Round up...

Russia spins global energy spiders' web --The Asia Times

"A circle defining international energy security is now being drawn. The artist is Russia, which is steadily pulling into this circle all the resource-rich corporate states around the globe. These countries have a profound political affinity for one another and a simultaneous collective disdain, and even a hatred, for US-led unipolar dominance. The multinational oil companies of the West are being marginalized as a direct result."

Recession will be nasty and deep, economist says --Market Watch

Fannie Mae Avoids Criminal Prosecution --AP

Opium hits record in Afghanistan (again) --AP

Britain flooded by cheap heroin from Afghanistan --The Belfast Telegraph