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NPR Topics: Business Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:08:00 -0400
  • U.S. Bank Auditors Got Bonuses Before CrisisBanks weren't the only ones giving big bonuses in the boom years before the worst financial crisis in generations. The government also was handing out millions of dollars to bank regulators, rewarding "superior" work even as an avalanche of risky mortgages helped create the meltdown.
  • Leading Indicators Up SlightlyThe private Conference Board says its leading economic index rose 0.1 percent in February. Ataman Ozyildirim, a Conference Board economist, said "the leading economic index points to moderately improving economic conditions in the near term."
  • Consumer Prices Stayed Pat In FebruaryA rise in food prices last month was offset by a drop in gasoline and other energy costs. The Labor Department's report indicates there is little sign of inflation, which enables the Federal Reserve to keep its key interest rate at a record low to help revive the economy.
  • First-Time Unemployment Claims DipThe Labor Department says the number of newly laid-off workers requesting jobless benefits fell 5,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 457,000. That nearly matched analysts' estimates of 455,000.
  • Global Reality Challenges IMF's Free Market GospelIn a notable turnaround, the International Monetary Fund recently acknowledged that some developing countries might benefit from controls on capital inflows. IMF research found that countries with such regulations were better equipped to weather recent global economic crises.
  • Ratings Show NBC Needs Some Hit TV ShowsNBC has used the slogan "Must See TV" but people aren't watching the network like they used to. In the latest ratings, NBC did not have a show in the Top 10, and only had three programs in the Top 25. Analysts blame part of the problem on NBC's miscalculation concerning late night talks shows.
  • Did Blue Cross' Mission Stray When Plans Became For-Profit?Anthem Blue Cross of California has become central to the political debate over controlling and regulating health insurance companies. Critics say the company is an example of what happens when federal or state regulators don't or can't control them. California regulators have tangled with Blue Cross for decades but the company has had many reincarnations. From member station KQED, Sarah Varney reports.
  • U.S. Urges China To Ease Currency ControlsU.S. officials continue to pressure China over its currency policy. In Beijing Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to China repeated Washington's frustration over Beijing's policy of keeping its currency artificially low in order to boost exports.
  • Wachovia Settles Money Laundering CaseBanking giant Wachovia has agreed to pay $160 million to settle a federal investigation into laundering of South American drug money. The deal, announced by the U.S. attorney in Miami, said the bank had laundered the money since at least 2003 using Mexican exchange houses.
  • Google Still Threatening To Leave ChinaGoogle has been threatening to pull out of China. Since it was attacked by hackers two months ago, Google said it would no longer cooperate with Beijing's Internet censorship. Loretta Chao of The Wall Street Journal talks to Renee Montagne about whether Google's position is a moral stance or a business calculation.
  • North Korea's Leader Has Billions In European BankAccording to Britain's The Daily Telegraph, North Korea's aging leader Kim Jong Il has $4 billion hidden away in European banks. The money reportedly comes from sales of nuclear and missile technology, drugs and currency counterfeiting. South Korean officials say the money used to be in Switzerland, until the government there tightened regulations to fight money laundering.
  • Ad Wars Ramp Up As Health Bill Vote Draws NearAs health care overhaul legislation winds its way toward the finish line, both sides are working to get their opinions heard. As usual, some use fear and exaggeration to make their claims. How accurate are these 30-second attempts to boil down a year's worth of debate? We decided to put a few to the test.
  • Wachovia Settles Money Laundering Case For $160MBanking giant Wachovia Corp. will pay $160 million to settle a federal investigation into laundering of illegal drug profits through Mexican exchange houses in the largest case of its kind ever brought against a U.S. bank, prosecutors said.
  • Businesses Claim Yelp Tilts Scales For CashYelp is being accused of using its user-review system as leverage to get companies to advertise on its site. Complaining businesses say they refused a Yelp salesperson's offer to buy an ad slot — and then some of their positive ratings went missing. The company says the claims stem from a misunderstanding.
  • Blockbuster Stock Dips After Bankruptcy WarningShares of Blockbuster Inc. sank 30 percent Wednesday after the video rental chain warned that it may have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The chain is trying to convince creditors to restructure a big chunk of its debt amid as it struggles to compete in a shifting market.