Jim Zarroli

G-8 Nations Pledge To Crack Down On Corporate Tax Evaders

Jim Zarroli — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:48:00 +0000

The world's wealthiest nations are promising to fight what they call the scourge of tax evasion. This week's meeting of the Group of Eight industrialized countries concluded with a pledge to end the use of tax shelters by multinational corporations.

But there are still big questions about how they will make a dent in the problem.

In the aftermath of the global recession, countries all over the world have struggled with budget shortfalls.

High Court Sides With Regulators In Drug Patent Case

Jim Zarroli — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:03:00 +0000

The Supreme Court sided with government regulators in an important case involving the pharmaceutical industry and patent law. At issue were contracts between "brand-name" pharmaceutical companies and "generic" producers in which the brand-name company paid the generic not to compete. The court said the Federal Trade Commission could challenge such contracts.

Net Giants Try To Quell Users' Jitters About Their Data

Jim Zarroli — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:30:00 +0000

Companies like Google and Facebook are very much caught in the middle of the current debate about national security and privacy.

NSA Leak Could Undermine Trust Of Government Contractor

Jim Zarroli — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 09:23:00 +0000

In recent decades, a quiet revolution has been transforming the way Washington works.

Because the U.S. government does not have the workforce to complete all of its tasks, it employs private companies like Booz Allen Hamilton to do the work for it. Booz Allen is the company where Edward Snowden, who said he leaked secrets about the National Security Agency, most recently worked.

Over the past 25 years, this contract workforce has grown and plays a major role in the U.S.

Investigation Continues At Troubled Hedge Fund

Jim Zarroli — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 20:14:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

The federal probe of a hugely successful hedge fund may have investors ready to pull out much of their money. SAC Capital is under investigation for insider trading. Several published reports indicate outside investors are worried about that investigation and whether it will touch Steven Cohen, the firm's founder.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

JIM ZARROLI, BYLINE: Investors have pretty much stood by Steven Cohen until now, as nine of his employees have faced charges. But recently, things took a turn for the worst.

Trial To Start In Apple Price-Fixing Dispute

Jim Zarroli — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 10:13:00 +0000

Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And Apple faces off with the Justice Department beginning today in a federal court over a price-fixing dispute. Last year, the government accused Apple of conspiring with five major publishing companies to raise prices on electronic books.

NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

JIM ZARROLI, BYLINE: The government says that Apple wanted to get into the eBook business, but it was concerned that its rival Amazon was pricing eBooks too low, cutting into potential profits.

Cruise Industry Adopts Passenger 'Rights' As Incidents Mount

Jim Zarroli — Tue, 28 May 2013 21:15:00 +0000

About 2,200 passengers were being flown back to Baltimore on Tuesday, a day after their cruise ship caught fire on its way to the Bahamas. There were no injuries aboard Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas.

But in the wake of the incident and others like it, the cruise ship companies have something of a black eye. The industry is now trying to reassure passengers it's OK for them to sail, adopting what it called a passenger "bill of rights."

More people have been taking cruises worldwide and for the cruise ship industry profits have been on the rise.

Rebuilding Storm-Damaged New Jersey, One Boardwalk At A Time

Jim Zarroli — Sun, 26 May 2013 09:39:00 +0000

When Hurricane Sandy swept through New Jersey last year, it destroyed many homes and businesses. It also obliterated the boardwalks that are the center of social and economic life in the towns.

In the months since, many of these towns have rushed to rebuild their boardwalks, but not everyone thinks the money has been well spent.

The boardwalk in Belmar, N.J., was among those destroyed and scattered all over town. But just seven months later, the town has managed to rebuild all 1.3 miles of it.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Spared By Shareholders

Jim Zarroli — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:43:00 +0000

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Jamie Dimon, the chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Chase, has beaten back the most significant challenge to his leadership since he took charge.

Wal-Mart Won't Sign Pact, Has Own Way To Protect Workers

Jim Zarroli — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:19:00 +0000

Following a factory collapse in Bangladesh that killed more than 1,000 people, Wal-Mart has declined to join a multi-company factory safety accord to try to prevent future disasters. Instead, the world's largest retailer announced its own set of inspection and safety measures.