Monday morning links

TOP STORIES
Japan Cuts Assessment, Says Conditions Are Worsening - Bloomberg
Toyota projects first operating loss since 1941 - AP
Protectionist dominoes are beginning to tumble across the world - Telegraph
AP Impact: Wall Street still flying corporate jets - AP
Revise regulation, the theory of market equilibrium is wrong - The Daily Star
The Dollar Crisis Begins - Hussman Funds
AP study finds $1.6B went to bailed-out bank execs - AP

MARKETS/INVESTING
Oil rises near $43, Saudi says price to stabilize - Reuters
Gold climbs nearly 1 pct on weak dollar - Reuters
Wall Street looks for year-end rally - AP
Bonuses for Currency Traders Decline 15%, Least on Wall Street - Bloomberg
Gas down to $1.66 per gal., lowest in some 5 years - SF Gate

ECONOMY
Retailers launch final holiday sales push - AP
Obama forms task force on working families - MarketWatch
As economy falters, more people giving up pets - AP
More Firms Cut Labor Costs Without Layoffs - NY Times
A Reeling City Is a Snapshot of Economic Woes - USA Today

INTERNATIONAL
China Central Bank Cuts Key Rates for Fifth Time in 3 Months - Bloomberg
IMF head fears deeper global slowdown in 2009 - Reuters
Ireland Rescues Stricken Banks With $7.7 Billion Bailout Plan - Bloomberg
New Zealand’s Recession Probably Extended Into a Third Quarter - Bloomberg
Fed cuts not making money cheaper in Hong Kong - MarketWatch
Pre-packs ready for failing retailers - Telegraph
Russia’s oligarchs queue for loans - Financial Times

HOUSING
Aid to Homeowners May Double Under Bush-Backed Loan Initiative - Bloomberg
Views Diverge on How To Recast Fannie, Freddie - Washington Post
Realtor group prez eyes housing’s opportunities - OC Register
Defaults make comeback - Signs on San Diego

FED/TREASURY/BANKING
Federal Reserve balance sheet - EconBrowser
Junior Asks Daddy, Where Do Bailouts Come From - Baum, Bloomberg
Following the Fed cannot save the world - Financial Times
Banking on another bad year in '09 - CNN/Money

INTERESTING
Divorce rates drop as couples realize it's cheaper to stay together - MarketWatch
New Wynn casino faces unprecedented Las Vegas slump - Reuters