The Malaysian leader may also be echoing a cry of fear and pain from all Asia, whose world-beating growth looks set to slow in the face of increasing financial woes and global competition -- both triggered in large part by liberalization.

CNN: A QUESTION OF OPENNESS

No doubt, slow growth is better than economic contraction, and beating expectations is better than failing to deliver.

FORBES: Today's Lousy Economy May Be The Best Obama Can Do

After a slow start to the season, Jack Ewart is now in full flow, beating Nathan Birdsall of Rothbury in the final.

BBC: Cumberland wrestling round-up

American Express and Honeywell, two major Dow components, posted earnings after the bell on Wednesday, both of them beating consensus EPS estimates on rising revenues pointing to a continued, albeit sometimes slow, economic recovery.

FORBES: American Express' Rising Costs Spook Investors As Honeywell Impresses