Search results for

Federal Reserve policy makers are expected to cut a key interest rate today, in what would be the first cut to the federal funds rate in more than four years. Those calling for the cut say it could will make it easier to borrow — and reassure jittery financial markets hard-hit by this year's mortgage meltdown.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Thursday with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moualem to press Syria to do more to keep foreign fighters out of Iraq. It was the first meeting between high-ranking U.S. and Syrian officials in two years.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has said global financial markets are severely strained and quick action is needed to implement the government's $700 billion financial bailout plan. The comments follow global central bankers' decision to cut interest rates.

President Bush announced a plan that will allow the U.S. government to spend about $250 billion of its $700 billion bailout program to buy equity stakes in banks. The government has been careful to call the program a "recapitalization" plan.

Feeling under the weather is never enjoyable, but being sick in a combat zone is wretchedly miserable. Stuck with bronchitis, Capt. Nate Rawlings is reminded of why sometimes, when you can't be sure of the outcome, all you can look forward to is the end.

President-elect Barack Obama named Nancy Killefer as his chief performance officer. Her job will be to bring modern ideas of business efficiency to the White House. Obama also spoke of his plans to revive the economy without worsening the federal budget deficit.

Sen. John McCain unveils his proposed energy policy Tuesday. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee argues the United States should lift its ban on offshore drilling.

Leaders from around the world gathered in Washington, D.C., over the weekend to discuss the global financial crisis. After the meeting, they issued a 10-page action plan for reform, enhancing regulation and reinforcing international cooperation.

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with the Jill Stuart, an expert in the politics and ethics of space exploration, about India's successful lunar landing.

Iowa Democrats are proposing a novel way to get around their demotion from the leadoff spot on the party's presidential nominating calendar: They would still put on the first-in-the-nation caucuses but would be open to withholding the results until after other states have their contests. The creative approach is the latest effort by the Iowa Democratic Party to claw back the prized slot it held for nearly 50 years until chaos during the state's 2020 presidential caucuses led the Democratic National Committee to reorder the calendar.