Adrian Ma

The expanded child tax credit expired last year. Some economists say that's eroding progress made in reducing child poverty during the pandemic — leaving families vulnerable during high inflation.

Ah, college — the classes, the parties, the debt. Is it still worth it? While most schools have seen enrollment declines during the pandemic, there's been a jump in applications at "elite" schools.

The U.S. dollar is appreciating in value against other currencies — an increase that comes with some benefits, but can also potentially be a drag on the economy.

In a brief to the Supreme Court, 154 economists wrote that access to legal abortion has led to women attaining higher levels of education and professional occupations and lower rates of child poverty.

For all the pain it causes, inflation makes old debts easier to pay off. A silver-lining for countries burdened by pandemic debt? Maybe. But if history is any guide, that shine may be short-lived.

Sri Lanka is in a deep economic and humanitarian crisis. A big contributing factor? Its central bank is running dangerously low on foreign currency reserves.

Summer travel could be a boom for U.S. airlines, with consumer demand surging. But a pilot shortage, worsened by the pandemic, might get in the way of a return to profitability.

China has enforced strict regulations on its tech platforms over the past year. But this crackdown has sparked such instability in financial markets that the government may be having second thoughts.

Because of sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is looking at its first foreign debt default since 1918. Moscow says it will take legal action if forced into default.

Green energy, like wind or solar power, is one solution to fighting climate change. But sometimes it's environmental laws that get in the way of building the infrastructure to produce it.

Ukraine has been receiving a stream of weapons from the United States and NATO for the past several weeks. Like the goods that come to your door, these weapons have to go through a supply chain.

Earlier in the pandemic, a Massachusetts manufacturer rebuilt its supply chain to meet the demand for medical gowns. But with the market rush over, the head of the company is having second thoughts.

Sanctions imposed on Russia have targeted some of its wealthiest individuals, its oligarchs, for their ties to President Vladimir Putin. In reality, this group has varying degrees of influence.

There's a crisis in elder care: not enough nurses and nurse aids to provide for the needs of older folks. Some economists believe immigration can help.

Uber's CEO Travis Kalanick grew the company fast, but a venture capitalist wanted him out due to scandals. What ensued was a story about the tug-of-war between venture capital and founders in tech.

In hospitals, it's standard for nurses to work a 12-hour shift. But research shows that may not be such a good idea for patients — or nurses.

Johnson & Johnson is entangled in lawsuits regarding its talcum-based products being linked to ovarian cancer. To save itself from future suits, the company is betting big on a tricky legal maneuver.

iBuyers buy homes online and turn around and sell them. But they concentrate in certain places, where houses can be priced pretty well using a computer algorithm.

Restaurant, retail and airline employees continue to face unruly customers over COVID-19 precautions. A customer service expert explains how to defuse situations before they get out of hand.

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Adrian Ma of the Planet Money podcast about the "billionaire tax" being proposed by Democrats to help fund the Build Back Better legislation.