First-ever fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty pickups and trucks will be announced today by U.S. EPA

The downgrade of the U.S. credit rating will also likely force ratings cuts on bonds issued by cities and states. That could raise municipality borrowing costs.

Sharp stock market drops of late are reminiscent of the 2008 crisis -- and that's put investors on edge. But the roots of our current economic turmoil are much different than the causes of the last recession.

Yesterday was one of the worst days for global stock markets since the 2008 collapse of Lehman Brothers. A sell-off in European markets continues today.

Markets overseas have fluctuated wildly throughout the morning, and investors are looking to the Federal Reserve for answers

Investors in Asia are preparing for another recession in the U.S. by selling off stocks like Toyota, Sony and Samsung

Police say young rioters in London are using tools like Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger to organize attacks on businesses

Young people in London have entered a third day of rioting, damaging businesses and buildings across the city

The Federal Reserve bank is scheduled to meet this morning. One thing the Fed could do is a third round of quantitative easing -- but analysts say not to expect any major policy moves this afternoon.

In response to the S&P downgrade and market fears, global investors are living by the mantra: when in doubt, get out.

The difference between now and three years ago may be more in cause than in effect. The first crisis was fueled by Wall Street -- this one, some analysts argue, was caused by the government's mishandling of the debt crisis.

With market volatility comes bargain-basement prices for stocks, a drop in oil prices and spike in the price of gold