Oil prices surge as fears about Russian crude supplies intensify
The global benchmark topped $115 briefly on Wednesday, just days after it crossed the triple-digit mark for the first time in seven years.
Economy
Biden's top economics adviser on fighting inflation
NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Cecilia Rouse, chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, about Biden's State of the Union address and the impact of the war in Ukraine on the U.S. economy.
The Federal Reserve is ready to raise interest rates soon despite the war in Ukraine
Fed Chair Jerome Powell says the central bank is prepared to begin raising interest rates this month to fight inflation despite economic uncertainty after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Biden addresses issues, such as Ukraine and inflation, in State of the Union speech
NPR's A Martinez talks to NPR White House correspondent Scott Detrow and Michelle Singletary, personal finance columnist for The Washington Post, about President Biden's State of the Union address.
Target is raising its minimum wage to as much as $24 an hour
The retail giant currently pays a $15 per hour starting wage, but said it would raise it to as much as $24. Companies have been boosting pay and benefits in an effort to keep and attract workers.
How a wrinkle in the oil futures market has clogged America's oil pump
The U.S. is still the largest producer of oil, but we're a long way from pumping what we were before the pandemic. Blame backwardation.
When colleges defraud students, should the government go after school executives?
For 30 years, the U.S. Department of Education has had the power to hold for-profit college executives personally liable when their schools defraud students. It simply hasn't used it.
Russia eyes sanctions workarounds in energy, gold, crypto
Observers say Russia will likely turn closer to China to make up for supplies of goods and services lost due to sanctions.
Russia's central bank doubles a key interest rate as sanctions spark economic turmoil
Russia's ruble collapsed on Monday as sanctions hit, forcing President Vladimir Putin to hold an emergency meeting with his economic advisers.
In an effort to choke Russian economy, new sanctions target Russia's central bank
The U.S. and its allies are taking additional steps to squeeze the Russian economy in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Russia's currency has fallen, which will mean higher prices for Russians.