Wordplay: Defining 'austerity,' 'sequester' and 'equity'

Jun 6, 2012
Words like "austerity," "sequestration" and "equity" are commonly used in news stories everywhere these days, but do you know what they mean? Senior producer Paddy Hirsch explains their actual definitions.
Words like "austerity," "sequestration" and "equity" are commonly used in news stories everywhere these days, but do you know what they mean?
JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images

Germany feels pressure of euro crisis

Jun 6, 2012
The credit rating agency Moody's downgraded seven German banks today, noting their exposure to Europe's debt problems and slower economic growth.

Ireland votes on EU fiscal discipline treaty

May 31, 2012
Today, Ireland is holding a referendum on whether to ratify Europe's new fiscal discipline pact. A vote against the treaty would challenge German-backed austerity measures.

A week of economic woes and Facebook fizzle

May 25, 2012
In the last week, we've heard of a possible Greek exit from the euro, a U.S. debt ceiling showdown, HP layoffs, and a Facebook stock lawsuit. How does this news affect our psyche and what stories should we focus on amid all the turmoil?

What Americans think about austerity vs. growth

May 24, 2012
Europe is debating the two. So, too, are many in the States. Frank Newport at Gallup talks about what Americans are saying about austerity here and in Europe.

G8 summit focuses on weakness in Europe

May 21, 2012
President Obama will be with world leaders in Chicago today after meetings at Camp David over the weekend. The takeaway from those meetings is that there should be more of a focus on growth rather than austerity as Europe grapples with another flare up in the debt crisis.

Angela Merkel staying committed to Greece

May 17, 2012
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is sending the message that she is committed to keeping Greece in the eurozone. In an interview with CNBC, Merkel says that she is open to stimulus programs. Now, that could be seen as a shift at at a time Greeks are blaming austerity imposed by Europe for their woes.

For public good, not for profit.

In Greece, voters cast ballots against austerity

May 7, 2012
Parliamentary elections this weekend in Greece proved that voters there are fed up with the political parties imposing harsh austerity measures to deal with the country's severe debt crisis
Greece's two main political parties suffered big losses in state elections on May 6, throwing into doubt the eurozone state's austerity plans after a strong showing by protest groups, including the neo-Nazis party Golden Dawn, which is set to enter parliament for the first time since 1974.
SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/GettyImages

France elects Socialist candidate Francois Hollande

May 7, 2012
In a narrow victory this weekend, French voters ousted incumbent presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy in what many see as a popular referendum against harsh austerity measures in Europe

Conservative party suffers losses in U.K. elections

May 4, 2012
This weekend, voters in both France and Greece will go to the polls, and the expectation is that they'll be in a bit of an anti-austerity mood. One clue came yesterday in the U.K. where voters delivered big losses to the ruling Conservative party.