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USA: this article discusses how, following the most recent recession, the US labor market improved throughout the country, driven by rising retail sales and "solid growth" in manufacturing. "Labor market conditions continued to strengthen modestly, with all Districts reporting some degree of improvement," The article also goes on to discuss labor demand and growing economies.

This article talks about how China is complaining for the protectionist measures being taken by the US government about the solar panels trade between those countries, by imposing a tariff on the imports of solar panels to the USA.

As the recession crawls on we see the reduction of many public goods. In this NY times article we hear about the cuts to military spending in the USA. Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to cut 78 BIllion dollars of the military budget in five years.

China is intervening in currency markets to make its own currency cheaper, which allows for chinese goods to be less expensive then in the USA. The U.S. Senate is seeking an official investigation into this and if it concludes that China is keeping its currency artificially low then retaliatory tariffs will be set in place.

U.S. economic activity has slowed in the past few months as oil prices weigh on sentiment. Oil prices could push up headline inflation, it's advised that central banks shouldn't over-react as this is likely to be temporary and could lead to a monetary policy mistake.