Jim Zarroli

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 22:07:00 +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 09:54:00 +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 20:41:00 +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.

Fashion Retailers Agree To Safety Plan After Factory Collapse

Jim Zarroli — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:05:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

It's been three weeks since a factory collapsed in Bangladesh's garment sector, killing more than 1,000 people. Today, several major retailers that buy clothing made in the country signed onto an ambitious safety plan meant to prevent future tragedies. The agreement is being applauded by worker advocates around the world.

To tell us what's in it, we're joined by NPR's Jim Zarroli. And Jim, give us the details.

Wall Street Complains About Bloomberg Reporters' Access To Info

Jim Zarroli — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:21:00 +0000

Giant financial data company Bloomberg is acknowledging that some of its subscribers were tracked by the company's reporters. The reporters were allowed to see what kind of information the subscribers were looking at and how long it had been since they logged on. The tracking came to light after Goldman Sachs Raised questions about the practice. Over the weekend, the Federal Reserve said it is looking into whether its employees were tracked as well.

Bangladesh's Powerful Garment Sector Fends Off Regulation

Jim Zarroli — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:50:00 +0000

Eight people died Wednesday in a fire at a Bangladeshi sweater factory. This follows the much deadlier collapse of the Rana Plaza building, where more than 900 people died.

The deaths are taking place in a garment sector that has seen explosive growth over the past three decades. The country has managed to lure clothing-makers through a combination of low wages and light regulation.

As a manufacturing center, Bangladesh has little to recommend it. The roads are poor. There's no port to speak of. The electricity is notoriously unreliable.

Why Ben Franklin Is The World's Banker

Jim Zarroli — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:08:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Now it's a rare thing for Americans to get a glimpse of Ben Franklin's face on a hundred dollar bill. Even if they have a hundred bucks most people do not carry a hundred dollar bill in their wallets. Many stores don't even accept bills that large because they fear counterfeits.

Stocks Rise Despite Lackluster Corporate Earnings Reports

Jim Zarroli — Thu, 02 May 2013 09:14:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

OK. From understanding language, let's try to understand one development in the economy. Corporate revenues have been lackluster. But despite that, stock prices keep going up. This might have something to do with what the Federal Reserve has been up to. Hoping to get money into the economy and stimulate growth, the Fed has been aggressively buying bonds.

Making Room: Can Smaller Apartments Help New York City Grow?

Jim Zarroli — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:46:00 +0000

New York City is notoriously crowded, and it's only getting more so. The city estimates it will have 1 million more people by the year 2030, many of them single. Where to place all these newcomers is a major challenge.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg has announced plans to put up an experimental building of micro-apartments that could be replicated throughout the city. And the Museum of the City of New York is looking at ways to make better use of the city's housing stock.

Walk around the back of a house in Queens and you'll find a dingy basement apartment no bigger than 600 square feet.