AP - Asian markets showed signs of life Tuesday as investors cheered a big interest rate cut by the Australian central bank aimed at alleviating the unfolding global credit crisis that has battered global markets.

AP - The government is weighing a bold plan to buy massive amounts of unsecured short-term debts in a dramatic effort to break through a credit clog that is imperiling the economy.

Reuters - Bank of America Corp, citing "recessionary conditions," on Monday halved its dividend and said it would sell at least $10 billion in new common stock to bolster its capital to offset rising loan losses.

Reuters - Asian stocks outside Japan rose for the first time in four days on Tuesday while the yen and government bond prices fell after a surprisingly large interest rate cut by Australia's central bank raised hopes that other policymakers would follow suit.