Economy

Defense Secretary Carter: 'We Need To Accelerate The Defeat Of ISIL'

2:33pm January 29, 2016

Ash Carter says he's hoping this year to drive the Islamic State out of the two largest and most important cities in its self-proclaimed caliphate, Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

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President Obama speaks about the gap in pay between men and women on Friday, as he introduced a new proposal that would require large companies to disclose data about employee pay by race, gender and ethnicity.

To Shine A Light On Salary Gaps, Obama Wants Companies To Disclose Pay Data

2:20pm January 29, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The proposal would require companies with more than 100 employees to submit data, affecting more than 63 million workers.

Consumers have been benefiting from lower gas prices. Here, prices dip below $2 per gallon at an Exxon station in Woodbridge, Va., on Jan. 5.

Why Cheap Gas Might Not Be Good For The U.S. Economy

1:34am January 29, 2016

by Chris Arnold

A drop in global oil prices saved U.S. drivers $100 billion last year. Good news, right? Not so, say some economists. The energy industry is now so big that cheap oil may actually hurt the economy.

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Beyonce performs onstage in 2013 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Can't Buy A Ticket To That Concert You Want To See? Blame Bots

7:36pm January 28, 2016

by Jim Zarroli

A report from New York's attorney general points to abusive practices in the market for live-event tickets on sites such as StubHub. Computer programs snap up seats faster than humans can.

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After Lifting Of Sanctions, Iran's President Brings Trade Mission To France

6:46pm January 28, 2016

NPR's Robert Siegel talks to Ardavan Amir-Aslani, a French-Iranian lawyer who is negotiating deals with Tehran for major French corporations.

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Drop In Oil Prices Complicates Effort To Combat Climate Change

6:26pm January 28, 2016

by John Ydstie

Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy to combat climate change will require trillions of dollars in investment. Cheap prices for fossil fuels are making that transition a bit more complicated.

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Harvesting oranges near Arcadia, Fla. The sacks that workers carry weigh about 90 pounds when they are full of fruit.

Guest Workers, Legal Yet Not Quite Free, Pick Florida's Oranges

10:31am January 28, 2016

by Dan Charles

Most workers who are picking oranges in Florida are temporary "guest" workers from Mexico. They have signed contracts to work only for growers who arranged their visas and provide their housing.

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Economy

Episode 679: You Asked For It

7:31pm January 27, 2016

We ponder the origins of money, the economics of Santa, and the business of cemeteries. Why? Because you asked.

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Nigerian Billionaire Banks On Young Entrepreneurs To Combat Poverty's Threat

7:29pm January 27, 2016

by Nick Schifrin

Nigerian billionaire banker Tony Elumelu is promoting what he calls "Africapitalism." To combat terrorism and social ills, he's funding young entrepreneurs, from car mechanics to caterers.

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Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Overlooks Budget Crisis In State Of The State Speech

7:29pm January 27, 2016

by Cheryl Corley

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will deliver his state of the state address Wednesday. It comes amidst a budget impasse, partisan fighting and finger pointing over cuts to social services and an underfunded pension fund.

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