Afternoon Update: Stocks Dive on Fears of Global Slowdown

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August 4, 2011 Afternoon Update

TOP NEWS Stocks Dive on Fears of Global Slowdown By GRAHAM BOWLEY American indexes fell 4 percent as new data heightened fears that the United States may be headed toward a double-dip recession and that Europe's debt crisis could widen. European Central Bank Buys Bonds in Bid to Calm Markets Economix: Stocks Are Still Expensive Death Toll Is Said to Double in Center of Syrian Revolt By NADA BAKRI The military forces that occupied the central square of Hama have killed more than 100 people over the past 24 hours and a total of 200 since the weekend, rights activists say. Few Reports From Hama as Fears of Massacre Mount Republicans Set Sights on Balanced Budget Amendment By JENNIFER STEINHAUER Speaker John A. Boehner told members to spend the August recess selling constituents on the idea. Will Debt Deal Force Higher Taxes on the Rich? 11:53 AM ET DealBook What Does Buffett Think? By DEALBOOK While Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway, Kraft's largest shareholder, roundly criticized the deal to buy Cadbury, he is now said to favor Kraft's planned split, which was aided by the acquisition. Five (And Then Some) Tech Tips for Travel By DAVID POGUE More than a dozen tech tips for making flying less of a hassle. • NYTimes.com Home Page »

Magazine Magazine Preview Photographs: The Mean Streets of Athens Crimes by and against immigrants in Greece are on the rise while right-wing groups clamor for the expulsion of all illegal immigrants. Opinion Opinionator Mark Bittman: Can Big Food Regulate Itself? Fat Chance The food industry is fighting efforts to protect kids from junk food marketing with their own brand of spin.

BUSINESS E.C.B. Buys Bonds in Bid to Quell Sovereign Debt Crisis By JACK EWING AND JULIA WERDIGIER The European Central Bank's intervention in bond markets may have backfired and sent stock markets skidding in the United States and Europe. G.M. Earnings Climb 89% By BILL VLASIC The results were driven by strong sales in General Motors's core North American market and were higher than expectations. Late July Weakness Clouds Retail Outlook By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD Same-store sales rose for the month, but the emphasis was on clearance merchandise, and pressure to discount may persist. When Havens Fight Back By HIROKO TABUCHI The strength of the Japanese yen and Swiss franc against the dollar and euro has compelled their governments to intervene to protect exporters. I.M.F. Chief to Face French Investigation By LIZ ALDERMAN A commission at the Court of Justice decided that Christine Lagarde's role in a $580 million arbitration decision should be examined. • More Business News »

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