Marketplace for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009

Segments From This Episode

• Citi’s sell-off ushers in consolidation era

  by Steve Henn

  Citigroup's deal to spin off brokerage firm Smith Barney seems to be the company's first step in selling off businesses and assets that are pulling down the financial services giant. And Citi's deconstruction could lead to more consolidation. Steven Henn reports.

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• Nortel goes from bubble to bankruptcy

  by Janet Babin

  Phone equipment maker Nortel has filed for bankruptcy protection after years of trying to fight back from the 2000 dot-com bust. Janet Babin reports.

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• New Heathrow runway plans hit skids

  London's Heathrow Airport is operating at nearly maximum capacity. The British government is deciding whether it should get a third runway, but protesters who own land near the airport are standing in its way. Stephen Beard reports.

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• Inventories drop as sales plummet

  by Mitchell Hartman

  The Commerce Department says business inventories were down for a third straight month in November. Businesses put orders on hold as sales continued a downward spiral. Mitchell Hartman reports.

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• Poking a hole in the bubble theory

  by Marketplace Staff

  Once again the U.S. economy is recovering from the collapse of a financial bubble. Economist Dean Baker, author of "Plunder and Blunder," tells Kai Ryssdal that dramatic ups and downs need not be a part of our capitalist system.

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• Safety net needed as we wait for help

  by Marketplace Staff

  While we wait for President-elect Obama to hammer out details of another stimulus plan, help is needed to keep us staying afloat. Commentator Robert Reich says we need a safety net to protect us from falling further.

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• Will transition to digital TV be delayed?

  by Jeff Tyler

  The transition from analog to digital television is becoming a little scrambled. Government coupons for the digital television converter program have run out, leading some to call for a delay in the transition. Jeff Tyler reports a delay could be costly for TV stations.

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• Translation software opens up doors

  by Gretchen Wilson

  For people living in developing countries, it can be difficult learning how to use technology when the language can't be understood. But with new translation software becoming available, a whole new world of technology is opening up. Gretchen Wilson reports.

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