Meanwhile, some losses from America's housing bust have been borne abroad, although not without pain.

ECONOMIST: The world economy

Although I could feel the surgery, it did not hurt, as the brain feels no pain.

CNN: 'I had brain surgery while I was awake'

Mrs Restorick added that although the pain of losing her son has eased over the three years since he was shot, it does not take much to bring it all flooding back.

BBC: Soldier's mother 'accepts' releases