Media News Outlets Choosing their Words Carefully February 28, 2005 • Some news organizations are giving extra thought to how they use words and phrases like reform, moral values, and war on terror. Brooke Gladstone of NPR's On the Media explores how some media outlets decide what to say, and how to say it.
Federated Buys Department Store Rival May February 28, 2005 • The merger of Federated and May will bring together well-known department stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Lord & Taylor and Marshall Field's under one corporate roof. But the new company faces formidable obstacles, ranging from the power of Wal-Mart to the waning influence of department stores in general.
Technology Budget Music Download Site Runs Afoul of Russian Police February 28, 2005 • Russian police are recommending prosecutors file criminal charges against a Web site that offers cheap music downloads to an international audience.
Technology The Marketplace Report: Higher Prices for Online Music? February 28, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to John Dimsdale of Marketplace about some major music labels that want online retailers to boost the price of downloadable music.
Technology Internet Downloads Revive the Concept of Hit Singles February 28, 2005 • Some recording industry observers say the Internet is reviving the sale of hit singles. Others say the future of hit singles depends on whether the music industry can convince fans to pay for what they download.
Your Money Senate Debates Bankruptcy Restrictions February 28, 2005 • The U.S. Senate begins debate on changes to consumer bankruptcy laws. Business groups started trying eight years ago to put new restrictions on bankruptcy filings by consumers. The number of filings was soaring at the time. More recently, they've declined, but the plan remains a Republican priority.
Retailer Federated to Buy Rival May for $11 Billion February 28, 2005 • Federated Department Stores plans to acquire May Department Stores for more than $11 billion in cash and stock. Federated owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's among other retail chains. May operates Lord & Taylor, Marshall Field's and others. The combined company will have about 1,000 stores and nearly $30 billion in annual sales.
Law Ebbers Tells Jury He Had No Role in WorldCom Fraud February 28, 2005 • Former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers testifies on his own behalf at his criminal trial, denying involvement in the $11 billion accounting fraud that bankrupted the telecom giant.
Art & Design Raising the Curve: Designer Eva Zeisel February 26, 2005 • Considered one of the premier industrial designers of the 20th century, 98-year-old Eva Zeisel still designs porcelain in her New York apartment. This month, Crate & Barrel reissued tableware from her 1952 collections.
Bank's Data Loss Affects Federal Employees February 26, 2005 • Bank of America says it has lost computer data tapes containing personal information from over one million federal employees. Officials say there's no evidence the data was stolen, but they're taking steps to protect identify theft. The data was connected to accounts created to manage travel expenses.
Law The Marketplace Report: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Costs Money February 25, 2005 • Hundreds of personnel have left or been forced out of the U.S. military because of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy first instituted by former President Clinton a decade ago. A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office finds the loss of key military personnel has cost the U.S. armed forces nearly $200 million. John Dimsdale of Marketplace reports.
Bank of America Loses Consumer Data Tapes February 25, 2005 • Bank of America Corp. says tapes containing information on 1.2 million federal employee credit cards, among them U.S. senators, were lost in transit, potentially exposing them to theft or hacking.
Mideast Investors Increasingly Buying into U.S. Firms February 25, 2005 • One of the world's leading Islamic banks has invested billions of dollars in familiar U.S. companies. The First Islamic Bank of Bahrain owns controlling stakes in discount department store Loehmann's and Church's Chicken. The deals have been made in adherence with Islamic rules against earning interest. Such sophisticated investment vehicles are helping Muslim investors accumulate assets outside of the Middle East.
Movies Miramax Founders May Split from Disney February 25, 2005 • While Miramax films remain top Oscar contenders, reports suggest that the maverick studio's leaders may split from their corporate parents at Disney. NPR's Alex Chadwick speaks with NPR's Kim Masters about the future of the Miramax on the eve of the Academy Awards.
Motley Fool Profiles Darden CEO Clarence Otis Talks About Food and Profit February 25, 2005 • It's the company behind Olive Garden and Red Lobster and it's served up some tasty returns for investors. We talk profits, pasta, and seafood with Darden Restaurants CEO Clarence Otis.