AP - Crucial Arctic sea ice this summer shrank to its second lowest level on record, continuing an alarming trend, scientists said Tuesday.

AP - Midwest residents cleared debris from their yards Monday as crews worked to restore electricity to millions of customers left without power by a weekend of violent storms caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ike.

Reuters - Global stocks tumbled, led by financial shares, and oil fell sharply on Monday as Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy filing caused investors to bail out of risky assets and flock to safe havens such as government bonds, gold and the Swiss franc.

AFP - Millions of people remained without power and water Monday as deadly Hurricane Ike barreled up from the Gulf Coast into the Midwest, reportedly leaving more than 15 dead across nine states.

Reuters - Nigerian militants attacked a Royal Dutch Shell-operated oil installation on Monday in a third day of heavy fighting with security forces in the Niger Delta region.

AP - As teams continued the biggest search and rescue operation in Texas history, a new phase of the disaster wrought by Hurricane Ike was only beginning as thousands of people faced long stays in crowded shelters because their homes were damaged or destroyed.