Coronavirus: Rutger Bregman on Human Nature and Covid-19 – BBC HARDtalk

In times of crisis we learn plenty about who we really are – and so it is that the global coronavirus pandemic is revealing truths about humankind, and how we balance self and collective interest. HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to writer and historian Rutger Bregman whose book ‘Humankind: A Hopeful History’ is making waves around the world. Do we humans massively underestimate our capacity to change things for the better?

Raghuram Rajan, Economist – BBC HARDtalk

The Covid-19 pandemic has plunged the world economy into a deep recession. How long will it last and what kind of recovery can we expect? That in part depends on what governments do now. Should they be piling up future debt to cope with today’s crisis? HARDtalk’s Stephen Sackur speaks to the former Governor of India’s Reserve Bank and IMF Chief Economist Raghuram Rajan. Do the old rules of fiscal discipline no longer apply?

Heated Debate on Capitalism with America’s Most Prominent Marxist Economist – Richard Wolff

Economist Richard Wolff sits down with Patrick Bet-David to discuss socialism, capitalism and business.

Patrick Bet-David »

Krystal and Saagar: Fed Bank President Reveals Real Unemployment Rate, 'Worst Is Yet to Come'

Krystal and Saagar discuss Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari's remarks that Americans should brace for further unemployment amid the coronavirus pandemic, and said Congress should consider providing more financial help.

Middle-class Americans Queue at Food Banks as US Unemployment Hits 38 million – BBC News

In the United States another 2.4 million people have filed for unemployment benefits in the past week.

More than 38 million Americans have lost their jobs since the coronavirus pandemic struck in March.

Previously affluent middle-class Americans are now queuing for handouts at food banks, as America experiences the worst downturn since the 1930s and the Great Depression.

Huw Edwards presents BBC News at Ten reporting from North America Correspondent Nick Bryant in New York.

American Billionaires Made $434 Billion in Two Months

Even in the middle of a pandemic, things have never been better for American billionaires. New reports show that these individuals added $434 billion to their collective net worth during the pandemic, which is the span of a little under 2 months. More than 38 million Americans have lost their jobs, but the people who own the businesses are still flourishing, and that says A LOT about our economic system. Ring of Fire's Farron Cousins discusses this.

Sen. Sanders: 'How Great Is an Economy Where People Go into Desperation?’ | Stephanie Ruhle | MSNBC

Millions of Americans are still waiting on government help. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders joins Stephanie Ruhle to discuss the oversight of that money and why he wants to reopen the country. Aired on 05/20/2020.

We’re Looking at Negative Interest Rates, Bank of England’s Andy Haldane Says

THE TIMES: The Bank of England’s chief economist has indicated that emergency measures including negative interest rates could be on the cards to help alleviate the economic slump caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Andy Haldane said pushing interest rates below zero, as well as buying riskier assets under the central bank’s bond-purchase programme, could not be ruled out. “The economy is weaker than a year ago . . . so in that sense it’s something we’ll need to look at — are looking at — with somewhat greater immediacy,” Mr Haldane said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph. “How could we not be?”

The comments will increase speculation over what would be an unprecedented move for the Bank. Interest rates are at 0.1 per cent,… » | James Hurley, Louisa Clarence-Smith | Monday, May 18, 2020 [£]

AskProfWolff: Capitalists Try to Undo Whatever Workers Win

How Covid-19 Could Change the Financial World Order | The Economist

America has dominated global finance for decades. But could covid-19 tip the balance of financial power in China's favour?

Universal Basic Income Would Give Americans ‘Breathing Room’ During the Crisis | MSNBC

Springboard to Progress CEO Aisha Nyandoro discusses the results of her organization’s guaranteed income program for mothers in Jackson, MS and why we can’t afford to stigmatize poverty during the pandemic.

White-Collar Companies Race to Be Last to Return to the Office

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Google, Facebook, Amazon, Capital One and others are extending work-from-home policies to September and sometimes far beyond.

Even as President Trump has said “we have to get our country open again,” much of corporate America is in no rush to return employees to their campuses and skyscrapers. The companies are racing not to be the first back, but the last.

An increasing number of them, which mostly have white-collar employees, have recently extended work-from-home policies far beyond the shelter-in-place timelines mandated by state and local authorities.

Google and Facebook employees were told Thursday that they could stay home until next year. Capital One informed 40,000 workers that they will be out through Labor Day and possibly longer. Amazon is saying October. Nationwide Insurance is moving more aggressively than other firms, shuttering five offices around the country and having its 4,000 employees telecommute permanently. » | David Streitfeld | Friday, May 8, 2020

Wealthy Americans Have Made Billions During the Pandemic

Even though millions of Americans are now without work and the economy is crashing down, the wealthiest Americans have made billions of dollars during the pandemic. They aren't suffering one bit, and in fact are doing better than ever. This is what our system was designed to do, and this is just one of many reasons why the current system is not sustainable. Ring of Fire's Farron Cousins discusses this.

The Serfs: The Second French Revolution