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Features of the week

We've compiled some of the week's most interesting articles and interviews in our, "Features of the week". Hope you enjoy them all.

1. The rogue trader who created Societe Generale's $7.2 billion trading loss was earlier described as a "computer genius".

Now Information Week says the bank "hacker" had only limited computer skills.

2. Why the current bull market in gold may surpass the 1970s run.

3. Nouriel Roubini: US in recession. Bloomberg interview.

4. A study by the Center for Public Integrity shows 935 examples of "false statements" made by top Bush Administration officials while hyping the Iraq War.

5. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may face $16 billion in losses due to declines in the value of subprime mortgage bonds.

6. The New York Times profiles casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

7. Confidence in the contemporary art market slumps 40% according to new survey.

8. Credit default swaps could weigh on banks. Article notes that counterparty risk "is almost impossible to calculate with any accuracy".

9. Forget the wisdom of crowds. Marc Faber & Jim Rogers on gold, China, and the renminbi.

10. Bloomberg interviews George Soros, who offers his view of a coming financial crisis.

11. Greg Peel weighs the arguments made by Soros and other Davos attendees.

12. Bear market rules apply. Carl Swenlin charts recent market action.

13. Kirk Report readers share their trading and investment lessons.

14. Scenes from the Ron Paul Revolution. Reason magazine cover story includes an interesting analogy which likens Ron Paul's influence to that of the Velvet Underground and the Ramones.

Have a great weekend everyone, and thanks for reading Finance Trends Matter.

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