August 11, 2011

The Netherlands is proposing a tax to charge drivers a usage fee for the miles they drive, factoring in the cost to society in the form of pollution, traffic congestion and wear and tear on roads.

China is urging investment in New York and elsewhere to diversify its foreign holdings, develop business partners and improve its international leverage.

Fears about the soundness of European banks are feeding new concerns about the stability of American financial institutions, whose shares have dived.

Stocks are plummeting. The economy is slowing. Politicians seek solutions but can’t agree. Is 2011’s turmoil a repeat of the financial crisis of 2008?

Markets continued this week’s pattern of wild swings between gains and losses, as earnings and jobless data got investors hunting for bargains.