Business and Financial News : NPR

Economy

Geithner To Focus On U.S., China Relationship

May 31, 2009 • Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner starts two days of talks in China — a country that's long fascinated him. Geithner speaks Mandarin, and even taught the language at one point. Nicholas Lardy, an economist for the Peterson Institute, talks host Jacki Lyden through what Geithner will be doing to shore up the relationship between the co-dependant economies.

Geithner To Focus On U.S., China Relationship

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Stage Set For GM To Declare Bankruptcy

May 31, 2009 • Monday is B-day for General Motors — the day the giant automaker is expected to file for bankruptcy protection in a New York courtroom. NPR's Frank Langfitt fills in host Jacki Lyden about the implications of this move — for the company and the country.

Stage Set For GM To Declare Bankruptcy

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Economy

Closing Hospitals No Fun For Shriners

May 31, 2009 • Shriners International faces a tough decision this summer because of the impact the recession has had on its donations. Its board will meet in July to vote on whether to close six of its children's hospitals around the country.

Closing Hospitals No Fun For Shriners

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YR Media

Teens Thwart ID Theft On MySpace

May 31, 2009 • Identity theft is becoming a problem on social networking sites, especially among teens. Some dishonest users steal images of pretty girls to attract romantic attention. Others grab the photo of someone they dislike to create a fake, derogatory profile that makes that person look bad. But for some teens, it's actually a badge of honor.

Teens Thwart ID Theft On MySpace

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A Fateful Day Looms For Automakers

May 31, 2009 • Monday is expected to be a remarkable day in American industrial history. A judge in New York plans to rule on a critical sale that would launch Chrysler out of bankruptcy. And — on the same day — General Motors, once the world's dominant auto-maker, is almost certain to file for bankruptcy in the same courthouse.

A Fateful Day Looms For Automakers

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Economy

Fear Of Inflation Spikes Long-Term Interest Rates

May 31, 2009 • In the past week, interest rates shot up on home mortgages and 10-year Treasury notes as investors looked for signs of inflation on the horizon. But is it too early to worry?

Fear Of Inflation Spikes Long-Term Interest Rates

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Performing Arts

Curtain Closing On New York's Amato Opera

May 30, 2009 • The Amato Opera, one of a handful of privately owned opera companies left in the U.S., is closing Sunday at the end of its 61st season. The 107-seat theater occupies a building on New York's Bowery next to the former CBGB's. Amato has provided a rare place for up-and-coming singers to learn their craft, but its idiosyncratic owner Tony Amato has struggled to keep it going since the death of his wife and costume designer, Sally.

Curtain Closing On New York's Amato Opera

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GM Teeters On Bankruptcy; Chrysler Waits In Hope

May 30, 2009 • General Motors is expected to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy shortly, and tens of thousands of auto workers are waiting to hear how many jobs GM plans to shed. Those employees made things a bit easier on GM Friday when the United Auto Workers ratified a cost-cutting deal. This all follows Chrysler's bankruptcy at the end of April. Of the great American auto makers, only Ford is left standing intact.

GM Teeters On Bankruptcy; Chrysler Waits In Hope

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Games & Humor

Video Games Are Serious Business At Expo

May 30, 2009 • Some 40,000 video game enthusiasts are expected to bring their twitchy fingers to the Los Angeles Convention Center next week for the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo.

Video Games Are Serious Business At Expo

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World

Geithner Goes To China: Will He Soothe Or Spark?

May 30, 2009 • U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is winging his way to China Saturday. On Monday and Tuesday he'll meet with officials, including China's President, Hu Jintao. In January, Geithner angered Chinese officials when he accused them of manipulating China's currency to boost exports. The Chinese shot back that the U.S. should get its own house in order — referring to the growing U.S. budget deficits and its role in the global financial crisis.

Geithner Goes To China: Will He Soothe Or Spark?

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Economy

Law Firms Search For Creative Ways To Downsize

May 30, 2009 • As the economic decline continues, major law firms across the country have been struggling with a decreased demand for lawyers. Some firms are realizing they may have offered jobs to more lawyers then they can pay. Some are trying new ways — other than layoffs — to shave their payroll costs.

Law Firms Search For Creative Ways To Downsize

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Economy

Geithner Heads To China For Key Talks

May 29, 2009 • Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner leaves Saturday for a high-stakes visit to Beijing. Chinese officials have expressed concern about the stability of the U.S. dollar. The U.S. side is anxious to have China do more to stimulate domestic demand and allow its currency to appreciate — but not too fast.

Geithner Heads To China For Key Talks

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Auto Industry In Turmoil

Q&A: How Will GM Stay In Business?

May 29, 2009 • Time is running out for General Motors Corp. to either restructure or file for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11. The U.S. automaker faces a Monday deadline set by the federal government to decide. With the bankruptcy option looking more likely, will additional taxpayer money be at risk?

Auto Industry In Turmoil

Fiat's Global Gamble Met With Wariness In Turin

May 29, 2009 • Italian automaker Fiat is hoping to become a global company making 6 million cars a year. The company already has sealed a deal with Chrysler and hopes to do the same with GM's European subsidiaries. But not everyone in Fiat's hometown of Turin is confident.

Fiat's Global Gamble Met With Wariness In Turin

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Economy

Would-Be Entrepreneurs Take Ideas To Open Mic

May 29, 2009 • Jobs are disappearing everywhere so why not just go into business for yourself? In southern California, some people who want to strike out on their own have found a venue to try out their business ideas. It's an open-mic night for would-be entrepreneurs.

Would-Be Entrepreneurs Take Ideas To Open Mic

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