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Steve Jobs, the computer giant's co-founder, said he has already begun treatment. The announcement came just a week after the 53-year-old cancer survivor tried to assure investors and employees his recent weight loss was caused by a treatable hormone deficiency. ()
The Commerce Department says retail sales dropped 2.7 percent last month. ()
Officials in Germany agree to a stimulus plan that combines more government spending with tax cuts. ()
Politics
January 15, 2009 · Timothy Geithner's failure to pay some of his taxes has hampered Democrats' efforts to install him quickly as President-elect Barack Obama's Treasury secretary. The Senate Finance Committee will consider his nomination next week. Sen. Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on that committee, talks with Renee Montagne about Geithner's chances for being confirmed. ()
January 14, 2009 · Many consumers believe Detroit-made cars aren't as good or as reliable as those made by other foreign companies. U.S. auto executives disagree. They say they can now compete with anyone. Independent experts offer their assessment. ()
January 14, 2009 · Citigroup and Morgan Stanley are combining their brokerage units, in a deal that has Morgan Stanley paying Citigroup $2.7 billion for a 51 percent stake in the joint venture. Citigroup's retail brokerage, Smith Barney, was once the crown jewel in its wealth management business. ()
Planet Money
January 14, 2009 · President-elect Barack Obama is asking Congress for the second half of the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program funds. Obama says at least part of the money should help homeowners and small businesses. Is Congress finally getting its Main Street bailout? ()
January 14, 2009 · When U.S. automakers submitted strategies for financial viability to Congress in December, they included plans to slash the number of car dealerships. Most analysts agree Detroit auto companies are weighed down by bloated and inefficient dealer networks. But changing the relationship between carmakers and dealers could entail a legal minefield. ()
January 13, 2009 · The Ford Motor Co. has not taken bailout money from the federal government, but it's struggling to stay out of debt. Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, says his company can't be satisfied with being as good as its Japanese counterparts: It has to be better. ()
January 14, 2009 · 2008 brought us the collapse of the housing market, the implosion of the stock market and the near collapse of the auto industry. We examine why some think pension funds will be the next domino to fall. ()
Economy
January 13, 2009 · At the auto show in Detroit this week, CEO Rick Wagoner tells NPR that General Motors plans to scale back its brands and models, but it will continue to invest in electric cars. "I actually feel confident that GM is going to be very well positioned to compete in the future," he says. ()
January 13, 2009 · GM is committing more than $1 billion to its electric car, the Volt, which is expected to be rolled out in 2010. It's not just the battery power that has obsessed its creators. Tim Greig, who designed the car's interior, says he is most proud of its cup holders. ()
Politics
January 14, 2009 · Tax issues are delaying Senate confirmation hearings for Tim Geithner, President-elect Barack Obama's choice for Treasury secretary. Geithner initially failed to pay a portion of his taxes between 2001 and 2004. He says it was an honest mistake, but a key Republican wants to hear more. ()
January 13, 2009 · PC buyers who complained that Dell Inc. misled them about financing and service will be reimbursed for their trouble. The company will pay $3.85 million to at least 46 states that filed complaints on behalf of consumers. ()
The Color of Money By Michelle Singletary
January 13, 2009 · In the wake of the ongoing Bernard Madoff scheme, we look at the importance of protecting your investments and how to spot red flags on your financial statements. ()