Economy
Housing Recovery Lifts Other Sectors, Too
Healthy increases in construction and home sales are boosting things like sales of pickups and landscaping, which, in turn, lead to more hiring. But federal budget cuts may undermine that momentum, economists say.
Ethical Fashion: Is The Tragedy In Bangladesh A Final Straw?
Since a garment factory collapsed last month in Dhaka, killing more than 400 people, ethical fashion has been in the spotlight. Elizabeth Cline, author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Price of Cheap Fashion, explains the economy that created this tragedy and what we can do to fix it.
The Quiet Strength Of Introverts In The Workplace
Extroverted job candidates may have an easier time impressing prospective employers. A study finds that once extroverts are in the workplace, their overall team performance can disappoint. USA Today "On the Job" columnist Anita Bruzzese discusses how bosses can harness the strengths of introverts.
After Sandy, Questions Linger Over Cellphone Reliability
Roughly one in four cellphone towers in the path of Hurricane Sandy went out of service. It was a frustrating and potentially dangerous experience for customers without a landline to fall back on. Now, local officials and communications experts are pushing providers to improve their performance during natural disasters.
States Question What To Do With Surging Tax Revenue
After at least three years of red ink, most states have budget surpluses. It's a sign of a recovering economy and leaves states with a new dilemma: how best to spend the money.
Can You Hear Me Now? Cellphone Satellites Phone Home
Never mind the big-budget NASA satellites. A team of young engineers has tricked out a few off-the-shelf cellphones and sent them to space. The smartphones are already above us, sending images and data back to ham radio operators on Earth.
FAA Expected To Gain Flexibility On Budget Cuts
The Senate has passed a bill to give the Department of Transportation more flexibility in how it makes the mandatory cuts of the sequester. Hundreds of flights were delayed this week after the FAA furloughed air traffic controllers, setting off a political storm.
Spain To Unveil Economic Overhaul Plan
Spain's jobless rate has exceeded even the most dire predictions. As Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy prepares to release a slate of economic changes, Spaniards are hoping he will heed their calls for mercy after years of budget cuts and austerity.
U.S. Economic Growth Regained Speed In First Quarter
Gross domestic product grew at an annual rate of 2.5 percent. Consumer spending is up, and home construction rose. But government spending fell, and tax increases and federal budget cuts are expected to slow later this year.