Jan 8th, 2009 · The Congressional Budget Office is predicting a $1.2 trillion federal deficit for 2009, a record both in dollars and as a percentage of the gross domestic product. Many people are concerned high deficits will push overall debt levels dangerously high.
Jan 7th, 2009 · A downturn in the economy has provided a boom for infomercials. With the cost of ad time down, and more people watching television, pitches for products such as PedEgg, ShamWow and Snuggie have viewers picking up the phone and opening their wallets. A.J. Khubani, president and CEO of the direct response company Telebrands, talks about the uptick in business.
Jan 7th, 2009 · Toyota says it will suspend production at its Japanese plants for 11 days in February and March. This marks a stoppage of unprecedented scale for the automaker. We examine what it means.
Jan 7th, 2009 · The Consumer Electronics Show — the biggest showcase for new electronics products — opens in Las Vegas Thursday. Morning Edition tech guru Mario Armstrong talks with Ari Shapiro about some of the new gadgets on display.
Jan 6th, 2009 · The Consumer Electronics Show, the biggest showcase for new electronics products, is in Las Vegas this week. Those attending are trying to console themselves that their sales in 2008 are projected as flat, or only down between 3 and 4 percent.
Jan 3rd, 2009 · Steve Wozniak isn't just known for being a tech innovator. He's also widely-known for playing pranks at the launch of new Apple products — like ordering 4,000 cups of coffee from Starbucks during the launch of the iPhone.
Jan 2nd, 2009 · Cognac used to have a reputation as an old man's drink, but the French brandy is enjoying a revival. It's become popular with young African Americans. Producers with centuries-old traditions in the Cognac region of France are developing hip new product lines.
Jan 2nd, 2009 · The legendary deal with the devil comes to life, as the brilliant soprano Angela Gheorghiu stars as Marguerite in the Vienna State Opera's production of Gounod's Faust, with tenor Roberto Alagna in the title role.