TheRepublic.com - Economy News

Japan's central bank says economy picking up

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:11:09 -0400

TOKYO - Japan's central bank says the world's third-biggest economy is "picking up" as demand recovers in other countries and remains resilient at home, though the trade deficit widened in April, for the tenth straight month.

Oil falls below $96 before Fed chief speaks

Wed, 22 May 2013 02:07:11 -0400

BANGKOK - The price of oil fell Wednesday as investors waited for a report on U.S. crude stocks and the Federal Reserve's latest views on the U.S. economy.

3 Oregon timber counties seek tax hikes

Wed, 22 May 2013 01:38:27 -0400

Three Oregon timber counties that asked voters to raise taxes to restore deep cuts to law enforcement were seeing three different results.

North Korea sends leader's special envoy to China

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:29:57 -0400

PYONGYANG, North Korea - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dispatched a high-profile official and close confidant to travel to China on Wednesday as a special envoy while Beijing is under pressure to rein in its belligerent neighbor.

Bernanke testimony to be studied for policy clues

Wed, 22 May 2013 00:11:44 -0400

WASHINGTON - When Ben Bernanke testifies about the U.S. economy Wednesday, the Federal Reserve chairman's words will be examined for any clues that the Fed might soon taper - or increase - its support for the economy.

Asia stocks rise as Fed official backs easy policy

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:25:10 -0400

BANGKOK - Asian stock markets were mostly higher Wednesday after investor confidence was boosted by a Federal Reserve official's comments that the U.S. central bank should stick with its super-easy monetary policy.

Japan's trade deficit hits $8.6B due to weaker yen

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:50:26 -0400

TOKYO - Japan's trade deficit widened to a larger-than-expected 879.9 billion yen ($8.6 billion) in April as its weakening currency accentuated surging import costs.

Federal subsidy late; Ore. timber counties unhappy

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:19:08 -0400

GRANTS PASS, Oregon - Timber counties in western Oregon are unhappy that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is taking so long to send out $2 million in federal subsidies withheld under the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration.

Lawmaker resurrects radioactive waste bill

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:59:45 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - A Republican lawmaker resurrected a radioactive waste bill on Tuesday that once signed into law would allow a West Texas storage site to accept more hazardous materials from out of state.

Oregon Editorial Rdp

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:24:14 -0400

Editorials from Oregon newspapers

Vanderbilt poll: Tennesseans oppose online tax

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:44:33 -0400

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - A majority of Tennesseans oppose the state enforcing online sales taxes, though respondents were split on whether the current system is fair to local businesses, according to a Vanderbilt University poll released Tuesday.

Stocks gain on reassurance from a top Fed official

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:28:27 -0400

NEW YORK - Reassuring comments from a Federal Reserve official and better earnings from two big retailers helped push the stock market higher Tuesday.

Key senator to let Myanmar sanctions bill lapse

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:14:11 -0400

WASHINGTON - Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, easing up on his long-held tough stance on Myanmar, said Tuesday he planned to allow key sanctions legislation against the Southeast Asian nation to lapse because of the country's progress toward democracy.

Senate votes to make small cut to food stamps

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:02:04 -0400

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Tuesday to keep a $400 million annual cut - or roughly a half of 1 percent - to the food stamp program as part of a major five-year farm bill.

Wyo. job numbers lag behind pre-recession levels

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:59:12 -0400

CHEYENNE, Wyoming - Wyoming's unemployment rate has been dropping over the last two years, but the state still hasn't replaced all the jobs it lost during the recession, according to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

NC Senate budget drawn by GOP target for critics

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:51:32 -0400

RALEIGH, North Carolina - Senate Republicans pushed their state spending proposal through a pair of committees Tuesday, but not before giving Democrats and advocacy groups plenty to pick at when it comes to reshaping public school funding and raising fees.

Cuba lifts ban on energy-hogging appliances

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:34:13 -0400

HAVANA - Cuba has authorized individual imports of appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and microwave ovens, lifting a ban imposed in 2005 amid a wave of energy shortages and blackouts.

New Egypt tax law: cuts for poor, business hikes

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:08:11 -0400

CAIRO - Egypt's president signed a new tax law Tuesday that cuts the amount paid by poorer Egyptians in the latest move aimed at reforming the country's economy.

Moniz: LNG exports on hold until data reviewed

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:59:17 -0400

WASHINGTON - Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said Tuesday he will delay final decisions on about 20 applications to export liquefied natural gas until he reviews studies by the Energy Department and others on what impact the exports would have on domestic natural gas supplies and prices.

Stock indexes close higher on hopes for Fed

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:12:55 -0400

NEW YORK - Stocks are closing higher on Wall Street as investors bank on continued support from the Federal Reserve.

Forecast sees New England economy growing modestly

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:45:45 -0400

BOSTON - Modest economic growth is expected in New England over the next three years with the region as a whole returning to pre-recession employment levels by 2015.

Small banks gain edge, but also a share of burdens

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:53:19 -0400

WILMINGTON, Delaware - For decades, Wilmington Trust reigned as king of community banks in Delaware.

Does France have right plan to revive its economy?

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:39:33 -0400

PARIS - The man charged with reviving France's shrinking economy and attracting businesses to invest here is gaining a reputation for doing the opposite.

Wisconsin home sales increase 9 percent in April

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:03:03 -0400

MILWAUKEE - Housing sales increased 9 percent last month, continuing a rebound that now includes 22 consecutive months of growth.

Monro Muffler fiscal 4Q net income falls

Tue, 21 May 2013 09:22:23 -0400

ROCHESTER, New York - Monro Muffler Brake Inc. said Tuesday that its fiscal fourth-quarter net income dropped 23 percent, as tough economic conditions and unfavorable weather reduced customer demand.