Marketplace: Monday, June 28, 2004

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A look at today's markets (closing numbers)
DOW 14.75 (.14%) ; NASDAQ 5.65 (.28%) ; S&P 500 1.08 (.10%)

Newscast The U.S.-led coalition in Iraq dug a new weapon out of its arsenal today -the fast forward button. The Coalition transferred power to Iraq's new interim government two days early in a surprise move apparently aimed at preventing terrorist attacks. At a summit in Turkey today, NATO leaders pledged to pitch in and help train the new government's security forces. And UN Secretary General Kofi Annan welcomed Iraq back into what he called the family of independent nations and said the UN would do all it could to help the new government. Iraq's interim government has at least one thing going for it. After repairing sabotaged pipelines in the southern part of the country, Iraq's oil industry is back up and running. Listen to all newscast items

Features Can United Survive the Friendly Skies? High fuel costs and low wages have independent truckers fuming. Today they took those complaints on the road. They picketed outside ports in Newark, New Orleans, Charleston, and other cities around the country and slowed down the flow of cargo. They say they're getting the short end of the deal, due to federal anti-trust laws that keep them from unionizing or joining forces to negotiate with shipping and freight companies. Meanwhile it's a case of three strikes and you're out for one of the country's largest airlines. A federal panel today rejected United Airlines' request for government backing of $1.6 billion in loans. Reporter: Lisa Napoli Related Story: No Aid for UAL's United Air Searchin' - Dead Calm Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Shell Games It's not every day you hear someone from the corner office say "I'm sorry". But the board of directors of Royal Dutch/Shell found themselves in the doghouse today. Revelations earlier this year that Shell had over-estimated its oil reserves by more than four billion barrels touched off a government investigation and a handful of lawsuits. Reporter: Amy Scott Related Story: SEC questions 30 Royal Dutch/Shell employees Responsible - Freedy Johnston Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Family Leave Debates Many California workers are about to get a new employee benefit. New for the U.S. -- workers in 139 other countries already receive PAID family leave. The new California law goes into effect Thursday. It guarantees 6 weeks of partially paid leave per year to care for a new child or seriously ill family member. Reporter: Sarah Gardner Related Story: Paid family leave begins Thursday Variety Boogie - Hadda Brooks Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Cut the Red Tape, Please ... It's a common complaint -- small businesses across the country say they can't survive all the red tape. Commentator and consumer advocate Steven Moss says - it's not just businessses that are at risk. Commentator: Steven Moss Related Story: 'Red tape now strangling entrepreneurs' 6'1" - Liz Phair Support Marketplace: Purchase this music from Public Radio MusicSource Spa Stories ... America went shopping last month. Consumer spending rose a full one percent in May. It's the biggest increase in more than two years. Economists consider it a good omen --since consumer spending fuels some two thirds of the economy. One little corner of the economy never slowed during the downturn. We're talking about body treatments. Manicures, pedicures, facials... massages. Reporter: Gretchen Cook Related Story: Chesterfield dentist offers spa treatments, diversions with the usual procedures

Coming up on Marketplace... moving business north of Baghdad.