AlJazeeraEnglish—Sept. 21, 2011–The first of a four-part investigation into a world of greed and recklessness that brought down the financial world. Copyright Al Jazeera 2011 § 107.Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include — (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work. Meltdown part 1 series 2008 al Jazeera Finance financial crisis economy aljazeera lehman brothers

Estonia, the European Union’s newest member, is the latest country to adopt the euro, having introduced the currency last year. The mood was festive at the time, but with Europe’s current financial crisis, many now taken a more sombre view. Estonia’s bn economy is the fastest growing in Europe, but as the continent’s financial woes deepen, the government is worried about the toll the eurozone’s troubles could take on its country. Al Jazeera’s Charlie Angela reports from Tallinn.

There is growing opinion across Europe that so-called Eurobonds are the bold step needed to tackle the financial crisis. The principle behind a common government bond is that Eurozone countries would guarantee each other’s debts. Investors would see the bonds as safe and would loan money at low interest rates. The hope is that the lower borrowing costs would prevent any more financial bailouts. But the eurobond has its critics. Al Jazeera’s Tim Friend reports.

Wall Street executives, US regulatory agencies, and the US federal reserve are all being blamed in a new report into the causes of the 2008 financial meltdown. The country’s presidential commission also concluded the financial meltdown could have been avoided altogether. But even as it wraps up its two year inquiry, the 10-member panel remains sharply divided over the causes. The report reflects the views of six Democrats – while the four Republicans have written dissenting opinions. It also lays much of the blame on what it says are the “reckless” practices of financial firms like Fannie Mae, AIG and Bear Stearns. It says poor controls led to excessive borrowing and risky investments on mortgages. It also faults “weak” government regulators like the Securities and Exchange Commission and US Central Bank – for failing to rein in the banks they supervised. Singled out is former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan – for backing de-regulation practies that accelerated the sub-prime mortgage crisis. Lobbyists are also being heavily blamed. Al Jazeera’s Nick Spicer reports.

Cartoonists and comedians have a field day as Greece battles its worst crisis. Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Phillips explains.

Barack Obama, the US President is running out of patience with US bankers, whom he accused of fighting common sense consumer protections. In a meeting on Monday he urged them to support new legislation to reform Wall Street. And he told them they owed it to the country to help the economy by lending more money to small businesses. It comes after a clearly irritated president said he did not run for office just so he could help out a bunch of fat cat bankers. But does the new legislation go …

While Barak Obama tries to reform the financial system, victims of the crash try to bring US banks to justice.

Leaders of the 20 world’s most powerful countries meet in London to find a way out of the current global financial crisis and help prevent future crises. Will the G20 reach a unified stand on how to kickstart the ailing global economy?

Leaders of the 20 world’s most powerful countries meet in London to find a way out of the current global financial crisis and help prevent future crises. Will the G20 reach a unified stand on how to kickstart the ailing global economy?

A remote Norweigan town is the latest victim of the sub-prime mortgage meltdown. Eight communities in the Arctic circle have collectively lost almost 0m after investing the money offshore. Hamish MacDonald reports from Narvik.