The global money transfer company SWIFT is refuting charges that it broke the law by handing confidential data to the U.S. government. Stephen Beard reports.
Did you resist all enticements to hit the mall at dawn? If so, you made "Buy Nothing Day" backers happy. But commentator Nick Gillespie says the protest against the post-Thanksgiving shop-a-thon is a bad deal.
As bargain hunters shook off their turkey hangovers at the crack of dawn today, retailers were pulling out all the stops. But sales weren't the only things retailers were hoping for. Sam Eaton reports.
Some models of the Cyber-shot digital cameras distort images, while others don't take photos at all. As Stacey Vanek-Smith reports, this could be the start of a long Christmas season for Sony.
The United States contends the African Union is too weak to halt atrocities in Darfur and the U.N. should step in. But some wonder whether the U.S. isn't more concerned about its business interests there. Gretchen Wilson reports.
Computer vendors are slashing prices and offering other incentives to attract consumers. Stacey Vanek-Smith looks at why computer retailers are worried about slow holiday sales.
The European Union's data protection panel says SWIFT broke privacy laws by handing over bank transfer records to the U.S. government. Stephen Beard reports.
The presidential race in Ecuador has come down to a radical leftist and a banana billionaire. As Ecuadorians prepare to head to the polls Sunday, Dan Grech has this preview.
Gambling is a big business for American Indian tribes — and that means big money for their members. But a growing number say they're being forced out of the pot. Rachel Dornhelm has the story.
Millions of Baby Boomers have become part of the "sandwich generation"— taking care of both their kids and their elderly parents. Apryl Lundsten reports.
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for U.S. soup kitchens, but this year there's less to give thanks for. Food banks are feeling the strains of higher prices for fruits and vegetables. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
While you're enjoying Thanksgiving dinner, thousands of police officers, firemen and EMTs are on duty. Sometimes there's not a lot to do, so they keep their skills sharp playing video games. Helen Palmer reports.
Every week 30 million-plus people grab coffee at Starbucks. That's a lot of cups. This spring, the company introduced a cup made with 10% post-consumer recycled fiber, the first of its kind. Sarah Gardner reports.
London could become the main trading center for new kind of security. The so-called "death derivative" will allow investors to bet on changes in the average human life span. Will New York markets miss out? Stephen Beard reports.
These days parents are shelling out more than $3 a jar for pesto pasta, quinoa and other gourmet fare for baby. Lisa Napoli takes a look at the growing business.
Two national retailers will be open today, but the real fight for Turkey Day shoppers is online — where more retailers are chasing a plateauing number of customers. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
London could become the main trading center on a major new market. The so-called "death derivative" will allow investors to bet on changes in the average human life span. Will New York markets miss out? Stephen Beard reports.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is concerned about the competitiveness of U.S. markets. Commentator Glenn Hubbard says regular Americans should be worried too.
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has hired a business professor to help him prove that former NYSE Chairman Richard Grasso didn't deserve his $187 million pay package. Amy Scott reports.
Thousands of Americans will have items confiscated from their carry-on luggage this holiday weekend. Bob Moon checks into how the TSA identifies which items it considers a threat.
Congress passed a tax increase in May that's expected to rake in big bucks for the government — but it could backfire. U.S. businesses worry it'll hurt their ability to employee Americans oversees. Miranda Kennedy reports.
A private investment firm has offered to buy Qantas Airways for close to $10 billion. John Dimsdale looks at why they're keen to invest in the airline, given the industry's reputation as a money drain.
Retail analyst Brad Stephens will be among the hordes of shoppers flocking to malls this weekend — but he's not there for the bargains. Host Kai Ryssdal asks him what he's looking for.
Homemade? Store-bought? Just in time for Thanksgiving, we do the numbers on pumpkin pie. Host Kai Ryssdal and some expert Marketplace tasters give us a cost-benefit analysis.
When Americans were introduced to the Buena Vista Social Club in 1999, Cuban oldies suddenly were hot. But behind the scenes, a legal battle over who owns rights to those songs was born. Dan Grech explains.
The U.S. wants India to open up its markets to U.S. farm products. India has a wheat shortage but says ours doesn't meet its strict health standards. Where does that leave us? Miranda Kennedy reports.
Commentator Robert Reich says Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is wrong when he blames strict accounting rules in the U.S. for fueling private acquisition of publicly-held companies.
Speculative investors, led by American corporate raider Samuel Heyman, have been buying up stock in the London Stock Exchange. Stephen Beard tells us what that means for NASDAQ's bid for a takeover.
The FDA has reached a new deal with pharmaceutical companies: Drug makers will now pay fees in return for a speedier review process of their TV ads. Helen Palmer reports.
The Great Plains are coming back from decades of farm crisis. In fact, the latest economic numbers in "Flyover Country" might even give the coasts a case of envy. Steve Tripoli reports.
The nuclear revival has prompted a uranium mining resurgence out West — but some residents of Moab, Utah, aren't eager to turn back the clock. Sam Eaton has the story.
Six nations and the European Union have agreed to build an experimental nuclear fusion reactor. If it works, it'll solve the world's energy crisis. But that's a big "if," Stephen Beard reports.
Pepsi Co. has agreed to buy Naked Juice — the company's third health food acquisition this year. Lisa Napoli takes a look at Pepsi's new beverage strategy.
Colombia's set to sign a trade agreement with the U.S. tomorrow. It would be the biggest deal in this hemisphere since NAFTA, but critics say Congress will never write the deal into law. Dan Grech reports.
Residential real estate is on the decline, but the commercial real estate market is still hot — and that means you can expect the rent on your apartment or office space to keep going up. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Rupert Murdoch is also making waves on the other side of the Atlantic. He snapped up 18% of Britain's largest commercial broadcaster — out from under Sir Richard Branson. Stephen Beard has the story.
In response to growing outrage, News Corp has canceled O.J. Simpson's book and forthcoming TV special about how he would have killed his wife and her friend if he'd done it. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with India's Prime Minister today. It was more symbolism than substance, but the leaders did agree that they want to double trade between their nations. Miranda Kennedy reports.
Trade reps around the globe seem to agree on the need to revive the Doha Round of world trade negotiations. But no one wants to be the first to make concessions, Steve Tripoli reports.
The insurance industry's annual list of safest vehicles is out today, and imported models took the 13 top spots for one simple reason: American cars lack ESL. Dan Grech explains.
Following a three-week strike that targeted Houston's downtown business and shopping district, 5,300 janitors have agreed to return to work in exchange for better wages and benefits. John Dimsdale reports.
Indie bookstores have been struggling to survive in the face of low-cost competition from major chain retailers. Charla Bear looks at the novel approach one Northern California shop is trying.
The U.S. and 30 other countries have agreed to build a nuclear fusion — colliding, not splitting atoms — reactor in Southern France. Host Scott Jagow asks the Financial Times' Clive Cookson why fusion's better than fission.
Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Larry Kahaner, author of a book about the AK-47. Kahaner explains the past and present significance of this deadly weapon — and why the Pentagon doesn't use it.
Many U.S. banks cash checks that arrive on the same day from the largest to smallest dollar amount. That means more overdraft fees for folks in the red, but banks claim that's the way customers want it. Janet Babin explains.
Commentator Sandra Tsing-Loh has a cameo appearance in the upcoming movie "Unaccompanied Minors" about a group of kids stuck in an airport during the holidays. And it wasn't a pretty scene.
Automakers, insurers and MADD are set on changing laws to require breathalyzer ignition technology in the cars of all convicted drunk drivers — and everyone else while they're at it. Hillary Wicai reports.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson gave his first major speech today. He said the U.S. needs to loosen regulatory rules to stay competitive in the world market, but not everyone agrees. Alisa Roth reports.
Private equity firm Blackstone will pay nearly $20 billion for the country's largest corporate real estate owner. It'd be the biggest leveraged buyout in history, and the latest in a growing trend. Amy Scott reports.
Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in India today. The countries claim two of the world's fastest-growing economies and they're trying to forge a partnership — but not without some friction. Miranda Kennedy reports.
With only a slight majority in both houses and the President's veto power looming, Democrats may have a tough time changing U.S. policy on climate change. But a couple proposals have a chance. Sarah Gardner reports.
Acclaimed novelist Thomas Pynchon won't be doing any publicity for his first book in nine years, but marketing "Against the Day" should be no problem. Lisa Napoli explains.
MADD wants all cars owned by convicted drunk drivers to require built-in breathalyzers. The auto industry's on board but some worry car manufacturers are driving down a slippery slope. Dan Grech reports.
It's India's first visit from a Chinese president in a decade. Both countries have developed into economic power-houses in that time, but they've traditionally seen each other more as rivals than friends. Miranda Kennedy reports.
NASDAQ made another takeover bid for the London Stock Exchange — and it's been rebuffed again. Stephen Beard has details, and a look at why the European markets are so appealing.
The CDC recommends flu shots for 185 million of us, but some experts question how effective they really are — and whether it's actually a good public health investment. Helen Palmer reports.
A forecast out today says while the nation's housing industry may be on the ropes, economists don't see much fallout for the rest of the economy. John Dimsdale reports.
