The US government has announced a $250 billion plan to purchase stakes in a wide variety of banks in an effort to restore confidence in the sector.

President George W Bush said the move would help to return stability to the US banking sector and ultimately help preserve free markets.

US federal authorities will also temporarily insure most new debt issued by US banks.

The moves echo similar steps taken by the UK and other European countries.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7668704.stm

***********************

North Korea will resume the process of dismantling its nuclear reactor on Tuesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog said a day earlier that Pyongyang had granted the IAEA access to its nuclear facility in Yongbyon again.

The quick turnaround comes only days after the United States removed North Korea from its list of states that sponsor terrorism.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/10/14/koreas.nuclear/index.html

*******************************

The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays play game 4 in their American League Championship Series tonight in Boston. Andy Sonnanstine wil pitch for the Rays against Boston knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. The Rays lead the series 2 games to 1.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081014/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbo_baseball_playoffs;_ylt=ApINdXGzCCD3RMx74UAUZRCs0NUE