American, United lay off 40,000 workers - The parent company of the world's largest airline, American, which had two planes hijacked in the attacks, said it will lay off at least 20,000 workers. Hours later, United announced its 20,000 layoffs as a result of its two planes being hijacked.

Pentagon orders deployment of warplanes to Gulf - The Pentagon on Wednesday ordered combat aircraft to begin moving to bases in the Persian Gulf area, the first concrete sign of preparations to retaliate for last week's terrorist attacks, a senior defense official said.

Stocks drop sharply; Dow falls 144 - Economic fallout from last week's terrorist attacks sent stocks spiraling for the second time in three days Wednesday. Only a late burst of buying saved the Dow Jones industrials from their worst three-day point loss ever.

Bush: Help U.S. in anti-terror campaign, even in secret - President Bush urged world leaders Wednesday to aid the United States openly or even secretly in a campaign against terrorism and those responsible for last week's attacks in New York and Washington.

Ashcroft cites foreign support in attack - Attorney General John Ashcroft said Wednesday the terrorists behind the attacks on the United States attacks likely received support from foreign governments and that it was too early to tell if surprise arrests in Michigan were a major break in the case.