Q&A on the News
Q: How is the “no-fly list” supposed to work? Will someone be denied boarding or ticketing? Or are they considered wanted persons and subject to arrest?
-- Jim Maxey, Newnan
A: The "no-fly" and "selectee" lists are maintained by the Terrorist Screening Center, which was created after Sept. 11. Individuals on the "no-fly" list are prohibited from boarding an aircraft. Individuals on the "selectee" list undergo additional security screening before being permitted to board an aircraft. The government created a new rule last week requiring airlines to check updates to the "no-fly list" within two hours of being notified of changes. This rule came after Faisal Shahzad, the man accused of trying to detonate a bomb in Times Square, was permitted to board a flight for Dubai.
Q: What is the difference between a bank and an investment bank?
-- Kenton B. Creuser, Blue Ridge
A: Investment banks help companies and governments raise money by issuing stocks and bonds, according to a definition provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Web site at www.bls.gov. The site reports that during the financial crisis, some commercial banks have increased their share of the investment banking industry. Goldman Sachs Group, which is facing securities fraud charges from the government and a Justice Department criminal investigation into its mortgage securities deals, is an investment bank.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
