Economics and Investing:

GG flagged this: WTO says global trade shrank 12 percent in 2009, biggest collapse since Second World War

From Brian B.: Head of IMF Proposes New Reserve Currency – ABC News

Another from GG: American reliance on government at all-time high

Items from The Economatrix:

Manufacturing Grows in February, Jobs Gauge Rises

January Spending Increases But Income Growth Slows

January Construction Spending Slides

IMF Says New Reserve Currency to Replace Dollar is Possible

Mish Shedlock: Short-Selling Restrictions “A Great Indicator of Imminent Market Crashes”

Temporary Hiring: A Different Kind of Signal

Jobless Benefits Begin Ending on Sunday