Jim Zarroli

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.

Fake Tweet Causes Financial Markets To Drop

Jim Zarroli — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:03:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, BYLINE: Hackers got into the Associated Press's Twitter account yesterday and sent out a fake tweet saying the White House had been attacked. Though the tweet was discredited very quickly, it created a swift and panicked reaction on the stock market.

Here's NPR's Jim Zarroli.

JIM ZARROLI, BYLINE: The tweet said that a pair of bombs had gone off in the White House and President Obama was injured.

MIT Officer Dies Protecting His Community, In Job He Loved

Jim Zarroli — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:09:00 +0000

The grisly week that began at the Boston Marathon Monday left one police officer dead.

As police closed in on the bombing suspects Thursday night, law enforcement officials say two officers were shot. One, transit police officer Richard Donohue, is in critical condition at Mount Auburn Hospital.

The other, Sean Collier of the MIT campus police, was pronounced dead Thursday night.

MIT says Collier had gone to respond to a report of an altercation on campus Thursday evening.

Despite Flaws, Harvard Economists Stand By Research

Jim Zarroli — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:56:00 +0000

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Two prominent Harvard economists have admitted there are errors in an influential paper they wrote on government debt. This paper was widely cited in recent budget debates.

After Years Of Climbing, Gold Prices Slide

Jim Zarroli — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 08:42:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

And let's stay on the topic of billionaires.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Sure.

GREENE: Bloomberg News is reporting that billionaire investor John Paulson has lost more than $300 million as a result of the slide in gold prices. After climbing for years, gold has recently lost considerable ground.

Margaret Thatcher's Economy

Jim Zarroli — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:34:00 +0000

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

This is MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. Good morning. Steve Inskeep is in Venezuela, reporting this week on that country's presidential election, and he'll be on the program tomorrow. I'm David Greene.

Shortly after being elected to her first term as prime minister in 1979, Margaret Thatcher said this: Pennies don't fall from heaven. They have to be earned here on Earth. That was a good summary of a conservative philosophy that would see Thatcher lead her country through its most dramatic economic and social changes in generations.

Long-Term Unemployed Prepare For Sequester Pinch

Jim Zarroli — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:53:00 +0000

Almost 5 million Americans are considered long-term unemployed, meaning they have been searching for work for at least six months.

This week, their plight is getting a bit tougher as the government cuts their unemployment benefits — part of the automatic reductions in federal spending that took effect recently.

On a recent day, about 40 people turned out at a Manhattan jobs center run by the New York Labor Department to get advice on looking for work.

Feds Ban Banks From Charging Homeowners Fees On 'Forced Insurance'

Jim Zarroli — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:56:00 +0000

Transcript

AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:

From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I'm Audie Cornish.

Federal regulators are taking aim at a practice they say is forcing millions of struggling homeowners to pay higher insurance premiums. The Federal Housing Finance Agency issued an order today. It bars banks from charging lucrative fees and commissions on so-called lender-placed insurance policies. NPR's Jim Zarroli explains.

JIM ZARROLI, BYLINE: Homeowners with mortgages are supposed to have property insurance.

As Cardinal, New Pope Walked Fine Line On Economic Issues

Jim Zarroli — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:50:00 +0000

He took his name from a 13th century saint who gave up his wealth and threw in his lot with the poor.