Feb 08, 2010 10:55PM

The Enforcers

The new enforcement team at the Securities and Exchange Commission is working to police Wall Street ? and to shake off the psychic blow of the Bernard L. Madoff affair.

Feb 09, 2010 12:30AM

Toyota Details Recall of 2010 Prius for Brake Problems

The worldwide recall will affect about 436,000 units of the 2010 Prius and other hybrid models, according to the company?s filing.

Feb 08, 2010 10:39PM

Optimism Persists in a Kentucky Town Where a Carmaker Brought Jobs

As production resumes this week in Georgetown, Ky., and other American cities where Toyota builds cars, people are eager to see its recall problems blow over.

Feb 09, 2010 01:37AM

In Toyota Mess, Lesson for Japan

Economists said that Toyota?s troubles show that economic change is urgently needed in Japan.

Feb 08, 2010 10:44PM

E.U. Slow to React to Toyota Safety Problems

The system for monitoring car safety across the European Union has appeared, like Toyota, opaque and slow to react.

Feb 08, 2010 06:46PM

Tomato bribery probe just the beginning, prosecutors say

Amid concerns about corrupt practices in the food industry, nine people have pleaded guilty to charges including racketeering, money laundering and bid-rigging in a federal probe of SK Foods.

To his friends, Randall Lee Rahal was just a food salesman, someone who routinely left his home on Shadyside Road in Ramsey, N.J., to crisscross the country hawking California tomatoes.

Feb 09, 2010 01:00AM

Dow closes below 10,000 for first time in 3 months

Investors pull back amid worries about Europe's debt crisis and U.S. economic recovery.

Stock investors are facing the biggest test of their staying power since Wall Street's rally began nearly a year ago.

Feb 09, 2010 01:00AM

Obama official 'very disturbed' by Anthem Blue Cross rate hikes

The insurer should give a 'detailed justification' for its plan to raise premiums on individual policies by as much as 39%, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says.

California insurance regulators asked Anthem Blue Cross to delay controversial rate increases of as much as 39% for individual policies, hikes that have triggered widespread criticism from subscribers and brokers -- and now from the federal government.

Feb 09, 2010 01:00AM

Digital sales poised as game changer

A long-term trend is clear: Retail revenue from video games is declining, and online digital sales face rapid growth.

The future of the video game business is playing out very differently on two sides of Los Angeles.

Feb 09, 2010 01:00AM

Duluth Trading's radical form of marketing: honesty

The cozy little direct-mail catalog operation, which sells merchandise aimed solely at the American working class, is stepping out of its self-imposed obscurity with some regional test marketing.

The weeks leading up to the Super Bowl loosed a poisoned fog of hype upon the land. Who's in (Hyundai), who's out (Ford). Which of GoDaddy.com's racy ads would be a no-go? Clydesdales or no Clydesdales? Would Electronics Arts' spot for its Dante's Inferno video game really tell viewers to "Go to Hell"?

Feb 08, 2010 09:42PM

Toyota recalls 170K Prius in Japan

Toyota is recalling about 170,000 Prius hybrid cars in Japan for braking problems and will soon disclose its global plans for a fix as the automaker scrambles to repair damage to its reputation from a spate of safety problems

Feb 08, 2010 11:00PM

Insurer gives green light, red tape

Humana says 1 of 2 authorization codes was entered incorrectly, leading to initial denial of coverage

Before Margaret Giroux was wheeled in for foot surgery last year, her doctor's office contacted her insurance provider, Humana, to receive a pre-approval number.

Feb 08, 2010 11:00PM

Laundering lawyers face scrutiny

Chicago law firm Sidley Austin linked to transfer of $21 million from Central African official

Bank accounts held by lawyers for clients may be subject to more government scrutiny after a federal report detailed how African politicians and their families used attorneys and other intermediaries to evade U.S. money laundering laws.

Feb 07, 2010 11:00PM

For airlines, 2009 the 'worst year' for passenger demand

The airlines have closed the book on 2009, and it wasn't pretty.

Feb 07, 2010 11:00PM

Italians in spat over McDonald's McItaly burgers

Feb 08, 2010 10:00PM

Top Treasury Department staff works through the federal snow day

Talk about a snow-day killjoy. Shortly after the federal government announced that it would close for Monday -- cue the yelping for joy around Washington -- the office of the executive secretary for Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner sent out a message to its staff.

Feb 08, 2010 10:00PM

Credit unions seek larger share of business loans

The names of small businesses seeking loans are scrawled across a whiteboard in the Bethesda offices of Mid-Atlantic Financial Partners: A Denny's franchisee with plans for a new restaurant, the owner of a limousine fleet hoping to consolidate his auto loans, a government contractor seeking a lin...

Feb 08, 2010 10:00PM

Voxiva launches U.S. text service to aid pregnant women

A D.C.-based mobile technology firm is behind a new government effort to educate and encourage healthy habits in pregnant women.

Feb 07, 2010 10:00PM

The week ahead: Feb. 8-12 in business

This week will bring a fresh reading on retail sales, the first congressional testimony of the year by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke, and the first release of a new and potentially useful economic indicator.

Feb 07, 2010 10:00PM

Toyota to recall and repair brakes on new Priuses sold in Japan

TOKYO -- Toyota's quality woes mounted over the weekend, with a reported decision in its home market to recall and repair the brakes on its latest model of the Prius, the hybrid that last year was the best-selling new car in Japan.

Feb 07, 2010 11:00PM

Lengthening life spans affect savings plans

Jan 31, 2010 09:48PM

Separating cash, expenses can make self-employment pay off

Jan 24, 2010 11:00PM

Money Makeover: Couple has solid footing for retirement

Jan 28, 2010 10:15AM

Five groups unite to offer help with tax returns

Jan 17, 2010 09:47PM

Retirement planning should consider how much you need to withdraw each year

Feb 08, 2010 12:12PM

Myths about federal taxes

Perhaps the most well-worn fallacy '” shot down by many courts despite the best efforts of tightfisted taxpayers '” is that federal taxes are actually illegal.

Feb 07, 2010 08:47AM

Owning a pet should be looked at like running a business

There are startup costs, ongoing costs, even health coverage to consider.

Jan 31, 2010 09:17AM

Bigger tax refunds for some

Stimulus plan expands earned income tax credit for certain workers

Jan 29, 2010 06:15PM

California seeks to end loophole on foreign tax havens

Money would go to cut sales tax that students pay on college textbooks

Jan 29, 2010 06:14PM

New rule affects homeowners in foreclosure avoidance program

The Obama administration overhauled its struggling foreclosure avoidance program today, saying it would require homeowners seeking to ease their mortgage terms to document their financial situation before a trial modification is granted.