Marketplace for Monday, Dec. 10, 2007

Segments From This Episode

• Troubled banks turn to sovereign funds

  by Amy Scott

  An investment company set up by the government of Singapore has bought a nearly $10 billion stake in the Swiss bank UBS, which is reeling from the subprime mess. Other sovereign funds are on a bit of a shopping spree for Western banks as well. Amy Scott reports.

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• McDonald’s makes a comeback

  by Ashley Milne-Tyte

  It wasn't so long ago McDonald's was suffering on the unfashionably unhealthy end of the food chain. But its fortunes have changed along with its menus. Ashley Milne-Tyte reports.

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• U.S. in awkward spot at climate talks

  by Sam Eaton

  At a U.N. conference on global warming in Bali, the United States is the elephant in the room. Sam Eaton's been following the meeting and discusses the issues with Kai Ryssdal.

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• Forget the gift cards, give cash

  by Marketplace Staff

  Analysts say retailers will earn more than $26 billion from gift cards this holiday season, with about a third coming from cash left behind by customers who don't redeem their credits. All the more reason, says commentator Ron Lieber, to spare your loved ones the hassle.

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• Mixing in social concerns with the soup

  by Marketplace Staff

  A small-but-growing source of funding for social entrepreneurs, called "community development venture capital," has helped revive a cannery in a remote Maine community. Steve Tripoli reports in his series on social entrepreneurship.

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• China’s manufacturers in a squeeze

  by Scott Tong

  Chinese manufacturers are struggling with the rising value of the Chinese yuan, which is making their low-end products more expensive for buyers around the world. And that could mean more iffy Chinese products for Americans. Scott Tong reports.

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• Conference looks at unions’ tough times

  by Jeremy Hobson

  The AFL-CIO hosted a conference in Washington that considered the critically low number of workers in unions and the need for improved benefits. Jeremy Hobson reports on what unions need to regain traction.

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