Identity theft is the fraud de jour, but old-fashioned con artists are still alive and well. A recent study looks at who's most susceptible — and it's not always who you might think. Apryl Lundsten reports.
This week in 2001, one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history was launched. Stacey Vanek-Smith takes us back to the energy giant's precipitous fall.
Historian Tom Wheeler talks with host Kai Ryssdal about how President Lincoln adapted to the telegraph to speed communications, and quickly came to understand the medium's limitations.
New rules about the archiving and retrieval of e-mails and other electronic correspondence went into effect in federal courts today. Lisa Napoli reports.
A couple of private equity firms are said to be looking to take Home Depot off the market. CEO Bob Nardelli denies a deal's in the works, but its shares rose as investors bought into the rumor. Alisa Roth reports.
Despite all the warnings, people's cell phones continue to be a distraction to moviegoers. So one theater chain is taking new steps to combat the problem. Jane Lindholm reports.
The nation's largest drugstore chains say they're working to improve patient privacy after an investigative reporter easily found sensitive information about their customers.
Two private equity firms are reportedly considering a bid of $100 billion for home improvement retailer Home Depot. No matter that its stock has fallen 15 percent over two years.
ICANN, the group that oversees the Internet, meets in Brazil this weekend. High on the agenda: making the bidding process for domain control more open and transparent. Brian Watt reports.
Mexican President Felipe Calderón is being sworn in today — and inheriting a slowing Mexican economy. Franc Contreras looks at the challenges he faces.
Former president Bill Clinton announced that his negotiated significantly cheaper HIV treatment for children in India, home to the world's largest HIV-positive population. Miranda Kennedy reports.
This week in 2001, one of the biggest corporate scandals in U.S. history was launched. Stacey Vanek-Smith takes us back to the energy giant's precipitous fall.
European consumers have staunchly opposed genetically-modified crops, but now the British government has approved trials of a blight-resistant potato. Will consumers buy into it? Stephen Beard reports.
Host Mark Austin Thomas and Daily Variety managing editor Michael Speier look at why maverick director Robert Altman would have had a hard time breaking into today's Hollywood.
It seems U.S. investment bankers in Europe are wringing their hands over what the sliding value of the dollar will due to their annual bonus checks. Hillary Wicai reports.
Talks to consider Turkey's admission to the EU have stalled. Commentator Reza Aslan says an alliance with the moderate Muslim country can only help ease tensions of the Islamophobia sweeping across Europe.
Retailers kicked off Christmas earlier than ever this year. Held midnight sales, waged price wars, offered great deals. Trouble is, the latest data suggests shoppers might be addicted to those deals. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
For millions of Americans, making it from paycheck to paycheck is a stretch. Many resort to payday loans to cover expenses — and end up trapped in debt, says a study out today. Diantha Parker reports.
Angola, Sudan and Ecuador want to join OPEC. The oil-producing countries want to exert more control over their resources, and OPEC may just help them do that. Sarah Gardner reports.
So many people are dying of HIV/AIDS in South Africa that funerals are a constant. Hundreds every weekend. For South African women, preparations have turned into a second full-time job. Gretchen Wilson reports.
An influential panel known as the Paulson Group issued a report today warning that U.S. markets are losing their competitive edge — but the pendulum may already be swinging the other way. Hillary Wicai explains.
The group of business leaders and academics released a report this morning. It says post-Enron regulations are hiking the cost of doing business in the U.S. and hurting American competitiveness. Hillary Wicai reports.
Cork is starting to stop up the fashion, accessories and flooring markets. The natural material benefits producers and, as it turns out, the environment. Janet Babin reports.
Can the new Democratic Congress and Republican White House work together? Maybe. And Marketplace economics correspondent Chris Farrell believes Social Security reform could be the place to start.
Microsoft takes the wraps off its long-awaited Vista operating system at the NASDAQ this morning. But if you want it for your home computer you'll have to wait, Lisa Napoli reports.
Patricia Russo says she won't learn French. Which wouldn't be a problem — except that Friday she becomes the only American CEO of a blue-chip French company. The Marketplace Players offer a lesson in cultural sensitivity. . .
The latest GDP numbers came out today boasting healthy growth in Q3. And then the Fed's Beige Book showed moderate economic growth. So maybe those slumping housing and auto sales numbers don't mean so much after all?
The largest-ever U.S. trade delegation is in India this week looking for opportunities in world's second-fastest growing economy. New to the game: nuclear power and defense industry companies. Miranda Kennedy reports.
Despite dire predictions, there hasn't been a major hurricane in the U.S. this year. That's good news for folks in Florida and along the Gulf Coast — and even better news for insurers. Dan Grech reports.
Democrats want to use Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors. Republicans and drug companies say it'll amount to government price controls. Commentator Robert Reich says that's absurd.
President Evo Morales has secured a radical proposal to confiscate many acres of private land and redistribute it to Bolivia's indigenous poor. Host Bob Moon talks to reporter Damian Kahya.
The U.S. wants to ban a laundry list of luxury items from North Korea. Apparently, the administration is hoping Kim Jong Il won't be able to live without his iPod and jet ski. Stacey Vanek-Smith reports.
Declining home values aren't just bad for the families who need to sell. They also hurt cities and counties that rely on property taxes for their budgets. Hillary Wicai reports.
Irish educational software maker Riverdeep has agreed to buy textbook publisher Houghton Mifflin. Could be a smart move as the industry shifts to electronic publishing, Alisa Roth reports.
Pfizer has announced that it will slash 20 percent of its workforce. The company's plagued by an industry-wide problem, as drug reps find it harder and harder to get face time with doctors. Helen Palmer reports.
Amid wars and assassination, many in Beirut have turned to the city's nightclubs for escape. Ben Gilbert looks at the difficulties club owners face in keeping the doors open.
An FDA commission today is expected to consider whether pain reliever Celebrex is suitable to treat juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Steve Tripoli reports.
A report out today says more than half of us are using broadband to surf the Web — and those high-speed Internet connections are changing our relationship with the computer. Brian Watt reports.
Turkey has been campaigning for membership in the EU, but the European Commission is expected to scale back discussion of Turkey's application to join because of its stance on Cyprus. Stephen Beard reports.
The world largest automaker, accused of undermining the electric car in the '90s, is set to announce new fuel-saving technology today. Sarah Gardner reports.
The pioneer of digital video recording has announced plans to place ads at the end of recorded programming in an effort to boost revenue. Diantha Parker reports.
The largest-ever U.S. trade delegation has landed in India. Representatives from almost 200 American companies are attending a summit on doing business there. Miranda Kennedy reports.
As the housing market cools across the country, sellers are working harder to move their properties. Commentator Mike Hickcox's home sat unsold for six months. That's when he tried something unconventional . . .
A major donor wants to withdraw a $750 million gift to Princeton University. Only thing is, the donor's family first gave Princeton the money over 40 years ago. Host Bob Moon talks to philanthropy expert Stacey Palmer.
Officials in Ecuador say that left-leaning Rafael Correa has won the Presidency. He's promising all kinds of economic reforms that are making U.S. investors nervous. Alisa Roth reports.
Soon you'll be able to watch skateboarding dogs on your cell phone. If editors choose that clip. YouTube announced a deal with Verizon Wireless today, but critics say the way it'll work is, well, dumb. Lisa Napoli reports.
Twelve states want to force a reluctant EPA to regulate carbon dioxide emissions. Big Business is split. Sarah Gardner helps us sort out who's on what side of Massachusetts v. EPA and what it all means.
ABBA remains one of the best-selling bands of all time, more than 25 years after their breakup. Today, organizers announced plans to build a museum in Stockholm dedicated to the Swedish super-pop group.
There are two kinds of regulators on Wall Street: government and private sector. Today the two main private regulators announced plans to merge, but not everyone's cheering the move. Amy Scott reports.
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke had a pretty rosy outlook on the economy — except that the core rate of inflation remains "uncomfortably high" and the housing and auto sectors are dragging. Critics say it's a mistake to downplay those factors.
Many of the agencies that run America's airports are pressing to charge airlines higher landing and terminal fees — but passengers may be the ones footing the bill. Steve Tripoli reports.
Britain's main business organization has some harsh words for the U.S. and continental Europe. The CBI is accusing other nations of hypocrisy in talking free trade but blocking foreign takeovers. Stephen Beard reports.
The business community is divided over whether greenhouse gas emissions should be regulated as a pollutant. The Supreme Court takes up the question in a potentially far-reaching case tomorrow. Sarah Gardner reports.
Commentator Andrew Valencia explains why he's likely to join the exodus of bright young minds from small-town America. He says it's not just for better jobs in big cities.
A wealth management group reports the cost of a partridge in a pear tree and other items in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" song are up this year. Stacey Vanek-Smith has the details.
A state commission in New York today is likely to recommend closure of dozens of public hospitals to streamline health care delivery and costs. Helen Palmer reports.
Businesses and investors from around the world have had an eye on India's fast-growing market, but now some leaders there are questioning whether the country can sustain that growth. Miranda Kennedy explains.
Existing home sales are expected to fall again, but Wall Street is betting the worst of the housing slump is behind us. Is the celebration premature? Amy Scott reports.
In a major policy speech today, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he'll offer a series of humanitarian and economic incentives to the Palestinians for a permanent ceasefire. Ben Gilbert reports.
Rising stars don't even have to leave home to get Hollywood's attention these days. Some agencies have talent scouts devoted to seeking them out online. Lisa Napoli reports.
The European Union wants all airlines flying in and out of its airspace to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. and other countries say that's not legal. Stephen Beard reports.
The dollar fell to a new low against the euro today on worries that China will sell some of its dollar holdings. Meanwhile, the yuan continues to strengthen against the greenback. Bob Moon reports.
Some are questioning Wal-Mart's strategy at home following news of a November sales drop. But the retail giant has found a way to break through a little red tape — and into India's fast-growing consumer market.
Commentator Marcellus Andrews sees Barak Obama as a new type of corporate-money-backed liberal — and fears that power and wealth might corrupt the beloved senator.
As 75,000 autoworkers face the midnight deadline to decide whether they'll accept buyout deals or stick it out with the company, Ford said today it needs about $18 billion to fund its restructuring. Alisa Roth reports.
The death of a former Russian secret agent in London is being linked to the break-up of Yukos oil — and now President Putin has been implicated in a series of suspicious deaths. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to Times of London's Tony Halpin.
NYSE chief John Thain is in China this week talking with firms that might be ready for overseas listings. But he has some hurdles to clear to convince them to list in New York. Ruth Kirchner reports.
Starbucks CEO Jim Donald is headed to Ethopia to talk coffee — specifically a move by farmers there to trademark their coffee and charge more for it. Host Mark Austin Thomas talks to Madeleine Acey of The Times of London.
The Supreme Court today hears arguments in a case that could change the statute of limitations in workers' discrimination lawsuits. Diantha Parker reports.
