Marketplace: Wednesday, April 7, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 90.66 (.86%) ; NASDAQ 9.66 (.47%) ; S&P 500 7.63 (.66%)

Newscast Today marked some of the deadliest fighting since the invasion of Iraq over a year ago. It spread as U.S. forces tried to contain a radical Shiite uprising. Impact on Wall Street? One brokerage analyst said the markets are at a tipping point over Iraq. Rising government spending - and how to pay for it - took center stage on the political front. The Democrats' presumptive presidential candidate got headlines by announcing a budget strategy. John Kerry claims his vision is fairer and more realistic than the long-term tax cuts the Bush-Cheney camp is pushing. A federal judge in Houston rejected a plea deal for the wife of Enron's former financial chief. Now she's withdrawn her guilty plea. Lea Fastow was part of a larger plea arrangement aimed at winning the cooperation of former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow. Listen to all newscast items

Features Music Bridge: Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Middle East Economics Chances are many office TV's will be turned to tomorrow's live testimony from Washington as National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice testfies before the so-called 9/11 Commission. Most expect the panel's questioning to focus on intelligence weaknesses prior to the attacks. Meanwhile in Washington, the International Monetary Fund began a two-day conference on the economies of the Middle East. These two seemingly unrelated events have more in common than some might want to admit. Commentator: Robert Reich Related Story: "Obstacles Many for Mideast Businesses"

Growing Costs of Security The British government confirmed today it's going ahead with Prime Minister Tony Blair's favored homeland security device: national identity cards. Eventually everyone living in Britain - citizens and foreign nationals - will be required to carry them. The plan may take years to complete, but people are already debating its benefits and costs. Reporter: Stephen Beard Related Information: "Who is in charge of counter-terrorism?" Music Bridge: The Matrix - Matrix Soundtrack Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource

Auto Fatalities The World Health Organization designates April 7th as a day to draw attention to a major international health threat. The WHO calls it World Health Day. If you haven't already, fasten your seatbelts - here's an alert about deadly potholes on the road to prosperity. Reporter: Bill Poorman Related Information: "World Health Day Will Focus on Traffic Safety"

Birth of a Technology Forty years ago today, a company launched a device that revolutionized the workplace. It also helped a corporate powerhouse break a long losing streak. Today, it's hard for some of us to imagine doing business without it. Reporter: Lisa Napoli Related Story: "IBM Mainframe Still Rolling Along"

Meet the Hacker Adrian Lamo spent much of his late teens breaking into the computer systems of major corporations, including Worldcom and Excite. In those cases, he was regarded as an Internet Zorro of sorts, alerting companies to their technical weaknesses. Some corporations officially thanked him. But when he cracked the database at the New York Times, that company was neither grateful, nor amused. It pressed charges. The 23-year-old has pled guilty, and he's scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow. Q+A: Host David Brown speaks with Adrian Lamo Related Story: "The Homeless Hacker v. The New York Times"

Coming up on Marketplace... Recruiters looking for top talent are starting to hunt younger and younger candidates.