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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Stress Tests: Economics and Politics

    So-called "stress tests" on nineteen big banks have postponed decisions that could be politically unpopular for the Obama Administration. Now that the results are due, we hear what the consequences might be. Also, Secretary Clinton goes back to Capitol Hill, and transportation produces almost a quarter of all greenhouse gases. Will garbage help to reduce global warming?

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    By Warren Olney • Apr 22, 2009 • 50m Listen

    So-called "stress tests" on nineteen big banks have postponed decisions that could be politically unpopular for the Obama Administration. Now that the results are due, we hear what the consequences might be. Also, Secretary Clinton returns to Capitol Hill, and California is at it again with new regulations on global warming. This time, the result could be fuel made from garbage.

    Banner image: Treasury Secretary Geithner Testifies before the Congressional TARP Oversight Panel. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      Secretary Clinton Back on Capitol Hill

      The military Taliban have seized control of another district of Pakistan, just 70 miles from Islamabad, the capital city. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Congress today that more people ought to be worried. Clinton's testimony was her first before Congress since she was confirmed in January.

      Read the story
      8 min
    2. 7:39

      Banks Still Pose a Significant Headache for Obama

      The Obama Administration does not want to nationalize banks that appear to be failing, and Congress is not likely to come up with more bailout money. Yesterday, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner brushed aside concerns , saying that there's enough bank bailout money left so he won't have to ask Congress for more.

      Read the story
      34 min
    3. 41:39

      California Green Fuel Standards Lead the Way

      Corn-based ethanol plants are closing down, but the race to produce fuel that doesn't produce greenhouse gases is still on. This week, California's Air Resources Board is expected to enact the world's first regulation to reduce the carbon footprint of fuel.

      Read the story
      9 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • KCRW placeholder

      Andrea Brody

      Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

      NewsNationalPolitics

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:008 min

      Secretary Clinton Back on Capitol Hill

    2. 7:3934 min

      Banks Still Pose a Significant Headache for Obama

    3. 41:399 min

      California Green Fuel Standards Lead the Way

    Back to To the Point