AP - With the world's financial markets on a stomach-churning ride, the Bush administration is scrambling to get a $700 billion rescue effort for the U.S. banking system up and running. And Europe's central banks began to take unified actions Monday aimed at easing the credit crisis.

AP - European markets opened strongly Monday following Asia's lead in response to the widespread government efforts over the weekend to shore up the world's troubled financial system.

AP - The British government said Monday it would provide up to $63 billion to boost the balance sheets of three of Britain's largest banks but demanded in return the departure of some of the country's top bankers.