Former “American Idol” contestant LaKisha Jones has tied the knot.

Stocks surged while credit markets remained strained Friday ahead of an expected House vote on the government’s $700 billion financial rescue plan and after Wells Fargo Co. agreed to buy Wachovia Corp. in a $15.1 billion deal. The Dow Jones industrial average rose nearly 250 points.

The financial markets saw some relative calm Monday as investors uneasily awaited a Senate vote on the banking bailout plan, with Wall Street closing with only modest losses and the credit markets still showing signs of strain. The Dow Jones industrials zigzagged during the session, losint more than 200 points in early trading but closing down about 20 _ a far cry from the huge swings the blue chips saw during the first two sessions of the week.

There will be no offseason shoulder surgery for Chipper Jones.

Financial markets uneasily awaited a Senate vote on the government’s proposed financial sector bailout Wednesday, with stock prices showing sharp fluctuations and credit markets still extremely tight. The Dow Jones industrials, down more than 200 points in early trading, recovered to show a slim gain.

Financial markets showed further signs of dejection Wednesday, with stocks extending this week’s gyrations as investors prepared for a possible Senate vote on the government’s proposed $700 billion financial sector bailout. The Dow Jones industrials were down more than 200 points in their third triple-digit move this week, while credit markets remained extremely tight.

In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, leaving both parties’ lawmakers and the Bush administration scrambling to pick up the pieces. Dismayed investors sent the Dow Jones industrials plunging 777 points, the most ever for a single day.

In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, leaving both parties and the Bush administration scrambling to pick up the pieces. The Dow Jones industrials plunged nearly 800 points, the most ever for a single day.

In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House on Monday defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system, leaving both parties and the Bush administration struggling to pick up the pieces. The Dow Jones industrials plunged nearly 800 points, the most ever for a single day.