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JP Morgan Chase will acquire the troubled investment bank Bear Stearns at the fire-sale price of $2 a share, a deal quickly approved over the weekend by the Federal Reserve, which also approved a cut in its emergency lending rate to financial institutions by a quarter-point to 3.25 percent. The moves stirred fear in foreign markets.

Sen. John McCain on Wednesday outlined his foreign policy goals in a speech in Los Angeles. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee called for the United States to work more collegially with allies and to live up to its duties as a world leader. He also raised questions about Bush policies — while remaining firmly in support of the Iraq war.

A search is under way for a small plane carrying aviation adventurer Steve Fossett. Federal officials say he took off in the single-engine plane Monday at a private airstrip in western Nevada and didn't return as scheduled. A friend reported him missing.

Ford says it will extend contract talks in Detroit beyond the midnight deadline. General Motors and Chrysler may do so as well. Each company says it needs major changes from the United Auto Workers if they are to survive.

In South Florida, Cuban-Americans have had only muted reaction to the news that Fidel Castro is stepping down as president of Cuba. "It's another one of those, you know, crafty spin campaigns that he always puts out," said Mario Gonzales Posa. "Until we actually see him in a coffin, I think we won't have any hopes."

Two years ago, New Century Financial was the country's second largest subprime mortgage lender. Now, it's in bankruptcy, and a new report mandated by the bankruptcy court shines light on the company's shady practices.

After tackling the science of death and theories of the afterlife, Mary Roach takes on the nitty gritty of sexual research. Her latest book takes a curious, funny look at what we do and don't know about coital mechanics.

Multiple handwritten wills were found in Franklin's home in 2019. Two of Franklin's sons would like a 2014 will to be honored and are up against their brother, who wanted to uphold a 2010 will.

The rescue plan for giant mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac promises credit and possible stock purchases. It might cost the U.S. nothing — or it might cost $25 billion. Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd says balancing investor confidence and taxpayer exposure is a fine line, but "doing nothing is not an option."

The Federal Reserve said Tuesday it would lend American International Group $85 billion to help stave off a financial crisis worldwide. In return, the government gets a major stake in the company. "It's almost like French-style capitalism here in the U.S.," says David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal.