The Dow dropped 504 points yesterday in reaction to Lehman Brothers' bankruptcy and Bank of America's purchase of Merrill Lynch. Additional losses are expected for financial firms and a slowing economy could also put new stresses on car and credit card lenders, increasing defaults.

Guest: Michael Hunter, Financial Times

U.S. military commander General David Petraeus handed over his command in Iraq to Lieutenant General Raymond Odierno. Petraeus has been credited with overseeing improvements in security across the country, but the incoming U.S. commander is warning that violence could easily escalate.

The collapse of Lehman Brothers and widespread anxiety in the U.S. economy sent jitters through markets this week. Oil prices plunged five dollars lower in reaction to recent events on Wall Street, bringing the price to the lowest level in seven months. Though the crisis was created in America, emerging markets, particularly oil-exporting countries like Russia and Brazil, have fared worse than the United States.

In the world of blockbuster books, Agatha Christie was way ahead of her time — not only in spinning unpredictable tales but also introducing the world to her distinctive characters. Now, newly discovered audio tapes give us a window into what she thought about her legendary detectives. Christie's grandson Mathew Prichard stumbled upon 27 of the half-hour long tapes; in a dusty cardboard box — undisturbed for 40 years &mdash as he cleaned out a storeroom in Greenway, the Georgian property overlooking the Dart estuary in Devon that Christie called "the loveliest place in the world.” In the tapes, she explained why the fastidious Hercule Poirot and the indomitable Miss Marple should never meet.

Every year companies spend billions of dollars on market research trying to determine what makes you tick. Now, a new startup says you don't need a focus group to find out what's in -- all you need is a computer and a good pitch.

An increasing number of countries are showing worrying economic signs. Decision Economics says 55 to 60 percent of the global economy is either in or close to a recession.

In the last few days, Wall Street has become ground zero for America's economic woes. As the markets play out worst-case scenarios, how are Wall Street anxieties reverberating on campus on business schools?

In General Motors Corp.'s 100th anniversary year, the company has been shedding jobs, closing plants and desperately trying to sell increasingly unpopular Hummers, SUVs and other gas guzzlers. Today, on its official birthday, GM says it will roll out 'the future' in the form of its much-hyped electric hybrid car, The Chevy Volt. In order to survive as a company, analysts say the struggling auto giant must build The Volt and successfully market it. Can they pull it off?

Thomas Friedman argues "that we are going from a world of a billion Americans to a world of 2 or 3 billion." And "in a world that is hot, flat and crowded, clean technology is the next great global industry." Pulitzer Prize winning author Thomas Friedman explains the challenges and possibilities facing America and the need for a green revolution.

As a former Secretary of the Treasury, Lawrence Summers has experience managing complex financial systems. He talks with The Takeaway about the current climate of bank failures, sluggish housing markets, high unemployment and global economic malaise.

Trouble with financial firms on Wall Street sent shockwaves through the world, but many Asian markets were closed Monday for a holiday. When they opened on Tuesday, markets in Tokyo, Seoul, and Hong Kong were down sharply.

While thousands of people lose their jobs as prestigious companies implode, presidential nominees Barack Obama and John McCain tossed charges.

The stock market has taken a hit the likes of which haven't been seen since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Investors reacting to the bankruptcy filing of Lehman Brothers and Bank of America's purchase of Merrill Lynch sent the Dow plunging more than 500 points. Rob Lieber, New York Times "Your Money" columnist, answers questions about your personal finances.

The Takeaway talks to former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich about what's next for Wall Street and the Federal Reserve Board, and how Wall Street woes could affect the presidential campaigns.

Jen Armbruster is a five-time Paralympian and captain who led the U.S. women’s goalball team to Paralympic gold. She joins The Takeaway along with her coach (and dad), Ken Armbruster.