World buyers line up to purchase U.S. natural gas

Reuters: Countries around the world have been quietly signing deals in recent months to import natural gas from the United States, revealing a growing appetite for the fuel overseas as domestic output soars.

High times for U.S. financial system thanks to marijuana legalization?

CNNMoney: The federal government is working to make it easier for money generated by state-approved marijuana businesses to enter the financial system.

Looming $500 million default to test China’s banking system

CNNMoney: A high-yield investment product offered by China’s largest bank is facing imminent default, an event that will cost investors millions and raise questions about the country’s banking system. The doomed 3 billion yuan ($500 million) trust — cheerfully named Credit Equals Gold #1 Collective Trust Product — is expected to go belly up at the end of January, the victim of a soured loan to a troubled coal mining company.