Reuters - While a government plan to mop up billions of dollars of bad debt from bank balance sheets has lifted spirits, few on Wall Street will enter this week ready to declare a new bull run for the stock market.

Reuters - Japan's Nomura Holdings has reached a deal to buy the Asian operations of Lehman Brothers, a source said on Monday, outbidding other banks seeking to scoop up Lehman's Asia group on the cheap.

Reuters - European stocks halted a rally in world equities on Monday and the dollar fell as jittery investors awaited detail of Washington's $700 billion bailout to tackle the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Reuters - Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley sought shelter with the Federal Reserve to survive a financial storm that has destroyed their rivals, effectively killing off the Wall Street investment banking model of the past two decades.

AP - The government's unprecedented move Friday to ban people from betting against financial stocks might be a salve for the market's turmoil but could also carry serious unintended consequences.

Reuters - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Sunday that foreign banks will be able to unload bad financial assets under a $700 billion U.S. proposal aimed at restoring order during a devastating financial crisis.

Reuters - Japan's Nomura Holdings (8604.T) is interested in buying the European operations of U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers, according to reports on Sunday, while Barclays will bid for parts of the business, a person familiar with the matter said.

Reuters - U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson took his case for an unprecedented $700 billion bailout of financial markets to the American people on Sunday, saying it was needed to prevent further damage to an already fragile economy.

AP - Images of Wall Street's stunning stumble were everywhere this week, from photographs of weary traders to video of Lehman Brothers employees carrying boxes to the curb.

Reuters - The Treasury Department said on Saturday that its financial rescue plan could permit it to buy assets beyond those backed by mortgages and potentially buy them from foreign holders.

Reuters - Morgan Stanley's board was scheduled to meet on Saturday to weigh strategic options for the investment bank, including a possible takeover by Wachovia Corp or selling a bigger stake to China Investment Corp, sources familiar with the situation said on Saturday.

Reuters - The Bush administration asked Congress on Saturday for $700 billion to bail out firms burdened with bad mortgage debt, seeking extraordinary authority as it tackles the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Reuters - The U.S. government is preparing to mop up hundreds of billions of dollars in bad mortgage debt, after curbing short-selling and guaranteeing mutual funds in an effort to stabilize financial markets.

Reuters - Morgan Stanley's board was expected to meet over the weekend to discuss a merger with Wachovia Corp , the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

Reuters - The Bush administration on Saturday sent a $700 billion financial markets rescue plan to Congress where Democrats immediately questioned its impact not only on Wall Street, but on homeowners and taxpayers as well.