eastern China but he's warned against high expectations for his four-day visit. It's a tough time to try to even the huge trade imbalance between the U.S. and China, Jocelyn Ford reports.
Christian-based business ventures offer more than just books and devotional items. How about inspirational text messages and ring tones — even car insurance. Alex Goldmark reports.
Some British financiers are accusing0 the U.S. of seeking to impose its laws on the UK after officials swooped on the London offices of a British accountancy firm. Stephen Beard reports.
Toshiba said it's recalling 340,000 of Sony laptop batteries, but not because they might catch fire. It's because they just don't always work. Janet Babin reports.
New home construction fell six percent last month — the fifth drop in six months and double what was expected. Host Scott Jagow talks to FTN Financial chief economist Chris Lowe about the housing market slowdown.
Al Gore's documentary seems to have gotten everyone thinking about global climate change. Now a former Oregon governor is adopting the strategy for health care reform. Ethan Lindsey reports.
The IMF today increased the influence of China, South Korea, Turkey and Mexico to reflect their growing economies. The move is seen as an attempt to boost the credibility of the IMF — but will it work? Scott Tong reports.
Israeli defense spending has already seen a $1 billion-plus jump, largely to pay for the costly war with Hezbollah. The administration wants more but Israelis are saying it needs to use the money it has better. Hilary Krieger reports.
Warner Music will distribute its music and videos through the YouTube website and license the music to its users. Which means better — or at least legal — soundtracks for all those homemade movies. Janet Babin reports.
Anousheh Ansari blasted off to the International Space Station today to become the first female space tourist. Christopher Noxon and Ruth Ellenson had a few things to say about her trip to the final frontier.
Public policy's tough to quantify, but one theory may help predict changes in political stability and openness. Host Kai Ryssdal talks with Ian Bremmer, president of the world's largest political risk consultancy, about his new book, The J Curve.
The IRS says it's renewed efforts to enforce the laws that limit churches and charities from involvement in partisan political campaigns. One group is sending out warning letters to 117,000 clergy members. Nancy Marshall Genzer reports.
Just how much red ink is the federal government in? Could be more than it's claiming. Host Scott Jagow and Newsweek's Wall Street editor Allan Sloan do the math.
Henry Paulson makes his first visit to China as Treasury Secretary tomorrow. He'll try to prod China into helping narrow the U.S. trade deficit but said today he doesn't expect any quick fixes. Steve Tripoli reports.
Five years after 9/11 attacks forced the longest-ever suspension of U.S. stock trading, journalist Judy Martin looks back at the day it reopened and at the lasting effects that day has had on Wall Street.
The IMF voted today to boost the voting power of up-and-coming economies including China, South Korea Turkey and Mexico. Who loses power? Jocelyn Ford reports.
British oil giant BP is launching a company-wide review of its operations, a move triggered by last year's fatal fire in its Texas City refinery. Stephen Beard reports.
Intel is ready to announce a new chip that moves data along lasers instead of wires. That means the data moves much faster and that could revolutionize the data communications industry. Janet Babin reports.
