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The article reports on the varied responses by European Union member states to the financial crisis in 2008. Officials of Germany are opposing any European plan that would mirror the proposed $700 billion purchase of banks' bad assets by the U.S. Options being considered by the British government include a U.S.-style bailout fund and a way to swap assets such as securities for government-issued bonds. Ireland offered €400 billion of guarantees to support its entire banking system.

The article reports on the criminal inquiries launched by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into several companies as part of an investigation of the subprime-mortgage crisis. The inquiries will focus on accounting fraud, securitization of loans and insider trading, among other areas. The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Countrywide Financial Corp., the largest home mortgage lender in terms of loan volume, for its accounting practices.

This article discusses the turmoil in the capital and money markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia. It explains that investors fear about the extent of the impact of the subprime mortgage problem in the U.S. largely caused the turmoil. The Federal Reserve and the central banks in Europe and Japan have reacted to the squeeze in money supply by release billions and lowering the interest rates. It says that the commercial paper market, which observers believe, is largely insulated from the turmoil, did not remain unscathed.

Reports that U.S. investigators are focusing on former chief executive Bernard J. Ebbers in their investigation of the accounting scandal of telecommunications company WorldCom. U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission charge of fraud against the company; Questions concerning Ebbers knowledge of overstatements of earnings by WorldCom; Expectation that more accounting irregularities will be discovered.

Reports on proposals by United States legislators designed to prevent the sort accounting fraud that contributed to the collapse of Enron Corp. and other companies. Questions as to how certain proposals and regulations will be enforced; Details on specific proposals from the Accounting Standards Board and other groups.

Focuses on the bailout or financing package plans of the United States government for the airline industry.

Reports on stock and bond market activity in the United States for February 3, 2000. What set off the near-panic buying of Treasury bonds; The recovery made by blue-chip stocks after an early plunge; The statement made by the Federal Reserve that eased investors' minds.