Financial analysts, economists and writers have been filing their instant reactions to Ben Bernanke’s big speech, in which the Federal Reserve chairman announced no new measures to jolt the flagging economy. There’s a split decision: Some observers focus on the Fed’s decision to take no immediate action. But others see suggestions from Bernanke that the
Continue reading …Lawmakers in 18 states have passed bills changing the tenure laws for teachers in public schools this year, according to a new report from the Education Commission of the States. Idaho politicians eliminated tenure for the state’s teachers altogether this year, arguing that it makes it too difficult to fire ineffective teachers. (Education Week points out
Continue reading …In a highly anticipated speech Friday morning, Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke announced no new efforts to provide monetary stimulus, despite the flagging economy, instead saying the Fed would “continue to consider” the issue at its next meeting in September. At a conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas
Continue reading …Welcome to First Look, our daily roundup of early-bird news: • A car bomb ripped through the U.N. headquarters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, killing several people. (Al Jazeera) • NATO is conducting airstrikes in the region around Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte. (AP) • Hurricane Irene weakened slightly Friday, but it’s
Continue reading …Welcome to First Look, our daily roundup of early-bird news: • A car bomb ripped through the U.N. headquarters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, killing several people. (Al Jazeera) • NATO is conducting airstrikes in the region around Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s hometown of Sirte. (AP) • Hurricane Irene weakened slightly Friday, but it’s
Continue reading …A stunning young woman walks down a street in Florence, her head held high. All around, men playfully gawk at her grace and beauty. Just then the camera shutter snaps. “American Girl in Italy” is among the most popular snapshots of all time, and it’s turning 60 years old this month. The photo, which was
Continue reading …Welcome to First Look, our daily roundup of early-bird news: • European markets weathered a second straight day of brutal losses after Thursday’s worldwide rout, amid fears over debt and economic troubles on the continent and in the United States. (The New York Times) • With markets in turmoil, Vice President Biden sought to assure
Continue reading …Thousands more people are set to be thrown out of work by one of the banks that played a key role in the mortgage mess. Bank of America is going to shed 3,500 jobs, the Wall Street Journal reports. And as part of a broader restructuring, it could cut another 10,000 or more–around 3.5 percent
Continue reading …Education Secretary Arne Duncan is standing by his comment that he said he feels “very, very badly” for Texas schoolchildren. Time’s Andrew Rotherham, an education reformer who used to work in the Clinton administration, pressed Duncan on why he would criticize Texas’ education record. The state is in the middle of the pack on a
Continue reading …New Yorkers have long prided themselves on their discerning taste. And now a few of them are taking to the internet to share their opinions on the city’s prison system. The online reviews site Yelp–more commonly a place to find out what users think of local bars and restaurants–has become an outlet for critical evaluations of
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