China could be about to allow its currency to strengthen by as much as 5 percent to slow down the country’s fast-growing economy, Goldman Sachs’ chief economist was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Investors may wish they had a crystal ball. Stocks have been in flux over the past few weeks as surprises kept coming from overseas. Greece’s debt crisis, similar troubles in Portugal, and China’s latest moves to slow down its economy have kept investors guessing.

It’s bad enough that Greece’s debt problems have rattled global financial markets. In the world’s largest economic and military power, there’s a far more serious debt dilemma.

Foreigners and a few Singaporeans streamed to card and dice tables and slot machines Sunday at 12:18 p.m. — the lucky minute when tightly controlled Singapore opened its first casino.

Could Spain be the next Greece? The government bristles at the very thought, and points out its debt burden isn’t nearly as heavy.

Japan will start discussing tax reform, including consumption tax, in March, Finance Minister Naoto Kan said on Sunday, in a clear sign ever that it will consider a rise in sales tax to deal with a yawning fiscal gap.

President Barack Obama said Saturday new budget rules that say spending cuts must accompany spending increases will force Congress to “pay for what it spends, just like everybody else.”

A Southern California meatpacking firm has significantly expanded its recall of ground beef and veal that might be contaminated with E. coli.