Nov 28, 2011

Marketplace Morning Report for Monday, November 28, 2011

The European debt crisis hits another phase, as leaders in the region throw around ideas to solve the root issues. Lipitor, the highest selling drug of all time, is set to lose its patent this week. The annual UN Climate Summit starts today in Durban, South Africa. And Paddy Hirsch explains the term "ringfencing" -- at the zoo.

Segments From this episode

Egyptian economy still chugging along amid protests

by Julia Simon

Nov 28, 2011

Egyptians began voting today in the first phase of parliamentary elections. The country's economy has hit a hard patch, but not quite come to a halt.

Mid-day Update

PODCAST: Black Friday's leftovers

by Mary Dooe

Nov 28, 2011

The national retail federation says sales over the last 4 days jumped 16 percent from last year. Consumers spent an average of 398 dollars on Black Friday-- and Black Thursday, and all Black Saturday and Sunday. And about 40 percent of that shopping was done online.

Customers shop for electronics items during Black Friday at a Best Buy store in San Diego, Calif.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

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Marketplace Whiteboard®

What is a ringfence?

by Paddy Hirsch

Nov 28, 2011

One of the solutions being floated around to help save Europe is called a "ringfence." But what is that exactly?

Steve Chiotakis and Paddy Hirsch at the zoo to explain ringfences.

Mary Dooe/Marketplace

European Debt Crisis

Strong central government in Europe could force spending cuts

by Jeremy Hobson

Nov 28, 2011

'Germans first and Europeans second' might no longer fly as tensions increase in the European debt crisis.

BBC World Service

Italian government encourages citizens to buy bonds

by Marketplace Contributor

Nov 28, 2011

The new initiative seeks citizens' help to bail the country out. Even so, towering debt remains a huge problem for Italy.

BBC World Service

'Increased discipline' needed to fix Europe

by Andrew Walker

Nov 28, 2011

Ideas are being bounced around today about ways to solve the European debt crisis once and for all.

U.N. climate summit begins in South Africa

by Eve Troeh

Nov 28, 2011

The annual U.N. Climate Summit starts today in Durban, South Africa. Unfortunately, these summits don't seem have a great track-record for enacting change.

European Debt Crisis

Fiscal union could solve Europe's debt problems

by Stephen Beard

Nov 28, 2011

One idea that's emerging this morning is to create a fiscal union between countries to enforce tighter budgets across Europe.

Fairfax, Va.: Land of corporate headquarters and 4.6 percent unemployment

by John Dimsdale

Nov 28, 2011

One country in Virginia is managing to survive and prosper even as the country at large has ongoing financial problems.

Mid-day Update

Mid-day Extra: Cyber Monday goes mobile

by Jeremy Hobson

Nov 28, 2011

Today is Cyber Monday, and it follows on the tails of a very promising Black Friday sales weekend. But what do customers, and companies, have to lose from the surge in mobile shopping?

Lipitor at the end of its patent

by Gregory Warner

Nov 28, 2011

Pfizer's big seller, Lipitor, loses its patent this week. But the drug giant isn't ready to give up all those customers just yet.

NBA reaches tentative deal

by Steve Chiotakis

Nov 28, 2011

After months of deadlock, the National Basketball Association has reached a deal to begin the season on Christmas.

European Debt Crisis

European debt crisis reaches pivotal moment

by Stephen Beard

Nov 28, 2011

Last week marked more bad news for economies across Europe, including Germany. If more countries follow suit this week, the crisis could reach its threshold

Where the euro crisis could hit the U.S.

by Heidi Moore

Nov 28, 2011

Money markets are supposed to be a safe investment. The European debt crisis could soon change that.

President Obama meets with euro officials on crisis

by Heidi Moore

Nov 28, 2011

President Obama is hosting some top European Union officials at the White House this morning, as concerns grow about what the debt crisis in Europe could do to the American economy.