Week of September 23rd, 2013

Metro Detroit has one of the nation’s largest and oldest Syrian communities, where ex-pats work to help family and friends back in Syria.

Comedian Bo Burnham talks about his new book of poems and his theory behind comedy.

The world’s top climate scientists issued their most definitive report yet on the challenges and risks of climate change — specifically human-caused global warming. The report is six years in the making, because climate science operates at a glacial pace. Congress also seems to move at a glacial pace — except when it has to move faster. And the deadline for a government shutdown looms next week. Also, Carlyle Group private equity is investing in Dr Dre’s Beats Electronics. It’s a vote of confidence in the company’s ability to be more than a fad, and to expand into other audio electronics globally.

From the government shutdown to the debt ceiling and everything in between, covering this week's news in the Weekly Wrap.

As the online dating scene moves to mobile apps, Tinder is the first to really gain a following with women.

Answering listener questions about 529 college savings plans — and 10 tips on things you should know about them.

Set a budget. Save for retirement. Plan for college savings. But how do those rules fit with your circumstances? This week, we feature conversations that go beyond the fine print of personal finance. What type of college savings account works best? A look at the differences between a Roth IRA and a 529 savings plan. When should you think about buying a home? How does that influence what you save for retirement? Plus, prepare yourself for a fee battle. What you can do to get the upper hand on hidden costs.

The world’s top climate scientists issued their most definitive report yet on the challenges and risks of climate change.

EA Sports announced it will stop selling its college football video game and separately settled a lawsuit with former players.

A private equity group is investing in Dr. Dre’s Beats Electronics. It’s a vote of confidence in the company’s ability to be more than a fad.

I'm 29, finishing a Master's program in Rangeland Ecology and Management. I'm down to thesis writing, so I haven't been a full time student for a bit and my student loan grace period is up.  I have about $40,000 in student loans, APR 6.8%.  I have no income at the moment, but I'm optimistic that I will be finished with school and have a job by May.  So I'm not worried about making minimum payments, possibly making big payments depending on the quality of the job. Thing is, I happen to have about $17,000 just sitting in a Roth IRA.  Does it make economic sense to be sitting on this when I have a sizable debt? The student loans are the only debt I have. -Chris

The key global climate change organization releases its summary of a climate change report six years in the making. And, Muhtar Kent, CEO of Coca-Cola, sits down with Marketplace Morning Report host David Brancaccio to discuss water, obesity and unemployment.

Muhtar Kent, CEO of Coca-Cola, sits down with Marketplace Morning Report host David Brancaccio to discuss water, obesity and unemployment.

If Google were a person, it could get a learner's permit to sit behind the wheel of one of its driverless cars.

Sunday is National Coffee Day and popular coffee shops are offering complimentary caffeine. Here's a list.

L.A. Times consumer columnist David Lazarus answers listener questions about health care cost-shifting, whether account monitoring services are worth their costs, and what to do when you don't trust the bank you've got a home loan through.

The nano-tube computer would make processing faster, cheaper and more energy efficient.

Today's economic indicators could be a positive sign for end-of-year growth.

Whenever debates over the budget rage in Washington, leaders can't help but say the government should balance their budget as well as a household. But that analogy might not always hold water.

The new health care exchanges will create even more options for consumers in an already crowded market. One group likely to shop around: self-employed workers.

Two tech innovations celebrate turning 15 today.

Walter White began making and dealing meth in "Breaking Bad" in order to support his family. A look at how much he was making in comparison to the rest of the country as a high school chemistry teacher and as Heisenberg.

The housing market is showing positive signs with prices climbing back up. But is now the time to buy?

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits the White House today He’s expected to talk trade with President Obama. But he’ll also be greeted by protests from some in the American business community. And, Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent was at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York this week talking about how Coke wants to get free water to half a million people in poor parts of the world. Marketplace Morning Report talks with Kent about the ambitious plan, as well as empowering women in developing countries and obesity in America.

The key global climate change organization releases its summary of a climate change report six years in the making.

Coke's spread has been far and wide. But some countries have been tougher endeavors for the soda giant.

Coke, Pepsi, Nestlé? Do you know who makes the beverages you drink?

$4.7 billion. $20,000. 6 seconds. 890 billion: Can you guess what these numbers mean?

Researchers at Stanford University built a computer this week that would disappoint most of us. No Angry Birds, no Netflix. The computer’s operating system really only let’s it do two things: count and sort numbers into different columns. But this tiny, basic computer could be the start of a revolution in technology, because the chip wasn’t made with the usual semi-conductor ingredient, silicon. Instead, this little gadget was made with carbon nanotubes.

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich stars in a new documentary about income inequality

As Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visits the White House to talk about trade between India and the U.S., some American businesses are protesting what they see as India shutting out foreign firms.

CEO Jamie Dimon and JPMorgan Chase are in hot water again.

The new GI Bill, signed into law five years ago, boosted educational funding available for veterans who served after 9/11.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell to its lowest level last week since June 2007. Across-the-board budget cuts that would slash the number of ships in the Merchant Marine would end up costing the Navy — perhaps billions of dollars. And, what to do about fake pharmaceuticals, a $75 billion global industry?

The Spanish version of the main health care exchange website won’t be up and running for a few weeks.

The science says yes.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell to its lowest level last week since June 2007.

If Congress fails to raise the debt limit, the next question is how to pay the bills.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon arrived at the U.S. Justice Department building to meet with Attorney General Eric Holder, according to reports. The two sides are discussing how big a settlement the bank will pay to end civil and criminal charges over the mortgage mess. Also, bureaucrats in Washington are drawing up contingency plans if Congress doesn’t raise the debt limit — but how do you prioritize who gets paid, and who doesn’t. And finally, Twitter is partnering with the National Football League in an advertising deal. Will this prove to investors that the social network can make money?

Gates says he wanted a single button, but the IBM guy wouldn't give it to them.

It turns out the government can do more with Big Data than just spy — they can use it to save money, too.

It's not just a problem in developing nations either.

A look at the best tech references in rap music.

The need for speed isn't just what gets Formula One race car drivers across the finish line.

Can Google's ambitious new delivery program work?

A conference today in London is taking on the growing problem of counterfeit medicine. Millions of lives are put at risk by knock off drugs, and it’s a problem afflicting the U.S. and Europe, as well as the developing world. Nike comes out with its quarterly profits and losses later today, and expectations are high. The athletic clothes company, whose stock was just added to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, will show a 24 percent jump in earnings year-over-year, if forecasts are right. And, the government can do more with Big Data than just spy — they can use it to save money, too. Case in point: San Antonio has an $8,000 garbage can that will pay for itself through saved fuel since trucks don’t have to come by as often to empty it.

When you think fast delivery of different products bought online you usually think of Amazon, eBay or Zappos. Well Google just rolled out a same day delivery service in the Bay Area. And Gizmodo’s Leslie Horn talks about why cutting edge tech has become so important to rap music.

Chicago’s effort to rebuild its water system has run into a problem: it’s replacing lead pipes, and lead is seeping into the water supply.

What can Nike’s performance tell us about the global economy?

The U.S. cannot pinpoint just when it will hit its debt limit, and while a giant unexpected expense could cause a problem, it's revenues that make the deadline tough to figure out.

Egypt once gave a warm welcome to Syrians fleeing the country's civil war but as more have come the welcome is wearing thin.

The Atlantic's Jim Fallows and his wife Deb stop next in Burlington, Vt., to explore the city's thriving tech industry.

The 2013 government shutdown looms on Tuesday. But if the government closes its doors, shouldn't it cost taxpayers less?

Across-the-board budget cuts that would slash the number of ships in the Merchant Marine would end up costing the Navy — perhaps billions of dollars.

Women aged 55-64 have left the workforce by the hundreds of thousands. Meanwhile, men that age are staying in jobs longer than expected. What gives?

Starting next week, federally run exchanges under Obamacare will officially roll out in 36 states. We just got our first detailed look at the premiums that will be offered in the federally run health care exchanges. President Obama said in a speech yesterday that for many people, the rates were potentially “less than their cell phone bill.” And low premiums are great, but when it comes to the real cost of health care, the premium is just the beginning. Also, with a government shutdown looming on Tuesday, we look at how shutting down the government actually costs us money.

Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, allow anyone to be a student. Retirees, soccer moms or radio commentator Beth Teitell.

Prices are out for Obama's health exchanges. So how much will it cost you? A chat with one of today's MacArthur Foundation 'genius grant' winners. And why cant the government pinpoint just when it will hit its debt limit?

Many websites look at comments as potential profit — engagement with readers that attracts more readers. But Popular Science is getting rid of them.

President Obama unveiled the premiums for his new health care plans. But when it comes to the real cost of health care, the premium is just the beginning.

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The second annual Cyber Security Summit kicks off today — and big business is invited to the party.

The Oracle CEO skipped a conference for his company's products, basically so he could go sailing in San Francisco Bay.

Dr. Jeffrey Brenner, was named one of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation 'genius grant' winners today. He organized a system in Camden, the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers, that tracks down the poorest patients who need care.

Orders for durable goods went up 0.1 percent.

Google says it is making tweaks to the commenting system on YouTube.

American Futures flies into Burlington, Vt., this week. How much do you know about this American town?

The current vice chairwoman of the Fed could become what is arguably the most powerful financial policy job in the world.

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba is reportedly pulling out of a Hong Kong initial public offering, and plans to go public in the U.S. instead.

Wine — brought to you by the makers of erotic literary sensation 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'

The JOBS Act has loosened rules to let private companies and hedge funds solicit investment. How are they going about it?

There are nearly 100,000 medical apps available on mobile devices.

Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba is reportedly pulling out of a Hong Kong initial public offering, and plans to go public in the U.S. instead. After the JOBS Act loosened some restrictions on how start-ups can advertise to investors, a new industry is popping up — corporate matchmakers. And the buzz surrounding Janet Yellen, who may head the Fed.

The Federal Aviation Administration is relaxing the rules on electronic device use during takeoff and landing.

A compilation of one of our favorite TV and movie tropes — malfunctioning technology.

At long last, a tech company has promised to tackle head on a problem it created. Google says it is making tweaks to the commenting on YouTube. The comment threads on the video sharing site have long been considered the seedy underbelly of self expression online. The company’s proposed solution is three-pronged. YouTube will allow the person who posted a video more control over the comments section. It will also leverage Google’s massive data powers to give people browsing a custom view.

Fiat, Chrysler's largest stakeholder, is upset after Union push for IPO. Russia sells stake in maker of AK-47 rifle. And why California's dairy farmers and cheese producers aren't seeing eye-to-eye.

The longest running corporate art piece in history? Tweeters spend four years pretending to be a spam-bot, unveiled today as part of gallery show.

Oh, the dreaded office meeting. We have about four billion a year here in the U.S., but are they worth it?

Doctors are learning that listening to patients about their lives may reveal the secrets that will help their patients get better.

A report out this week shows that the projected $1.2 trillion increase in federal spending over the next 10 years will not trickle down much to spending on programs that affect children.

An FAA advisory committee is considering allowing passengers to use their phone or laptop during take-off and landing, as long as it's on airplane mode.

Twitter’s a tech company, right? And tech companies list on the Nasdaq, right? So what the heck is Twitter doing listing on the NYSE?

Why you should care about the business and economics of home care and domestic workers.

California's pricing system for milk gives cheese makers the lowest price for milk — a holdover from the Depression era, when making cheese was a way to use up surplus milk. But now cheese makers are dairies' biggest customers, and still get the low price.

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A new bill passed in California aims to protect minors from having a permanent record of photos and phrases they might regret.

Facebook and the business strategy behind "frictionless payments."

The S&P Case Shiller home price index indicates that housing prices continue to recover.

Iran’s foreign minister and Secretary of State John Kerry plan to meet at the U.N. General Assembly. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the country for decades, and confiscated payments to the country for years. How much money is out there? And can Iran ever get it back? Also, Facebook unveiled a payment service that it hopes will encourage buyers to purchase things without having to enter long, complicated account information. There is a business strategy behind “frictionless payments.” And finally, a housing report out today indicates that real estate continues to recover. So why are the banks laying off mortgage professionals?

This week, the Chinese government will open the country's first 'free trade zone' in Shanghai.

The debt limit was enacted as part of the Second Liberty Bond Act.

The Kremlin is set to privatize a stake in one of its most well-known brands.