Latest Stories

Latest Stories

Credit card spending up

Jun 8, 2006
Americans are putting more money on their credit cards these days. A new report from the Federal Reserve says borrowing jumped almost six percent in April. Tess Vigeland looks at possible reasons why.

Al-Zarqawi death drops oil prices

Jun 8, 2006
Oil prices dropped below $70 a barrel today after US-led airstrike yesterday killed al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Iraq. Oil exports there have been the constant target of sabotage. Stephen Beard reports.

Semiconductor surge

Jun 8, 2006
A forecast out yesterday predicts double-digit growth for microchip sales by next year, but higher sales don't automatically translate into higher profits. Jeff Tyler reports.

Estate tax vote coming up

Jun 7, 2006
The Senate again takes up repealing the estate tax this week. But in a time of rising deficits, will lawmakers really sign off on a permanent tax cut? John Dimsdale reports.

For science or profit?

Jun 7, 2006
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia plans to create a genetic database of over 100,000 children. The initiative raises questions about privacy and who should profit from such information. Helen Palmer reports.

Discrimination talks at an impasse

Jun 7, 2006
After months of negotiating, talks have broken down between Merrill Lynch and dozens of its African American financial advisers who sued for "systemic discrimination and retaliation." Amy Scott reports.

Time to check for illegals

Jun 7, 2006
Dunkin' Donuts is one of 6,200 US companies taking part in a new federal program checking new workers against existing databases to find out if they're legal. But checking current employees is illegal. Sean Cole reports.

For public good, not for profit.

Hey, those are <em>our</em> ancient remedies!

Jun 7, 2006
American and European drug companies have filed thousands of patents on unorthodox treatments that have been used in India for centuries. Now, India is fighting back to protect its ancient intellectual property. Suzanne Marmion reports.

Economic malaise

Jun 7, 2006
The statistics say everything is fine with the American economy. But ask most people on the street, and they'll tell you the economy is only so-so. Commentator and economist Glenn Hubbard thinks he has an answer.

Ben Bernanke, meet the ghost of Alan Greenspan

Jun 7, 2006
New Fed chief Ben Bernanke has been getting some heat lately for sending Wall Street on a wild ride. Down, mostly. Host Kai Ryssdal talks to James Grant of Grant's Interest Rate Observer to put it in perspective.