Economy

Major U.S. stock indexes fell Friday as short-term Treasury yields exceeded those on long-term bonds, in what some analysts consider a sign that a recession may be coming.

Economy

Stocks Indexes Drop As Bond Market Flashes Recession Warning

9:52pm March 22, 2019

by Scott Horsley

The bond market flashed an ominous warning Friday, as the yield on long-term government debt dipped below that of short-term bills. That unusual situation often signals a recession on the horizon.

LGBTQ, immigrant rights and criminal justice reform groups, launched a coalition, Decrim NY, in February to decriminalize the sex trade in New York.

Should Sex Work Be Decriminalized? Some Activists Say It's Time

5:29pm March 22, 2019

by Jasmine Garsd

Opponents of decriminalization say the multi-billion-dollar industry exploits sex workers. But activists and academics say legalization would protect workers and benefit public health.

Queue Listen Now

Economy

Are Neighbors Overrated? (And Other Questions)

3:21pm March 22, 2019

The latest edition of "Overrated, Underrated" with economist Tyler Cowen.

One of the Trump administration's proposals would change the prices Medicare pays for certain prescription drugs by factoring in the average prices Europeans pay for the same medicines.

It Will Take More Than Transparency To Reduce Drug Prices, Economists Say

1:59pm March 22, 2019

by Alison Kodjak

The Trump administration wants to increase transparency in prescription drug pricing. But health economists say the administration's call to tie prices to what other nations pay might work better.

Economy

Lyft Going Public: The Dual-Class Share Dilemma

4:46pm March 21, 2019

All shares of stock are not created equal. Stock can come in different classes now: Class A, Class B. Some of this stock comes with superpowers... and some of it comes with almost no power at all.

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, speaks to reporters on Wednesday in Brussels. He told British Prime Minister Theresa May that an extension for withdrawal from the EU is possible, but with a caveat.

On The Brink Of Brexit, PM Theresa May Pushes For Extension With EU Support

6:50pm March 20, 2019

by Sasha Ingber

The European Council President said a delay of three months is possible. But U.K. lawmakers would have to approve terms of separation that May has already unsuccessfully proposed to them.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testifies before the Senate Banking Committee on Feb. 26. "It may be some time before the outlook for jobs and inflation calls clearly for a change in policy," he said Wednesday.

Fed Signals Rate Hikes May Be Over For 2019

5:50pm March 20, 2019

by Scott Horsley

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday and signaled that no more rate hikes may be necessary this year amid signs of economic slowing.

A woman with a sign reading "There is no food" protests against new emergency powers decreed this week by President Nicolas Maduro in front of a line of policemen in Caracas on May 18, 2016. / AFP / FEDERICO PARRA (Photo credit should read FEDERICO PARRA/

Economy

Why Are Venezuelans Starving?

4:53pm March 20, 2019

Venezuelans are starving because there isn't enough food. But the country has so much fertile land, water, and sunshine — shouldn't it be a farmer's paradise?

The new strategy of some health plans for state employees is to pay hospitals a certain percentage above the basic Medicare reimbursement rate. It allows hospitals a small profit, the states say, while reducing costs to states and patients.

Health Plans For State Employees Use Medicare's Hammer On Hospital Bills

1:23pm March 20, 2019

by Julie Appleby

Some states have begun using Medicare reimbursement rates to recalibrate how they pay hospitals. If the gamble pays off, more private-sector employers could start doing the same thing.

Coffee is served at a coffee shop in Medellin on October 28, 2017. (the town has a stationary population of 20000 people). / AFP PHOTO / JOAQUIN SARMIENTO (Photo credit should read JOAQUIN SARMIENTO/AFP/Getty Images

Economy

Coffee? Thank U, Next

4:21pm March 19, 2019

Your average cup of coffee is getting more expensive — but the price for coffee beans is going down. How can that be?