Business

Books
Arts

It Still Isn't Easy, But Independent Bookstores Are Doing Better

3:36pm November 27, 2013

by Wendy Kaufman

Despite intense competition from Amazon and big-box retailers, there are more independent bookstores now than there were four years ago. Borders' bankruptcy, the "buy local" movement and cooperative publishers have all contributed to the renaissance.

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John Brown, the head of Zion Oil & Gas, believes the Bible will help him find oil in Israel. The company, which is listed on Nasdaq, has so far spent $130 million and drilled four dry holes. Brown is shown here at one of the company's drilling rigs in Isr

Drilling For Oil, Based On The Bible: Do Oil And Religion Mix?

12:44pm November 27, 2013

by John Burnett

The born-again head of Zion Oil believes the Old Testament and an office full of geologists will lead him to oil deposits in Israel. So far, the company has spent $130 million and only hit dry holes.

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Star Trek's George Takei Adds Perfume Mogul To His Resume

7:09am November 27, 2013

The scent is being sold through Amazon and of course it's called EAU My, which is Takei's catchphrase. But for the perfume, the oh is spelled EAU.

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Men's Wearhouse Goes 'Pac-Man' On Joseph A. Bank

5:25am November 27, 2013

by Jim Zarroli

The retail company Men's Wearhouse has announced it is launching a takeover battle for rival Joseph A. Bank. What makes the effort unusual is that just last month Joseph A. Bank was trying to take over Men's Wearhouse. The turnaround is an example of what Wall Street calls a Pac-Man defense.

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The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 16,000 for the first time last week.

The Stock Market Loves The Fed For Now, But Can It Last?

6:32pm November 26, 2013

by John Ydstie

Major stock indexes have shot to record highs in the U.S. this year, gaining more than 20 percent, and yet economic growth remains at disappointing levels. A lot of analysts say the Federal Reserve's stimulus efforts are behind the stock boom and a possible bubble.

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The recent cuts in federal food benefits may be felt most in rural areas and the grocery stores that serve them.

National

Food Stamp Cuts Leave Rural Areas, And Their Grocers, Reeling

6:23pm November 26, 2013

by Mike Moen

In communities grappling with high unemployment, grocery stores serve many customers who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to get by. Some stores are estimating that their sales might fall between 5 and 10 percent now that the government has reduced the benefits.

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A "Crowd Funding" button on a computer keyboard

Small Firms May Soon Turn To Crowdfunding To Sell Shares

1:28pm November 26, 2013

by Yuki Noguchi

Crowdfunding is popular among musicians, filmmakers and artists looking for a way to finance their next project. Now the Securities and Exchange Commission is considering rules that would allow small companies to solicit investments over the Internet and sell shares to the public.

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Hollywood's version of Iron Man 3 shown in China played down the rather unfortunately named baddie, The Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsley.

Hollywood's New Strategy: Supporting Chinese-Made Blockbusters

1:11pm November 25, 2013

by Neda Ulaby

American studios are working hard to play well in China's gigantic — and growing — movie market, all while negotiating complex rules and competing with popular domestic films.

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Health & Safety

Health Exchanges Brace For A December Deluge

1:11pm November 25, 2013

by Julie Rovner

After a rocky start, the HealthCare.gov website is supposed to be able to handle 50,000 simultaneous users by the end of the month. That figure would represent about double the site's current capacity. An expected surge in demand will present a new test.

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Johnnie Walker's success has come in part from emerging markets, like Mexico, Brazil and China.

World News

How Johnnie Walker Is Chasing The World's Middle Class

11:39am November 25, 2013

by NPR Staff

The Scotch whisky is the ninth best-selling brand of distilled spirit in the world. Journalist Afshin Molavi says it has grown globally by appealing to the expanding middle classes in places like Mexico, Brazil, South Africa and India.

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