Tuesday morning links

TOP STORIES
Oil dips as Ike weakens, OPEC mulls holding steady - AP
An Itchy Finger on the Trigger of a Bazooka - NY Times
2008 a tough year so far for hedge funds - AP
US Is "More Communist than China": Jim Rogers - CNBC

MARKETS
Gold Declines in London as Crude Oil Retreats; Platinum Drops - Bloomberg
Gold Futures: Trapped between Oil & Dollar - Commodity Online
Toronto stocks tumble on resource demand fears - Reuters

ECONOMY
U.S. Fourth-Quarter Hiring Plans at 5-Year Low, Manpower Says - Bloomberg
Consumer borrowing slows to weakest in 7 months - AP
A race to use less gas in the long haul - LA Times

HOUSING
Urban real estate values set to plunge, UBC expert forecasts - CBC
Mortgage rates drop after Fannie, Freddie takeover - AP
Mortgage Giants’ Future: A Rebuild or a Teardown? - New York Tiemes

FED/TREASURY/BANKING
Rescue of Mortgage Giants Displays Paulson’s Clout - NY Times
Fannie, Freddie: Feds Step In - BusinessWeek
Fannie, Freddie `House of Cards' Prompts Government Takeover - Bloomberg

INTERNATIONAL
Outlook for UK jobs at 16-year low - Telegraph
Boom time for Spain's costumed debt collectors - The Independent
Freddie and Fannie bailout to help British homeowners - TimesOnline
Asian Stocks Decline as Growth Concerns Eclipse Fannie Rally - Bloomberg
U.K. House Prices Fall as Sales Drop to Record Low, RICS Says - Bloomberg

INTERESTING
Greek postmen beat zombies to win oddest book title - AP
Oregon man captures 6-foot-long lizard in his yard - AP