Financial fallout continues in Europe

Investors in the Fortis banking and insurance group face an anxious weekend as the Belgian-Dutch bank holds talks on its future with the Belgian government, market regulators and the Central Bank.
Friday saw Fortis shares plummet more than 20 percent, the 15th straight day of losses for the group.
Fortis is hoping to sell off parts of its business by Monday to show investors it can raise cash and restore confidence.
The United Kingdom faces yet more financial turmoil as the Bradford and Bingley, the eighth largest mortgage lender, has effectively closed for new business after cutting 300 jobs on Thursday.
The B&B has seen 90 percent of its share value erased since the start of the year.
The British Banking Association has tried to reassure the bank’s 2.5 million savers that their deposits are safe.
Banking sources say that with no private bank ready to mount a rescue bid the bank may have to be nationalised.