Mar 19 Is the Federal Reserve Public or Private? By Business Desk Question: Is the Federal Reserve “federal” as the name implies, or is it as “federal as Federal Express,” meaning a private, for-profit corporation? I’ve heard it both ways and would like the answer clarified by a hard-hitting reporter whose willing… Continue reading
Mar 18 Obama Holds Town Hall in Costa Mesa, Calif. By Admin, PBS News Hour President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting in Costa Mesa, Calif., Wednesday, where he spoke about the AIG controversy, his plan for the budget and economic recovery plans. Continue reading
Mar 18 Watch Author Discusses Bankers' Role in the Great Depression Author Liaquat Ahamed explores the role of bankers leading up to the Great Depression in his book, "Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World."… Continue watching
Mar 18 Watch Fed to Pump Another $1 Trillion Into Economy The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it will devote another $1.2 trillion to unfreeze credit markets and help stimulate the sluggish economy. Greg Ip of The Economist provides details on the move. Continue watching
Mar 18 Watch Other News: Biden Urges Wise Use of Stimulus Funds In the day's other news headlines, Wall Street rallied after the Fed announced more funds to stimulate the economy and Vice President Joe Biden warned county and city officials not to squander stimulus funds. Continue watching
Mar 18 Watch Outcry Over AIG May Pose Challenge to Obama's Agenda President Barack Obama issued a new defense Wednesday in the firestorm over AIG bonuses as the AIG chief testified on Capitol Hill. Analysts offer insight on the political impact. Continue watching
Mar 18 How and Why Is the Fed Creating $1 Trillion? By Business Desk Question: How and why is the Fed creating $1 trillion in new funds to buy securities? Paul Solman: They’ve been calling Fed chairman Bernanke “Helicopter Ben” since he told conservative economics icon Milton Friedman, in a speech a few… Continue reading
Mar 18 AIG Chairman Liddy Heads to Capitol Hill By Admin, PBS News Hour The head of American International Group appeared on Capitol Hill Wednesday amid a furor over bonus pay at the company and told lawmakers that he's called on employees to return a portion the controversial payments. Continue reading
Mar 18 Madoff's Accountant Arrested on Fraud Charges By Admin, PBS News Hour The longtime accountant for jailed swindler Bernard Madoff was arrested Wednesday and charged with fraud dating back 17 years for failing to conduct audits in what was may be the biggest investment fraud on Wall Street. Continue reading
Mar 18 Why Are Pension Funds Investing in Hedge Funds? Question: Why were pension funds allowed to “invest” in a hedge fund? Hedge funds are nothing more than gambling. Paul Solman: Because pension funds are supposedly big enough and therefore sophisticated enough to know what they’re doing and take considered… Continue reading