The House of Representatives blocks  — barely — a move to cut funding for the National Security Agency’s electronic surveillance. Why the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas hasn’t changed Washington. A new amusement park with a ‘Take Your Child to Work Day’ theme opens in London. And Jane Austen gets a spot on Britain’s 10 pound note.

As President Obama embarks on his middle class road show, we ask what does the average American make? China’s factories continue to struggle while the eurozone starts to see some positive economic signs. A check in on savings. And a button to make all that #royalbaby news go away.

Why GlaxoSmithKline’s alleged bribery of doctors in China might just be par for the course in a country where doctors less than $1,000 per month. Insecticide sales are up, as one tenacious pest, the rootworm, has developed resistance to a genetically modified strain of corn. And how does Britain’s royal baby impact international trade?  

Economic stimulus in Japan gets a political boost. The IRS beats the sequester. A company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, tries to help residents move off government assistance. And do you do work during summer vacation? Turns out you’re in good company.

Detroit’s many titles: Motor City, Motown, bankrupt. How can the city repay its debts? A new report shows the practice of flipping houses is back, but the geography has, well, flipped. The business of bad movies and their sequels. And FIFA announces World Cup ticket prices.

A new reason to call JPMorgan a power player. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reportedly has evidence JPMorgan used ‘manipulative schemes’ to make big money off losing power plants. On the subject electricity, do we have enough electricity to run all this air conditioning? A stand off at the border between China and India. And Native Americans see sequester cuts to mental health services.

A grim innovation from Greece: the slow-motion layoff. Nearly twelve years since September 11, the developer of the World Trade Center is still going after airlines, airports and even the airplanes that brought down the Twin Towers. And why women stay in jobs longer than they should.

The difference between Americans and Europeans? We’re buying new cars. Why war and wasteful spending seem to go hand in hand. And tonight, New York City is hosting the All-Star Game — a baseball tradition going back 80 years. If you watch the players’ mandibles, you might catch a glimpse of another tradition. Here’s a hint: It led to the outlawed ‘spitball.’

China’s economy is still growing, but at its slowest pace since 1991. Will the new health care reform law cause workers to leave their jobs as coverage becomes more affordable? And Warren Buffett gives a lesson on philanthropy.