It's the economy (Weekend Edition, April 17-18, 2010)

A little ash and they worry about a crash, BC contemplates an expansion of hydro through Site C and Portugal steps up into the debtors line up, some of the items of interest from the weekends newsgathering.

Globe and Mail-- As volcanic ash spreads in Europe, threats to economic recovery seen
Globe and Mail-- Lumber prices at highest in three years
Globe and Mail-- Potash Corp.’s Bill Doyle dims hopes for new mines
National Post-- My confidence in the SEC is restored
National Post-- Copyright bill to be tabled this spring: heritage minister
National Post-- Hockey pooling? Budget for it
Vancouver Sun-- Decision looms on $6.6 billion Site C dam project
Vancouver Sun-- Working to beat the HST deadline
New York Times-- Chávez Says China to Lend Venezuela $20 Billion
New York Times-- Looters in Loafers
USA Today-- Toyota backs off fight, set to pay $16.4M fine
USA Today-- U.S. shuts 8 more banks; 50 total have been closed this year
Guardian UK online-- Chancellor Brown left public finances 'ill-prepared for the crunch'
Guardian UK online-- Labour and the Tories are just too scared to take on the bankers
Times online-- Northern Rock cover-up inquiry widens
Times online-- British economy will surge next year
Telegraph UK online-- Volcanic ash cloud: British Airways fly in the face of ban
Telegraph UK online-- No prospect of any more German rescues as Portugal hits a brick wall
Telegraph UK online-- Pound falls after Nick Clegg's election debate success
Melbourne Herald Sun-- Airline stocks set to hit turbulence
Melbourne Herald Sun-- $13 billion windfall in GST
Sydney Daily Telegraph-- Poker giants turned in bankrupt internet tycoon Daniel Tzvetkoff
People's Daily-- Exchange rate largest concern for Chinese exporters
People's Daily-- EU becomes largest export destination of China's trade hub
China Daily-- China should decide RMB's future: economist
China Daily-- Rules are tightened for house purchase
Times of India-- Air India to resume flights to US through alternative routes
Times of India-- Tatas-owned JLR reviewing UK plant closure plan: Report