Jun 10 If China Pulls Away From the Dollar, What Happens to the U.S. Economy? Question: There’s been speculation that China will lessen its ties to the U.S. dollar and U.S. debt. Some countries would also like oil to be priced in something other than dollars. If these events were to happen, what might be… Continue reading
May 29 What Led to the High Interest Rates of the 1980s? Question: What were the causes and circumstances that led to the high interest rates in the 80’s? Was it inability to effect a change or inaction in addressing the issue? Paul Solman: If by “interest rates” you mean the rate… Continue reading
May 28 Watch Other News: Economic Reports Yield Mixed Results In other news, the Labor Department reported that jobless claims fell, and orders for high-cost factory goods and new home sales rose in April. Continue watching
May 25 Watch Summer Travelers Witness Another Rise in Gas Prices As crude oil costs climb higher, summer travelers are watching the price of gasoline increase. Analysts examine the factors pushing oil prices up. Continue watching
Apr 24 Watch Corruption Case Exposes Scope of Bribery in Nigeria Last year, Albert Jack Stanley, the former CEO of KBR, pleaded guilty to bribery for masterminding the payment of more than $180 million to Nigerian officials. PBS Frontline correspondent Lowell Bergmen reports on the damage done by large-scale bribery in… Continue watching
Mar 09 What’s the Total Wealth of the United States? Question: With all this economic turmoil and talk of trillions of dollars, my question is: What is the total wealth of the United States? If the total U.S. wealth is, say, $100,000 trillion, then spending $1 trillion to help banks… Continue reading
Feb 19 Watch Economy Tops Agenda as Obama Visits Canada President Barack Obama attended talks on the economy, trade and the environment during his trip to Canada Thursday. Kwame Holman reports. Continue watching
Feb 16 Watch Referendum Results Empower Chavez to Continue ‘Socialist Revolution’ Venezuelans voted to lift a two-term constitutional limit on the presidential term, allowing Hugo Chavez to run for office again in 2012. Analysts discuss what this means for the future of Venezuelan politics. Continue watching
Jan 13 Russia, Ukraine Trade Blame Over Gas Shipments By PBS News Hour Though Russia and Ukraine struck a deal that would restart the gas supply to Europe, it appears little gas is reaching European nations after a weeklong cutoff that has stirred tensions over the region's energy resources. Continue reading
Jan 07 Why Has the Price of Oil Decreased So Significantly? Question/Comment: Why has the price of gas decreased so significantly? This seems way more than an incremental adjustment to supply and demand. Is there something non-linear going on? Paul Solman: Brace yourself for a very long answer. The price of… Continue reading