Search results for

Host Bob Edwards talks to Mitchell Daniels who, as director of the Office of Management and Budget, is responsible for getting the budget through Congress. On Monday, the president released details of his $1.96 trillion budget, which he had outlined in a blueprint on February 28th. Last week, the Senate approved the blueprint after scaling back the President's proposed 10-year tax cut from 1.6 trillion to 1.2 trillion. The House approved the entire 1.3 trillion tax cut proposal on March 21st.

A new report shows just how pervasive credit cards are. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group says students receive an average of five mailings and four phone calls each month, and 6 percent of students have had cards canceled for delinquency. The report also criticizes card companies' marketing tactics.

A government bank in Korea confirmed Tuesday that it's in talks with Lehman Brothers about the possibility of buying a stake in the Wall Street securities firm. Lehman has been hit hard by the mortgage crisis and is under pressure to boost its finances. Officials at the Korea Development Bank won't say how much they might invest. One media report said it could be as much as $6 billion.

January jobless numbers did nothing to improve the nation's economic outlook. Business payrolls fell by 17,000 last month. Recession fears were already mounting because of another report this week that came in weaker than expected: The nation's gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of only 0.6 percent.

Known for computers and printers, HP is also building up business in computer services to compete with IBM. The company says productivity gains and automation will allow it to make the cuts. While its issuing pink slips, the company also plans to add 6,000 jobs worldwide as it adjusts its business model.

A drug war is raging across the border. Over 6,000 people were killed in drug-related violence in Mexico last year. The body count is mounting, and the violence is spilling into the United States. Tony Cox explores how U.S. officials are addressing the growing crisis. Plus, how can travelers stay out of danger?

The Empire State Building's owners hope to transform the icon into the greenest skyscraper in the world. The landmark is undergoing a $100 million retrofitting. Workers will upgrade 6,500 windows and install new energy efficient air conditioning and heating systems. The project could cut energy consumption by 38 percent and save more than $4 million a year.

The board of Yahoo Inc. rejects a $44.6 billion dollar buyout bid from Microsoft Corp., saying the offer was too low. Microsoft now must decide whether to increase its offer, launch a proxy fight or simply withdraw. Meanwhile, Yahoo is reaching out to other potential partners.

A federal judge rules that a sex-discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart can become a class-action suit, encompassing 1.6 million current and former female employees. Wal-Mart said it would appeal the decision. The class-action status makes the suit the largest discrimination case ever brought against a private employer in the United States. NPR's Elaine Korry reports.

While the Walt Disney Concert Hall has been open since October 2003, the dramatic organ was not ready until this fall. A design collaboration between Gehry and organ builder Manuel Rosales, the 6,134-pipe organ is a dramatic centerpiece to the venue. NPR's Fred Child visits the hall.