Friday Morning Links

MUST READS
S&P warns of US rating downgrade – BBC
Europe’s banks brace for health test failures – Reuters
Stress Tests Compromised by Greek Non-Default – Bloomberg
Return of the Gold Standard as world order unravels – Telegraph
Worried About Debt Limit? The Bond Market Isn’t – Baum, Bloomberg
If U.S. defaults on debt: How to protect your investments – USA Today
Bernanke Damps Bond Buying Prospects Amid Criticism – Bloomberg
Yes, You Really Can Cut Your Way to Prosperity – The American
Minnesota Ends Its Budget Crisis, at Heavy Cost – Time
Getting to Crazy – Krugman, NY Times
Curbing systemic inflation – China Daily

MARKETS/INVESTING
Oil above $95 after Bernanke comments – AP
Gold undermined by Bernanke, firm dollar – Reuters
Central Banks’ First-Half Gold Buying Surpasses 2010 Total – Reuters
Stocks Could Lose 35% if Euro Crisis Worsens: Report – CNBC
The impact of a Chinese hard landing on silver prices – Mineweb
Gold $1,600? There’s a Reason They Call It Gold Fever – MoneyWatch
China bullion investments seen slowing down in 2011 – Commodity Online
Debt struggle creates “bullish cocktail” for gold – Mineweb

ECONOMY/WORLD/HOUSING/BANKING
Gary Shilling’s Seven Faces Of Deflation – Forbes
Rosenberg: Another Recession Is ‘One Small Shock Away’ – CNBC
Layoffs and the Fear Of Deepening Economic Stagnation – HuffPost
Greek 2-Year Yields Hit Record Ahead of Tests – Bloomberg
Italy expected to give final OK to austerity package – AP
Bank Delays May Push 1 Million Foreclosures to 2012 – Bloomberg
California’s housing market picks up in June – LA Times
Dimon: ‘Everybody Is Going to Sue’ over Mortgages – Bloomberg
More Fed Easing? What Could Bernanke Be Thinking? – CNBC
Bernanke Employs a Modified ‘Pump and Dump – Real Clear Markets