Monday morning links

TOP STORIES
Japan's Economy Shrinks 0.4%, Confirming Recession - Bloomberg
Gulf stocks plunge as G20 fails to halt panic - AFP
A return to the Bretton Woods international gold standard is inevitable - iTulip
No bonus for Goldman Sachs' CEO - CNN/Money
A start for a new economic order - Christian Science Monitor
Asian Energy Stocks Drop as Crude Oil Falls; Utilities Advance - Bloomberg

MARKETS/INVESTING
Oil output cuts not likely - OPEC chief - CNN/Money
Gold, Silver Premiums Highest in Years - Resource Investor
Oil falls below $56 as Japan slips into recession - AP
Copper Drop Deepens as China Growth, Housing Falter - Bloomberg
As Wall Street founders, investors mull 'bottom' for market - AP

ECONOMY
Obama tries to soothe Wall Street's nerves - MarketWatch
Showdown looming in Congress over automaker rescue - AP
More Holiday Job Seekers, Fewer Spots on Sales Floor - Washington Post
U.S. Recession to Extend Into 2009, Business Economists Say - Bloomberg

HOUSING
Are you an idiot to keep paying your mortgage? - SF Gate
Most subprime lenders weren't subject to federal lending law - OC Register
Clark County Records First Population Drop Ever - Las Vegas Now
The guy behind that cranky Irvine real estate blog is... - OC Register

FED/TREASURY/BANKING
A Deregulator Looks Back, Unswayed - New York Times
FDIC May Alter Debt-Guarantee Plan After Complaints From Banks - Bloomberg
Bailouts must come with strings, say officials - MarketWatch

INTERNATIONAL
Hu urges revamp of finance system - ChinaDaily
Nearly a million buy-to-let properties are standing empty - Telegraph
Pakistan IMF Bailout May Prompt Higher Credit Rating, ADB Says - Bloomberg
British home sellers slash asking prices - MarketWatch
Korea Won Falls to 3-Week Low on Economic - Bloomberg
The economic reality of Russia is really quite banal - Telegraph

INTERESTING
Luxury yacht Alibella may prove the ultimate credit crisis bargain - Telegraph
Earth Can't Cope, New Planets Needed - LiveScience