Protecting Companies That Mix Profitability, Values[ Mar 09, 2010 00:27 ]

Businesses can be either for-profit companies or nonprofit organizations. The law doesn't recognize a corporate form that falls in between. But some want to protect these "for-benefit corporations," so companies can balance profitability with social and environmental policies, without the threat of a lawsuit.

Northrop Pulls Out Of Bid For Air Force Tanker Deal[ Mar 08, 2010 17:50 ]

As a result, Boeing is the sole competitor for the $35 billion contract to build refueling tankers for the Air Force. Northrop's chief executive officer and president said Monday that the company didn't think it would win the contract because the Pentagon guidelines for the program favor Boeing's smaller refueling tanker.

Toyota Disputes Claims Of Electronic Failures[ Mar 08, 2010 16:20 ]

Toyota gave detailed evidence Monday that it says disproves claims that electronics may cause the unwanted acceleration that led to the recall of more than 8 million cars and trucks. The company was countering tests by a professor who said Toyota engines could rev without a driver pressing on the gas.

Greek Prime Minister Seeks Curbs On Speculators[ Mar 08, 2010 16:37 ]

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou blamed market speculators for part of his country's economic woes and called for action to curb speculation. But he acknowledged in an NPR interview that much of Greece's economic troubles can be traced to its failure to balance its books.

For Developing Nations, Exports Boost CO2 Emissions[ Mar 08, 2010 16:00 ]

China is criticized for being the world's largest producer of carbon dioxide, but a new report shows that a quarter of that is emitted while making things for Western consumers. Researchers say that climate policy must account for emissions resulting from trade.

Greeks Protest Austerity Steps To Rescue Economy[ Mar 08, 2010 15:00 ]

Greeks are angry at the country's previous for getting the country into the debt crisis, and angry at other European states for pressuring Greece to meet its debt obligations. Greek public sector workers are seething at new austerity measures, which include steep pay cuts.

Consumers In The Dark Over Their Broadband Speeds[ Mar 08, 2010 11:51 ]

Only 41 percent of Americans know what their home Internet download speeds are. But it's good to know: Speeds typically register 10 percent to 20 percent below the limit consumers pay for. There are easy ways to tell if the connection is slow — and Web sites that can help analyze Internet connections.

The AIG Bailout Now: A Planet Money Tally[ Mar 08, 2010 14:20 ]

What AIG owes, and what it plans to pay back with two deals it says will bring in $51 billion.

Obama Officials Offer Plan To Help Underwater Homeowners[ Mar 08, 2010 08:44 ]

A government program will pay homeowners and banks for agreeing to short sales.

AIG Selling Overseas Unit To MetLife For $15.5 Billion[ Mar 08, 2010 06:30 ]

American International Group is selling an overseas life and health insurance unit for $15.5 billion to MetLife as it continues to shed assets to repay billions in government aid. Nearly $7 billion in cash from the sale will be used to reduce a $47.9 billion investment in AIG by the New York Federal Reserve.

MetLife To Buy AIG's Alico Unit For $15.5 Billion[ Mar 08, 2010 07:47 ]

American International Group announced on Monday that it will sell its overseas live and health insurance unit for $15.5 billion to MetLife. The insurance giant is attempting to repay the government billions of dollars in bailout money.

Despite 'No' Vote, Britain Expects Iceland To Pay[ Mar 08, 2010 04:00 ]

Voters in Iceland have rejected a referendum that planned to spend billions of dollars to repay Britain and the Netherlands for debts spawned by the collapse of an Icelandic bank. Britain's treasury secretary said he expects to get back several billion dollars that Iceland owes, but he admitted it could take many years.

AIG To Sell Unit To MetLife[ Mar 08, 2010 04:00 ]

Insurance giant AIG reportedly is close to selling its foreign life insurance unit to MetLife for about $15.5 billion. The New York Times reports the deal will be done in cash and stock. AIG last week sold its Asian unit to Britain's Prudential for about $35.5 billion.

Blippy.com Shares Intimate Financial Details[ Mar 08, 2010 04:00 ]

The Internet start-up Blippy.com keeps track of someone's spending habits online, much like Twitter keeps track of random thoughts. Users register a credit card with the site, and every transaction on that card is displayed to friends on Blippy.

Walking One Block Damaged By The Housing Crisis[ Mar 08, 2010 00:00 ]

Since the housing crisis started, Riverside County, Calif., has ranked near the top of the foreclosure list. Even people who didn't get swept up in the housing bubble have been hurt by the bust — take one block in the community of Moreno Valley.