Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!
Mid-day Update

PODCAST: March jobs numbers

Chau Tu Apr 6, 2012
HTML EMBED:
COPY
Mid-day Update

PODCAST: March jobs numbers

Chau Tu Apr 6, 2012
HTML EMBED:
COPY

Jobs! 120,000 people were hired in the U.S. last month. That’s according to numbers out this morning from the Labor Department. That was roughly half of what economists had expected — and a significant slowdown compared to the last few months.

A judge has approved the $25 billion mortgage settlement between big banks and state attorneys general over the robo-signing scandal and other mortgage malfeasance. In addition to the money, the banks agreed to help some homeowners cut their mortgage debts and restructure their loans.

There are reports that 600,000 Apple computers around the world have been infected with a virus. The company has released a fix to protect customers.

Remember the Ohio Art Company, which makes the Etch A Sketch? The company’s stock almost doubled after that toy became a prop in the presidential campaign. Well guess what? The stock has now lost almost all those gains.

Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer caught in an undercover sting by U.S. agents posing as Colombian guerrillas, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Thursday by a judge in New York, prompting charges of political bias from Russia.

The online radio company Pandora says it saw a 59 percent increase in listenership in the past year. Its stock, on the other hand, dropped 19 percent last month.

From the liquor cabinet of Dr. Moreau: Peanut butter and jelly flavored vodka has just been unveiled from spirits maker Van Gogh. It follows on the heels of success Smirnoff has seen with its whipped cream vodka and marshmallow vodka, and other unusual flavors.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.