Guests: Cheryl Einhorn, Takeaway economy guru and adjunct professor of Business, Economic and Financial journalism at Columbia University

An energy bill that Democrats hoped would lower gas prices was killed by House Republicans yesterday. The bill would have tapped into 70 million barrels of oil the government has stockpiled in its Strategic Petroleum Reserve for emergencies. It's the fourth failed energy bill since June.

Guest: Caitlin McNally, documentary filmmaker

In an unusual turn, oil prices have dropped $10.58 over two days, a result of falling fuel demand, a rising consumer price index and signs of easing geopolitical tensions, including a historic meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials in Switzerland.

Guest: Gideon Rachman, Financial Times

Oil prices soared to a record high of more than $143 a barrel Wednesday.

Guest: Rebecca Lindland, Global Insight

Political instability has put a spotlight on Nigeria, home to Africa's largest oil industry. Militants have recently sabotaged crude exports with series of attacks on drills and supply lines. With Nigeria pumping oil at its lowest rate in 25 years, unease about the global oil supply has increased.

World leaders met in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this weekend to find a solution to spiraling oil prices. Instead, the meeting sharpened differences on what the underlying causes are. Oil consumers, like the United States, say it's all about supply, while the producer nations point to market speculation. The Takeaway looks at the debate and why it’s not settled.

Guest: Andrew Kramer, The New York Times

Gas prices in America have jumped to an average of more than $4 a gallon for the first time. But gas prices aren’t just a problem in the United States. The Takeaway hears from taxi drivers from around the world, whose job depends on the price of gasoline.

American Airlines set off a new round of fare hikes over the weekend, increasing roundtrip domestic ticket prices by $20 because of rising fuel prices. Other carriers followed suit. As major airlines struggle, what can they learn from the little guys? The Takeaway talks to Dan Wolf, the founder, CEO and pilot of one of the nation’s small carriers, Cape Cod’s Cape Air.

Saudi Arabia wants to call a meeting between oil-producing and oil-consuming countries to discuss record high prices. President Bush has called for the United States to be less dependent on hydrocarbons. The Takeaway speaks with Lisa Margonelli to discuss the persistent high price of energy and its social and cultural effects.

Producer's Notes:

Detective Larry Findley didn't want to be on the radio. But the gumshoe's desire to educate people about grease theft trumped his suspicion of what he calls "media types."

The demand for grease (used cooking oil) is at an all-time high. That's due in ...

High global food prices have pushed the country even closer to the brink of famine by exacerbating the devastating effects of violence, displacement and chaos. The United Nations has declared a wide swath of central Somalia a humanitarian emergency, the final stage before a full-blown famine.