Friday morning links

TOP STORIES
Housing Bill Has Something for Nearly Everyone - NY Times
Unhappy America - Economist
The oil speculator sideshow - Forbes
Ships blocked after US oil spill - BBC
About half of pension sponsors have frozen plans - AP

MARKETS
Oil rises as recent lows prompt buying - AP
Gold rises on weaker dollar, firmer oil - Reuters
After Facing Scrutiny, Commodities Trading Accepts Regulations - NY Times

ECONOMY
New-Home Sales in the U.S. Drop Less Than Forecast - Bloomberg
Orders for Durable Goods in U.S. Unexpectedly Increased in June - Bloomberg
Middle class: 'On the edge' - CNN/Money

HOUSING
U.S. Foreclosures Double as House Prices Decline - Bloomberg
Freddie Mac June holdings, May delinquencies rise - Reuters
Is the Media Responsible for the Real Estate Downturn? - Realty Times

FED/TREASURY
Fed and S.E.C. Push for Tougher Bank Rules - NY Times
Paulson's Fannie-Freddie Deal Scraps Bush's Free-Market Push - Bloomberg
Analysis: Will central banks act to rescue the dollar? - Financial Week

INTERNATIONAL
UK recession fears grow as GDP hits a wall - Telegraph
Liebscher Says ECB Has Room to Raise Interest Rates - Bloomberg
Japan consumer inflation at another decade-high - Reuters
The Big Mac Index: Sandwiched - Economist

INTERESTING
Moscow tops list of pricey cities - BBC
Amish also feel strain of high fuel costs - News Journal