PRESS DIGEST - Washington Post Business - March 20

WASHINGTON, Mar 20 (Reuters) - The Washington Post included the following items on the front page of its business section on March 20. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

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The failure of a Federal Communications Commission auction to draw sufficient bids to build a wireless network for emergency responders provoked sharp criticism by members of Congress, consumer groups and leaders of the 9/11 commission.

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The federal government gave Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac permission to operate with a reduced safety net in order to increase their aid to the troubled mortgage market.

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Now that the Federal Reserve has pledged billions of dollars to rescue Wall Street bankers from possible default, lawmakers and regulators are turning their attention to helping average citizens -- from homeowners in danger of foreclosure to people who want to buy a home.

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U.S. stock markets continued a turbulent ride on Wednesday as investors dumped shares on worries over high commodity prices and the growing toll of the credit crunch roiling Wall Street.

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