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Friday, December 07, 2012

All Tech Considered

Big Brother Is In Your Pocket (But You Get A Discount)

Care To Share? Wireless carriers are launching programs allowing customers to receive rewards based on information their smartphones share — such as their location, app usage and Web surfing data.

December 7, 2012 Customer loyalty programs offering discounts in exchange for a bit of personal information are nothing new. But now Verizon and AT&T are launching programs allowing customers to receive rewards based on information their smartphones share with the carriers. Not surprisingly, privacy advocates are alarmed.

Summary

Shots - Health News

How Miscommunication And A Simple Mistake Led To A Toxic Accident

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the accidental release of chlorine gas at a Tyson Food plant could have been prevented with better communication.

December 7, 2012 Somebody poured a solution of industrial strength bleach into a 55-gallon drum, triggering a release of toxic chlorine gas a Tyson Foods plant. Language barriers contributed to the accident, government investigators concluded.

Summary

Economy

A Good Jobs Report Might Be Bad For The Jobless

Judy Smith, of Dalton, Ga., looks over paperwork as she files for unemployment benefits in August after being laid off from a catering job. More than 2 million people who get extended benefits may lose them if Congress doesn't act soon.

December 7, 2012 An unexpected boost in hiring, with employers adding 146,000 jobs last month, might make it more difficult for Democrats to argue in favor of renewing benefits for the long-term unemployed. More than 2 million people who get extended jobless benefits may lose them in January if Congress doesn't act as part of discussions on the fiscal cliff.

Summary

Economy

Why A 'Fiscal Cliff' Failure Could Help The Economy

If President Obama and Congress fail to reach a deal on tax and spending changes, the nation would feel a lot of fiscal pain. But it also may benefit from the long-term fiscal restraint that would come from keeping tax hikes and spending cuts in place.

December 7, 2012 If President Obama and Congress can't make a deal this month, the economy could fall into recession while tax bills go up for nearly every American. On the other hand, it would do a lot to erase the nation's deficit.

Summary

The Two-Way

Unemployment Rate Drops To 7.7 Percent, As Economy Adds 146,000 Jobs

December 7, 2012 The economy added 146,000 jobs, beating expectations. Hurricane Sandy had little effect on the numbers.

Summary

Planet Money

Why The Falling Birthrate Is Bad News For My 2-Year-Old Son

Please don't make me pay for your retirement.

December 7, 2012 By the time our children get to be our age, there will be fewer working people for each retiree. So they'll have to pay a bigger share of our retirement costs.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

The Salt

In Farmers Market, A Free Market Rises In Cuba

Cuba has relaxed some business rules, allowing street vendors to sell produce and a large wholesale produce market to open at night on the edge of Havana.

December 7, 2012 Farmers in the communist nation were once banned from freely selling their crops. As the country struggles to feed itself, the government has begun to accept a greater role for the profit motive. Now each night, in a muddy vacant lot on the edge of Havana, a market appears after sundown.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

Thursday, December 06, 2012

The Salt

U.S. Olive Oil Makers Say Imports Aren't Always So 'Extra Virgin'

Freshly picked Arbosana olives from the Texas Olive Ranch in Carrizo Springs, Texas.

December 6, 2012 Across the U.S., olive oil production is expanding. But domestic product accounts for only a small sliver of olive oil sold in the U.S. American producers say their foreign competitors aren't playing fair. One issue: mislabeling.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

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