NPR Business News

3 things to know about the $40 trillion federal debt

Aug 20, 2026

The U.S. federal debt hit a record $40 trillion this week. The debt has doubled since 2017, and just paying interest on the accumulated debt now costs the government more than $1 trillion a year.

The bond market is signaling trouble ahead. This is why you should pay attention

Aug 20, 2026

Many people don't pay attention to bond markets, but they should — especially now. This is why they matter and why the drop in bond prices is signaling investor concerns about the U.S. economy.

Chinese court sentences founder of property developer Evergrande to life in prison

Aug 20, 2026

Chinese property developer Hui Ka Yan has been sentenced to life in prison. The decision marks a milestone in Evergrande's saga after it collapsed with more than $300 billion in liabilities.

Whistleblower Arturo Béjar leads testimony in landmark trial against Meta

Aug 19, 2026

The former Meta employee testified that the company culture prioritized user numbers over child safety measures.

The U.S. debt tops a record-shattering $40 trillion. Yes, with a T

Aug 19, 2026

The federal debt reached $40 trillion as the government adds red ink at a rapid rate. That's leading nervous investors to demand higher interest rates — pushing up borrowing costs for everyone else.

FCC head Brendan Carr says Disney free speech lawsuit is 'without merit'

Aug 19, 2026

ABC and its corporate parent, The Walt Disney Co., filed a lawsuit against the FCC Tuesday, accusing the agency of violating its First Amendment rights.

FCC's lone Democrat says Disney 'has found its courage' in lawsuit against agency

Aug 19, 2026

The Walt Disney Company is suing the FCC, alleging a violation of First Amendment rights by challenges to its ABC broadcast licenses. NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez.

Trump says U.S. and Canada reached deal to delay 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports

Aug 18, 2026

President Trump said he was delaying the 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports after the two countries reached a last-minute deal less than two hours before the sanctions were to go into effect.

An iconic mail-order music and video company is shutting down

Aug 18, 2026

The long-running mail-order business Columbia House, which became famous for its record and CD clubs before focusing on DVDs, has announced it'll take its final orders next month.

Flexibility is a key part of keeping women employed

Aug 18, 2026

NPR's Juana Summers talks with University of Michigan economist Betsey Stevenson about trends in women's participation in the labor force and the value of flexible work arrangements.