Economy

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is expected to discuss the central bank's decision on a benchmark interest rate Wednesday. She's seen here speaking on Capitol Hill last month.

Economy

Federal Reserve Raises Key Interest Rate In First Move Since 2015

4:20pm December 14, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The vote to nudge benchmark interest rates higher was unanimous, the central bank says. The rate moves from the current 0.25-0.50 percent to a range of 0.50 and 0.75 percent.

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Economy

Fed Watchers Expect Short-Term Interest Rates To Rise Soon

11:57am December 14, 2016

The Federal Reserve is expected to make changes to short-term interest rates on Wednesday. Steve Inskeep talks to David Wessel, director of the Hutchins Center at the Brookings Institution.

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Across the Ohio River from Powhatan Transportation Center — owned by Murray Energy — is a power plant that services mines in West Virginia.

In Ohio Coal Country, Job Prospects Lie With Neither Coal Nor Trump's Promises

5:15pm December 13, 2016

by NPR Staff

Donald Trump has made huge promises for creating coal jobs. Not many really think he can deliver. Instead, hopes are high for a new plant in Ohio that converts natural gas into plastic pellets.

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Rep. Jeb Hensarling Outlines Future Of Financial Reforms Under Dodd-Frank

4:30pm December 13, 2016

NPR's Audie Cornish talks to Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, about the future of banking reforms under Dodd-Frank.

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Trump Picks Rex Tillerson To Lead The State Department

9:25am December 13, 2016

by Michele Kelemen

In a statement early Tuesday morning, President-elect Donald Trump announced that ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson is his choice to become secretary of state, the country's top diplomat.

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United Airlines will offer cheaper airfares in 2017 but the trade-off will be giving up some of the few remaining perks of air travel, like putting a carry-on suitcase in the overhead bin or getting an assigned seat.

United's 'Basic Economy' Aims To Compete With Discount Airlines

8:45pm December 12, 2016

by David Schaper

United Airlines will offer extra low fares to passengers willing to board last and carry only one bag that fits under the seat. Critics say this "basic economy" class could worsen flying for everyone.

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International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde arrives in court on Monday. She is accused of negligence in connection with her oversight of a 2008 case when she was France's finance minister.

International Monetary Fund Chief Christine Lagarde's Negligence Trial Begins

4:33pm December 12, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Lagarde, who appeared in court in Paris, is accused of negligence in connection with her oversight of a 2008 case when she was France's finance minister. She has led the IMF since 2011.

A photo released by Venezuelan government agency Sundde shows the group's head, William Contreras, with one of the toys that have been seized from a distributor's warehouses in Caracas.

Venezuela Seizes Nearly 4 Million Toys, Saying They're Overpriced

5:25pm December 11, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"Boys and girls of the country will have a happy Christmas," says Venezuela's national superintendent for the defense of socioeconomic rights.

D.C. Family Leave Proposal Moves Forward, But Remains Controversial

5:18pm December 11, 2016

Only a few American states offer paid family leave for workers. Washington, D.C. city council member Elissa Silverman and small business owner Jonathan Cho discuss the measure proposed in D.C.

Iran Air has used Boeing 747 passenger jets for years — but their purchase was arranged before 1979's revolution. One of the planes is seen here at the domestic Mehrabad airport in Tehran in 2013.

Boeing And Iran Air Sign Jetliner Contract Worth $16.6 Billion

11:59am December 11, 2016

by Bill Chappell

U.S. officials approved the deal in September, months after Iran emerged from sanctions.