 | 2008 MAY
May 15, 2008
Congress Passes $290B Farm Bill Despite White House Opposition
Amid global concerns over food prices, the Senate approved a $290 billion dollar farm bill Thursday with enough support to overcome a threatened presidential veto. A reporter outlines facets of the bill and its implications for U.S. food and agriculture policy.
   
| |
 |
| May 14, 2008
Inflation Pressures Ease with Small Rise in CPI
The overall Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent in April, the Labor Department announced Wednesday, a smaller-than-expected rise despite the highest jump in food prices in 18 years.
| |
|
| May 13, 2008
Financial World Shifts Gears Amid Economic Tumult
As the U.S. grapples with an economic slowdown and a housing slump, financial leaders are rethinking their strategies. Financier and author George Soros reflects on the changing business trends and details his new book, which examines the "credit crash" of 2008.
 
| |
|
| May 12, 2008
Green Industry Hub Rises From Rust Belt Ruins
Paul Solman reports on innovators who are making the Pittsburgh region an eco-showcase of the benefits of going green and bringing new hope to the economically depressed Rust Belt region.
| |
|
| May 12, 2008
A Closer Look at Defense Contracts
When the U.S. military gave a new tanker contract to Northrop Grumman, its competitor, Boeing, called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate, claiming that it did not receive a fair evaluation. Two retired generals who works as consultants to either company answered your questions.
| |
|
| May 8, 2008
Legislative Bid to Buoy Slumping U.S. Housing Sector Meets Debate
Amid a continuing U.S. economic downturn, Capitol Hill lawmakers have been debating how to effectively provide relief for the housing crisis. Two members of Congress discuss their positions on the housing bill and how to best revive a slumping housing market.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Fannie Mae Posts Losses; Mortgage Market Quakes
The mortgage giant Fannie Mae posted $2.2 billion in losses Tuesday in its third consecutive quarter of bad news. A reporter from the New York Times explains this latest bad news and its potential impact on the mortgage market.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Boeing, Northrop Grumman Clash Over Tanker Contract
Aircraft companies Boeing and Northrop Grumman are locked in a battle for an air tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force. The fight has stretched from courtrooms to Capitol Hill, as legislators representing the companies' respective districts join the fray.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Extended Interview: Ronald Sugar, chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman
Ronald Sugar, chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman, discusses securing the Air Force's contract to build a new fleet of refueling aircraft and his reaction to Boeing's appeal of the decision in this extended interview.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Extended Interview: Air Force Gen. Ronald Fogleman
Gen. Ronald Fogleman, Air Force chief of staff from 1994 to 1997 and a Boeing consultant, offers his perspective on the Air Force's controversial decision to award Northrop Grumman the contract to build a fleet of air tankers.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Extended Interview: Air Force Gen. Gregory Martin
Gen. Gregory Martin, former commander of the Air Force Material Command and a Northrop Grumman consultant, talks about the competition process and eventual awarding of the Air Force's contract to Northrop Grumman for new refueling aircraft.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Extended Interview: Mark McGraw, vice president of Boeing's tanker program
Mark McGraw, vice president of Boeing's tanker program, expresses his dismay at the Air Force granting the air tanker contract to Nothrop Grumman and the steps Boeing is taking in response.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Extended Interview: Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, discusses her objections to the Air Force giving Nothrop Grumman the contract for new refueling airplanes, instead of Boeing.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Extended Interview: Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala.
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, recounts how Northrop Grumman garnered the Air Force's contract for building new air tankers, and how his state would benefit.
| |
|
| May 6, 2008
Indonesia Mulls Quitting OPEC; Oil Prices Leap Past $122 a Barrel
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Tuesday that his country is considering dropping out of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries based on its declining oil output.
| |
|
| May 5, 2008
Relief for World Food Crisis Made More Difficult by Cyclones, Riots
In the wake of the devastating cyclone in Myanmar and widespread rioting in Somalia, the international community continues to try and respond with food relief programs to confront the rising need. World Food Program's head Josette Sheeran discusses the relief efforts.
| |
|
| May 2, 2008
Shields, Brooks Debate New Polls, Rev. Wright and Gas Tax
With North Carolina and Indiana preparing to vote, columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss if Rev. Wright, the gas tax holiday or the economy may prove decisive in Tuesday's balloting.
| |
|
| May 2, 2008
Growing Hunger in Malawi Stirs Food Aid Debate
Fred de Sam Lazaro reports on the debate over the benefits of providing cash or crops to recipient nations. He also looks into the growing effects of domestic farm law on world food markets.
| |
|
| May 2, 2008
New Federal Rules Target Deceptive Credit Card Practices
The Federal Reserve proposed new credit card regulations Friday in response to growing rancor over credit practices that are widely regarded as unfair and deceptive. Robin Farzad of BusinessWeek Magazine explains the details and possible effects.
| |
|
| May 2, 2008
Labor Dept. Report Shows Fewer Jobs Lost in April
Employers cut fewer jobs in April than in recent months and the unemployment rate dropped to 5 percent, the Labor Department announced Friday.
| |
|
|
|
| APRIL
April 30, 2008
Gas Tax Holiday Plan Provides Fodder for Campaigns
Presidential hopefuls Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and John McCain, R-Ariz., have raised the idea of suspending the federal gas tax for the summer. A tax policy expert explains whether a gas tax holiday is politically or economically feasible.
| |
|
| April 30, 2008
Fed Cuts Rate Again in Latest Bid to Shore Up Economy
The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by a quarter point Wednesday, bringing the federal funds rate down to its lowest level since late 2004. The move is intended to help address the ongoing housing slump and credit crunch. Analysts discuss the Fed's action and the economic strain on the American public.
| |
|
| April 30, 2008
Federal Reserve Trims Key Interest Rate
In a smaller move than in past months, the Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by a quarter percentage point Wednesday in what could be the last in a line of reductions aimed at boosting an economy hit hard by a housing slump and credit crunch.
| |
|
| April 29, 2008
Supply, Price of Food Increase Hardship for World's Poor
Food shortages and price spikes have combined to wreak havoc within the world's poorest nations. Ray Suarez examines the causes and effects of the food crises and speaks with the Washington Post's Anthony Faiola about his recent trip to Mauritania.
| |
|
| April 29, 2008
Number of Homes Headed to Foreclosure Doubles
The number of U.S. homes headed toward foreclosure in the first quarter of the year more than doubled from the same period a year ago, a real estate data firm announced Tuesday.
| |
|
| April 25, 2008
Pittsburgh Renews Itself With 'Green' Technologies
Pittsburgh, once described as the nation's "dirtiest city," is working hard to reverse that image with new energy efficient initiatives. Paul Solman looks at how the Steel City has become reinvigorated by implementing new "green" energy technologies.
| |
|
| April 24, 2008
Ford Posts Surprise $100M Quarterly Profit
Ford Motor Co. surprised Wall Street Thursday when it announced a $100 million profit for the first quarter, marking the automaker's first profitable quarter since the spring of last year.
| |
|
| April 23, 2008
As Food Prices Soar, U.N. Calls for International Help
The head of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization urged help Wednesday for countries affected by a global food crisis caused by sharp increases in the prices of rice and wheat. Experts discuss the causes and consequences of high food prices.
| |
|
| April 23, 2008
Global Food Prices Dubbed a 'Silent Tsunami'
The global food shortage and soaring cost of staple foods is a "silent tsunami," the U.N. World Food Program said Tuesday, before a food summit hosted by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to discuss the growing crisis.
| |
|
| April 22, 2008
Clinton Fights on after Much-Needed Pa. Victory
Facing another must-win political battle, Sen. Hillary Clinton emerged victorious Tuesday in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary, but it's unclear how much the victory will help close her delegate deficit against the better-funded Sen. Barack Obama.
| |
|
| April 22, 2008
Leaders Defend NAFTA Policies at Trade Summit
President Bush criticized the Democratic presidential candidates Tuesday for vowing to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement at a trade summit with Canadian and Mexican leaders in New Orleans. A reporter considers the prospects for trade negotiations.
| |
|
| April 22, 2008
FDA Links Heparin Deaths to Contaminated Chinese Supply
The Food and Drug Administration announced new evidence this week that links a contaminated blood thinner from China to 81 deaths in the United States.
| |
|
| April 22, 2008
Pa. Voters Voice Concerns about Economy
The economy has eclipsed the Iraq war and health care for voters in Pennsylvania, polls have shown. The state suffered through decades of economic downturn after many of its factories and plants shut their doors. The NewsHour spoke with Keystone State voters about the mortgage crisis, inflation, the national debt and gas prices.
| |
|
| April 22, 2008
Supply Concerns Drive Oil Prices to New Highs
Oil prices continued to soar Tuesday topping $118 a barrel after unrest in Nigeria and Yemen forced oil companies to limit production from key areas.
| |
|
| April 21, 2008
Economy Weighs on Minds of Pittsburgh Voters
As part of the Big Picture election series focusing on Pittsburgh, Ray Suarez examines how the economy and other issues are weighing on the minds of voters in Steel City as the region works to reinvent itself from an industrial-based economy.
| |
|
| April 18, 2008
Immigration Stalemate Leaves Pa. Farmers Struggling
While the Democratic presidential candidates and the presumptive GOP nominee debate the merits of their economic and national security plans, many of Pennsylvania's agriculture workers are frustrated by the lack of attention to an issue where the three differ very little: immigrant guest workers.
| |
|
| April 18, 2008
Cocktail of Economic Anxieties Dominates Pa. Voter Concerns
A new mix of economic problems facing voters in Pennsylvania, a state that has faced earlier financial turmoil as key industries like steel and mining collapsed, have grabbed the attention of the presidential candidates in this critical battleground.
| |
|
| April 18, 2008
Citigroup Reports $5.1B Loss, Cuts 9,000 Jobs
Citigroup Inc. lost $5.1 billion during the first quarter and will eliminate about 9,000 more jobs, as it suffered the impacts of poor bets on mortgages and shaky credit markets.
| |
|
| April 17, 2008
High-tech School Prepares Students for Shifting Economy
Paul Solman reports on a high school in California that pushes its students to focus on the future by preparing for jobs in the world of high technology -- while also helping the U.S. stay competitive in a global marketplace.
| |
|
| April 15, 2008
Schwarzenegger Adviser Outlines U.S. Oil Addiction
In the fourth installment of the NewsHour's Costly Crude series, environmentalist and adviser to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Terry Tamminen discusses the shrinking oil supply with Ray Suarez.
| |
|
| April 15, 2008
Proposed Delta-Northwest Merger Raises Questions for Airline Industry
A proposed Delta-Northwest airline merger comes at a tumultuous time for an airline industry facing high fuel prices and questions over safety procedures. An airline analysts describes the possible implications of the mega-merger and whether consumers will benefit.
| |
|
| April 15, 2008
Pilots Could Prove Obstacle to Airline Mega-Merger
To combat rising fuel prices and other economic woes, Delta and Northwest airlines have agreed to a merger that would create the planet's biggest carrier, a move that could prompt similar proposals in the troubled industry.
| |
|
| April 14, 2008
Chevron Executive Discusses Oil Prices, Industry Outlook
In the third of the NewsHour's 'Costly Crude' series on the rising price of oil, a Chevron executive offers insight on rising oil prices and the future of the oil industry.
| |
|
| April 14, 2008
Programs Seek to Aid Low-Paid, Working Women
Millions of women in the United States work long hours at jobs that do not pay enough to support their families. Elizabeth Brackett reports on several programs set up to help these working women.
| |
|
| April 11, 2008
Lawmakers Remain Split Over Help for Homeowners
Amid the subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent economic downturn, Republican and Democratic legislators alike have called for the government to do more to aid struggling homeowners. However, the amount and kind of such aid is the subject of fierce debate. A reporter details the legislative battle over housing aid.
| |
|
| April 11, 2008
Rising Food Prices Felt Around the World
Soaring food prices and recent jumps in the price of rice -- a critical food in the developing world -- have impacted communities and aid organizations across the globe. Independent Television News reports on the increased price of rice.
| |
|
| April 11, 2008
In Wake of Iraq Report, Troop Levels Stir Debate
This week, Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker spoke to Congressional panels about the current situation in Iraq and President Bush backed shorter Iraq troop tours. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week in the news.
| |
|
| April 10, 2008
Tracking Oil's Journey From the Pipeline to the Pump
The price of oil fell slightly Thursday after reaching a record high a day earlier. In the second installment of our series on the consequences of the high price of oil, Lisa Margonelli, a fellow with the New America Foundation, discusses her book "Oil on the Brain: Adventures from the Pump to the Pipeline."
|
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
