Jeff Sommer with Catherine Rampell on unemployment, David Gillen and Evelyn Rusli on LinkedIn, Gretchen Morgenson on MF Global and Robert Frank on flat taxes.

This week: Floyd Norris on Italy and the global economy, Gretchen Morgenson on taxpayer-funded pensions for defense contractors, Amy Cortese on starting a community-owned store, David Segal on cellphone charges, and Tyler Cowen on Occupy Wall Street.

Business news has never been so exciting, frightening and fast-paced. Keep up with the important news and trends in business each week with reporters and editors from the Times's business section. They're among the most knowledgeable people in the business world. Your host is Times assistant business editor Jeff Sommer.

Weekend Business

Nelson Schwartz on the European financial crisis, Gretchen Morgenson on the foreclosure talks, Jim Collins and David Gillen on luck and business, and Christina Romer on Ben Bernanke’s chance for a “Volcker moment.”