Despite the worldwide downturn, the ties between small businesses in China and Southern California should continue to grow.

The Security Pacific Bank of Los Angeles was closed by regulators, the 19th bank in the nation seized this year.

The University of California study comes as state and regional initiatives on climate-change policies have been gathering momentum.

California has managed to borrow $5 billion in the credit markets, averting a severe cash shortage that could have led to service cuts and layoffs.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the state could find the money it needed in the credit markets.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders promised they would find the billions needed to avert sharp cuts in public services.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders promised they would find the billions needed to avert sharp cuts in public services.

California and other states scrambled to cope with bills coming due as they pressed Washington for assistance because the municipal bond markets remain largely closed to them.

Vizio has grabbed almost 10 percent of the United States market in part by pricing LCD TVs at less than the better-known brands.

The state is unable to get short-term financing because of the credit crisis, and it may have to seek a $7 billion federal loan.