The bottom line

Fiscal 2009 deficit at $957 billion, and rising

The federal budget deficit rose to a record $957 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2009. March government outlays increased 41 percent to $321 billion from March 2008, while revenue fell 28 percent to $129 billion.

Marketwatch.com

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23 banks seized by FDIC since January

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. seized two banks last week, raising to 23 the number of banks taken over since Jan. 1. The FDIC seized 25 banks during all of 2008.

Associated Press

Mars Inc. to tap new cocoa suppliers

Mars Inc. announced that by 2020, it would buy cocoa only from suppliers that meet strict environmental, labor, and production standards. The move both burnishes the company’s reputation for social responsibility and assures it a reliable cocoa supply.

The Washington Post

New York law firm pays lawyers to take a year off

In a novel cost-cutting move, the New York–based law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is offering its 1,300 associates one-third of their base pay to take the year off. Associate Heather Eisenlord plans to use her stipend of $80,000 to travel the world doing pro bono work.

The New York Times

Will gas prices keep rising?

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline hit $2.05 last week, up almost 10 cents since the last survey, on March 20. Analyst Trilby Lundberg says prices could rise by about 3 cents per week for the next several weeks as demand intensifies.

CNNmoney.com