The FINANCIAL -- As unemployment continues to hover around the 10% mark nationally, Americans are beginning to lose a little of the optimism that they had a few months ago on where their financial conditions will be going in the next few months.

The FINANCIAL -- According to Ria Novosti, the introduction of visa-free travel between Russia and the European Union is being hampered by a "considerable political component" in the talks, Russia's EU envoy said on November 18.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, the Honduran parliament will decide on December 2 whether ousted President Manuel Zelaya should be reinstated, congressional leader Alfredo Saavedra said.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has deplored Tuesday's decision by Israel to expand an East Jerusalem settlement.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, more than 5,600 swine flu cases have been officially confirmed in Russia, the health minister said on November 17.