Investors assume that the central bank will reduce the overnight federal funds rate by at least a quarter of a percentage point, to 5 percent. But many market analysts say that will not be enough to restore confidence. Read more..

By ERIC DASH - The New York Times

With the recalls of toys by Mattel and others, the European Union is taking a second look at whether its safety regulations are adequate. Read more..

By STEPHEN CASTLE and DAN BILEFSKY - The New York Times

The sharp increases provide more evidence that the troubles in the housing and mortgage markets may prove long-lived. Read more..

By VIKAS BAJAJ - The New York Times

You know how people’s lives are often referred to as journeys? Well, I’ve always thought that comparison was extremely apt. A well-spent life, like an outstanding trip, is made up of unexpected turns, strange encounters and priority-changing exper... Read more..

By DARRELL WADE - The New York Times

The company plans to announce the creation of I.B.M. Lotus Symphony, free programs for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations. Read more..

By STEVE LOHR - The New York Times

PASSPORT BOTTLENECK EASES The processing time for passport service is back to the normal six to eight weeks, according to the State Department, which has issued more than 16 million passports so far this fiscal year (which ends Sept. 30) compared ... Read more..

By JOE SHARKEY - The New York Times

Panicky customers of Northern Rock have withdrawn $4 billion since the bank acknowledged Friday that it could no longer raise money because of the credit squeeze. Read more..

By JULIA WERDIGIER - The New York Times

Stocks fell yesterday as heavy withdrawals from the British bank Northern Rock reignited concern over the cost of credit and sent the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index down for the first time in five days. Read more..

By BLOOMBERG NEWS - The New York Times

Barry Callebaut, a Swiss candy maker, agreed to sell its Brach’s Candy unit after weaker-than-forecast growth in the United States market for private-label confections. Callebaut, based in Zurich, sold Brach’s to Farley’s & Sathers Candy, a privat... Read more..

By BLOOMBERG NEWS - The New York Times

Apple will offer the iPhone in Britain with free access to 7,500 WiFi hot spots to compensate for a weak data network. Read more..

By SAUL HANSELL - The New York Times