AP - Congressional estimators said the federal deficit for the budget year just completed will register $250 billion.

Reuters - A "whiff" of stagflation will linger about the U.S. economy through next year as growth slows and inflation holds at a level higher than the Federal Reserve would like, according to the latest UCLA Anderson Forecast report.

Chinese leaders tackle alarming social tensions The Age, Australia - ... the first in 25 years to focus on social issues, not economics or politics ... by President Hu Jintao that calls for the creation of a "harmonious society ", a move ...