World News Center
Fed: Low rates will continue
March 17, 2010The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate near 0% once again Tuesday and said rates should stay this low for the foreseeable future.
Obama officials: Jobless rate 'unacceptable'
March 17, 2010Obama administration officials urged lawmakers Tuesday to support the president's budget, saying it will drive job growth.
Nigerian prince still wants your money
March 17, 2010Internet fraud cases surged by 22% in 2009, and financial losses doubled compared to the year before as scammers took advantage of Americans rendered desperate by the recession.
Easter shoppers set to spend $13 billion
March 17, 2010It looks like Easter will put a little spring in shopper's steps, according to a survey released Tuesday.
Home construction declines
March 17, 2010New home construction and building permits fell in February, according to a government report issued Tuesday, but both readings beat economists' expectations.
Dodd: Time to reform Wall Street is now
March 17, 2010The head of a key banking panel on Monday released a draft bill of sweeping regulatory changes aimed at warding off future collapses in the financial system.
FCC feels the need for Internet speed
March 17, 2010The United States has big problems with broadband access, speed and cost, but the Federal Communications Commission's solutions may be too weak to have any lasting impact.
U.S. states: Racing with the PIIGS
March 17, 2010The term PIIGS has been coined to refer collectively to Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain. Aside from being a cute acronym, the term describes the actions of these countries very aptly as they have acted "piggish" in issuing debt to support overzealous government budgets. While the American media has at times made light of these countries and their PIIGS moniker, the same mistakes are at play in creating domestic pigs.
Census: Help save Uncle Sam $1.5 billion
March 17, 2010The Census Bureau estimated Monday that Americans could save the federal government $1.5 billion by mailing their 2010 census forms instead of waiting for a census taker to show up at the door.
How to craft a (toothless) bipartisan bill
March 17, 2010Washington insiders are all pumped up by Sen. Chris Dodd's pending financial reform bill. They say that it seems to have a real chance to garner bipartisan support. Yippee! That sounds great on the surface, but ask yourself WHY it seems more popular than, say, Obama's health-care bill? Reason is that Dodd's dang thing's got no teeth! Sure the bill has a measure to create a consumer protection agency within the Fed, (even that's controversial) and it would ban bank execs from being on the New York Fed's board. Then there's the real torches and pitchforks stuff, but even here, the bill is fangless. The proposed bill would allow shareholders to have "advisory votes" (say what?) on executive pay.
