Wall Street opened higher on the first relatively calm Monday in a month amid signs banks were lending to each other again, an indication of hope the world's financial crisis may be easing. European banks prepared to make use of state rescue packages, helping shares rise by more than 2 percent, and U.S. stocks climbed

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Monday that another wave of government spending may be needed as the economy limps through what could be an extended period of subpar growth. "With the economy likely to be weak for several quarters, and with some risk of a protracted slowdown, consideration of a fiscal

A British motorcyclist who posted footage of himself performing dangerous stunts and speeding at up to 130 mph (209 kph) on YouTube was given a 12-week jail term on Monday. Sandor Ferenci, 28, performed wheelies, skids and raced on the opposite side of the road around Banbury, Oxfordshire, in June this year and then put

Banks have been encouraged to grow faster than was sustainable and the bonus system rewarding bankers has encouraged "excessive risk taking", which may have contributed to the financial crisis, the chairman of HSBC said. "The market and industry will need to consider whether badly aligned incentives have contributed to the crisis," HSBC Chairman Stephen Green

European shares rose in midday trade on Monday, rallying for a second day, as oil and utility stocks led the charge buoyed by a rise in crude prices and as several banks gained ground. At 1225 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares was up 2.1 percent at 913.98 points. The index gained

European banks lined up on Monday to tap state rescue packages to shore up their finances, part of measures to stem a global crisis that have begun to restore trust between institutions. The rate banks charge each other for dollar loans fell, suggesting that confidence in dealing with other lenders was returning to the market.