China imported record amounts of copper and iron ore in April as its mammoth stimulus program stoked its foundries and mills.  But the nation’s exports remained weak, leaving some to wonder how much longer the country can keep its economic fires lit without an increase in global consumption.

Can we talk about the Australian economy for just a moment today? First, some nitpicking. Today’s Australian has a headline that reads, “Credit card debt slows to 13-year low.” That would lead you to believe that something good has happened in the economy. But has it?