Air France Ends New York-Paris Concorde Run May 31, 2003 • Air France's Concorde made its last New York-to-Paris run Saturday. The supersonic transport was able to make that trip in three hours, but never fully recovered from the damaging fallout of a fatal crash. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.
Rate Drop Offers Chance to Refinance Student Loans May 31, 2003 • Interest rates for federal student loans have dropped as low as 2.8 percent. But students and their parents may want to put some thought into how to take advantage of the lower rates. NPR's Chris Arnold reports.
Microsoft Settles Antitrust Suit with AOL-Time Warner May 30, 2003 • Software giant Microsoft agrees to pay AOL-Time Warner $750 million to settle an antitrust suit charging that Microsoft used its market muscle to make its Internet Explorer the dominant Web-browsing software. NPR's John McChesney reports.
Analyzing a Wall Street Uptick May 30, 2003 • Stocks on Wall Street are on a bit of a roll. The Standard and Poors 500 is set to post its third monthly gain in a row. Hear NPR's Robert Siegel and Jeremy Siegel (no relation), a professor of finance at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and author of Stocks for the Long Run.
Some Firms Set to Raise Dividends in Wake of Tax Cut May 30, 2003 • Backers of the dividend tax cut signed by President Bush say the change should improve corporate responsibility by encouraging firms to borrow less and become less preoccupied with quarterly earnings. But skeptics don't buy the argument. NPR's Scott Horsley reports.
U.S. Automakers Shift Away from SUV, Truck Production May 29, 2003 • Facing increasing competition with foreign car companies, American automakers turn their attention away from trucks and sport utility vehicles and focus on passenger cars. NPR's Bob Edwards talk to Paul Eisenstein of CarConnection.com.
Student Loan Rates to Hit All-Time Low May 29, 2003 • Interest rates for college student loans are expected to fall to their lowest levels in the history of the student loan program, the Education Department says. Many students scramble to lock in low rates by consolidating loans. Hear NPR's Chris Arnold.
Internet Star eBay Loses Patent Lawsuit May 28, 2003 • A federal court jury rules that online auction giant eBay infringed on patents held by Thomas Woolston, a northern Virginia entrepreneur. The jury orders eBay, based in San Jose, Calif., to pay $35 million in damages. NPR's Jack Speer reports.
As Computer Sales Decline, Industry Urges PC Upgrades May 28, 2003 • Sales of personal computers remain low, as corporations and consumers struggling with a poor economy wait longer to buy better PCs. In an effort to spark sales, the PC industry pushes computer upgrades and accessories. Hear NPR's John McChesney.
FCC Urged to Halt Univision Merger with HBC May 27, 2003 • Democrats ask the Federal Communications Commission to stop the merger of the two largest Hispanic media companies. Critics point out that Univision's proposed purchase of the Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. would put both companies under the control of Republican Jerry Perenchio. Hear Eduardo Porter of the Wall Street Journal.
Boeing Divisions to Bid for Work on New Aircraft May 27, 2003 • In an effort to build its new commercial airplane at the lowest possible cost, Boeing announces that all work on the 7E7 will be awarded on a competitive basis. Company divisions around the country will have to bid against other divisions and outside contractors for work on the new plane. Hear NPR's Greg Allen.
Economic Impact of Tax Cut Debated May 24, 2003 • Congress has passed a $350 billion tax-cut package, coupled with a staggering increase in the national debt limit. Forecasts for the impact on the U.S. economy vary wildly. NPR's Peter Overby reports.
Dissecting the Tax Bill May 24, 2003 • Many components of the tax bill passed by Congress come with so-called "sunset provisions" attached. That means new tax rates are only temporary -- in theory. If they're extended, some analysts believe deficits may rise sharply. Others believe the tax relief will get the economy moving again. NPR's Kathy Schalch reports.
Greensboro Struggles Through Economic Hardships May 24, 2003 • New economic realities come crashing down on Greensboro, N.C. The region's core industries have been rocked by layoffs and other losses. Many people are trying to start over, late in life. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.
Business Leaders Welcome Tax-Cut Package May 23, 2003 • U.S. business leaders celebrate the expected passage of a $330-billion tax cut, though many had hoped for a bigger tax break. The bill is meant to stimulate business spending. The current economic slowdown has left many companies afraid to purchase new equipment or hire more workers. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.