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Obama pushes trade initiative as jobs helper (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama sought Thursday to put some detail behind his lofty drive to double U.S. exports over the next five years, calling the effort imperative to putting people back to work. But doubts remain about how many net jobs his trade agenda will create — and how he will get it done.

Americans regaining their lost wealth (slowly) (AP)

AP - Americans are recovering their shrunken wealth — gradually.

Gov't may seek more authority on vehicle safety (AP)

AP - Government vehicle safety regulators may seek greater authority to investigate defects in cars and trucks following Toyota's recall of more than 8 million vehicles for safety problems.

Stocks trade flat on concern about China inflation (AP)

AP - The stock market traded in a tight range for a fourth day Thursday after China reported a jump in inflation. Mixed U.S. economic news also held stocks back.

Former aide to US Rep. Shays pleads guilty (AP)

AP - The ex-campaign manager for former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays pleaded guilty Thursday to tax evasion and to taking more than $250,000 in campaign money for car repairs, limousine rides, baseball tickets, furniture and other personal uses.
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Trade deficit shrinks as auto and oil imports drop (AP)

AP - The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly shrank in January, reflecting a big drop in imports of oil and foreign cars. American exports also fell, a potential blow to hopes that the economic recovery will be aided this year by U.S. sales abroad.

A look at global economic developments (AP)

AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Wednesday:
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First-time jobless claims drop slightly last week (AP)

AP - The number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits slipped last week, but remains above the level many economists say would signal new hiring.

At a Glance: Smithfield Foods 3Q results (AP)

AP - Weak demand has hurt Smithfield Foods for some time, and the company cut production during its third quarter, which further hurt sales. But the company says trends are improving, and it saw gains in some areas.
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Greece hit by strikes, clashes over austerity plan (AP)

AP - Clashes between riot police and rock-throwing, masked youths broke out during a demonstration Thursday in central Athens by tens of thousands of striking workers protesting austerity measures that the Greek government has said it has no choice but to implement.

Gov't official warns on home down payment hikes (AP)

AP - The head of the Federal Housing Administration is warning that boosting the minimum down payment borrowers must provide to qualify for home loans backed by the agency could threaten the housing market.
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CFTC head scolds Wall Street for resisting reforms (Reuters)

Reuters - The head of the top U.S. futures regulator chided Wall Street on Thursday for resisting calls to make over-the-counter derivatives markets more transparent, arguing major reforms are required after the recent financial crisis.
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Retail leaders group spent $850,000 lobbying in 4Q (AP)

AP - The Retail Industry Leaders Association spent $850,000 in the fourth quarter to lobby on a variety of issues from health care reform to consumer product safety, according to a recent disclosure report.
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Summary Box: Foreclosures grow more slowly (AP)

AP - FORECLOSURES UP: Foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac says the number of households facing foreclosure last month grew 6 percent from a year ago.
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Oil prices settle just above $82 (AP)

AP - Oil prices stayed put, just above $82 on Thursday, as investors mulled demand uncertainties and a government report that showed the country's huge natural gas reserves shrank a little last week.
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U.S. traffic deaths down; regulators probed on Toyota (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. traffic deaths in 2009 hit their lowest level in since the mid-1950s, according to preliminary data released ahead of a congressional hearing expected to take a critical view of auto regulators response to recent safety problems at Toyota Motor Corp.

The Ambitions of Prudential's Tidjane Thiam (BusinessWeek)

BusinessWeek - According to insiders at Prudential Plc , Tidjane Thiam, the chief executive of the insurer which said last week that it was bidding $35.5bn (23.6bn) to buy AIG's Asian insurance business is a firm believer in emotion over analysis.
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