Latest Stories on Marketplace.org

Germans reacting to protests in Greece

mdooe — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:08:05 +0000

Greece today is trying to find another few hundred million dollars worth of budget cuts. Meanwhile, the rating agency Moody's has downgraded the credit ratings of six European countries, which is likely to make matters worse.

Cold temperatures in Europe mean better ice fishing

mdooe — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:07:32 +0000

This winter has be harsh in many parts of Europe. And while in many places it is keeping people bundled up inside and businesses hurting, some areas are actually benefiting.

Chinese leader faces mixed reception in the U.S.

Marketjohn — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:51:05 +0000

Xi Jinping, who's likely to be China's next president, may face some criticism when visiting Washington D.C. today.

Turns out, MySpace was only *mostly dead

svaneksmith — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:39:28 +0000

Remember MySpace? Not all that long ago, it was out on the bleeding edge of social media. And then...crickets.

China's Xi Jinping visits Washington

Chau Tu — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:29:25 +0000

Xi Jinping, China's current vice president, will be taking over the country later this year. Barbara Franklin, a former Commerce Department Secretary from the first Bush administration, discusses what the power shift will mean to the U.S.

Waffle House gets in the mood for Valentine's Day

John Haas — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:23:50 +0000

Waffle House and other decidedly downscale eateries are wooing customers with Valentine's Day dinner.

Zynga earnings to give clues about Facebook

sgregory@marketplace.org — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:52:46 +0000

Online gaming company is important to Facebook's bottom line.

Saving money on making money

Chau Tu — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:42:26 +0000

In his new budget released today, President Obama said he wants Congress to let the Treasury Department use cheaper materials to mint our coins.

Product placement gets the red carpet treatment

jho — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:29:59 +0000

The website Brandchannel's annual Product Placement Awards highlight brand cameos in the year's top films. And as Brandchannel's Abe Sauer says, the purpose of product placement isn't only about the cash.

Greece adopts drastic austerity measures

smonroe@marketplace.org — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:18:11 +0000

Overnight, the Greek parliament imposed drastic cuts that will layoff some 150,000 government workers, raise the retirement age and lower the minimum wage by 20 percent. What would the same cutbacks feel like here in the U.S.?

The surprising appeal of solo living

jho — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:15:58 +0000

The idea of living alone often conveys loneliness and isolation. But with more and more Americans living alone, author Eric Klinenberg argues that solo living is both enjoyable and economically beneficial.

$3.8 trillion budget released

Kerry Donahue — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:54:58 +0000

President Obama has published his multi-trillion-dollar budget. Despite it being an election year, Karen Shaw Petrou thinks we should take it seriously.

Why mere mortals should know the name 'Volcker'

Stan Alcorn — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:39:14 +0000

Former Fed chairman Paul Volcker is weighing in on the rule that bears his name. The banks are paying attention; you should, too.

Getting vets working again

joelpatterson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:34:50 +0000

With employment at 13 percent for U.S. veterans, big companies are starting initiatives to get them back to work in civilian life.

Slim savings with consumer-driven health plan

cfarrellecon — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:21:56 +0000

There is a lot of theory motivating consumer-driven health plans like the HSA, much of it reminiscent of ideas promoted with the rise of the 401(k) retirement savings plan. Well, three decades later the 401(k) has turned out to be a deeply flawed pension. The same is likely to be true with consumer-driven healthcare plans.

Greek austerity deal stirs anger and protests

Marketjohn — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:16:48 +0000

The Greek parliament’s approval of a sweeping austerity package causes demonstrations as Greeks complain of being humiliated by their creditors.

The allure of homeownership

cfarrellecon — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:19:50 +0000

My husband and I are both church pastors. We have been married for a year and half and we both work full time. Our gross income is about $84,000 and we tithe 10 percent to our churches and charities, which we will continue to do. We are trying to decide whether or not to purchase a home, and whether we are saving money in the proper places.... Is this a good time to buy a home? What if we needed to sell it in four years? Should we be putting less money into savings and more into the Roth IRA's? Thank you for your help! Emma, Beverly Hills, MI

Nevadans scrutinize $25 billion foreclosure settlement

John Haas — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:12:57 +0000

Banks will pay out billions over questionable foreclosure practices, like robo-signing. Will homeowners in hard-hit Nevada feel relief?

General Electric adding jobs for military veterans

John Haas — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:50:21 +0000

General Electric plans to hire 5,000 veterans over the next five years. But vets are still challenged to find jobs in today's workforce.

Microsoft customer accounts hacked by “evil shadow”

marcsanchez — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:27:05 +0000

Sinister laughs heard for miles