Economics and Investing:

KAF sent this: Five minutes of waiting to exhale A 17 percent plunge in Citigroup Inc. today triggered a five-minute trading pause, making the bank the second company halted by the two-week-old circuit- breaker program created to prevent market panics

From reader S.M.: The Third Depression

Also from S.M: US State Budget Crises Threatens Social Fabric

Items from The Economatrix:

Derivative Market: Alive and Kicking Despite Reforms

Banks Told to Hoard Cash in Case of Crisis

New UK ATMs to Restrict Money Supply

46 US States Facing Greek-Style Crisis

Oil Price Rises Over Tropical Storm Concerns

Unemployed Face Abuse from Other Americans

Severe Economic Downturn Indicated

US Auto Sales Seen Slowing with Recovery in Doubt

Stocks Skid on Renewed Fears of Global Slowdown