Reuters - Three former executives at now-bankrupt lender New Century Financial Corp were charged with fraud by U.S. securities regulators on Monday, the latest government effort to pursue wrongdoing in the subprime mortgage market.

AP - Asian stock markets fell Tuesday after the Federal Reserve's chief warned the U.S. economy would continue to struggle and Japan unveiled billions in new stimulus spending to prevent a lurch back into recession. European shares mostly posted tepid gains.

AFP - The Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets were buffeted on Tuesday by the fallout of Dubai's debt woes, both posting fresh losses in volatile trade.

AFP - The leading share index slid backwards on Tuesday losing 0.49 percent to stand at 5,284.61 points.

AFP - Shares in Dubai's giant property developer Emaar dropped the maximum-allowed 10 percent on Monday as stocks in the United Arab Emirates took a fresh tumble over Dubai's debt woes.

AFP - London shares slid on Monday, as investors took profits from pre-weekend gains, and miners and energy groups were hit by lower commodity prices.

AP - European stock markets closed down Monday even though Wall Street rose modestly as investors awaited what could be a crucial speech later from U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.

AFP - London shares slid on Monday with trading dominated by sentiment rather than economic data releases as investors took profits from pre-weekend gains.

AP - If there's a single word that best sums up investors' views toward stocks heading into 2010, it's probably "wary."

AP - Financial markets were reassured by comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who said interest rates will remain low as the economy proceeds on a slow recovery.

Reuters - Stocks modestly added to gains on Monday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the economy was improving, but the recovery was fragile and still faced headwinds.