World Oil Development Plans Meet With Resistance In Iraq June 30, 2008 • Iraq's Oil Ministry announced Monday that it is opening six prime oil-producing regions to long-term development by international oil companies. Iraqi opposition leaders have denounced the plans, saying they put the country's oil wealth into Western hands.
Luxuries Dealer Sues eBay over Knockoffs June 30, 2008 • A court in Paris ordered online auction site eBay to pay $61 million to luxury goods maker LVMH for allowing the sale of fake merchandise. LVMH, the world's biggest owner of luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton and Dior, says at one point, 90 percent of Vuitton and Dior-labeled itmes on eBay were counterfeit.
Microsoft Stops Selling Windows XP, Touts Vista June 30, 2008 • In a push to sell more of its new Windows Vista software, Microsoft said it plans to stop shipping copies of Windows XP. Lance Ulanoff, PC Magazine's editor in chief, talks about what this means for consumers who use Windows software.
Economy Rural Residents Struggle with High Gas Tab June 30, 2008 • How much you're feeling the sting of high gas prices depends in large part on where you live. The people taking the biggest hit live in rural areas where driving long distances is usually unavoidable.
Congress Targets Oil Speculators June 29, 2008 • As gas prices continue to rise, lawmakers have been getting an earful about it from their constituents. Members of Congress are anxious to show their concern so they have begun to investigate oil speculators. NPR's Scott Horsley speaks with host Andrea Seabrook.
News How a $50,000 Bribe Led to Scruggs' Downfall June 28, 2008 • A $50,000 bribe has landed one of America's top tort lawyers in prison. Mississippi-native Dickie Scruggs was sentenced Friday to five years behind bars. Journalist Peter J. Boyer, who profiled Scruggs in the May 19th issue of The New Yorker magazine, discusses the case.
Black Times for W.Va. Red Oak Loggers June 28, 2008 • In the 1980s, oak was in vogue for furniture, flooring and cabinets. But now cherry has become the hot new fashion, and the price of red oak has plummeted 40 percent in the past three years.
National Town Dump New, Chic Place to Shop June 27, 2008 • Bargain hunters in the toniest suburbs are pulling up in their cars to pick through their neighbors' trash and making off with everything from Weber grills to valuable old books. The competition has become fierce for "shopping" at the dump.
Economy In Texas, Drivers Head to Mexico for Gas June 27, 2008 • In Laredo, Texas, drivers looking for cheap gas are heading across the border. Gas is cheaper there because the price is controlled by the state, but could the savings be worth the border crossing cost and wait?
Law Ex-Bear Stearns Financiers May Face More Charges June 27, 2008 • A week after two hedge fund managers were arrested in connection with the subprime mortgage meltdown, federal prosecutors may add to the indictments against the former Bear Stearns financiers. Investigators are trying to determine whether the men misled banks including Merrill Lynch, Barclays and Bank of America.
Gates Retires from Daily Role at Microsoft June 27, 2008 • Bill Gates helped bring computers to the masses, creating a company so influential that it was once dubbed "the Evil Empire." On Friday, he moves on to a full-time role as the world's leading philanthropist.
Law Are More Bear Stearns Indictments Ahead? June 27, 2008 • The U.S. Attorney's Office could file additional charges against two former hedge fund managers — Ralph Cioffi and Matthew Tannin — as early as next week, officials close to the inquiry tell NPR.
Internet Regulator Eases Domain-Name Limits June 27, 2008 • The group that oversees the Internet has voted to ease the limits on the suffixes on Web addresses, like .com and .org. It won't be free, but the move opens the door to countless new addresses, including ones with Chinese or Arabic characters.
Stocks Plunge in U.S., Asia, Europe June 27, 2008 • Asian and European stock markets were down Friday as investors overseas were shaken by a jump in oil prices and a plunge in U.S. stock prices. Citigroup and GM stocks plummeted. But one stock price that rose was that of beer maker Anheuser-Busch.
Big Oil's Alternative Energy Ads Scrutinized June 27, 2008 • As oil and gas prices surge, oil companies are highlighting their investments in alternative energy sources with new ad campaigns. Companies are promoting their million-dollar investments, but one journalist says that's not much compared with the billions of dollars that the oil companies make.